Thailand is planning to offer more visa-free measures to tourists from other countries, according to the announcement of the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday.
Southeast Asia’s second largest economy last year temporarily waived visa for travellers including Chinese, Taiwanese, Indian, Kazaks, etc., to boost tourism, which is its key contributor for the economy.
The government then proceeded to sign an MOU with China to cancel all requirements for Thai and Chinese travellers when visiting each other’s country. The program will begin in March.
The Thai PM noted that the visa-free measure has helped boost the economy by quite a lot, while adding that the government is planning to offer this program with other countries as well, not just China.
Since the beginning of this year, Chinese travellers have taken the top spot in foreign visitors in Thailand after struggling with the economic crisis last year.
The government expects to welcome 35 million foreign tourists this year after recording 28 million in 2023, but still lower than the pre-pandemic record of nearly 40 million.
