Thailand’s government has extended visa waivers for Indian visitors for six months to boost foreign visits and support the economy. The temporary extension follows the successful first waiver in November. The Thai Tourism industry contributes 20% of total employment and 12% of the GDP.
Thailand’s government has approved a proposal to extend visa waivers for Indian visitors for another six months, as the nation strives to increase foreign visits to support its lagging economy.
Tourists from India will be permitted to enter without a visa until November 11, when a current waiver expires on Friday, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. According to the laws, travelers may remain for no more than 30 days at a time.
The interim extension followed the successful first waiver in November of last year. Tourists from India may generally remain in Thailand for 15 days under a visa-on-arrival arrangement.
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The government has reduced visa requirements for visitors from several of its key markets, including China and Russia. Thailand received more than 12 million international visitors in the first four months of 2024, up 39% from the same time the previous year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The major visiting groups this year were from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India, accounting for half of all arrivals.
Tourism is one of the country’s important businesses, providing for around 20% of total employment and 12% of the 18-trillion-baht GDP. The Srettha government has set a target of luring 80 million visitors annually by 2027, more than double the pre-pandemic record reached in 2019.