Thailand has scrapped its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for tourists from 93 countries including South Africa, citing foreign national crime, visa abuse and poor behaviour by tourists. Image: AdobeStock
Thailand has scrapped its 60-day visa-free entry scheme for tourists from 93 countries including South Africa, citing a surge in foreign national crime, visa abuse and poor behaviour by visitors. South Africans will now be permitted a maximum 30-day visa-free stay. The change takes effect 15 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette.
South African travellers heading to Thailand will need to adjust their plans following a significant policy change announced by the Thai Cabinet on Monday 19 May 2026. Thailand has scrapped the 60-day visa-free entry programme that had been extended to tourists from 93 countries including South Africa since July 2024, citing growing concerns about foreign national crime, overstaying of visas, illegal business operations and poor behaviour by tourists. South Africans will now be limited to a 30-day visa-free stay, reverting to the terms that applied before the 60-day scheme was introduced.
Why Thailand Made the Change
Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul confirmed the Cabinet’s decision following its meeting on 19 May 2026. The minister explained that the 60-day scheme, introduced to help revive Thailand’s tourism sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, had been misused by a significant number of foreign nationals in ways the Thai government was no longer willing to tolerate.
Thai authorities cited a range of specific offences that had contributed to the decision including shoplifting, indecent exposure, drug-related offences and sex trafficking involving foreign visitors. Officials also pointed to a growing pattern of foreigners deliberately overstaying their visa-free periods while operating businesses illegally in popular tourist areas such as Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. The Thai government has made clear that the tourism privilege extended to visitors from 93 countries had been exploited and that the new policy reflects a more structured and security-conscious approach to managing the country’s borders and tourism industry.
The timing of the announcement is notable given that South African actress Faith Nketsi was arrested in Thailand just weeks ago for allegedly vaping in public, drawing international attention to Thailand’s strict approach to enforcing its laws against foreign visitors regardless of their profile or status.
What Changes for South Africans
South Africa was notable as the only major African country included in Thailand’s original 60-day visa-free scheme. Under the new policy South African passport holders will be permitted visa-free entry to Thailand for a maximum of 30 days rather than 60. Extensions beyond the 30-day period will require a standard tourist or long-stay visa application and are subject to immigration approval.
South African travellers planning trips to Thailand in the coming weeks are advised to monitor announcements from Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Immigration Bureau as the new measures will take effect 15 days after their publication in the Thai Royal Gazette. At the time of publication a specific effective date had not been formally gazetted.
Travellers already inside Thailand at the time the new measures take effect will not be retrospectively affected, Thai officials confirmed. Those who entered under the 60-day scheme before the gazette date will be permitted to complete their originally authorised stay.
South Africa in Good Company
South Africa is among a broad list of countries affected by the policy change, which includes the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Switzerland and many others. The vast majority of affected countries will revert to a 30-day visa-free entry period, while some smaller nations may face reduced 15-day windows depending on their bilateral arrangements with Thailand.
Chinese tourists are expected to continue receiving 30-day visa-free entry under a separate existing reciprocal agreement between Thailand and China. Indian travellers may potentially receive a 15-day visa-free period under a separate review process. Thailand’s Visa Policy Committee will review entry conditions on a country-by-country basis taking into account security considerations, economic interests and tourism policy before finalising the new framework.
Thailand remains one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations and continues to target 36.7 million foreign arrivals in 2026. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak said the cancellation of the 60-day scheme would not negatively impact overall tourism numbers, arguing that quality of visitor profile rather than length of stay was the priority going forward.
What South African Travellers Need to Know
South Africans planning trips to Thailand of longer than 30 days will need to apply for an appropriate visa before travelling. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card, which became mandatory at major international airports and land borders in 2026, remains a requirement for all foreign nationals entering Thailand regardless of visa status and must be completed online before arrival.
South Africans are also reminded that Thailand maintains some of the strictest laws in the world regarding the possession and use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. Vaping is illegal in Thailand and carries penalties including fines and potential imprisonment of up to 10 years, a detail that became internationally relevant when South African personality Faith Nketsi was arrested in the country for allegedly vaping in public earlier this month.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has previously advised South African travellers to familiarise themselves thoroughly with local laws and customs before travelling abroad, particularly to countries with strict regulatory environments that differ significantly from South Africa’s.
Editors Note The new Thai visa policy measures will take effect 15 days after publication in the Thai Royal Gazette. A gazette date had not been confirmed at the time of publication. South African travellers are advised to monitor official announcements from Thai authorities before making travel plans. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.