Thailand's 30-day rule for Indians: what was approved, and when it starts

Rule as of 22 August 2026 · Sources: TAT Newsroom, Royal Thai Embassy, thaiembassy.com

Thailand is changing its visa-free rules, and most of what circulates on social media mixes up three different dates. Here is the actual sequence, checked against official Thai sources on 22 August 2026.

What is in force today

Indian passport holders can still enter Thailand visa-free and stay up to 60 days per entry. The cabinet decision to end this has been taken, but it has no legal effect until it is published in the Royal Gazette - and as of 22 August 2026, it has not been published. Immigration at the border continues to stamp 60 days.

What was approved, and when

• 19 May 2026: the cabinet first approved restructuring the visa-exemption framework, cutting the 60-day stay for 93 nationalities. Under that first draft, India would have lost visa-free entry and moved to a 15-day visa on arrival.
• 14 July 2026: the cabinet revised the plan. India keeps full visa-free entry, but at 30 days per stay. Thailand's tourism ministry said the change was made to match how Indian tourists actually travel - India is one of Thailand's largest source markets.

When it takes effect

The new rules take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. No publication date has been announced. That means the earliest possible switch is always at least 15 days away from whatever day the gazette prints it, and until then the 60-day rule stands.

What this means for your booking

• Trips of 30 days or less: nothing changes for you, before or after the switch.
• Trips of 31 to 60 days: if you travel before the change takes effect, the 60-day stamp still applies. If your dates are near or after the switch, apply for a tourist e-visa at thaievisa.go.th instead of relying on the exemption.
• A 30-day extension at a local immigration office (1,900 THB) is expected to remain available under the new framework.

Immigration can ask for a return or onward ticket and your accommodation booking at the counter regardless of which rule is in force. Keep both on your phone.

FAQ

Is the 60-day visa-free entry still active for Indians?

Yes, as of 22 August 2026. The cut to 30 days is approved but takes effect only 15 days after Royal Gazette publication, which has not happened yet.

Will Indians need a visa on arrival instead?

No. The May proposal would have done that, but the 14 July decision kept full visa-free entry for Indians at 30 days.

I have a 45-day trip booked for later this year. What should I do?

Apply for a tourist e-visa at thaievisa.go.th before you fly. That removes the dependence on gazette timing entirely.

Where will the change be announced?

The Royal Gazette publication is the legal trigger. TAT Newsroom and Thai embassy websites carry the announcement when it happens. We update this page and our Thailand entry guide when it does.

The full Thailand entry checklist for Indian travellers is at flynktours.com/visa/thailand. Planning a Thailand trip and want the paperwork handled? Message us your dates on WhatsApp: +91 97199 96838. We reply the same working day.