Thailand has officially extended its visa-free entry from 30 to 60 days for passport holders from over 90 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations. The extension, initially a temporary measure during COVID recovery, has been made permanent as Thailand continues to welcome record numbers of tourists.
This is a game-changer for slow travelers. Thirty days always felt rushed if you wanted to see Bangkok, the northern mountains around Chiang Mai, and the southern islands. Sixty days lets you actually breathe — spend a week in Bangkok, take the overnight train north, explore Chiang Mai and Pai at a relaxed pace, then head south for island-hopping without watching the calendar.
What You Need to Know
The 60-day visa-free entry applies to tourism purposes only — no working. You'll need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date, proof of onward travel (a flight out), and technically proof of funds (20,000 THB or about $570 USD), though this is rarely checked. Entry is through any international airport or land border crossing.
If 60 days still isn't enough, you can extend for another 30 days at any Thai immigration office for 1,900 THB ($54). That gives you a total of 90 days without needing a visa before you arrive.
Suggested 60-Day Itinerary
Week 1-2: Bangkok — temples, street food, Chinatown, Chatuchak Market, day trips. Week 2-3: Train north to Chiang Mai — temples, cooking classes, night markets, Doi Suthep. Week 3-4: Pai or Chiang Rai — mountain scenery, hot springs, White Temple. Week 4-5: Fly to Krabi or Surat Thani — Railay Beach, Ao Nang, or Koh Samui. Week 5-6: Island hop — Koh Phangan, Koh Tao for diving. Week 7-8: Slow days, revisit favorites, or explore Isaan (northeast Thailand) which most tourists skip entirely.
Plan Your Thailand Trip
Our Thailand guide covers all of this in detail — neighborhood maps, restaurant picks, transport tips, and local insights. The free guide gets you started. The Essential tier ($9.97) adds the restaurant and hotel recommendations that make the difference.
Flight Deals to Watch
With the visa extension, airlines are adding capacity on Thailand routes. Watch for deals from the US West Coast on EVA Air, China Airlines (with Taipei stopover), and ANA (with Tokyo stopover). From Europe, Thai Airways, Emirates, and Qatar often have competitive fares. Use Google Flights with flexible dates and set up price alerts — fares to Bangkok regularly drop 30-40% during flash sales.