Phuket —
Private sector leaders in Phuket have voiced support for the government’s recent decision to abolish the 60-day free visa policy for 93 countries, reverting instead to country-specific rules that generally allow stays of around 30 days.
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Phumikit Raktaengam, President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, explained that the Cabinet’s resolution followed months of consultation with tourism operators. “The current 30-day stay period is already appropriate,” he said, noting that investors and businesspeople still have access to proper visa channels.
Raktaengam acknowledged that the change could reduce tourist numbers in Phuket, particularly from the Middle East and India, but argued that the impact would be manageable. “While arrivals from India and Kazakhstan may decline, the overall effect on tourism is not severe. Long-haul markets like Australia remain stable due to advance bookings,” he added.
Local small business operators in Phuket expressed mixed views but largely agreed with the policy shift. Many welcomed the move as a way to filter for higher-spending visitors and reduce the influx of long-stay travelers who contribute less economically. They also discussed the importance of curbing illegal employment and nominee businesses that undermine local enterprises, as well as preventing Thailand from being used as a safe haven for criminal groups.
Although the immediate effect may be a slight downturn compared to last year, private sector representatives believe the long-term benefits of improved visitor quality and stronger regulatory oversight outweigh the short-term losses.
