Short answer
Thailand has approved a revised visa-exemption framework, but Thai official sources say the related measures take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
That distinction matters. A Cabinet-approved change is not the same thing as a rule you should treat as live for your entry date unless the effective-date source is clear.
For now, the practical job is to track the rule that applies on the day you enter Thailand. Keep your entry date, permitted-until date, nationality, visa or visa-exemption category, Royal Gazette status, and future-entry plan separate.
Jetseen helps you track days - always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. For Thailand entry permission, check official Thai sources or a qualified immigration professional before relying on a stay plan.
What Thailand has approved
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Cabinet approved a revision of visa-exemption and Visa on Arrival schemes on May 19, 2026.
The MFA says the revised measures include one visa-exemption scheme per country or territory, revoking the 60-day visa-exemption scheme for all 93 countries and territories, revising the 30-day tourism visa-exemption scheme, introducing a 15-day scheme for some countries or territories, and revising Visa on Arrival.
Thailand's Public Relations Department later described the revised framework as 30-day visa-free tourism entry for 59 countries and territories, 15-day entry for Mauritius and Seychelles, and Visa on Arrival for Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
Why the Royal Gazette date matters
Both the MFA and PRD sources tie the legal start of the measures to Royal Gazette publication.
The MFA says details and criteria will be in Ministry of Interior announcements published in the Royal Gazette, and that they will take effect 15 days after publication.
The PRD says the five related drafts will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
So the safest wording is: approved, but do not treat the shorter framework as live unless an official effective-date source confirms it.
What happens to travelers who entered earlier
The MFA says foreigners who entered Thailand under the current visa-exemption schemes, or who travel before the new measures take effect, may stay until the expiry of their permitted period of stay.
The PRD also says travelers who entered before the new measures come into force will be allowed to remain for the rest of their permitted stay under previous regulations.
That means your entry date matters. The date you read a news story is less important than the date and category shown in your actual entry record.
What to track before your Thailand trip
Before entering Thailand, record:
- nationality
- intended entry date
- intended exit date
- category you expect to use
- current official source checked date
- Royal Gazette status checked date
- airline or border document notes
- backup visa plan, if needed
After entering Thailand, record:
- actual entry date
- immigration category used
- permitted-until date
- extension or status-change records, if any
- exit date
- next planned Thailand entry
Do not rely on old screenshots, forum posts, or a friend's entry stamp. Thailand's source language is about the rule in force when the measures take effect.
Why future entries need their own check
A traveler who enters before the effective date may have one permitted stay. A later entry may fall under a different rule if the Royal Gazette process has finished by then.
That makes Thailand a good example of why each entry needs its own record.
Track each entry separately:
- first entry under current rules
- exit date
- next entry under rules then in force
- permitted-until date for each entry
Do not merge all Thailand trips into one 60-day assumption.
What not to assume
Do not say Thailand has already reduced every visa-free stay to 30 days unless an official effective-date source confirms that.
Do not say every nationality is affected the same way. The PRD source describes different categories.
Do not say Jetseen decides visa eligibility or permission to stay.
Do not use this guide to replace Thai immigration guidance. Use it to keep the dates and source checks organized.
How Jetseen fits
Jetseen can help keep country-first trip, visa, source-link, and document notes visible.
For Thailand, that can mean:
- entry and exit dates
- permitted-until dates
- visa-exemption or visa category notes
- Royal Gazette source-check notes
- future-entry reminders
- CSV exports for professional review
Jetseen does not decide which Thai immigration category applies to you.
Bottom line
Thailand's approved visa-exemption change is exactly the kind of transition where a stale day assumption can cause trouble.
Until the official effective date is confirmed, track the rule that applies to your actual entry date. Keep your permitted-until date, nationality category, Royal Gazette check, and next-entry plan in one place before you rely on a 60-day or 30-day stay.
References
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax residency rules change frequently. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
