Thailand last year was second only to China as the Asian country welcoming the largest number of foreign tourists. And it’s been the subject of additional attention driven by the smash HBO show “White Lotus.”
In the show’s third season, the luxury hotel that in real life is the Four Seasons on the Koh Samui island becomes the setting for wealthy guests whose week in paradise is quickly darkened by thorny relationships, secrets and crime.
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The show became so popular ā episode 6, which premiered on March 23, drew in a record 4.6 million viewers ā in large part due to its stunning scenery of an ultraluxury resort and Thai island landscapes.
In the real world, however, Thailand has had to navigate both tourism’s significant contribution to its economy and the increased crime and illicit activity that foreigners have been known to bring there.
Related: This Asian country just went visa-free for most
What to know about Thailand’s latest tourism changes
In summer 2024 ThailandĀ expanded its visa-free policy to 93 countries and doubled the time visitors could stay to 60 days. Now, the Thai government is considering scaling back the visa-free period to 30 days.
The move comes after the local Association of Thai Travel Agents drew attention to the fact that a growing number of foreignersĀ started using the longer visit period to run illegal businesses. Any such type of commercial activity in Thailand requires a different type of visa.
Koh Phi Phi is an uninhabited island particularly popular among tourists.
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The final decision on whether to reduce the visa-stay limit is being debated by local lawmakers and ministries, but aĀ spokesperson forĀ Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, Nikorndej Balankura, confirmed that the proposal is being considered.
When the new visa policy was launched in July 2024, one condition was that it be reviewed twice a year. So the review period for the program would have approached either way.
Thailand sees a spike in crime
A number of local lawmakers are drawing attention to the spike in illegal commercial activity and other types of crime.Ā
The lawmakers were given statistics showing that the vast majority of foreign visitors to Thailand stay for less than 22 nights. The lawmakers and the associations advocating the change argue that those who stay longer tend to violate the policy in greater numbers.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong “said they all agreed in principle to reduce the period of stay from 60 days to 30 days for citizens from countries granted a visa exemption under the program,” the Bangkok Post reported earlier this month.
“However, additional details would be discussed before formally announcing the adjustment to the regulation.”
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In spring 2024 Thailand also expanded its digital-nomad visaĀ to permit those with income from abroad to live in Thailand for as long as 180 days a year. Regardless of whether a person’s citizenship grants visa-free tourist entry, someone who wants this digital-nomad permit would need to apply for it in their home country before traveling to Thailand.
As the changes are being worked out, tourists with visa-free access arriving in Thailand can for now stay the full 60 days without needing to leave the country.
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