Thailand's Royal Gazette published four Ministry of Interior notices on the night of 31 August 2026 (Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor), formally repealing the 60-day scheme. The new rules take effect 15 September 2026. Travellers arriving before this date are assessed under the old rules; arrivals on or after this date fall under the new framework. We're updating this to the best of our knowledge; always confirm with your local Thai embassy or consulate before travelling.
What Changed and When
Thailand introduced a temporary 60-day visa exemption in July 2024 as a tourism stimulus measure. The Cabinet approved ending that scheme on 19 May 2026, and the Royal Gazette formally published the repeal on 31 August 2026. From 15 September 2026, visa-exempt stays return to the pre-2024 standard of 30 days for the 60 countries on the standard exemption list, and 15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius. The eligible country list also shrinks from 93 to 60.
Visa on Arrival is reduced to 3 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. Of the 9 countries previously on 60-day bilateral exemption agreements, 8 move to 30 days and 1 moves to 14 days.
The land border entry limit stays at 2 entries per rolling 12-month period, with continued unlimited entry for Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei.
Key Changes at a Glance
| Rule | Was (July 2024 - 14 Sept 2026) | Now (From 15 September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Stay duration (60 countries) | 60 days per entry | 30 days per entry |
| Stay duration (Seychelles, Mauritius) | 60 days per entry | 15 days per entry |
| Eligible country count | 93 countries | 60 countries |
| Visa on Arrival | Wider eligible list | 3 countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia |
| Land border entries | 2 per rolling 12 months | 2 per calendar year (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei unlimited) |
| Bilateral agreements (9 countries) | 60 days | 8 move to 30 days, 1 to 14 days |
| Extension (1st entry) | +30 days at immigration | +30 days at immigration (unchanged) |
The 30-day list includes Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United States, and 38 others. Seychelles and Mauritius get 15 days. Country tiers and 30/15-day splits are consistent across sources reporting the 31 August Gazette text, but cross-check your nationality against thaievisa.go.th or your nearest Royal Thai Embassy before travel.
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
Land border entries are capped at 2 per calendar year. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei continue to have unlimited land entry. Once you've used your 2 land border exemptions for the year, any further land re-entry needs a visa.
Whether air entries remain unlimited after that isn't yet clear from official sources. Confirm with Thai Immigration or your embassy before relying on this.
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 reflects the Royal Gazette publication of 31 August 2026 and reporting cross-checked against multiple outlets. We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Officer discretion and enforcement practice can vary. Verify with official Thai government sources (thaievisa.go.th, your nearest Royal Thai Embassy) before making travel decisions.