Thai authorities have implemented new visa policies to attract more tourists and remote workers, effective from the start of June 2024. The changes include adding 36 countries to Thailand’s visa-free entry list and relaxing health insurance requirements for retirees, reducing the mandatory insurance cover by 85% from 3 million baht (€75,600) to 440,000 baht (€11,090). Additionally, foreign students will now be allowed to stay in Thailand for an extra year after graduation.
Countries newly eligible for visa-free entry include Albania, Cambodia, China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Romania, Sri Lanka, the UK, the USA, and Uzbekistan. China and India are particularly significant markets, with Indian tourists becoming the fastest-growing and fourth-largest source of visitors to Thailand in 2023. Indian visa privileges, previously set to expire in May 2024, have been extended due to a surge in Indian tourists, who spent over 63 billion baht (€1.6 billion) in Thailand last year.
Visitors from the new visa-free countries can now stay up to 60 days, double the previous 30-day limit. Digital nomads will benefit significantly, with permitted stays extended to 180 days, renewable for up to five years, compared to the previous 60-day limit. This policy also applies to those interested in learning Muay Thai boxing or studying Thai cuisine.
While many countries are addressing overtourism, Thailand is embracing tourism to boost income rather than merely increasing tourist numbers. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke emphasized tourism’s critical role in the Thai economy and employment. The strategy appears successful, with tourist arrivals projected to surpass pre-COVID 2019 figures by 100,000, reaching a record 40 million this year. More importantly, revenue from these tourists is expected to increase by 84% compared to 2019.
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