Bhutanese nationals travelling to Thailand will soon be permitted to stay visa-free for a maximum of 30 days, following a revision of Thailand’s visa-exemption policy that will come into effect on September 15, 2026.
The change is part of a wider revision by the Royal Thai Government covering nationals of 60 countries and territories. For Bhutanese passport holders, it effectively halves the existing visa-free period, which currently allows eligible visitors to remain in Thailand for up to 60 days.
Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has advised travellers to take note of the revised rules while making their travel plans.
The new regulations follow a notification issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Interior and published in the Royal Gazette on August 31. They replace the 60-day visa-exemption arrangement introduced in July 2024.
Under the revised system, Bhutanese citizens travelling to Thailand for tourism will continue to be able to enter the country without obtaining a visa in advance. However, their permitted stay under the exemption will be limited to 30 days.
The revised policy also introduces restrictions for travellers using Thailand’s land-border immigration checkpoints. Those entering the country through land borders under the visa-exemption scheme will generally be permitted to do so no more than twice during a calendar year.
The twice-a-year restriction will not apply to citizens of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Singapore. Bhutanese travellers using land-border crossings will therefore be subject to the new annual limit.
The changes could be particularly relevant for travellers making extended visits to Thailand or those who frequently enter the country overland as part of journeys through neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.
Bhutanese nationals planning trips on or after September 15 have been advised to factor the shorter permitted stay and the new land-border restrictions into their itineraries. Travellers intending to remain in Thailand for longer periods should ensure that they obtain an appropriate visa rather than relying on the visa-exemption facility.
The Ministry has urged travellers to familiarise themselves with the revised arrangements before departure to avoid inconvenience or disruption to their travel plans.
