Thailand halves visa-free stays for EU and 60-plus nations to 30 days from September

Thailand will halve visa-free stays for tourists from more than 60 countries, including all 27 EU member states, starting 15 September, the Thai government confirmed on Monday. Travelers from these nations will see their current 60-day allowance reduced to 30 days, according to reports by Euronews Travel and RTVSLO .

The decision follows earlier discussions in May and comes amid a string of high-profile crimes involving foreign nationals, as noted by Euronews Travel. Local reports cited arrests of foreigners accused of drug offenses, sex trafficking, and operating businesses without proper permits. Despite the change, visitors on visa-free stays may extend their trip once, subject to immigration officer approval. Alternatively, they can apply for a Destination Thailand Visa, which permits stays of up to 180 days per entry and can be extended by another 180 days, provided applicants show proof of at least 500,000 baht (€13,000) in a bank account and employment outside Thailand for remote workers.

Thailand has attracted nearly 21 million foreign visitors since the start of 2026, a 3% decline compared to the same period last year, according to Euronews Travel. The country remains one of the most visited in Asia, with tourism accounting for over 10% of its GDP.

In a separate development, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is set to dock in Pattaya on Wednesday, carrying 5,000 sailors and Marines after more than 200 days at sea, The Independent reported . Local authorities have launched a crackdown on prostitution ahead of the visit, conducting raids over the weekend that led to the detention of 40 to 50 people suspected of solicitation. Pattaya police chief Anek Srathongyoo said on Monday that enforcing restrictions was challenging, as sex workers could solicit in public areas without authorities’ knowledge. Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, though the industry remains openly visible in major tourism hubs like Pattaya and parts of Bangkok.

Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches said the visit could provide a short-term economic boost, with each U.S. military personnel potentially spending 1,000 to 3,000 baht ($30 to $91) per day, depending on their stay. The USS Abraham Lincoln left its home port of San Diego in November and was later redirected to the Middle East to support military operations in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, setting a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea, according to Democratic lawmakers. Reports from military-focused outlets this month described suicide attempts and declining morale aboard the ship.

Authorities in Pattaya have also designated certain nightlife districts, including Soi 6, Soi 6/1, and Soi 7, as off-limits for U.S. Navy personnel, according to Thai media reports cited by Courrier International . The restrictions were announced during a special meeting on 31 August.