Thailand to apply new visa promotion scheme to lure more tourists
Thailand will allow citizens of more countries to enter the kingdom via visa exemptions starting from July 15 as part of measures to promote tourism and encourage longer stays, according to Thailand's Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul.
Digital nomads are a new group of visitors targeted by Thailand as it offers favourable visa conditions for them. (Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand)
Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand will allow♈ citizens of more countries to enter the kingdom via visa exemptions starting from July 15 as part of measures to promote tourism and encourage longer stays, according to Thailand's Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul.
The official said Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed four documents to ease travel for foreigners, all of which will take effect on July 15 pending their announcement in the Royal Gazette.
The directives include a new list of countries eligible for visa-free entry into Thailand, increasing from 57 to 93. Visitors from these countries will be able to stay for no more than 60 days.
Thailand will also nearly double the number of countries eligible for visas on arrival, from 19 to 31. In addition, the country will introduce the Destination Thailand Visa service, targeting digital nomads, freelancers, and visitors looking to perform or learn skills such as cooking and Muay Thai.
The new visa type, valid for five years, allows holders to stay up to 180 days./.
Thailand's cabinet on May 28 approved a series of visa facilitation measures, including extended stay periods for foreign tourists, remote workers, students and retirees, in an effort to boost its vital tourism sector amid a sluggish economy.
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The Thai cabinet on May 7 approved a plan to extend visa exemption for tourists from India and Taiwan (China) for six more months, as the country is seeking to boost the number of foreign arrivals from the two major markets.
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