Australian tourists visiting Thailand will no longer be able to stay for 60 days following official regulation repeals, in a major change to the popular South East Asian holiday destination.
As of September 15, a 30-day visa-free visiting period for tourism purposes will be the only option for Aussies travelling to Thailand.
This change walks back visa-free entry eligibility for short-term work activities and business engagements that were covered under the previous 60-day scheme.
Thai authorities claim the harsh crackdown aims to address concerns around foreigners misusing extended stay visas to become involved in criminal activity.
The move comes after Western Australian man Simon Peter Carman was charged with the murder of 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya, Thailand in June after he relocated to the area late last year.
Officials say longer visa-free periods encourage opportunities for foreign nationals to live, work and assimilate without proper permissions.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the move to a 30-day visiting period will discourage offences linked to drugs, sex trafficking, and illegal business operations as the regulations are “more suitable for the current situation, both in terms of the economy and national security.”
This concern for national security has been echoed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who recently met with Thai officials to declare his commitment to combating transnational crime.
Australians will be able to apply for a further 30-day visa-free extension through the Thai immigration office but approval is at the discretion of the government.
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