The following currently applies: Swiss nationals may enter Thailand for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. They can extend their stay for up to 60 days on arrival. The extension must be applied for at an office of the Immigration Office and costs the equivalent of around 55 francs. If you know from the outset that you want to stay longer than 30 days, you must apply for an electronic visa in advance.
This practice is now changing. What has been discussed for some time is now a done deal: on Wednesday, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a list of 93 countries whose citizens will soon be able to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa or receive a «visa on arrival» for a stay in Thailand of up to 60 days. According to the newspaper «Der Farang», Switzerland, Germany and Austria are also on this list.
In addition, a new five-year visa («Destination Thailand Visa») will be introduced, which should be of particular interest to digital nomads, remote workers and the self-employed. This visa allows stays of up to 180 days, which can be extended once for a further 180 days.
According to Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, the government hopes that these measures will lead to a significant increase in visitor numbers, as the Thai economy is heavily dependent on tourism. It is not yet clear when the new visa rules will come into force.