Thailand Announces Visa-Free Entry for 93 Countries
Thailand Expands Visa-Free Entry to 93 Countries
Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to 93 countries and territories to boost its tourism industry. The new policy, effective from Monday, allows visitors to stay for up to 60 days, compared to the previous 57 countries eligible for visa-free entry.
Tourism, a vital part of Thailand’s economy, is still recovering from the pandemic. In the first half of 2024, Thailand saw 17.5 million foreign tourists, a 35% increase from last year but still below pre-pandemic levels. Most visitors came from China, Malaysia, and India, with tourism revenue at 858 billion baht ($23.6 billion), far below the government’s target.
Authorities have also extended a waiver on hoteliers’ operating fees for two more years and scrapped a proposed tourism fee for visitors flying into the country. However, some stakeholders worry about the country’s ability to meet the increased demand.
Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, emphasized the need for the country to prepare its resources to ensure a good experience for tourists. Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, warned of potential bottlenecks in air traffic due to insufficient incoming flights.
There are also safety concerns following rumors of tourists being kidnapped and sent to scam centers in Myanmar or Cambodia and a fatal shooting in Bangkok’s famous shopping mall last year.
