Thailand 2026 for Indian Travellers: 60-Day Visa-Free, TDAC & a 7-Day Itinerary

Thailand quietly became one of the easiest, cheapest, and most rewarding international trips for an Indian traveller in 2026. As of 13 February 2026, Indian passport holders get 60 days visa-free entry, doubled from the older 30-day arrangement, with the option to extend by another 30 days at any Thai immigration office. Add to that round-trip flights from ₹12,000 and a strong rupee against the baht, and the maths for a first international trip rarely looks better.

This is a planning guide for a 7-day Bangkok + Phuket (or Krabi) trip from India in 2026. The actual visa rules. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card you must file. The flight pricing patterns. A first-timer itinerary. And what you should and should not pay for.

What changed in 2026 — the 60-day rule

Until February 2026, Indians got 30 days visa-free. From 13 February 2026, the limit doubled to 60 days, and an extension of another 30 days can be granted at any Thai immigration office in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or smaller cities for a fee of THB 1,900 (around ₹4,500).

What this practically means:

• Two-week or three-week Thailand trips no longer need any visa paperwork at all
• Long-stay travellers, remote workers, and snowbirds get a viable 90-day option without applying for a tourist visa in advance
• You still cannot work for a Thai employer — visa-free is strictly for tourism, short-term business meetings, family visits, or medical treatment

The catch: you must enter via an authorised immigration checkpoint (all major airports qualify) and you must file the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly.

The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

The paper arrival card is gone. Since 2025, every visitor must complete the TDAC online within 72 hours of arrival. It is free, takes ten minutes, and replaces the old TM6 paper form.

1. Open the official portal at tdac.immigration.go.th. Bookmark only this URL — scam clones exist.
2. Click Submit TDAC and fill in passport details, dates, flight number, and your Thailand address (hotel name is fine).
3. Submit and download the confirmation QR code.
4. At Bangkok or Phuket arrivals, scan the QR at immigration counters or e-gates.

If you somehow forget, kiosks at arrivals let you fill it on the spot — but the queue is much slower than the e-gate. Do it from home, even if you are on the airport coach.

Other entry essentials in 2026

• Passport validity: minimum 6 months from your date of entry, plus 2 blank pages for stamps
• Proof of funds: THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family. Immigration rarely checks but they have the right to. Carry a recent bank statement print or a credit card screenshot.
• Onward ticket: A return or onward flight booking is required. If you are still flexible on the return date, even a refundable hold counts.
• Accommodation address: Either a hotel booking or a host’s contact details

Flights from India in 2026

Thailand is the most-served international short-haul destination from India. There is no shortage of direct daily flights from every major Indian metro.

• Delhi (DEL) → Bangkok (BKK / DMK): Direct on IndiGo, Air India, Thai Airways, Vistara. 4 hours. Round-trip ₹14,000–₹22,000 with lead time.
• Mumbai (BOM) → Bangkok: Same operators. 4 hours 15 minutes. Round-trip ₹15,000–₹24,000.
• Bengaluru (BLR) → Bangkok: Direct on IndiGo, AirAsia, Thai. 3 hours 30 minutes. Round-trip ₹14,000–₹20,000.
• Kolkata (CCU) → Bangkok: The cheapest Indian gateway — 2 hours 30 minutes, fares often ₹11,000–₹17,000.
• Chennai (MAA) → Bangkok: Direct daily on IndiGo and Thai. Round-trip ₹13,000–₹20,000.

For the cheapest fares look at May, September, and November. Avoid the December peak and Indian school holidays (May–June peak, October Diwali week).

Internal Thai flights are absurdly cheap. Bangkok ↔ Phuket on Thai AirAsia or NokAir routinely sells return tickets for THB 1,500–THB 3,500 (₹3,500–₹8,000) including check-in baggage if booked 3 weeks ahead.

Don Mueang vs Suvarnabhumi — which Bangkok airport?

Bangkok has two airports. This trips up first-timers.

• Suvarnabhumi (BKK) — the bigger international one. Full-service carriers (Thai, Singapore, Air India) plus most international long-hauls. Cleaner, easier connect, expensive cabs.
• Don Mueang (DMK) — the budget hub. Low-cost carriers (AirAsia, NokAir, IndiGo on some routes). 35 minutes north of the city. Older but functional.

If you connect via Bangkok to Phuket, make sure your incoming and outgoing flights are at the same airport. Cross-airport transfers in Bangkok traffic eat 90 minutes.

A first-timer 7-day Bangkok + Phuket itinerary

• Day 1 — Arrive Bangkok, settle in Sukhumvit. Take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai (THB 45, 30 mins) or a Grab from DMK. Check in to a Sukhumvit hotel. Dinner at a Soi 38 / Thong Lo street food court. Bed.
• Day 2 — Old Bangkok temples. Early start. Grand Palace + Wat Phra Kaew before 10 a.m. (entry THB 500). Walk to Wat Pho (reclining Buddha, THB 300). Cross the river to Wat Arun (THB 100). Lunch at Tom Yum Kung Banglamphu. Afternoon at Khao San / Phra Athit for a coffee and a foot massage (THB 250 / 30 mins).
• Day 3 — Modern Bangkok. Chatuchak Weekend Market if it is Saturday or Sunday (free entry). MBK Center for cheap shopping. Lumphini Park for a walk if you need green. Sunset rooftop at Above Eleven or Sky Bar (THB 700–1,200 minimum spend). Dinner at a Sukhumvit hawker centre.
• Day 4 — Fly to Phuket. Morning flight (THB 1,500–3,000). Land Phuket, transfer to Patong or Karon. Beach afternoon. Sunset cocktail at Patong. Dinner.
• Day 5 — Phi Phi Islands day tour. Pre-booked speedboat day trip (THB 1,500–2,500 / ₹3,500–₹6,000). Hits Maya Bay, Bamboo Island, snorkel stops. Back to Phuket by 5 p.m. Dinner at a Patong seafood spot — confirm prices on the menu before you order.
• Day 6 — Big Buddha, Old Phuket Town and beaches. Morning at the Big Buddha viewpoint (free). Lunch at Old Phuket Town (try Mee Sapam noodles). Afternoon at Karon Viewpoint and Kata Noi Beach. Evening Thai cooking class (THB 1,500 / ₹3,500).
• Day 7 — Fly home. Slow morning, last beach swim, taxi to Phuket airport, fly out direct or via Bangkok.

If you have more days, swap Phuket for Krabi (Ao Nang and Railay Beach) — calmer, less party scene, equally beautiful islands. Or add Chiang Mai for 2 days for the northern temples and the Old Town.

Where to stay in Bangkok

• Sukhumvit (Asok / Phrom Phong / Thong Lo): The default for first-timers. BTS Skytrain access, restaurants, hotels at every price point ₹2,500–₹15,000. Easy to navigate.
• Silom / Sathorn: Business district that becomes nightlife after dark. Closest BTS to the river temples. Mid to premium.
• Riverside (Charoenkrung / Khlong San): For premium hotels with the iconic Chao Phraya River view (Mandarin Oriental, Capella, Avani Riverside). ₹8,000–₹40,000.
• Khao San Road: Backpackers’ zone. Hostels from ₹600. Older crowd has mostly moved on; if you are 25 or under and want the party, this is still the spot.

Where to stay in Phuket

• Patong: Loud, bright, Bangla Road, beach right in front. Best for couples and groups who want nightlife. Hotels ₹2,500–₹10,000.
• Karon / Kata: 15 minutes south of Patong, calmer beach, family-friendly. ₹2,000–₹8,000.
• Kamala / Surin / Bang Tao: Quieter still, premium and boutique villas. ₹6,000–₹25,000.
• Old Phuket Town: Heritage Sino-Portuguese houses, hipster cafés, NO beach. Choose this if you want a non-beach vibe for one night.

What you actually spend in Thailand in 2026

• Pad Thai or Tom Yum at a roadside vendor: THB 60–100 (₹150–₹250)
• Café meal with drink: THB 250–400 (₹600–₹950)
• Beer at a beach bar: THB 80–150 (₹190–₹360)
• BTS / MRT one ride: THB 16–44 (₹40–₹105)
• Grab car short ride: THB 60–120 (₹150–₹290)
• Scooter rental Phuket per day: THB 250–400 (₹600–₹950) — IDP required, see warning below
• Foot massage 30 min: THB 200–350 (₹480–₹830)
• Body massage 60 min: THB 300–700 (₹720–₹1,650)
• Phi Phi day tour: THB 1,500–2,500 (₹3,500–₹6,000)
• Phuket Thai cooking class: THB 1,500 (₹3,500)
• Cabaret or Muay Thai show: THB 800–1,800 (₹1,900–₹4,300)

The 7-day budget — three tiers

Budget (₹35,000–₹45,000 per person)

Cheapest direct return flight (₹14,000) + hostels and budget hotels at ₹1,200/night (₹7,000) + street-food only (₹3,500) + BTS / Grab + cheap inter-city flight (₹6,000) + Phi Phi tour + 2 massages + cooking class (₹8,000) + visa-free + small extras (₹2,000). Round figure ₹40,000.

Mid-range (₹60,000–₹85,000 per person)

Direct return flight (₹18,000) + mid-tier hotels ₹3,500/night, mix Bangkok + Patong (₹21,000) + mix of cafés and street food (₹8,000) + BTS + Grabs + decent internal flight (₹10,000) + Phi Phi premium boat + Big Buddha + Thai massage + cooking class + Muay Thai (₹14,000) + extras (₹4,000). Total ₹75,000.

Premium (₹1,30,000–₹1,80,000 per person)

Premium economy flight (₹35,000) + 4-star Riverside Bangkok + Kamala Beach Phuket villa (₹50,000) + premium dining 60% of meals (₹18,000) + private transfers (₹15,000) + speedboat charter day, private cooking, full-day Bangkok with guide (₹25,000) + extras (₹10,000). Total ₹1,55,000.

The things first-timers get wrong

• Tuk-tuk pricing. Always agree the fare before getting in. Anything over THB 100 for a 5-minute hop is overpriced. Use Grab whenever you can.
• The “free” Grand Palace tour. Tuk-tuk drivers outside the palace will tell you it is closed for a royal ceremony and offer to take you to “another, better temple” — i.e. a gem shop. The Grand Palace is open. Walk past the touts.
• Scooter without International Driving Permit. Phuket has aggressive traffic enforcement. Without an IDP from your Indian RTO, you cannot legally ride — and your travel insurance is void if you crash without one.
• Buying Thai SIM at the airport. The airport stalls are 2–3x more expensive than buying the same DTAC or AIS tourist SIM in town. Or just turn on Airalo eSIM before you land.
• Believing the “ladyboy” street card. Anyone handing you a card on the street is selling a show with a 200-300% mark-up. If you want to see a Tiffany or Simon cabaret, book online.
• Drinking the tap water. Stick to sealed bottles. Brushing teeth is fine.

What is worth paying for in 2026

• A Thai cooking class in Bangkok or Phuket — one of the most useful souvenirs you’ll bring back
• One sit-down Thai massage at a reputable spa (Health Land, Let’s Relax) — ignore the ones with curtains over the windows
• A Chao Phraya River dinner cruise in Bangkok if it’s a special occasion (₹2,500–₹4,000)
• The Phi Phi Islands speedboat day — yes it’s busy but yes it’s worth it
• A Muay Thai night at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok if combat sports interest you

The final word

Thailand in 2026 has the simplest visa situation, the friendliest exchange rate, the best food, and the deepest international flight network from India of any first-time destination. With the new 60-day visa-free window, two weeks in Bangkok + Phuket + Krabi or Bangkok + Chiang Mai is doable on a single passport stamp.

Book the flight 8–10 weeks ahead. File the TDAC the day before you fly. Carry an International Driving Permit if you plan to ride a scooter. Eat where the locals eat. And do not overplan the days — the best Thailand memories tend to be in the slow hours, not the ticked-off sights.

Related guides on PunyaPaths

• Thailand travel: honest tips nobody tells you
• Thrilling experiences in Thailand — beyond the standard list
• Bali for Indian travellers 2026
• Vietnam 2026: 90-day e-Visa & 10-day itinerary

Sources: Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi visa announcements (effective 13 February 2026); official Thailand Digital Arrival Card portal (tdac.immigration.go.th); Skyscanner / aggregator fare data for India ↔ Bangkok routes, May 2026. Visa rules and fares change — verify on the official portals before booking.