By Dwayne Ferreira.
Thailand visa-free entry for Sri Lankans ends September 15, as Colombo links the move to illegal activity concerns and seeks a new deal.
COLOMBO – Thailand visa-free entry for Sri Lankan passport holders will end from September 15, 2026, after Thai authorities raised concerns over alleged illegal activities involving some Sri Lankan nationals, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath has said.
The change means Sri Lankan travellers will have to obtain a visa before travelling to Thailand once the new rules take effect.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Herath said Thailand had reviewed its visa arrangements and Sri Lanka was among the countries affected.
However, he said incidents involving Sri Lankan nationals allegedly engaging in unlawful activity had also influenced Thailand’s decision regarding Sri Lankan travellers.
Herath said the Sri Lankan Government had already opened discussions with Thai authorities over the withdrawal of the visa-free facility.
Illegal Activity Concerns Behind Thailand Visa-Free Entry Change
The Foreign Minister referred to recent drug-smuggling incidents while explaining the concerns raised by Thai authorities.
He cited cases involving narcotics allegedly moving between Thailand and Sri Lanka. Herath also referred to cases involving Buddhist monks accused of transporting Kush.
The Minister said such incidents had become part of the concerns surrounding travel arrangements for Sri Lankan nationals.
Thailand’s broader visa review received Cabinet approval in May. Authorities formally published the revised regulations in the Royal Gazette on August 31.
Under the revised system, Thailand is abolishing its 60-day visa-exemption programme and restructuring its shorter visa-free and Visa on Arrival schemes.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said authorities considered several factors during the review. These included national security, tourism and economic interests, reciprocity, overlapping visa privileges and access to Thailand’s e-Visa system.
The revised regulations will take effect on September 15.
For Sri Lankan passport holders, the move ends the existing exemption that allowed eligible travellers to enter Thailand without first obtaining a visa.
