Thailand has relaxed visa conditions to allow visa-free entry for people from 93 countries and regions

Starting July 15, Thailand will allow visa-free entry to people from 93 countries and territories, about double the current 57, for a single stay of up to 60 days, the Interior Ministry said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Traisuree Taisaranakul said in a statement Friday that the number of regions eligible for visas on arrival will be increased from the current 19 to 31, but the new policy will not take effect until the Royal Gazette is published.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said this week that the number of foreign visitors to Thailand this year rose 35 per cent to 18.2 million as of July 7 compared with the same period in 2023, generating 858 billion baht (S $32.2 billion) in revenue. In 2024, tourists to Thailand will mainly come from China, Malaysia and India.

Tessaranakul also said that on July 15, the Thai authorities intend to officially extend the "digital nomad" visa for self-employed foreigners and remote workers to five years from the current 60 days, with each stay limited to 180 days.

Another visa change will also allow international students who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher in Thailand to remain in the country for a year after graduation to seek work, travel or pursue other activities, the statement said.

Tourism is Thailand's main economic growth driver and a major source of employment. Thailand had targeted 40 million visitors this year, but only 14.3 million were recorded from January to May 26. In 2019, before the coronavirus outbreak, Thailand received a record 39.9 million inbound tourists.

The recovery of Thailand's tourism industry after the epidemic has been sluggish. Thailand's tourism industry is disappointed with the government's failure to improve the country's ranking in the World Economic Forum's Tourism Development Index 2024, as Thailand's ranking fell slightly from 35th in 2022 to 36th last year and 47th this year.