Thailand calling: Thai govt waves visa for Indian visitors to boost tourism

Hyderabad: Thailand is making an effort to boost its tourism sector and stimulate economic growth by waiving visa requirements for travelers from India and Taiwan.

This policy change, set to take effect from next month until May 2024, is aimed at attracting more visitors during the peak season.

According to Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke, tourists from India and Taiwan will be permitted to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days.

India has recently emerged as Thailand's fourth-largest source of tourism, with around 1.2 million arrivals. The top three sources of tourists for Thailand are Malaysia, China, and South Korea. It's worth noting that Thailand had already removed visa requirements for Chinese tourists in September to further encourage visitor arrivals.

Government figures revealed that from January to October 29, Thailand welcomed a total of 22 million visitors, contributing a significant 927.5 billion baht (approximately $25.67 billion) to the country's economy. Thailand has set an ambitious goal of attracting 28 million tourists.

“This decision to waive visa requirements for Indian and Taiwanese tourists is part of our strategic move to enhance its position as a preferred destination for travelers. It is anticipated that this initiative will help Thailand achieve its tourism targets and provide a much-needed boost to the country's economy” concluded Wacharonke.