Months-long backpacking trips to Thailand might have just got a lot harder to arrange.
The Southeast Asian nation is ending a 60-day visa-free entry program for travelers from 93 countries and territories, the Thai Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Visitors from countries including Australia, the UK and the US will instead receive 30-day visa-free stays, while some nationalities will have to obtain visas on arrival.
The move is a major backtrack after the Thai government eased visa restrictions in 2024 to entice foreign visitors back after the coronavirus pandemic devastated the kingdom’s tourism industry, a vital part of its economy.
With majestic limestone islands, white sandy beaches and lush mountains, Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting nearly 33 million foreign visitors in 2025.
