Starting June 1, tourists, remote workers, postgraduate students, and retirees can stay longer in Thailand due to new visa measures announced by the Thai government, reports The Bangkok Post.

The government has introduced extended visa-free stays, new visa-on-arrival schemes, longer stays for foreign students, and reduced health insurance requirements for elderly travelers.

Visa-free stays for travelers from 93 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, China, and India, will be extended to 60 days. Additionally, visa-on-arrival has been extended for travelers from 31 countries.

A new five-year visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), has been introduced for digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, and those interested in Thai culture. The DTV, costing 10,000 baht (about RM1,277), allows stays of up to 180 days and can be extended for another 180 days with an additional 10,000 baht fee. Applicants must provide financial proof of at least 500,000 baht (about RM63,817).

Foreign graduates can now stay in Thailand for a full year post-graduation with proof of certification from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.

For travelers aged 50 and above, the required health insurance coverage for long-stay visas has been reduced from 3 million baht (RM382,534) to 440,000 baht (about RM56,106), effective from September to December.

Moreover, the number of e-visa application services at Thai consulates and embassies will increase from 47 to 94 locations starting in September.