The Cabinet approved this change on 19 May 2026, but it is not in force yet. Three Royal Gazette announcements from the Ministry of Interior are required. The rules take effect 15 days after the final announcement. Monitor official sources before booking travel. We will update this page once the Gazette publishes.
What Changed and When
Thailand introduced a temporary 60-day visa exemption in July 2024 as a tourism stimulus measure. On 19 May 2026, the Cabinet approved ending that scheme. When the new rules take effect, visa-exempt stays will return to the pre-2024 standard of 30 days for most nationalities, and 15 days for some countries (exact country tiers will be confirmed in the Royal Gazette).
The 2-entry rolling limit introduced in January 2026 (2 exemptions per rolling 12-month period) is understood to remain in place alongside the return to 30-day stays. However, the interaction between the existing rolling limit and the new calendar-year land border cap requires confirmation from the Royal Gazette text.
Key Changes at a Glance
| Rule | Was (July 2024 - May 2026) | Will Be (after implementation) |
|---|---|---|
| Stay duration (most countries) | 60 days per entry | 30 days per entry |
| Stay duration (some countries) | 60 days per entry | 15 days per entry (TBC) |
| Land border entries | 2 per rolling 12 months | 2 per calendar year (capped) |
| Air arrivals | 2 per rolling 12 months | Rules TBA in Royal Gazette |
| Extension (1st entry) | +30 days at immigration | To be confirmed |
| Extension (2nd entry) | +7 days at immigration | To be confirmed |
The Royal Gazette will specify which nationalities receive 30 days and which receive 15 days. Major Western countries (Australia, UK, USA, EU) have historically received 30 days under the pre-2024 rules. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Thai embassy for your nationality once the Gazette publishes.
Implementation Timeline
What This Means for Visitors in Chiang Mai
If you are currently in Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp, your existing stamp remains valid for its original duration. This change affects new arrivals after the implementation date, not those already holding a valid stamp.
For anyone relying on visa-exempt entry as their primary stay strategy, this significantly reduces the practical value of the approach. A 30-day stay with one possible extension to 60 days (if extensions are retained under the new rules) gives little room compared to a Tourist Visa, ED Visa, or DTV.
Options Worth Considering Now
- ED Visa: 1-year multi-entry, renewable. Suitable for those enrolled in Thai language, Muay Thai, or other approved programs in Chiang Mai. See the ED Visa overview.
- DTV Visa: 5-year multi-entry for remote workers and long-stay visitors. 180 days per entry, renewable from within Thailand. See the DTV guide.
- Tourist Visa: Applied before arrival at a Thai embassy. Grants 60 days, extendable to 90 days, and does not consume your visa-exempt quota. See the Tourist Visa guide.
- Retirement or Marriage Visa: For eligible applicants. 1-year renewable with financial requirements. See Retirement Visa or Marriage Visa.
Land Border Cap: 2 Entries Per Calendar Year
The new land border rule is stricter than the existing rolling 12-month limit. A calendar year cap (January to December) means border runs reset at a fixed date, not on a rolling basis from your first entry. If you used 2 land border exemptions before, say, June 2026, you cannot use a third land border exemption until 1 January 2027, regardless of when your 12-month rolling window would have reset.
Air arrivals appear to follow different rules, but the distinction has not been fully published. The Royal Gazette text will clarify whether air arrivals remain on a rolling 12-month basis or move to a calendar year cap as well.
Watch these sources for the Royal Gazette publication and official country tier lists: Thai Immigration Bureau (immigration.go.th), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.go.th), and your country's Thai embassy website.
Disclaimer
CMLocals is an independent information resource. This page is based on publicly reported Cabinet decisions as of 19 May 2026. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Rules are subject to change before and after Royal Gazette publication. Verify with official Thai government sources before making travel decisions.