Thailand Halves Visa-Free Stay for Israelis to 30 Days
Thailand is officially shortening the visa-free stay period for Israeli tourists from 60 days to 30 days, with the new regulations taking effect on September 15. Israelis entering Thailand from this date under the visa exemption will be permitted to stay for a maximum of 30 days, a reduction from the current 60-day allowance. This change is part of a broader policy update affecting citizens of 60 countries and territories who will continue to benefit from visa-free entry for tourism purposes.
Travelers already in Thailand or those entering before September 14 will be allowed to stay for the full 60 days initially approved. For those planning longer stays beyond 30 days, an extension of an additional 30 days will be possible, subject to immigration approval. This means individuals will need to formally apply for an extension rather than receiving the longer period upon initial entry.
Furthermore, entry via land border crossings will be limited to twice per calendar year under the new visa exemption policy. This restriction does not apply to entries made by air. Four countries, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore, are exempt from this land border limitation, but Israel is not among them.
The previous 60-day visa exemption was implemented in July 2024 for citizens of 93 countries and territories to boost tourism. However, the Thai government decided to reassess the policy, citing concerns that the extended stay period could be misused for illegal activities or purposes inconsistent with the intended tourist entry.
The updated regulations aim to balance tourism promotion with security, economic, and immigration control considerations. While the policy affects numerous nationalities, it arrives amid increased scrutiny of Israeli tourists in Thailand, following several incidents involving Israelis in August, particularly in Phuket and Koh Samui. The Thai Minister of Tourism had previously warned of strict enforcement against foreign tourists violating laws or causing disturbances.
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