<p>In a move to boost tourism in their respective countries, Thailand and China will soon let go of visa requirements for each other's citizens permanently, media reports said quoting Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday (Jan 2).&nbsp;</p>

<p>This comes as the Thailand government in September, intending to promote tourism, launched a visa exemption scheme for Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists starting from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024. The Thailand Cabinet approved this measure on September 13, 2023. &nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the countries are ready to take a step further in paving the path for a waive-off of visa requirements permanently.&nbsp;Thailand earlier said that the move is also aimed at enhancing people-to-people ties and the bilateral relationship with China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/giorgia-meloni-bestowed-with-man-of-the-year-title-this-is-why-her-critics-are-not-happy-675838">Giorgia Meloni bestowed with 'man of the year' title. THIS IS WHY her critics are not happy</a></p>

<p>"This will upgrade the relationship between the two countries," Srettha reportedly said.</p>

<p>China has also reciprocated positively to the initiative.&nbsp;Chinese ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at the weekly press briefing reportedly said, "Competent authorities of both sides are communicating closely on the matter and we are looking forward to the implementation of the relevant arrangement."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-plane-catches-fire-on-tokyo-haneda-airport-runway-675816">Japanese plane catches fire on runway after colliding with coast guard jet, five people unaccounted for</a></p>

<p>In October last year, Thailand made a visa exemption for people arriving from India and Taiwan. The move, as per a Thailand government official, will take effect from May 2024 and the arrivals will be visa-free for a total of 30 days.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Thailand tourism data&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>As per Thailand's government data, the Southeast Asian nation saw a slight uptick in the number of tourist arrivals. The country was visited by 28 million foreign tourists which helped Thailand's economy by generating 1.2 trillion baht ($34.93 billion) in revenue.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-pulls-tanks-out-of-some-districts-in-gaza-russias-aerial-barrage-on-kyiv-675844">Israel pulls tanks out of some districts in Gaza | Russia's aerial barrage on Kyiv</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-pulls-tanks-out-of-some-districts-in-gaza-russias-aerial-barrage-on-kyiv-675844/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Thailand received a maximum number of tourists from Malaysia in 2023, with 4.4 million arrivals. It was followed by China as the second source market for Thailand, with 2.7 million arrivals.&nbsp;Singapore was in third place, from which Thailand had a footfall of 1.9 million visitors. From India, 1.6 million tourists visited Thailand.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


In a move to boost tourism in their respective countries, Thailand and China will soon let go of visa requirements for each other's citizens permanently, media reports said quoting Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday (Jan 2).

In a move to boost tourism in their respective countries, Thailand and China will soon let go of visa requirements for each other's citizens permanently, media reports said quoting Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Tuesday (Jan 2). This comes as the Thailand government in September, intending to promote tourism, launched a visa exemption scheme for Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists starting from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024. The Thailand Cabinet approved this measure on September 13, 2023. However, the countries are ready to take a step further in paving the path for a waive-off of visa requirements permanently. Thailand earlier said that the move is also aimed at enhancing people-to-people ties and the bilateral relationship with China. Also Read | Giorgia Meloni bestowed with 'man of the year' title. THIS IS WHY her critics are not happy "This will upgrade the relationship between the two countries," Srettha reportedly said. China has also reciprocated positively to the initiative. Chinese ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin at the weekly press briefing reportedly said, "Competent authorities of both sides are communicating closely on the matter and we are looking forward to the implementation of the relevant arrangement." Also Read | Japanese plane catches fire on runway after colliding with coast guard jet, five people unaccounted for In October last year, Thailand made a visa exemption for people arriving from India and Taiwan. The move, as per a Thailand government official, will take effect from May 2024 and the arrivals will be visa-free for a total of 30 days. Thailand tourism data As per Thailand's government data, the Southeast Asian nation saw a slight uptick in the number of tourist arrivals. The country was visited by 28 million foreign tourists which helped Thailand's economy by generating 1.2 trillion baht ($34.93 billion) in revenue. Watch | Israel pulls tanks out of some districts in Gaza | Russia's aerial barrage on Kyiv × Thailand received a maximum number of tourists from Malaysia in 2023, with 4.4 million arrivals. It was followed by China as the second source market for Thailand, with 2.7 million arrivals. Singapore was in third place, from which Thailand had a footfall of 1.9 million visitors. From India, 1.6 million tourists visited Thailand. (With inputs from agencies)

Thailand, China to lock in a visa exemption scheme permanently

Thailand is anticipating a massive influx of Chinese tourists. Thailand’s innovative five-month holiday visa exemption program, recently launched, has already seen astounding results.

Visa exemption programme boosts Thailand’s economy

visa-exemption

Visa Exemption, News on Visa Exemption, stories on Visa Exemption, articles on Visa Exemption, Visa Exemption stories at Wion, Visa Exemption news, Visa Exemption latest news