Thailand Puts 60-Day Visa-Free Entry for Indians Under Security Review

Speaking in parliament on 9 April 2026, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a top-to-bottom review of the country’s generous 60-day visa-waiver programme that currently benefits travellers from 93 nations, including India. The announcement—published by policy-tracking site Times of Visa on 11 April—links immigration overhauls to a broader anti-money-laundering crackdown. While no immediate rule change was enacted, the government signalled that background-screening standards, permitted length of stay and financial threshold requirements are all on the table. Tourism officials are lobbying for a grace period, warning that sudden curbs could undercut Thailand’s goal of 1.8 million Indian arrivals in 2026. India is already the kingdom’s second-largest source market after China. Security agencies argue that loose entry controls have enabled transnational scam syndicates to base call-centre operations in resort towns. Proposed fixes include shrinking visa-free stays to 30 days, mandatory outbound-ticket proof and tighter hotel registration audits. Should the cabinet endorse the review, new conditions could be unveiled as early as June.



For Indian passport holders seeking clarity amid the policy flux, online facilitator VisaHQ can shoulder the paperwork. Its India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) tracks diplomatic updates in real time, lets travellers pre-emptively apply for Thai e-visas, and offers concierge services that verify financial proofs before submission.

For Indian business-travel planners, the uncertainty complicates scheduling of MICE events in Bangkok and incentives in Phuket. Travel-management companies recommend that groups travelling after July build in extra processing time for a pre-approved e-visa, prepare bank statements and monitor policy bulletins from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Airlines may also update boarding-gate document checks with little warning.