Speaking after officially opening the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference 2026 (GSTC 2026) at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, Mr Surasak confirmed that multiple agencies had raised concerns during the trial period of the extended visa-free policy, which was introduced to boost tourism.
“Many problems have been reported,” he said. “The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the security sector must review the visa-free measure to ensure its appropriateness after a trial period.”
The review will focus on how the policy has been implemented in practice, including mechanisms to address inappropriate behaviour and prevent issues linked to so-called “undesirable tourists”, he added.
Mr Surasak indicated that one proposal under consideration is to abolish the 60-day visa-free entry for all countries and revert to country-specific visa arrangements.
“I believe the first step is to cancel the 60-day visa-free scheme and return to the normal visa system for each country, while introducing new, appropriate visa options,” he said. “This will serve as an initial screening process for tourists.”
He noted that the visa-free policy was originally approved by Cabinet, meaning any amendments must also be submitted for Cabinet consideration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already held internal discussions and is expected to present recommendations to Cabinet in the near future.
The minister’s remarks come amid a broader push by the government to reposition Thailand’s tourism strategy towards higher-quality, longer-stay visitors, in line with sustainability goals highlighted at GSTC 2026.
According to remarks reported at the conference, sustainable tourism policy must balance environmental, economic and safety considerations, while ensuring local communities benefit from tourism revenue.
Authorities are also considering additional measures, including stricter screening of visitors and the development of new visa categories tailored to different markets.
TAX CLAIM SPARKS INVESTIGATION
Mr Surasak also addressed a separate issue involving a foreign national who claimed online that he could purchase residential property in Thailand without paying taxes.
The case refers to a social media post made on Apr 19 by expatriate Samuel Leeds, who stated that he had purchased a B56 million property near Bang Tao Beach and would be able to remain in Thailand while paying “0% tax” on global income under a “wealthy global citizenship” arrangement.
The post drew widespread criticism from other foreigners, many of whom questioned the accuracy of the claims and their compliance with Thai law.
Mr Surasak said the matter is now under investigation.
“Residing in a residence without paying taxes is already illegal,” he said. “This must be verified, including the type of visa used and supporting documentation.”
He added that any visa issuance must comply with existing regulations, including checks on financial status, sources of investment and supporting evidence.
“If the claim of tax exemption is true, it is illegal and must be investigated by the relevant agencies,” he said, noting that the Phuket Governor and related officials are already examining the case.
CABINET PROPOSALS AND DOMESTIC TOURISM PUSH
In parallel, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to submit a package of “Quick Win” tourism measures to Cabinet, aimed at stimulating domestic travel.
Mr Surasak said these measures may include tax incentives and other mechanisms to encourage spending within the country, helping to generate revenue and offset fluctuations in international arrivals.
The GSTC 2026 event, held from Apr 21-24, has drawn hundreds of participants from dozens of countries, including policymakers, tourism executives and sustainability experts, reflecting Thailand’s ambition to position itself as a leading sustainable tourism destination.
The outcome of the visa policy review is expected to play a key role in shaping that strategy, as authorities seek to balance tourism growth with regulatory control and long-term sustainability.