Thailand extends visa exemption program for Indian tourists

Thailand has extended its visa exemption program for tourists from India and Taiwan for another six months, allowing these travellers to enter the country without a visa until November 11, 2024. The move aims to attract more foreign visitors to boost Thailand's economy, which relies heavily on tourism.

According to a Bloomberg report, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the extension following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, indicating that travellers from India and Taiwan can stay for a maximum of 30 days without a visa.

This extension comes after the success of the initial waiver implemented last November. Previously, tourists from India and Taiwan were allowed to stay in Thailand for only 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme. By extending the exemption, Thailand hopes to encourage longer stays and more frequent visits from these countries.

Thailand has been relaxing visa rules for travellers from some of its primary tourism markets, including China and Russia. In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed more than 12 million foreign tourists, a 39 per cent increase from the same period last year. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that the largest groups of visitors to Thailand came from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India, accounting for half of the total arrivals this year.

Tourism plays a crucial role in Thailand's economy, contributing about 12 per cent to the nation's USD 500 billion economy and providing approximately 20 per cent of total jobs. Recognising its significance, Srettha's administration has set an ambitious goal of attracting 80 million tourists by 2027. By extending the visa exemption for Indian and Taiwanese tourists, Thailand is taking a proactive step towards achieving this goal and bolstering its tourism sector.