The big question is: Is reducing the visa-free stay enough to solve such a large problem? The 60-day visa-free policy was introduced in July 2024 under the Srettha Thavisin government to attract more tourists after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this time, the 2024 visa policy has created new problems by attracting visitors the country does not want. As the Anutin government has learned, illegal entry often occurs through unguarded channels, making visa policy less relevant. When the 60-day visa-free policy was introduced, the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system was not fully operational, leaving gaps in visitor registration.

Source: Bangkok Post March 31, 2026 04:28 UTC