Representative image Thailand will allow 30-day visa-exempted entries by visitors from India after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led arrivals from the country to drop in a blow to the vital tourism industry.An initial proposal, which had not come into effect despite being approved by the cabinet in May, had caused confusion for Indian travellers and resulted in a decline of arrivals from the country, tourism minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said after a cabinet meeting. “The cabinet therefore approved a 30-day visa-free entry to align with the travel behaviour of Indian tourists, who represent a large market for Thailand,” Surasak told reporters. “If problems arise from this measure in the future, govt can review it then.”Indian tourists, the third-biggest group of visitors to Thailand this year behind China and Malaysia, are currently allowed to stay 60 days without a visa. That had been set to end after Thailand in May announced the elimination of visa-free entry for tourists from 93 countries and territories. Under that proposal, Thailand would have given 30-day visa waivers to just 54 countries and territories.The new waiver plan, which now accounts for all 27 EU member states, may help Thailand in ongoing negotiations for Schengen visa exemptions for Thai passport holders, a govt spokesperson said.PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s new conservative govt has sought to curb foreigners who exploit Thailand’s visa-free policies to carry out illicit activities, as part of a wider crackdown on transnational scam operations. He is also seeking to address concerns among local businesses that their livelihoods are being threatened by visitors who misuse visas to engage in prohibited activities.(Bloomberg)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesAre fewer toys better for your child? What happened when a German kindergarten removed every toy for three monthsExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding school123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war

Representative image Thailand will allow 30-day visa-exempted entries by visitors from India after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led arrivals from the country to drop in a blow to the vital tourism industry.An initial proposal, which had not come into effect despite being approved by the cabinet in May, had caused confusion for Indian travellers and resulted in a decline of arrivals from the country, tourism minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said after a cabinet meeting. “The cabinet therefore approved a 30-day visa-free entry to align with the travel behaviour of Indian tourists, who represent a large market for Thailand,” Surasak told reporters. “If problems arise from this measure in the future, govt can review it then.”Indian tourists, the third-biggest group of visitors to Thailand this year behind China and Malaysia, are currently allowed to stay 60 days without a visa. That had been set to end after Thailand in May announced the elimination of visa-free entry for tourists from 93 countries and territories. Under that proposal, Thailand would have given 30-day visa waivers to just 54 countries and territories.The new waiver plan, which now accounts for all 27 EU member states, may help Thailand in ongoing negotiations for Schengen visa exemptions for Thai passport holders, a govt spokesperson said.PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s new conservative govt has sought to curb foreigners who exploit Thailand’s visa-free policies to carry out illicit activities, as part of a wider crackdown on transnational scam operations. He is also seeking to address concerns among local businesses that their livelihoods are being threatened by visitors who misuse visas to engage in prohibited activities.(Bloomberg)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos5 Plots, 4 Flats, Villa: ACB Raid On HMDA Engineer Exposes Rs 9.24 Crore Assets | HyderabadIndia-UK Trade Deal Kicks In From July 15, 99% Of Indian Exports Get Duty-Free AccessSupreme Court Refuses Stay In Bhojshala Case, Allows Alternate Namaz Site Till Final VerdictOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over Glitch123PhotostoriesAre fewer toys better for your child? What happened when a German kindergarten removed every toy for three monthsExclusive – Sunita Ahuja on Govinda’s alleged affairs and why she chose forgiveness; says ‘Why should I walk away if I love my husband? Kaun sa hero doodh ka dhula hai’From gold mines to desert ruins; 5 real ghost towns across America that look frozen in timeThink you know cows? These 5 surprising facts say otherwise8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding school123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war


Thailand scraps plan to end visa-free entry for Indians

Thailand will allow 30-day visa-exempted entries by visitors from India after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led arrivals from the country to drop in a blow to the vital tourism industry.An initial proposal, which had not come into effect despite being approved by the cabinet in May, had caused confusion for Indian travellers and resulted in a decline of arrivals from the country, tourism minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said after a cabinet meeting. “The cabinet therefore approved a 30-day visa-free entry to align with the travel behaviour of Indian tourists, who represent a large market for Thailand,” Surasak told reporters. “If problems arise from this measure in the future, govt can review it then.”Indian tourists, the third-biggest group of visitors to Thailand this year behind China and Malaysia, are currently allowed to stay 60 days without a visa. That had been set to end after Thailand in May announced the elimination of visa-free entry for tourists from 93 countries and territories. Under that proposal, Thailand would have given 30-day visa waivers to just 54 countries and territories.The new waiver plan, which now accounts for all 27 EU member states, may help Thailand in ongoing negotiations for Schengen visa exemptions for Thai passport holders, a govt spokesperson said.PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s new conservative govt has sought to curb foreigners who exploit Thailand’s visa-free policies to carry out illicit activities, as part of a wider crackdown on transnational scam operations. He is also seeking to address concerns among local businesses that their livelihoods are being threatened by visitors who misuse visas to engage in prohibited activities.(Bloomberg)



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