Thailand’s cabinet decision to reinstate a 30-day visa-free stay for Indian tourists has been greeted with relief across the travel trade, yet inbound operators warn that two months of flip-flops have already cost the country its lucrative Indian high season. On 14 July 2026 Bangkok formally reversed a May proposal that would have pushed India onto a fee-based 15-day visa-on-arrival list. The reversal means Indian holiday-makers can continue to enter for up to 30 days without pre-arranged paperwork once the rule is gazetted. However, speaking to TTG Asia on 24 July, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) said the uncertainty had diverted Free Independent Travellers (FITs) to Malaysia and Vietnam and forced wedding planners to freeze deposits worth millions of baht. India delivered 2.48 million visitors in 2025—Thailand’s third-largest market—but Association of Thai Travel Agents vice-president Vathanachai Chatrirath estimates arrivals fell nearly 20 percent during May-June as price-sensitive groups factored in the now-abandoned 2,000-baht fee. Higher airfares, driven by Middle-East route suspensions, compounded the damage. Some low-cost carriers halted India–Thailand sectors until October, pushing fares up 30 percent and nudging holiday-makers toward domestic breaks. Trade bodies are urging the Tourism Authority of Thailand to mount an aggressive communication blitz in India—via webinars, influencers and OTA banners—to reassure consumers that the visa-free window is secure. Hoteliers report that five large Indian weddings scheduled for November-to-March remain on hold pending “official clarity”. For Indian corporates the restored exemption revives options for incentive trips and regional off-sites, but mobility managers are advised to monitor airfare volatility and ensure passengers complete Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online in advance. Operators expect traffic to normalise by Q1 2027 provided no further policy surprises emerge.
Source: TTG Asia
