Thailand’s visa rules for Indians changed twice in 2026, but the second change is the most important one. In February, Indian travellers could enter Thailand without a visa for 60 days. Then, in May, the Thai Cabinet changed the policy, moving India to the Visa on Arrival group. So the honest answer to how a Thailand visa for Indians works today depends on your arrival date.
This guide explains each entry method, what documents you’ll need, the fees, and the key timing detail that determines which rule applies to your holiday.
Latest Update: India Moves to Visa on Arrival
On 19 May 2026, Thailand's Cabinet decided to end the 60-day visa exemption that had applied to 93 countries since July 2024. The headline change in the Thailand visa for Indians rulebook is that India was taken off the visa-free list and now falls under the Visa on Arrival category, along with Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia.
There is an important detail that many reports overlook. The new rules will only take effect 15 days after they are published in Thailand's Royal Gazette, and as of late June 2026, this has not yet happened. Travellers are still receiving the 60-day stamp at the border. Anyone already in Thailand, or entering before the new rules take effect, will keep the stay stamped in their passport. Foreign nationals who are already in Thailand, or who arrive before the changes take effect, can stay for the full period allowed by their current visa.
Tribe Travel Tip: Keep an eye on the Tourism Authority of Thailand newsroom and the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi for the Gazette date. Once the notice is published, a 15-day countdown begins before the new rule of Thailand visa for Indians takes effect at passport control.
Visa Options at a Glance
If you are planning a holiday, here is what the Thailand visa for Indians might look like in 2026. The details can change based on your travel dates and how long you plan to stay.
Entry route | Stay | Fee | Notes |
Visa-free (until Gazette change) | 60 days, +30-day extension | Free | Still live as of late June 2026 |
Visa on Arrival (after change) | 15 days | THB 2,000 | Single entry, no extension |
Tourist e-Visa (TR), single entry | 60 days, +30-day extension | ₹3,000 | Apply before travel |
Multiple-entry tourist visa | 60 days per visit | ₹13,500 | Six months' validity |
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) | 180 days per entry | THB 10,000 | Five-year validity |
The 60-Day Visa-Free Entry: Live for Now, Ending Soon
As of now, the Thailand visa for Indians at the airport is the same as it was in February. When you arrive, just show your documents, and you will get a 60-day stamp. There is no fee and no separate line. Here’s what you need to bring:
What to carry:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months after your return date
- The free TDAC QR code, which you need to fill out online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before you leave
- A return or onward ticket. You can show a screenshot of your e-ticket.
- Proof of where you will be staying
- Proof that you have enough money: at least 10,000 Thai Baht for each person or 20,000 Thai Baht for a family.
You can extend your visa-exempt stay once for 30 days at any Thai immigration office. The process costs about 1,900 THB and you need to apply in person. If you overstay, you will be charged 500 THB per day, so it’s a good idea to set a reminder for day 55.
Visa on Arrival: The New Default for Indians
After the change takes effect, the standard Thailand visa for Indians becomes the Visa on Arrival. You can stay for up to 15 days. The fee is THB 2,000, which you must pay in cash at the counter. This visa is for a single entry and cannot be extended. You will pay at immigration counters at major airports such as Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, or at certain land checkpoints. Bring a passport photo, your filled TM.88 form, a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and enough funds. If you want to avoid long lines at night, you can pre-register for an eVoA with VFS Global before your holiday and use the fast-track lane.
For Stays Beyond 15 Days: The Tourist e-Visa
If you want to spend more than fifteen days in Thailand, the best option for Indian travellers is the Tourist e-Visa. You can apply for it before your holiday at thaievisa.go.th. This visa allows you to stay for 60 days, and you can extend it once for another 30 days at an immigration office. The single-entry Tourist Visa fee is ₹3,000, which increased from ₹2,500 before April 27, 2026. Processing usually takes three to five working days, so it’s a good idea to apply early, especially during the busy season from October to January.
Long Stays: The Destination Thailand Visa
The most flexible Thailand visa for Indians who are remote workers or slow travellers is the DTV. The Destination Thailand Visa is valid for 5 years and allows you to stay up to 180 days each time you enter. You can use it for multiple entries over those five years, making it ideal if you plan to visit Thailand more than once, rather than just taking a single holiday.
There is talk of a new entry fee of about 300 THB for people arriving by air, but as of June 2026, this fee has not been introduced yet. Thailand has suggested this tourism entry fee for air travellers, but it is not in effect as of 2026.
On the Ground: What Indian Travellers Actually Need to Know
Money
- ATMs are everywhere across Bangkok and the resort towns, but most charge around 220 THB per withdrawal on top of your home bank's international fees.
- When a card terminal asks whether to charge in THB or INR, always choose THB. Dynamic currency conversion (paying in INR) routes the exchange through the terminal's bank at a worse rate than your card issuer offers.
- Get your first batch of Baht at an in-terminal currency desk on arrival, not at airside counters where rates are consistently weaker.
Weather and Packing
- Bangkok's monsoon months run from June through October, and the humidity sits heavier than in most Indian cities, i.e., not unbearable, but worth packing for.
- Light cotton and breathable fabric throughout. Bring a thin jacket or compact shawl: malls, restaurants, and tuk-tuks blasting the AC make the temperature swing between "outdoor humid" and "walk-in freezer" across a single afternoon.
Power Adapters
- Thailand uses Type A, B, and C sockets. Most Indian phone chargers plug in directly.
- Laptops and some other devices need an adapter. Skip the airport shops and head to any 7-Eleven (which is to say, the nearest building to wherever you're standing) and pick one up for around 100 THB.
Health
- If your holiday goes beyond Bangkok into rural areas, Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are worth a conversation with your doctor before departure.
- Use DEET-based mosquito repellent, as dengue is present year-round in Thailand. Drink bottled water only (7–15 THB at every convenience store).
- For street food, find the stalls with the longest local queues: high turnover means fresh prep, and the people who live there have already filtered out the ones not worth queuing for.
Plan the Holiday, Not Just the Paperwork
Getting your Thailand visa sorted is just the first step, not the whole holiday. Once you know how you will enter the country, the real choices begin: which islands to visit, where to stay, and how to plan your days to avoid the busiest spots. That is where Holiday Tribe can help. We are holiday advisors who create custom, land-only Thailand holidays tailored to your group, dates, and pace. We arrange flights separately. Whether you are planning a vacation with the family during school holidays, a relaxed honeymoon, or a getaway with a group that has lots of different ideas, we take care of the details so you can just enjoy your holiday. Tell us your dates, group size, and what you want from your holiday, and our team and our AI travel planner will design a Thailand plan just for you.
