Thailand Expands Visa-Free Entry to 93 Countries
In a strategic move to rejuvenate its tourism industry, Thailand has extended its visa-free entry scheme to include 93 countries and territories. The updated policy, effective from Monday, allows visitors to stay in the Southeast Asian nation for up to 60 days.
Previously, passport holders from 57 countries could enter Thailand without a visa. The expansion aims to attract more tourists and facilitate longer stays, contributing to the recovery of a sector heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourism is vital to Thailand’s economy, yet it has not fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In the first six months of 2024, Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourist arrivals, a 35% increase from the same period last year. Despite this growth, the numbers remain significantly lower than pre-pandemic figures.
Most visitors during this period came from China, Malaysia, and India. Tourism revenue for the first half of 2024 amounted to 858 billion baht ($23.6 billion; £18.3 billion), falling short of the government’s target.
Thailand’s golden temples, white sand beaches, picturesque mountains, and vibrant nightlife continue to draw millions of tourists annually. The revised visa-free rules are part of broader efforts to boost tourism, including the introduction of a new five-year visa for remote workers, allowing stays of up to 180 days each year.
To further support the tourism sector, Thailand has implemented several measures:
- Extension of a waiver on hoteliers’ operating fees for two more years.
- Cancellation of a proposed tourism fee for visitors flying into the country.
- Allowing visiting students with a bachelor’s degree or higher from Thai institutions to stay for one year after graduation to find a job or travel.
Despite these positive steps, stakeholders express concerns about the country’s infrastructure and safety. Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, emphasized the need for adequate resources to meet the increasing number of visitors.
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, warned of a potential “bottleneck in air traffic” due to the anticipated surge in incoming flights. Additionally, safety concerns have been raised following rumors of tourists being kidnapped and sent to work in scam centers in neighboring Myanmar or Cambodia.
Thailand’s expanded visa-free entry scheme is a significant step towards revitalizing its tourism industry. While the country prepares to welcome an influx of visitors, addressing infrastructure and safety concerns will be crucial to ensuring a positive and sustainable growth in tourism.