Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay from 60 Days to 30... What About South Korea?

【Hanoi, Vietnam—Correspondent Jun-seok Kim】The Thai government has shortened the visa-free stay period for foreign tourists from 60 days to 30 days. Visa-free entry through land borders will generally be allowed only twice a year. 
According to local media on the 2nd, Thailand’s Ministry of Interior published a new list of countries and regions eligible for visa-free entry in the Royal Gazette on the 31st of last month. The new rules took effect on the 1st, the day after publication in the gazette.
Under the new rules, holders of passports or eligible travel documents from 60 countries and regions may enter Thailand without a visa for tourism and stay for up to 30 days.
The measure ends the visa-free stay program of up to 60 days introduced on July 15, 2024. At the time, Thailand allowed visitors traveling not only for tourism but also for employment or short-term business to stay visa-free for up to 60 days.
Thailand’s Ministry of Interior explained that the new system adjusts the list of visa-exempt countries by taking into account national security, economic considerations and the promotion of the tourism industry.
The new rules were approved by the Cabinet on July 14 and promulgated on the 26th of last month. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed them in his capacity as minister of interior.
The visa-free entry list includes Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Taiwan—not China—France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
South Korea was not included on the list of 60 countries and regions. However, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand announced on Facebook in May that, regardless of the Thai government’s measure shortening the visa-free period, "South Korean passport holders traveling for purposes other than employment can stay in Thailand for 90 days without a visa."
The embassy previously explained, "The visa exemption agreement signed by South Korea and Thailand in 1981, which allows a 90-day stay, remains in force," adding, "The visa exemption agreement takes precedence over the above-mentioned visa-free entry program."
A separate restriction will apply to entry through land borders. Even nationals of visa-exempt countries will generally be allowed to enter without a visa through land-border checkpoints only twice a year.
[email protected] Jun-seok Kim Reporter