The cabinet on Tuesday decided to end the 60-day visa-free programme for foreign visitors to Thailand, but the timeline for enforcement has not yet been disclosed.
The decision meant that the rules for all countries covered by the scheme would revert to the immigration regulations used before the 60-day programme took effect, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said.
Thai authorities for months have been signalling that 60-day stays, introduced to help spur the post-Covid tourism recovery, had brought unintended consequences. Chief among them was the rise in foreigners putting down roots to run businesses or engage in criminal activity.
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Mr Surasak did not give an effective date for the change, saying only that the cabinet decision would be relayed to all agencies responsible for the issue.
The Visa Policy Committee, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will later consider which countries will benefit from eased measures in the future by taking into consideration security and economic impacts, Mr Surasak added.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaeow said recently that authorities would also be examining the overall visa framework to determine whether the large number of visa categories remains necessary and whether some could be merged. he said on Tuesday.
Thailand for many years had allowed nationals of 56 countries to stay without a visa for 30 days. In July 1994, the exemption was increased to 60 days and eligibility expanded to 93 countries
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