Thailand has improved its visa-free entry scheme to 93 nations and territories because it seeks to revitalize its tourism enterprise.
Visitors can stay inside the South-East Asian state for up to 60 days beneath the brand new scheme that took impact on Monday,
Previously, passport holders from 57 countries have been allowed to enter with out a visa.
Tourism is a key pillar of the Thai economic system, but it has now not absolutely recovered from the pandemic.
Big news for Jamaica 🇯🇲 effective July 15 2024 Jamaican passport holders can now travel to Thailand 🇹🇭 Visa Free.
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N.B I had to apply for a visa earlier this year before traveling to Thailand this is a big win for Jamaica 🇯🇲.
You can travel to Thailand visa free via this route… pic.twitter.com/93OcrlVBMx
Thailand recorded 17.Five million overseas tourists arrivals in the first six months of 2024, up 35% from the identical period remaining 12 months, according to reliable statistics. However, the numbers pale in contrast to pre-pandemic degrees.
For Thailand more visitors were from China, Malaysia and India.
Tourism sales throughout the identical period came in at 858 billion baht ($23.6bn; £18.3bn), less than a quarter of the authorities’s target.
Millions of tourists flock to Thailand every yr for its golden temples, white sand beaches, picturesque mountains and colourful night existence.
The revised visa-unfastened rules are a part of a broader plan to reinforce tourism.
Also on Monday, Thailand introduced a new five-yr visa for remote employees, that permits holders to live for as much as 180 days every yr.
The U . S . A . May also allow travelling college students, who earn a bachelor’s degree or better in Thailand, to stay for twelve months after graduation to discover a job or tour.
In June, authorities announced an extension of a waiver on hoteliers’ operating costs for 2 more years. They additionally scrapped a proposed tourism rate for site visitors flying into the usa.
However some stakeholders are concerned that the united states of america’s infrastructure won’t be capable of preserve up with travellers’ demands.
“If greater human beings are coming, it way the USA’s a whole… Has to put together our assets to welcome them,” stated Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association.
“If no longer, [the tourists] may not be inspired with the enjoy they have in Thailand and we won’t get a 2nd danger,” he stated.
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, stated that he anticpates “bottleneck in air traffic because the incoming flights won’t increase in time to catch up with the demands of the travelers”.
Some people have additionally raised protection worries after rumours that travelers were kidnapped and sent across the border to work in scam centres in Myanmar or Cambodia.
A deadly shooting in Bangkok’s maximum well-known shopping mall remaining 12 months has also induced situation among site visitors.
What does visa-free travel mean?
Visa-unfastened journey allows passport holders to go into a country without the want to obtain a visa earlier than, or upon, arrival. That said, they need to nevertheless pass via an immigration control facility where their passports are checked for validity, and might also be stamped.
Rising visitor numbers
Thailand has seen a 35% increase in overseas arrivals this 12 months via July 7, as compared to the identical duration in 2023, reaching 18.2 million site visitors. This has generated $24 billion (858 billion baht) in revenue. The top resources of vacationers to date in 2024 had been China, Malaysia, and India.
The USA’s appeal maintains to develop, presenting lovely beaches, nature reserves, rustic countryside, beautiful towns with temples, scrumptious food, exciting nightlife, and fantastic, less costly accommodation.
New visa options
A new “Destination Thailand Visa” has additionally been added, targeting virtual nomads, freelancers, and people seeking to examine new skills such as cooking and martial arts. This visa lets in holders to live for as much as 180 days and is valid for five years.
Extended live for graduates
Another upcoming visa change will allow global college students who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand to stay for 12 months after commencement. This extension is intended for activity seeking, travel, or other sports.
Economic effect
In the primary three months of this year by myself, Thailand recorded nine.4 million foreign travelers, contributing an estimated 454.6 billion baht ($12.4 billion) to the economic system. The us of a is concentrated on a report forty million tourists this yr, aiming to match pre-pandemic stages from 2019.
Thailand Visa exemption for Indian vacationers
Tourists from India can input Thailand without a visa until November 11, 2024. This transient extension follows the success of the initial waiver delivered remaining November.
Here is the listing of the ninety three countries and territories exempt from visa entry into Thailand for a period of 60 days:
Albania
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bhutan
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
