Tourism Rollback: Thailand to Toughen Stay Rules Starting July 15
Uzbekistan
A highly popular Asian destination is urgently overhauling its migration policy, prioritizing national security over tourism revenue. The Government of Thailand has decided to drastically rollback ease-of-entry regulations that were introduced just two years ago to revitalize the post-pandemic economy. Citizens of nearly a hundred nations, including Uzbekistan, are caught in this sweeping policy revision. Instead of enjoying prolonged, hassle-free stays in the tropical paradise, travelers will now face rigid limits, shorter visitation windows, and the return of visa barriers.
The Kingdom of Thailand is fundamentally altering its entry procedures and restructuring its migration control system for foreign nationals. Starting July 15, 2026, the country will officially scrap the current 60-day visa-free regime, which previously applied to citizens of 93 nations, including Uzbekistan, Russia, the US, Ukraine, and most European states. According to Dunyo, the information agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the relevant decision by the Thai Cabinet of Ministers will take effect 15 days after its publication in the official government publication, the Royal Gazette, which is anticipated early next week.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand justified this move by citing pressing national security concerns. The overhaul follows a series of high-profile arrests of foreign nationals implicated in human trafficking, drug offenses, and systemic local violations. The authorities have chosen to reverse the liberal measures adopted in the summer of 2024, which aimed to restore the tourism sector following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the state-approved framework, exactly one distinct entry path will now apply to each specific country or territory. The baseline 30-day tourist visa-free entry has also seen cuts, with the list of eligible nations shrinking from 57 down to 54. A new experimental, short 15-day visa-free corridor is being introduced for three selected countries. The most stringent modifications hit the Visa on Arrival system—the directory of countries whose citizens can secure documentation directly at the border checkpoint has been slashed from 31 down to just 4.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan previously stated that no formal notices had been dispatched by Bangkok; however, the Uzbek diplomatic mission has already verified the upcoming updates. It is clarified that tourists who successfully enter Thailand prior to the official enforcement date of the new amendments will be legally permitted to remain in the Kingdom until their previously authorized 60-day duration expires.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand justified this move by citing pressing national security concerns. The overhaul follows a series of high-profile arrests of foreign nationals implicated in human trafficking, drug offenses, and systemic local violations. The authorities have chosen to reverse the liberal measures adopted in the summer of 2024, which aimed to restore the tourism sector following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the state-approved framework, exactly one distinct entry path will now apply to each specific country or territory. The baseline 30-day tourist visa-free entry has also seen cuts, with the list of eligible nations shrinking from 57 down to 54. A new experimental, short 15-day visa-free corridor is being introduced for three selected countries. The most stringent modifications hit the Visa on Arrival system—the directory of countries whose citizens can secure documentation directly at the border checkpoint has been slashed from 31 down to just 4.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan previously stated that no formal notices had been dispatched by Bangkok; however, the Uzbek diplomatic mission has already verified the upcoming updates. It is clarified that tourists who successfully enter Thailand prior to the official enforcement date of the new amendments will be legally permitted to remain in the Kingdom until their previously authorized 60-day duration expires.
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