Specialist portal Times of Visa reported on 21 February that Thailand is preparing to waive the THB 2,000 (≈ ₹4,600) visa-on-arrival fee for Indians and extend visa-free stays from 30 to 60 days, with a one-time 30-day in-country extension possible. The policy—if confirmed—would take effect on 20 February 2026.(timesofvisa.com)
Thai authorities have not yet issued an official gazette notice, and the article carries a disclaimer that the proposal remains ‘unconfirmed future policy’. Nevertheless, travel industry insiders say Bangkok has been studying similar concessions granted to Chinese and Russian tourists last year, and India is now its second-largest short-haul market.
![Thailand reportedly drops visa fees and doubles visa-free stay for Indian visitors]()
Meanwhile, Indian passport holders needing clarity or hands-on help with Thai entry requirements can turn to VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/). The service monitors policy changes in real time and can obtain e-VOA approvals or full tourist visas on your behalf, ensuring compliance until any new 60-day visa-free regime is formally adopted.
For Indian corporates, a 60-day visa-free window would simplify participation in conferences at Bangkok’s expanded Queen Sirikit Centre, long-stay workations in Phuket’s digital-nomad enclaves and maintenance visits to automotive plants along the Eastern Economic Corridor. Airlines such as Thai AirAsia X and IndiGo could add capacity if demand spikes, and hotel chains are already modelling longer average lengths of stay.
Until an official notification appears, mobility managers should continue advising travellers to obtain either an e-VOA approval code or a Thailand tourist visa from the embassy. Overstaying remains punishable by a THB 500-per-day fine and potential blacklisting.
Thai authorities have not yet issued an official gazette notice, and the article carries a disclaimer that the proposal remains ‘unconfirmed future policy’. Nevertheless, travel industry insiders say Bangkok has been studying similar concessions granted to Chinese and Russian tourists last year, and India is now its second-largest short-haul market.
Meanwhile, Indian passport holders needing clarity or hands-on help with Thai entry requirements can turn to VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/). The service monitors policy changes in real time and can obtain e-VOA approvals or full tourist visas on your behalf, ensuring compliance until any new 60-day visa-free regime is formally adopted.
For Indian corporates, a 60-day visa-free window would simplify participation in conferences at Bangkok’s expanded Queen Sirikit Centre, long-stay workations in Phuket’s digital-nomad enclaves and maintenance visits to automotive plants along the Eastern Economic Corridor. Airlines such as Thai AirAsia X and IndiGo could add capacity if demand spikes, and hotel chains are already modelling longer average lengths of stay.
Until an official notification appears, mobility managers should continue advising travellers to obtain either an e-VOA approval code or a Thailand tourist visa from the embassy. Overstaying remains punishable by a THB 500-per-day fine and potential blacklisting.
