The Thai government has officially abolished the 60-day visa-free regime for citizens of 93 countries, including Uzbekistan. This was reported by the Bangkok Post, citing the Royal Gazette of Thailand.
The decision was signed by Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on August 31. The new rules will take effect 15 days after publication — on September 15, 2026.
In May, the Thai Cabinet approved the reduction of the visa-free period amid growing concerns over abuse of the regime by foreign nationals. The government noted that foreigners entered as tourists but opened illegal businesses, worked without proper permits, or engaged in transnational criminal schemes.
Under the new rules, citizens of 60 countries will be allowed visa-free entry to Thailand for up to 30 days. These include Australia, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Georgia, the UAE, the United States, Turkey, Ukraine, and Japan. Among Central Asian countries, only Kyrgyzstan is included in this list.
Additionally, citizens of these 60 countries will be permitted to enter Thailand via land border checkpoints no more than twice per calendar year. Citizens of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are exempt from this restriction.
Citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia will be able to obtain a visa on arrival.
Uzbekistan is not included in any of the above lists. According to Uzbekistan Airways, starting September 15, Uzbek citizens must obtain a visa in advance for tourist entry into Thailand.
Visa applications can be submitted before travel, including through the official portal thaievisa.go.th. The visa fee is paid in US dollars at the nearest Thai consulate.
The airline clarified that the new visa requirements also apply to passengers on flight HY531, departing from Tashkent on September 14 and arriving in Bangkok on September 15.
For many years, Thailand provided visa-free entry for up to 30 days to citizens of 56 countries. In July 2024, this period was extended to 60 days, and the list of countries was expanded to 93, including Uzbekistan. This measure was adopted to support the tourism sector and stimulate the economy after the pandemic.
Source: www.gazeta.uz