Thailand’s cabinet has formally approved a 30-day visa-free entry scheme for holders of ordinary Indian passports, replacing the current visa-on-arrival requirement. The measure will take effect once it is published in the Royal Gazette, which officials in Bangkok say is expected “within days.” Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) executives told local media that the waiver could push Indian arrivals to a record 2.7 million in 2027, up from 1.3 million so far this year. For business-travel planners, the headline benefit is simpler, faster entry. Indian delegates attending MICE events will no longer need to pre-arrange documents or queue at visa counters—an irritant that tour operators say has diverted incentive groups to Vietnam in recent months. Airlines have already announced capacity increases from tier-2 Indian cities such as Lucknow and Bhubaneswar to Bangkok and Phuket for the coming Diwali peak. The waiver is also expected to trim travel costs. Visa-on-arrival fees of 2,000 baht (about ₹4,650) per person will disappear, and travellers will save 30–45 minutes on arrival formalities. TAT data show Indian visitors spend an average 6,200 baht a day, so volume growth is likely to filter quickly into Thailand’s hospitality and retail sectors. Corporate mobility managers should note two caveats. First, the visa-free stay is capped at 30 days and cannot be extended in-country; travellers needing longer stays must still apply for the appropriate Thai visa before departure. Second, immigration officers retain discretion to request proof of funds (10,000 baht per person/20,000 per family) and return tickets—requirements that occasionally trip up first-time visitors. For India-based multinational firms, the move widens options for short-notice client meetings, project kick-offs and off-site conferences in Thailand. Travel administrators should update internal approval workflows and traveller advisories to reflect the waiver once the Royal Gazette notification is published.
Source: The Indian Express
