Thai Royal Gazette
Thailand's official gazette; laws and ministerial orders take legal effect only after publication here.
Thailand's shorter Visa-free stay took effect on 15 September after the Interior Ministry announcements behind it appeared in the Royal Gazette, ending months in which the Cabinet's 19 May decision had no legal force.
Last refreshed: 3 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
When will the Royal Gazette publish the visa-change announcements that activate the 30-day rule?
Timeline for Thai Royal Gazette
Published four Interior Ministry announcements on 31 August
Nomads & Communities: Thailand limits land border runs to twoThailand's 60-day visa window still open
Nomads & CommunitiesRequired to publish three Interior Ministry announcements before the measure takes effect
Nomads & Communities: Thailand halves its visa-free entry windowBackground
The Royal Gazette (ราชกิจจานุเบกษา) is Thailand's official government gazette, in continuous publication since 1874 under the Secretariat of the Cabinet. Royal decrees, acts of the National Assembly, ministerial regulations and administrative orders gain legal force only when published in it. A Cabinet decision that has not appeared in the Gazette changes no rights, duties or procedures, and there is no statutory Deadline for publication.
The Gazette is divided into sections by type of instrument, with royal announcements carrying the highest standing and ministerial notifications sitting lower. Subordinate rules often take effect a set number of days after they appear.
Thailand's 2026 Visa change showed how that works. Ministers agreed on 19 May to halve the Visa-free stay from 60 days to 30, yet nothing changed in law until the Interior Ministry had printed three announcements in the Gazette and waited out a 15-day interval. Until publication the old rules applied; the 30-day stay began on 15 September. Readers can search issues online at Ratchakitchanubeksa.SOC.go.th by date, volume and subject.
Gazette publication activates the 30-day rule
The Cabinet voted on 19 May 2026 to cut Thailand's Visa-free stay from 60 days to 30. The cut needed three Interior Ministry announcements in the Royal Gazette and took effect 15 days after publication. On 23 June none had appeared, so the 60-day window stayed legally open at every border.
Publication followed in the late summer, and the shorter stay began on 15 September. Citizens of 60 countries now get 30 days, and most visitors arriving by land can use the exemption only twice a year. For four months the Gazette, not the Cabinet, set the date on which the policy became law.
Reference
What is the Thai Royal Gazette and why does it matter for visa changes?
Where can I read the Thai Royal Gazette online?
How long does it take for a Thai cabinet decision to become law?
Recently resolved
How do I know when Thailand's visa rule actually changes?
Has Thailand's new 30-day visa rule started yet?
