Thailand Cancels 60-Day Visa Exemption; Taiwanese Travelers Revert to 30-Day Stay, Reports Thai Media

(CNA reporter Li Tsung-hsien, Bangkok, 20th) Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the cancellation of the 60-day visa exemption policy previously implemented for 93 countries and regions, reverting to a 30-day stay limit. According to an unofficial list from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited by the Bangkok Post, Taiwan remains on the 30-day visa exemption list. Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a routine press conference yesterday that the termination of measures like the 60-day visa exemption will take effect 15 days after being promulgated in the Royal Gazette. Travelers who have already entered or arrive in Thailand before the new system takes effect can still stay until their original visa term expires. The Bangkok Post reported that the 93 countries and regions that were originally eligible for the 60-day visa exemption will no longer enjoy the 60-day stay privilege. The report, citing an unofficial list released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pointed out that among the 54 countries and regions retaining a 30-day visa exemption are Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Additionally, Thailand will add three countries or regions eligible for a 15-day visa exemption: Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius. The number of countries eligible for visa on arrival will be reduced from 31 to 4, including only India, Serbia, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. The report mentioned that under visa policies established by bilateral agreements, citizens of Myanmar (air entry only) and Cambodia are entitled to a 14-day visa exemption; China, Hong Kong, Macau, Laos, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam have a 30-day visa exemption; while Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea have a 90-day visa exemption. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously explained that the reasons for adjusting the visa policy include considerations of national security, tourism and economic interests, and the principle of reciprocity, as well as eliminating duplicate visa exemption treatments and facilitating the operation of a digital visa system. (Editor: Kao Chao-fen) 1150520