The Thai cabinet has approved a plan to extend the visa-free program for tourists from India and Taiwan for another six months. The Southeast Asian country aims to increase foreign inflows to boost its stagnant economy.
Tourists from India and Taiwan will be able to enter Thailand visa-free until November 11 after the existing exemption expires on Friday, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. According to the rules, passengers can stay for a maximum of 30 days at a time.
The temporary extension follows the success of the original exemption in November last year. Indian and Taiwanese tourists are usually entitled to stay in Thailand for 15 days under the visa-on-arrival system.
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Thailand, which relies on tourism, has relaxed visa rules for travelers from some major markets, including China and Russia. In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed more than 12 million foreign tourists, a 39% increase over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Thailand’s largest groups of visitors – those from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea and India – accounted for half of total arrivals this year.
Tourism is one of Thailand’s key industries, accounting for about 20% of total jobs and about 12% of the country’s $500 billion economy. Sreth’s administration has set a target of attracting 80 million tourists by 2027.
