Thailand Visa for Indians: What You Need to Know in 2026

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for Indian travellers — and one of the easiest to enter. Since July 2024, Indian passport holders have enjoyed 60-day visa-free entry, and that is still the case today. On 19 May 2026, the Thai Cabinet approved a restructuring of the visa exemption scheme that would move India into the Visa on Arrival (VoA) category — a 15-day stay plus a ฿2,000 fee. That change takes effect 15 days after publication in Thailand's Royal Gazette, which, as of early June 2026, had not yet happened. So the 60-day visa-free exemption remains active for now, but travellers should plan for the VoA and verify the status closer to their travel date.

Whether you are visiting Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, or Chiang Mai, getting your entry paperwork right matters. This guide covers the current options clearly — no hype, no guesswork — so you can focus on the trip itself.

The Current Situation: Visa-Free Now, Visa on Arrival Approved

Right now, Indian passport holders still enter Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days. Under the Cabinet decision of 19 May 2026, India is set to move to the Visa on Arrival (VoA) category, alongside Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia — four countries out of more than 90 previously covered by Thailand's 60-day exemption scheme. The reasons cited by the Thai government include security screening concerns and a rise in arrests of foreign nationals for drug offences, trafficking, and unlicensed business activity.

What this will mean once the change takes effect:

• You will not need to apply for a visa before you fly — you collect the stamp at the airport on arrival.
• Permitted stay: 15 days per entry. No extension is available on a VoA stamp.
• Fee: THB 2,000 (approximately ₹5,800–₹6,200 at current exchange rates), payable in Thai Baht cash only — no cards accepted at the VoA counter.

Important: This has not yet taken effect — it begins 15 days after Thailand publishes the gazette notification, which had not happened as of early June 2026. Until then the 60-day visa-free exemption still applies. Check the Royal Thai Embassy or the official Thai e-Visa portal for the confirmed date before you travel.

Visa on Arrival: Documents Checklist

Once the Visa on Arrival comes into force, this is what you will need ready when you land (until then, Indians enter visa-free for up to 60 days and skip the VoA counter entirely):

• Valid passport — at least 6 months validity beyond your date of entry, with a minimum of 2 blank pages
• Passport-sized photograph — 4 × 6 cm (or 3.5 × 4.5 cm depending on counter), white background; carry at least two copies
• Confirmed return or onward ticket showing you depart Thailand within 15 days
• Hotel booking confirmation for the duration of your stay
• Proof of funds — typically THB 10,000 per person (around ₹23,000–₹25,000) in cash or a bank statement
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — completed online before you fly (see below)
• THB 2,000 in cash for the VoA fee — exchange money before you reach the immigration counter

The VoA counter process at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and Phuket International typically takes 15–30 minutes in normal conditions, but can be longer during peak seasons. Arrive with time to spare.

The TDAC: Do Not Skip This Step

Thailand's Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the old paper arrival card and is now mandatory for all non-Thai nationals, regardless of visa type. It is free of charge and takes under 5 minutes to complete.

• Submit it via the official Thai Immigration website within 72 hours before your arrival
• You will need your passport details, flight information, and accommodation address in Thailand
• Airlines are instructed to check TDAC completion at check-in — you can be denied boarding if it is not done
• Print or save your confirmation to your phone

Think of the TDAC as the digital replacement for the arrival card you used to fill in on the plane — except you need to do it before you leave India.

The Better Option for Most Trips: Tourist e-Visa

If you want more flexibility — especially for trips longer than 15 days or planned holidays across multiple Thai cities — the Tourist e-Visa (TR) is the smarter choice.

• Permitted stay: 60 days, extendable by 30 days at a Thai immigration office (THB 1,900 fee), giving up to 90 days total
• How to apply: Through the official portal at thaievisa.go.th — create an account, fill the application, upload documents
• Processing time: Around 14 working days, so apply well in advance of travel
• Cost: Single-entry around ₹3,000; multiple-entry (6 months) around ₹13,500
• Documents needed: Same as VoA list above, plus a scanned passport and digital photograph

The e-Visa also means you skip the VoA queue on arrival and walk straight through to regular immigration — worth considering if you are arriving at Suvarnabhumi during a busy period.

For most Indian travellers planning a standard 7–10 day holiday — say, Pattaya and Bangkok, or Phuket and Krabi — no advance visa paperwork is needed beyond the TDAC: you currently enter visa-free for up to 60 days, and even once the change takes effect the Visa on Arrival (15 days) covers a trip of this length.

Practical Tips for Indian Travellers

A few things that will make your entry smoother:

• Carry Baht for the VoA fee if the change is in force when you travel. Entry is currently visa-free, but if the ฿2,000 VoA has taken effect, exchange money before you reach the immigration hall — airport exchange counters are available airside before immigration at most Thai international airports.
• Book a hotel even for the first night. Immigration officers may ask for proof of accommodation. You can adjust plans after you land.
• Onward ticket is not optional. A return or connecting flight out of Thailand, dated within your permitted stay, is checked at immigration. Flexible travellers sometimes book a refundable onward ticket.
• The TDAC must be done before check-in in India. Do not leave it until the airport — boarding is refused without it.
• 15 days will be a hard limit on VoA. Unlike the current 60-day exemption (which allows a 30-day extension), a VoA stamp has no extension option. If you need more time once the change is in force, apply for an e-Visa before you travel.
• Keep ₹500–₹1,000 equivalent in Baht spare for small immigration needs or any last-minute copies you may need.

Planning Your Thailand Holiday with Trip Dust

Trip Dust is a TAT-registered Thailand tour operator with on-ground support in Hindi and English, making it straightforward for Indian travellers to sort activities and transfers without the usual friction. Our packages are built around activities first — day trips, sea excursions, city tours — with flexible hotel options and transparent pricing.

If you are still working out which cities to combine, our Thailand packages page is a good starting point. Some popular starting points for Indian travellers:

• Pattaya 4-day itinerary — coral island, Alcazar Show, Nong Nooch; compact and manageable for first-timers
• Bangkok and Pattaya combined (5 days) — the most popular combination for Indians
• Phuket 4-day package — Phi Phi Islands, James Bond Island, Old Town
• Bangkok and Phuket combined (6 days) — two contrasting cities in one trip

We offer Indian and vegetarian food options across all destinations, pay-on-pickup on select activities, and instant WhatsApp booking. Have questions about visas or on-ground logistics? Get in touch directly — we are happy to help before and during your trip.

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