After nearly three years of visa-free promotions aimed at reviving tourism, Thailand has rolled back the concession for one of its fastest-growing inbound markets. A 12 June report confirms that Indian passport holders now pay a 2,000 baht (≈ ₹4,600) visa-on-arrival fee and are again limited to 15-day stays. The policy quietly took effect in late May when India disappeared from the Thai visa-exempt list. Industry insiders say the decision reflects Bangkok’s desire to curb over-stays and informal work, while still maintaining an uncomplicated entry channel for short-haul leisure traffic. For Indian travellers—and the tour operators that package beach holidays—the biggest adjustment is itinerary compression: multi-week trips that once combined Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai must now fit a two-week window or require pre-arranged long-stay visas. Airlines and OTAs are reframing promotions around 10- to 12-day “express Thailand” bundles. Destination Management Companies in Phuket and Krabi report a surge in requests for single-resort stays rather than multi-island circuits to keep within the 15-day clock. Meanwhile, northern highland businesses that cater to trekkers fear a dip in average length of stay, pushing them to craft tighter three-night cultural packages. On the practical side, Indian visitors must now queue at visa-on-arrival counters, carry local currency for the fee and present confirmed outbound tickets within 15 days. Travel advisors are warning clients of potential one-hour processing times at Suvarnabhumi during peak arrivals, advising buffer schedules for onward domestic flights. For corporate mobility managers the impact is smaller but real: short MICE trips remain feasible, yet regional meetings that previously piggy-backed on visa-free 30- or 45-day stays will now require additional paperwork. Companies sending staff for training or project work beyond 15 days should budget extra lead time to obtain non-immigrant (B) or smart visas from Thai missions in India.
Source: The Traveler
