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Thailand, beyond doubt, has been one of India’s favourite travel escapes. It’s stunning and ridiculously easy on the pocket. And the biggest cherry on top? It WAS visa-free.
But after the Indian Embassy in Bangkok issued a fresh advisory for Indian nationals planning a Thailand vacation, travellers might want to pay a little more attention to your documents before departing. On July 2, the embassy released an updated list of requirements for trips to Thailand.
End of visa-free Thailand trips
The biggest, and arguably the saddest, takeaway is that Thailand has ended its visa-free entry for Indian passport holders. Travellers will now have to comply with immigration requirements. Those travelling under the Visa Waiver or Visa on Arrival facility must carry at least 20,000 Thai baht (approximately ₹57,000) per passenger in cash. Immigration officials may ask for a random check, and yes, that wallet inspection can happen.
This marks a shift from the earlier visa-free entry system, which came without such a cash requirement.
What needs to make it into your travel documents folder
First things first: your passport must have at least six months’ validity from the date of arrival in Thailand. Second, keep your confirmed return travel tickets. Along with that, travellers should carry hotel bookings and a clear itinerary detailing their Thailand plans. This means no hitch-hiking.
Thirdly, travellers will have to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before landing. It’s an online form available through Thailand’s official immigration portal.
Once submitted, the generated QR code becomes your digital travel companion: keep it handy, as it will help you clear immigration checkpoints during your journey.