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Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Stay for Indians to 30 Days, Here's How to Plan a Shorter Trip
Indian tourists arriving on or after 15 September 2026 get 30 days visa-free instead of 60, which is still plenty for a well-planned trip through the north and the south.
Sep 21, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Thailand has reduced its visa-free stay for Indian tourists from 60 days to 30 days for arrivals on or after 15 September 2026, according to reports of the updated rule. Travellers who entered before that date keep the stay granted at entry, and the change does not affect the underlying visa-free scheme itself. Thirty days is still generous for most holidays, so here is how to use it, with a direct map link for each stop. Check the Thai embassy or immigration website for the exact notice before you fly.
1. Bangkok, three nights
The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the canal and street-food circuits fill a few days easily, and the city is the natural arrival point.
2. Chiang Mai and Doi Suthep, four nights
The old city's temples and night markets, plus the mountaintop Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, make Chiang Mai the north's best base.
3. Krabi and Railay, four nights
Limestone cliffs, boat-only beaches, and island hopping to Phi Phi and Hong Islands anchor the classic Andaman-coast leg.
4. Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok
The ruins of Thailand's former capital are an easy day by train and add real history to a beach-heavy itinerary.
5. Koh Samui or Koh Tao, three nights
The Gulf islands offer a different beach season from the Andaman coast, useful if the weather on one side turns.
Traveller tips
- The 30-day limit applies to tourism entries; keep a return or onward ticket ready in case immigration asks.
- Extensions are possible at Thai immigration offices for a fee, but not guaranteed, so plan for the base 30 days.
- Northern and southern Thailand have opposite rainy seasons, so choose your leg order by month.
- Confirm the latest rules with official sources close to your travel date, as visa policy in the region changes often.
Where this is
Krabi, Thailand