Travel to Thailand continues to attract many European tourists, including Portuguese, due to the combination of beaches, culture, gastronomy, nature and prices that are still competitive in relation to other long-distance destinations. But the country’s entry rules are changing and may force some travelers to better prepare for their stay before leaving.
The Thai Government has approved a review of the visa exemption and visa on arrival regimes, in a change that ends the 60-day exemption for the 93 countries and territories covered by this regime.
The decision was communicated by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after approval by the Council of Ministers on May 19, according to the Spanish newspaper.
In practice, tourists who until now could stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without applying for a visa must now, in many cases, have a shorter exemption of 30 days. This change is particularly relevant for those traveling from Portugal and usually planning long holidays in the country, whether in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi or the Thai islands.
What changes for tourists
Thailand had extended, in July 2024, the visa-free regime to 60 days, covering citizens from 93 countries and territories. This regime allowed entry into the country for tourism, occasional business or urgent short-term work, with the possibility of an extension of up to 30 days, subject to the decision of the immigration authorities.
With the review now approved, this 60-day model will be revoked, according to the same source. The new framework provides for only one exemption regime per country or territory, the review of the 30-day exemption for tourism and the reduction of the list of eligible countries from 57 to 54.
The final rules still depend on announcements from the Thai Ministry of Interior.
Why is Thailand going to tighten the rules?
Thai authorities justify the change with several factors, including national security, economic and tourist interests, reciprocity between countries and the need to reduce overlaps between visa-free regimes.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also refers to the existence of the e-Visa system as a simpler alternative for those who need a visa.
The measure comes after a period in which Thailand tried to reinforce the recovery of tourism after the pandemic, facilitating the entry of foreign visitors. Now, the country intends to maintain its tourist attractiveness, but with greater control over prolonged stays and misuse of visa exemptions.
Portuguese must confirm before traveling
For Portuguese tourists, the main change is in planning the duration of the trip. Anyone wishing to stay for up to 30 days should continue to pay attention to the final list of countries covered by the new regime, while longer stays may require a visa application or other appropriate framework for the reason for the trip.
Still, the change does not take effect immediately. According to Thailand’s Department of Consular Affairs, details will be published in the Royal Gazette and will only take effect 15 days after publication. Until then, the current conditions remain in effect.
The same entity clarifies, cited by the same source, that foreigners who are already in Thailand under the current regime, or who enter before the new rules come into force, will be able to remain in the country until the end of the period authorized upon arrival. In other words, the change must not take days away from stays already granted.
What to do before booking a trip
Anyone thinking of traveling from Portugal to Thailand should check the rules with official authorities before purchasing flights or booking accommodation for long stays. This caution is especially important for those who plan to stay more than a month, travel to different parts of the country or combine vacations with remote work.
The recommendation, according to 20minutos, is to confirm the validity of the passport, check whether the planned stay fits within the visa-free period and, if necessary, use the Thai e-Visa system. For short trips, the change may have little impact. For those who wanted to stay two or three months, preparation becomes essential.
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