Thailand Scraps Plan to End Visa-Free Entry for Indian Tourists
Bloomberg 2026-07-14 10:43:17
Context: Thailand has decided to maintain its visa-free entry policy for Indian tourists, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days without a visa. This decision comes after a proposal to scrap the policy led to a decline in arrivals from India, which would have negatively impacted the country's vital tourism industry. The policy change was being considered earlier.
Key Facts
- Thailand will permit Indian tourists to continue entering the country without a visa for a period of 30 days, reversing an earlier proposal that would have required Indians to obtain a visa.
- The initial proposal to end visa-free entry resulted in a noticeable drop in arrivals from India, prompting the Thai government to reconsider and ultimately retain the visa exemption.
- The tourism industry is vital to Thailand's economy, and the decision to maintain visa-free entry for Indian tourists aims to mitigate potential losses and ensure continued growth in tourist arrivals from South Asia.