About Thailand
Thailand is one of the world's most beloved and consistently visited travel destinations — a Kingdom of extraordinary beauty, ancient culture, world-class hospitality, and experiences that span from the frenetic energy of Bangkok's legendary street markets to the serene tranquillity of northern mountain temples, from the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea to the vibrant coral reefs of the Gulf of Thailand. Few countries in the world offer such a complete and diverse travel experience within a single destination — and fewer still deliver it with the genuine warmth and grace that defines Thai hospitality.
Bangkok — one of Asia's greatest and most dynamic capitals — pulses with extraordinary energy twenty-four hours a day. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew dazzle with their ornate golden architecture, while the reclining Buddha of Wat Pho and the iconic Wat Arun rising above the Chao Phraya River represent the spiritual heart of the Kingdom. The city's legendary street food scene — from the night markets of Yaowarat Chinatown to the rooftop restaurants of Sukhumvit — has placed Bangkok consistently at the top of the world's greatest food cities. Chiang Mai — the cultural capital of the north — enchants with its ancient walled city, hundreds of historic temples, vibrant night bazaars, and world-class elephant sanctuaries set against the misty hills of the Greater Mekong region.
Thailand's islands and beaches are the stuff of legend — Phuket's Patong Beach and Phang Nga Bay with its dramatic limestone karsts, Krabi's Railay Beach accessible only by longtail boat, Koh Samui's palm-fringed shores, Koh Phi Phi's turquoise lagoons, and the undiscovered paradise of Koh Lipe in the Andaman's far south. The ancient city of Ayutthaya — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — brings Thailand's royal history to life through magnificent temple ruins and towering Buddha statues. The floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, the hill tribe villages of Pai, the jungle treks of Khao Sok National Park, and the world-class diving of the Similan Islands complete a travel experience of extraordinary depth and diversity. Thailand is consistently ranked among the world's top tourist destinations — and with good reason.
What is a Thailand eVisa?
The Thailand eVisa is a fully digital travel authorisation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand — operated through the official electronic visa portal — thaievisa.go.th. It is applied for entirely online from outside Thailand and issued electronically to the applicant's registered email address upon approval. The approved eVisa confirmation can be printed or shown on a mobile device to airlines and Thai immigration officials upon travel. No embassy visit, no passport submission, and no in-person appointment is required at any stage for eVisa applicants.
Is There a Sticker Visa for Thailand?
Yes — Thailand offers both an eVisa (fully digital) and a traditional sticker visa through Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates General abroad. The distinction is:
eVisa (Fully Digital — No Sticker):
- Applied for entirely online through the official portal — thaievisa.go.th
- Approved eVisa confirmation delivered by email — no physical sticker
- Recommended for all eligible nationalities
Physical Sticker Visa (Embassy/Consulate):
- Applied for in person at the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate General
- Physical visa sticker affixed into the passport
- Required for nationalities not eligible for the eVisa system
Important — Applications Must Be Made from Outside Thailand:
All eVisa applications must be submitted from outside the territory of Thailand — applications cannot be submitted while in Thailand.
Four Entry Routes — Thailand
Route 1 — Visa Exemption (No Visa Required)
As of 2026, citizens of 93 countries and territories may enter Thailand for tourism purposes without any visa — simply presenting their valid passport at the Thai immigration counter upon arrival. This is the most convenient entry route for Rayna's UAE and KSA markets.
Permitted stay under visa exemption:
- 60 days for most eligible nationalities — extendable by 30 days at any Thai Immigration office for THB 1,900
- 90 days for Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and South Korea
- 30 days for Hong Kong, Laos, Macao, Mongolia, Russia, and Vietnam
- Land border entries: Limited to 2 visa-exempt entries per calendar year — each granting 30 days only — not 60 days
Important Policy Update — July 2026:
The Thai Cabinet has approved a proposal to reduce the visa-exempt stay from 60 days to 30 days for most nationalities and reduce the exempt country list from 93 to 54 countries. This change will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette — which as of July 2026 has not yet been published. The current 60-day exemption remains in force until official publication. Rayna Tours will advise clients on the latest confirmed policy at the time of travel.
UAE Nationals — Visa Exempt:
UAE nationals are on Thailand's visa-exempt list — they may enter Thailand without any visa for up to 60 days per visit — extendable by 30 days. No application, no eVisa, and no fee required.
KSA Nationals — Visa Exempt:
Saudi Arabian nationals are on Thailand's visa-exempt list — they may enter Thailand without any visa for up to 60 days per visit — extendable by 30 days.
Indian Nationals — Visa Exempt:
Indian nationals are on Thailand's visa-exempt list — following a significant upgrade in July 2024, Indian citizens now enjoy full 60-day visa-exempt access — upgraded from the previous 15-day Visa on Arrival. No application or visa fee required. However, the mandatory Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be completed before arrival.
Route 2 — Visa on Arrival
Citizens of 31 countries may obtain a Visa on Arrival at designated Thai immigration checkpoints — valid for 15 days — at a fee of THB 2,000. This route is available for nationalities not on the visa-exempt list. Processing at the airport typically takes 30 minutes to over 2 hours depending on queues.
Route 3 — eVisa (Online Application)
Nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry or Visa on Arrival — and those requiring a longer stay — may apply for the Thailand eVisa through the official portal — thaievisa.go.th — before travel. The Tourist Visa (TR) is the most commonly used eVisa for Rayna's clients — issued as single entry or multiple entry.
Route 4 — Physical Sticker Visa (Embassy)
Nationalities not eligible for the eVisa system must apply for a physical sticker visa through the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate General before travel.
Do You Need a Thailand Visa? — UAE, India & KSA
UAE Nationals — Visa Exempt:
UAE nationals may enter Thailand without any visa for up to 60 days. No application required — enter on valid Emirati passport. The mandatory TDAC must be completed within 72 hours before arrival.
UAE Residents of Other Nationalities:
The visa requirement is determined entirely by the passport held. Most UAE residents — including Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi passport holders — benefit from either visa exemption (Indian nationals) or may need to apply for a Tourist eVisa (TR) depending on their passport nationality. Rayna Tours will confirm the applicable route at the time of enquiry.
KSA Nationals — Visa Exempt:
Saudi Arabian nationals may enter Thailand without any visa for up to 60 days. No application required. The mandatory TDAC must be completed within 72 hours before arrival.
KSA Residents of Other Nationalities:
The visa requirement is determined by the passport held. Rayna Tours will confirm the applicable route based on the specific passport nationality at the time of application.
Indian Nationals — Visa Exempt:
Indian nationals may enter Thailand without any visa for up to 60 days — following the significant visa policy upgrade of July 2024. No application or visa fee required. The mandatory TDAC must be completed within 72 hours before arrival.
Entry Summary — Rayna's Three Markets
NationalityEntry RoutePre-Travel RequirementPermitted StayUAE NationalsVisa ExemptTDAC mandatory — complete within 72 hours before arrivalUp to 60 daysKSA NationalsVisa ExemptTDAC mandatory — complete within 72 hours before arrivalUp to 60 daysIndian NationalsVisa ExemptTDAC mandatory — complete within 72 hours before arrivalUp to 60 daysUAE/KSA Residents — non-exempt nationalitiesTourist eVisa (TR) or VOAApply online — thaievisa.go.th — or on arrivalAs per visa type
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) — Mandatory for ALL Travellers
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the traditional paper TM.6 arrival card — effective May 2025. It is now mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Thailand — including visa-exempt travellers — at all major international airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket) and most major land border crossings.
Key facts:
- Must be completed online within 72 hours before arrival in Thailand — free of charge
- Official registration portal: tdac.immigration.go.th
- A QR code is issued upon completion — must be shown to immigration officers upon arrival — either on a mobile device or printed
- Every foreign national entering Thailand must complete the TDAC — regardless of visa type or nationality
- Thai citizens and certain diplomatic passport holders are exempt
Visa Type — Tourist Visa (TR) — eVisa
The Tourist Visa (TR) is the standard visa applied for through the official Thailand eVisa portal — thaievisa.go.th — for nationalities requiring a formal visa or those wishing to stay beyond the visa-exempt period.
- Single Entry TR: Valid for 60 days from date of issue — permits one entry — stay of up to 60 days
- Multiple Entry TR: Valid for 6 months from date of issue — permits multiple entries — each stay up to 60 days
- Extension: Can be extended once at any Thai Immigration office for an additional 30 days — fee THB 1,900
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) — Digital Nomad Visa
Launched July 2024 — Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a 5-year multiple entry visa designed for remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads — allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry, extendable once for a further 180 days. Fee: THB 10,000.
Permitted Activities
- Tourism, sightseeing, leisure travel, and recreational activities
- Visiting family or friends
- Attending conferences and business meetings — short term
- Umrah or religious visits
- Medical tourism
Not Permitted:
- Paid employment in Thailand — a Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit required
- Long-term study — an Education Visa required
- Any activity inconsistent with the declared purpose of visit
Important Entry Requirements
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Thailand — with at least 1 blank page for the entry stamp.
- Mandatory TDAC must be completed at tdac.immigration.go.th within 72 hours before arrival.
- Proof of onward or return travel — airlines and immigration officers require confirmation of a ticket leaving Thailand within the permitted stay.
- Proof of sufficient funds — minimum THB 10,000 per person (THB 20,000 per family) in cash or bank statements — may be checked by Thai immigration.
- Confirmed accommodation details.
Overstay Penalties
Overstaying in Thailand is a serious immigration offence — fine of THB 500 per day — maximum fine of THB 20,000 (capped at 40 days). Significant overstay may result in detention, deportation, and a future entry ban. Rayna Tours strongly advises all clients to monitor their permitted stay carefully and depart before the permitted date.
Processing Time
- eVisa (Tourist Visa TR): Typically 5 to 10 business days from date of application submission.
- Visa on Arrival: Processed at the airport upon arrival — 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on queues.
- Visa Exempt: No application — enter on valid passport with completed TDAC.
General Disclaimer
All visa and entry decisions rest solely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. Rayna Tours acts as a professional visa assistance provider only. Possession of a visa or visa exemption does not guarantee entry — final entry is at the sole discretion of the Immigration Bureau of Thailand.
