Thailand has halved its visa-free stay limit for tourists from 60 days to 30 days, effective from Tuesday, in a move that will affect Australians and citizens of 92 other countries planning trips to the popular Southeast Asian destination. The Thai government said the change was driven by difficulties monitoring longer stays, alongside concerns about crime, security and illegal work, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stating the revised limit better suited "the current situation" for the economy and national security.

The 60-day allowance had only been introduced in July 2024 to boost post-pandemic tourism, but recent months have seen foreign nationals arrested over drug trafficking, sex trafficking and unlawful employment, including a raid on an unlicensed Bangkok international school that led to ten arrests. Under the new rules, travellers using the 30-day exemption will generally be limited to two entries per calendar year, though extensions may still be available depending on reciprocal agreements with individual countries. Flight Centre Leisure chief executive James Kavanagh said most Australians should be unaffected, as the average stay is around 14 days, with Thailand having attracted almost 12 million visitors so far this year.