Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to 93 international locations and territories because it seeks to revitalize its tourism trade.
Guests can keep within the South-East Asian nation for as much as 60 days underneath the brand new scheme that took impact on Monday,
Beforehand, passport holders from 57 international locations have been allowed to enter with no visa.
Tourism is a key pillar of the Thai financial system, however it has not totally recovered from the pandemic.
Thailand recorded 17.5 million international vacationers arrivals within the first six months of 2024, up 35% from the identical interval final yr, in line with official knowledge. Nevertheless, the numbers pale compared to pre-pandemic ranges.
Majority of the vistors have been from China, Malaysia and India.
Tourism income throughout the identical interval got here in at 858 billion baht ($23.6bn; £18.3bn), lower than 1 / 4 of the federal government’s goal.
Thousands and thousands of vacationers flock to Thailand yearly for its golden temples, white sand seashores, picturesque mountains and vibrant evening life.
The revised visa-free guidelines are a part of a broader plan to spice up tourism.
Additionally on Monday, Thailand launched a brand new five-year visa for distant employees, that enables holders to remain for as much as 180 days every year.
The nation can even enable visiting college students, who earn a bachelor’s diploma or greater in Thailand, to remain for one yr after commencement to discover a job or journey.
In June, authorities introduced an extension of a waiver on hoteliers’ working charges for 2 extra years. Additionally they scrapped a proposed tourism payment for guests flying into the nation.
Nevertheless some stakeholders are involved that the nation’s infrastructure could not have the ability to sustain with travellers’ calls for.
“If extra persons are coming, it means the nation as a complete, not simply the Ministry of Tourism – has to organize our sources to welcome them,” mentioned Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Affiliation.
“If not, [the tourists] will not be impressed with the expertise they’ve in Thailand and we could not get a second likelihood,” he mentioned.
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, mentioned he foresees a “bottleneck in air site visitors because the incoming flights could not enhance in time to meet up with the calls for of the travellers”.
Some folks have additionally raised security issues after rumours that vacationers have been kidnapped and despatched throughout the border to work in rip-off centres in Myanmar or Cambodia.
A fatal shooting in Bangkok’s most famous shopping mall final yr has additionally brought about concern amongst guests.
