After witnessing a dip in Indian visitor arrivals even before to the proposal’s implementation, Thailand has abandoned its intention to ban visa-free entrance for Indian visitors.
The Thai government said on Tuesday that Indian tourists will still be able to enter Thailand without a visa.
The action was taken in response to a plan to eliminate visa-free entrance, which resulted in a drop in Indian tourist arrivals. The idea caused concern among passengers and decreased arrivals even though it was never implemented.
After China and Malaysia, India is one of Thailand’s largest travel destinations.
However, Indian tourists can now remain for a maximum of 30 days instead of 60 days without a visa.
According to Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Thailand’s tourism minister, the action was intended to assist Thailand’s tourism sector while matching the travel habits of Indian visitors.According to Bloomberg, Surasak stated, “The government can review it if issues arise from this measure in the future.”
A proposal to lower the number of nations free from visa requirements from 93 to 54, with a 30-day stay cap for qualified tourists, was agreed by the Thai cabinet in May. But the plan had not yet been implemented. Visitors from Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives will now be able to enter India for 30 days without a visa.
The administration of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is stepping up measures to prevent foreign people engaged in illicit activities from abusing Thailand’s visa-free regime, which is why the visa policy has changed. The action also allays worries expressed by local companies, especially in popular tourist areas, about tourists working without permission or participating in activities that go outside the terms of their visas.
Thailand’s economy continues to rely heavily on tourism.
After a huge fire ripped through a pub in Bangkok on July 12, killing at least 27 people and injuring numerous more, Thailand tourism also made headlines.
