Thailand mulls cutting visa-free stay to 30 days to curb illegal activities

Thailand is looking into reducing the visa-free stay period for foreign visitors from 60 days to 30 days in an effort to crack down on travelers abusing the waiver for illegal activities, including phone scams and human trafficking.

The popular tourist destination has granted visa exemptions to passport holders from 93 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, allowing them to enter the country for a maximum stay of 60 days since July last year.

It is reported by the Bangkok Post that the Association of Thai Travel Agents has raised concerns about the increasing number of foreigners working illegally in the country.

Meanwhile, the Thai Hotels Association pointed out that the trend could be partly due to the rising number of apartments being illegally rented to foreign visitors to take advantage of the 60-day stay period.

The Thai government is aiming for foreign tourist arrivals to exceed 40 million in 2025, which would break the record set in 2019, according to Bloomberg.

The country welcomed 7.66 million overseas visitors between January and March 9, a 4.4 percent increase year-on-year.