Thailand has expanded its visa-free travel for Australians from 30 days to 60 days as part of a new tourism scheme.  

The visa can be extended up to 30 days more through the Thai immigration bureau. 

Ninety-three countries and territories are eligible for the new scheme, up from 57 previously. 

On Monday, Thailand also announced relaxed rules for several other visa categories.

The validity of “digital nomad” visas for self-employed, remote workers will increase to five years from 60 days, with each stay limited to 180 days.

The country will also allow visiting students, who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand, to stay for one year after graduation to find a job or travel.

The changes, which came into effect on Monday, are part of the South-East Asian nation’s latest efforts to boost travel and tourism.

Tourism is a key driver of Thailand’s economy and a big source of employment, but it has struggled since the pandemic. 

Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourists in the first six months of 2024, the tourism ministry said, up 35 per cent from the same period a year earlier.

Foreign arrivals generated revenue of 825 billion baht ($34 billion), data showed.

In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht ($79 billion).

ABC/Reuters