Thailand introduces visa rules for Indians. You can now travel without a visa, but...

Thailand has re-introduced visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, once again allowing Indian tourists to visit the country without obtaining a visa in advance or on arrival. The decision comes just months after Thai authorities ended an earlier 60-day visa waiver program, a move that followed a noticeable drop in arrivals from India.

Although visa-free travel has returned, the permitted length of stay has been reduced to 30 days compared to the previous 60-day limit. The revised policy is expected to make it easier for Indian travelers to take short holiday trips to Thailand.

The new visa policy applies to travelers from 59 countries

According to a Bangkok Post report, Thailand’s cabinet has approved updated visa regulations that allow passport holders from 59 countries to enter the country visa-free for stays of up to 30 days.

Under the revised framework, India has been added to the list alongside Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta and the Maldives. The changes also mean that all 27 member states of the European Union are now subject to the same visa-free policy.

For Indian citizens, the latest amendment replaces the existing visa-on-arrival system.

An earlier policy change led to a decline in Indian visitors

In May 2026, Thailand ended the 60-day visa-free regime for travelers from 93 countries, including India. Government ministers said at the time that the extended visa-free period was being abused in ways that broke the law and raised national security concerns.

Following this decision, Indian nationals were once again required to obtain a visa on arrival before entering Thailand.

The change had a significant impact on tourism, with figures from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports showing that visitor arrivals from India fell by almost 20%.

The new rules will come into effect upon official publication

The report states that Indian tourists spend an average of 7.2 days per visit in Thailand. The government seems to have weighed in on this trend and opted for a 30-day visa-free stay instead of restoring the previous 60-day exemption.

The updated visa rules will take effect 15 days after they are published in the Royal Gazette of Thailand.

Travelers who enter Thailand before the revised regulations come into effect will be able to stay in the country under the conditions in force at the time of their arrival.