Thailand is considering new visa concessions for Indian travellers and visitors from several European Union countries as it seeks to maintain foreign tourism revenue and support domestic travel demand ahead of the country’s high season.
The proposals include a 15-day visa exemption for Indian citizens and a 30-day visa exemption for all European Union member states. At the same time, the government is preparing a new domestic tourism subsidy programme covering up to 1 million hotel room nights, according to Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports.
The measures form part of broader efforts to keep tourism revenue close to the 1.53 trillion baht generated last year. The ministry expects Thailand to welcome 32.9 million international visitors in 2026, producing tourism income broadly in line with 2025 levels.
The proposed visa changes come only weeks after Thailand approved a major overhaul of its visa-free entry system. In May, the Thai cabinet agreed to reduce visa-free stays from 60 days to 30 days for travellers from more than 90 countries, citing concerns about visa abuse, illegal business activities and security risks. The changes have not yet taken effect because they still require publication in the Royal Gazette.
Under the latest proposal, Indian visitors would receive a 15-day visa exemption instead of using the visa-on-arrival system. The government is also considering extending equal visa privileges to European Union countries that currently do not enjoy the same treatment as other European destinations, including Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta.
Thailand Prepares New Tourism Subsidy Scheme
Alongside the visa proposals, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing a new phase of its domestic travel co-payment programme. The scheme is expected to provide subsidies of up to 3,000 baht per hotel room night and could launch in October if approved.
The programme would be funded through Thailand’s 2027 central budget and is expected to have an initial allocation of approximately 3 billion baht. Travellers would be able to claim support through the government’s Paotang mobile application.
Officials estimate the initiative could support up to 1 million room nights across the country and encourage domestic travel during the final quarter of the year.
Industry Calls for Wider Tourism Support
The Thai Hotels Association welcomed the prospect of additional tourism support measures, arguing that they could help offset rising travel costs for Thai households.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the association, said incentives should focus on weekday travel and destinations outside Thailand’s most popular tourism hubs such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. He argued that many secondary destinations continue to face weaker demand despite the country’s overall tourism recovery.
La-iad Bungsrithong, a board adviser to the association, also urged the government to consider reviving tax deductions for tourism spending, describing them as one of the most effective ways to stimulate domestic travel and business tourism activity.
The tourism ministry is additionally establishing a new tourism promotional policy committee that will bring together government agencies and private-sector representatives. The committee will examine other possible incentives for international visitors, including free domestic air tickets and support for charter flight operations.
Thailand remains one of Asia’s most visited destinations, but authorities are seeking to balance tourism growth with tighter immigration controls. Officials believe targeted visa exemptions, combined with domestic travel support measures, could help sustain visitor numbers and tourism spending as the country moves into the crucial high-season period later this year.
Photo Credit: Gumpanat / Shutterstock.com
