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Short answer: Indians with an ordinary passport can still visit Thailand without a visa, but only for up to 30 days per visit, down from the 60 days allowed earlier. The new limit has applied since 15 September 2026, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi (page checked 25 October 2026). On top of that, Thailand is now working on two new charges for air travellers: a proposed ฿450 entry fee and a proposed ฿1,000 departure tax. Neither is in force yet, and public comments on the departure tax close on 29 October 2026.
With the November–February peak season starting and Thailand still one of the most popular short-haul trips from India, here is what the changes mean for your plans, what you must carry at immigration, and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
What changed: from 60 days to 30 days visa-free
Thailand had allowed Indian tourists a 60-day visa-free stay. That window has now been halved. The Thai Embassy in New Delhi states that Indian ordinary-passport holders can enter without a visa for tourism and short business trips for up to 30 days, and that this applies from 15 September 2026 “until further announcement”. News On AIR reported the same change on 9 September 2026, citing Thailand’s Ministry of Interior.
A note on conflicting information: some visa-agency and blog pages written earlier in 2026 still list India under Visa on Arrival, or still mention 60 days. Those pages are out of date. The embassy page, last updated on 16 September 2026, is the source to trust, and you should re-check it shortly before you fly because the wording “until further announcement” means it can change again.
Who is affected most
- Short holidays (under a month): very little changes. A typical 5–10 day Bangkok, Phuket or Krabi trip still needs no visa.
- Long stays, digital nomads and slow travellers: if you planned 5–8 weeks, you now need a proper visa (applied online through the official Thai e-Visa portal) or a firm plan to leave by day 30.
- People with a job offer in Thailand: the Indian Embassy in Thailand has advised such travellers not to use the visa exemption, as reported by News On AIR.
Old rules vs new rules vs proposed charges
| Item | Before | Now (25 Oct 2026) | Status / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free stay for Indians | Up to 60 days | Up to 30 days | In force since 15 Sep 2026 (Thai Embassy, New Delhi) |
| Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) | Required | Required, free | Submit within 72 hours before arrival (News On AIR) |
| Airport passenger service charge (major airports) | Lower, before June 2026 | ฿1,120 | In force since 20 June, usually built into your ticket (Travel And Tour World) |
| Tourist entry fee (air arrivals) | None | None yet | Proposed ฿450; needs cabinet approval and legal steps |
| Departure tax (all air passengers) | None | None yet | Proposed ฿1,000; consultation closes 29 Oct 2026 |
The proposed ฿450 entry fee and ฿1,000 departure tax
These two charges are separate proposals, and it is easy to confuse them with the airport fee you already pay.
Entry fee: ฿450 per foreign air arrival (proposed)
According to Travel And Tour World (21 October 2026), a Ministry of Tourism and Sports subcommittee reviewed the draft collection rules on 19 October and passed them to the Tourism Promotion Fund board. That report stresses this is a procedural step, not approval. Thailand Business News (12 October 2026) says the fee still needs cabinet approval and legal procedures, that collection could start in the first quarter of 2027, and that land and sea arrivals would follow about a year after air arrivals. The government’s stated aim is to fund tourist insurance and tourism facilities.
Departure tax: ฿1,000 per air passenger (proposed)
The Revenue Department’s draft would charge ฿1,000 to international air passengers of all nationalities, including Thai citizens, with a legal ceiling of ฿5,000. Both reports say airlines would collect it, it would apply 180 days after the law is published in the Royal Gazette, and tickets bought before that date would be exempt even if you fly later. Children under two and some transit passengers would also be exempt, according to Thailand Business News. Public comments close on 29 October 2026.
What it means for your wallet: if both proposals go through, Thailand Business News estimates the combined airport, entry and exit charges for a foreign air traveller would reach about ฿2,570 per trip, of which ฿1,450 is new. For a family of four that adds up, so it is worth watching the final decision if you are planning a trip for mid-2027 or later. For trips this winter, neither new charge applies.
What to carry at Thai immigration
The Indian Embassy in Thailand’s advice, as reported by News On AIR, is to keep these ready at the arrival counter. Each member of a group should carry their own set.
- Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
- Confirmed return or onward ticket within your 30 days. Our guide on why countries ask for a return ticket explains why officers check this.
- Hotel bookings and a clear itinerary.
- TDAC confirmation, completed on the official site tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival. The official card is free, so avoid lookalike sites that charge a “processing fee”.
- Funds of at least ฿20,000 per person (cash, as reported). Check today’s exchange rate with your bank or forex provider before you buy baht.
How to plan a Thailand trip under the new rules
1. Count your days carefully
The 30 days are counted per visit. Book your return flight so it leaves comfortably inside the limit, and allow for flight delays. Overstaying can lead to fines and problems on future visits, so do not treat day 30 as a soft target.
2. Need more than 30 days? Apply for a visa before you go
The Thai Embassy says all visa applications now go through the official e-Visa website. Its fee table (checked 25 October 2026) lists a single-entry tourist visa at ₹3,000 for a stay of up to 60 days per entry, and a multiple-entry tourist visa at ₹13,500. Apply well before your travel date, as approval is not instant.
3. Book flights early for the peak season
December and New Year are the busiest months for Indian travellers to Thailand. Comparing several airlines and dates usually beats booking a single carrier’s website. You can compare flights to Bangkok on Skyscanner or see our cheap air tickets page for current deals. If you are flying a budget airline, read why you should search one-way fares separately on budget carriers before booking.
4. Buy travel insurance
Thailand’s proposed entry fee is partly meant to cover foreign tourists’ medical costs, which tells you how often visitors run up hospital bills there. Insurance is not listed as an entry requirement for the visa exemption, but a policy with medical and trip-cancellation cover is sensible. Our guide to buying travel insurance explains what to look for.
5. Plan where to go
If you are heading over for Christmas, our Thailand in December beach guide covers the main islands and deals.
Is Thailand still good value for Indian travellers?
For most Indian holidaymakers, yes. A 30-day visa-free window covers almost every leisure trip, flights from major Indian cities are short, and the proposed fees, even if approved, are small compared with the cost of flights and hotels. The bigger change is for people who liked Thailand’s long visa-free stays for remote work or extended travel; they now need a visa or a different destination.
It is also worth knowing the wider context. Travel And Tour World, citing Ministry of Tourism and Sports provisional data, reports 24.4 million foreign arrivals between 1 January and 17 October 2026, down 4.12% on the same period last year. Thailand is tightening rules and adding charges at a time when visitor numbers are softer, which is why the fee proposals have drawn criticism from the Association of Thai Travel Agents, according to Thailand Business News. That may yet shape the final decision.
FAQ
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
Not for tourism or short business trips of up to 30 days, according to the Thai Embassy in New Delhi. For longer stays or other purposes, you need a visa through the official e-Visa website.
Do I have to pay the ฿450 Thailand entry fee now?
No. As of 25 October 2026 it is still a proposal that needs cabinet approval and legal procedures. Reports suggest air arrivals could be charged from the first quarter of 2027 at the earliest.
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes. Fill it in only on the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, within 72 hours before arrival. Third-party sites that charge for it are not official.
Bottom line
Thailand remains visa-free for Indian tourists, but only for 30 days per visit. Carry your return ticket, hotel bookings, TDAC and proof of funds, and apply for an e-Visa if you need longer. The ฿450 entry fee and ฿1,000 departure tax are proposals only, so they do not affect trips this winter; check the Thai Embassy page and official announcements again before you book anything for 2027.
