KUALA LUMPUR - Thailand is preparing to reduce the length of visa-free stays granted to foreign visitors as authorities seek to align entry policies with actual travel behaviour and tighten oversight on misuse of tourist privileges.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on May 11 that the proposal is being prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for submission to the Cabinet, as reported by Khaosod English.

Surasak added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would draft the detailed framework for the revised policy.

The changes would affect travellers from 93 countries currently eligible for 60-day visa-free entry into Thailand.

Surasak said the revised permitted stay periods would vary according to nationality and traveller behaviour patterns.

The move is also aimed at helping authorities address cases involving individuals entering Thailand under the guise of tourism for criminal activities.

According to studies conducted by the authorities, foreign tourists visiting Thailand stay for an average of slightly more than nine days.

Visitors from Norway recorded the longest average duration of stay at 21 days.

Surasak said a 30-day visa-free period would still be sufficient for most travellers entering Thailand for tourism purposes.

He added that foreign nationals travelling for other reasons, including internships or medical treatment, could apply for alternative visa categories better suited to their needs.

The minister expressed confidence that shortening visa-free stay periods would not negatively affect Thailand’s tourism industry.

Thailand is also continuing plans to introduce an entry fee for foreign tourists.

Surasak confirmed that the government remains committed to implementing the long-discussed tourism levy.

The proposed fee has been preliminarily set at 300 baht per person for each visit.

The charge is expected to focus mainly on tourists arriving by air.

Revenue collected from the fee would be channelled into Thailand’s tourism promotion fund.

Surasak said he remained confident that the entry fee proposal would proceed.

The government has yet to announce when the revised visa-free policy and tourist entry fee would officially take effect.