Playground no more: Thais sick of badly behaved tourists hail stricter visas
Government cites crime and drunken antics of foreigners as it shortens their stays – with ordinary Thais welcoming the crackdown
TL;DR
- Thailand is shortening visa-free stays for visitors from over 90 countries to 30 days, down from 60 days.
- The move is a response to a rise in reports of misbehaving tourists, including public intoxication, brawls, and disrespectful actions towards locals.
- Concerns also exist about foreigners engaging in illegal businesses and using Thailand as a base for transnational crimes.
- The tourism sector is crucial to Thailand's economy, contributing up to 20% of GDP.
- While some tourists may be inconvenienced, many locals support the stricter measures to preserve the country's culture and ensure public order.