The duration Maldivians can travel to Thailand without a visa has been extended to 30 days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated.

In the policy adjustments brought by the Thai Cabinet to its visa rules before May 19 this year, it decided to reduce the visa-free stay duration for tourists from 93 countries to less than 60 days.

Under this change, the visa-free travel period for Maldivians was reduced to 15 days. However, Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam spoke by phone with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to discuss the matter. Following those discussions, the Thai Cabinet reviewed the visa policy on July 14 and arranged to extend the visa-free duration for Maldivians from 15 days to 30 days.

The Foreign Ministry stated today that following the official publication of the Thai government's visa policy changes in its Government Gazette last Monday, the changes will take effect starting on the 15th of this month. The ministry also noted that under these changes, Maldivian tourists visiting the country starting from the 15th of this month will be permitted to stay for up to 30 days without a visa.