Thailand Travel Update 2025–2026: What’s Changing & What Actually Matters

1) Possible Visa-Free Stay Change (60 → 30 Days) — Still Only a Proposal

What’s being discussed: Authorities are reviewing whether to shorten the visa-free stay from 60 days back to 30.
Current reality: Nothing has changed yet. The 60-day visa-free entry for citizens of 93 countries is still in force.
Why the review: Concerns about overstays and unpermitted work; most tourists stay 2–3 weeks anyway.
If it passes later: You’d likely get 30 days on arrival, with the option to extend another 30 days at immigration (1,900 baht).
Smart move: Keep an eye on official immigration updates if you’re planning longer stays, and carry proof of onward travel just in case.

2) Small Passenger Fee Increase at Six Regional Airports

What changed: From October 1, 2025, passenger service charges rose by 25 baht.

• International: 425 baht (was 400)
• Domestic: 75 baht (was 50)

Good news: It’s baked into your ticket—no extra payment at the airport.
Which airports: Krabi, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok.
Not affected: Major hubs like Bangkok (BKK/DMK), Phuket (HKT), and Chiang Mai (CNX).

Why: Funding upgrades such as self-service kiosks and automated baggage systems.

3) Contactless Payments on Bangkok Trains (With One Big Exception)

In Bangkok, you can now tap Visa/Mastercard directly at gates on many lines—great for arrivals.

Tap-and-go works on:

• Airport Rail Link (from Suvarnabhumi)
• MRT Blue Line
• MRT Purple, Yellow, Pink Lines
• SRT Red Line

Exception to know: The BTS Skytrain (the main Sukhumvit/Silom line) does not accept bank cards.
Practical tip: Use contactless for ARL + MRT; buy single tickets or a Rabbit Card for BTS. Keep some cash handy for transfers.

4) Phuket’s Trial Boat Taxi (Traffic-Skipping Idea)

What it is: Speedboat taxis testing beach-to-beach routes to bypass road congestion.
Trial window: December 15–30, 2025 (not permanent yet).
Test route: Nai Yang Beach (near the airport) → Patong Beach in ~40 minutes.
Why it’s exciting: During peak season, this could save hours.
Limits: Calm-sea season only (Nov–Apr). Temporary piers mean luggage handling is still a work in progress.

5) Faster Trains to Southern Thailand (Now Live—Partly)

What’s operational: Double-track rail from Bangkok to Chumphon (421 km), cutting delays and improving reliability.
Tourist benefit: Quicker, more punctual trips to beach towns; newer, air-conditioned services.
Best-served stops: Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon (gateway to Gulf islands).
What’s next: Extensions toward Surat Thani and Hat Yai are planned, but construction won’t start before 2026.

Good to Know: The 300-Baht Tourist Entry Fee—Delayed Again

Status: Postponed. You won’t pay this in 2025 or early 2026.
Why the delay: Concerns about deterring budget travelers and technical issues with airline collection.
Budget impact: None—for now. Earliest talk is mid-2026, and even that’s uncertain.