Thailand's Cabinet has approved updated visa exemption and Visa on Arrival rules, cutting the standard visa-free stay for most nationalities from 60 days down to 30. The change replaces the 60-day exemption that had been in place since July 2024, and is being framed by officials as a shift toward "one country, one entry category" — simplifying overlapping visa routes rather than restricting travel outright.
As of this writing, the updated measures have Cabinet approval but are pending publication in the Royal Gazette, after which they take effect 15 days later. Until that publication, current entry conditions (including the 60-day exemption for eligible nationalities) remain in place — worth checking the exact status close to your travel dates rather than assuming either the old or new rule applies.
What's changing, in brief
- Standard visa exemption: 60 days → 30 days for most eligible nationalities.
- A small number of nationalities move from a 60-day exemption to just 15 days.
- Visa on Arrival eligibility is being trimmed from roughly 31 countries to around 4.
- Proof of funds (around 20,000 THB per person, cash favoured) may be checked at the border.
What this actually means for a Krabi trip
For the average visitor, not much changes in practice — most international trips to Krabi run well under 30 days regardless. It matters more for longer stays, multi-destination Southeast Asia trips, or "digital nomad" style extended visits that previously relied on the fuller 60-day window. If your planned stay is close to or over 30 days, a tourist visa arranged in advance through Thailand's official e-Visa portal is the safer route rather than counting on the exemption.
What to check before you fly
Because the new rules are still working through the Royal Gazette publication process, requirements can shift close to your travel date. Confirm current entry conditions directly through the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country, or Thailand's official e-Visa portal, in the days before departure rather than relying on older blog posts (including, with respect, this one over time) — our Getting to Krabi guide covers the flight and transport side once you've confirmed entry requirements.