I was sitting at a roadside stall sipping an iced coffee, watching motorbikes buzz past in the heat, when my phone pinged with the news. On August 31, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior published an official notice in the Royal Gazette, rolling out four adjustments to its entry rules and Visas on Arrival. The biggest shocker for many? The broad 60-day visa exemption rolled out for 93 countries back in mid-July has been scrapped in its current form.
Under the newly published regulations, visa-free privileges are now reclassified into three distinct groups. The first group covers 60 countries and territories—including Australia, Canada, and Belgium—where allowed visa-free stays have been cut back from 60 days down to a maximum of 30 days.
Before anyone panics and cancels their flights, though, Chinese passport holders can breathe easy. This policy tweak leaves Chinese citizens untouched, meaning Chinese tourists can still enjoy the full 60-day visa-free stay in Thailand.
Around the local rental spots and corner cafes where long-term foreign residents gather, this news has undoubtedly been the main topic of conversation over the last few days. The Ministry of Interior noted that the reclassification aims to better regulate and standardize foreign entry. But for Chinese travelers, it means smooth sailing as usual—a hassle-free border crossing, 60 days to unwind, and plenty of warm evenings spent slurping noodles at the local night market.
