Thailand only wants high-quality visitors” – what does that mean for tourists?

Thailand only wants high-quality visitors” – what does that mean for tourists?

Thailand is currently experiencing a critical discussion about the quality of tourism in the country. Rep. Chalermpong Saengdee expressed concern about the behavior of many foreign visitors. In particular, he stressed the need for a review of visa-free travel for travelers after Thailand significantly relaxed rules for about 90 countries, including Germany, in 2024. Tourists are now allowed to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, instead of the previous 30 days.

Saengdee reports a rise in "inappropriate behavior" among tourists, ranging from drug use to pornography. He warns that these practices not only damage Thailand's image, but also negatively affect the quality of life of the population in popular tourist areas. He is particularly critical of the behavior of Russian tourists, who, together with travelers from China and India, make up the largest proportion of foreign visitors to Phuket.

Demands for action

With a total of 887,000 tourists in Phuket by July 2025, 43% of whom are from Europe, Saengdee calls for only “high-quality visitors” to be allowed in Thailand. He advocates measures to check the “quality” of foreign tourists. The Ministry of Tourism had considered plans to reset the visa-free stay period to 30 days, but these have so far been put on hold.

Parallel to these developments, the legalization of cannabis in the country is also on the agenda. Three years ago, Thailand became the first Asian country to widely legalize cannabis. The ensuing boom in cannabis tourism brought the country revenue of around one billion euros. But now the Thai government is planning to only allow cannabis for medical purposes with a prescription in the future. Its use as a recreational drug should be banned again.

Regulation of the cannabis market

Reactions to the planned changes are mixed. Sellers and shop owners are shocked and are demanding more regulation because they fear for their businesses. It is estimated that there are around 18,000 cannabis shops in Thailand. At the same time, critics, including the British government, are raising concerns about possible cannabis smuggling by tourists.

Studies have already shown an increase in addictions and mental health problems since legalization. It is reported that the minimum age of 20 years is not always adequately checked in many shops, which is further worrying. Monks in drug rehabilitation temples are reporting a rise in cannabis addiction, and there are concerns that many users are combining cannabis with other drugs.

The impact of the planned ban on tourism remains uncertain. Some tourists are already annoyed by the cannabis hype, which could put additional strain on Thailand's reputation as an attractive holiday destination. The country is at a crossroads in finding a balance between economic benefits and social norms.

The discussion surrounding tourist policy and the regulation of the cannabis market shows how complex the challenges are for Thailand as a popular travel destination.

For more information on the challenges of tourism in Thailand, visit Mercury. For details on cannabis legalization and its impact on tourism, take a look daily news.