Thailand keeps visa-free entry for Indians, but cuts stay to 30 days
Thailand has dropped its plan to end visa-free entry for Indian tourists after seeing a decline in arrivals from India even before the proposal came into effect.
Indian visitors will continue to enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand, the Thai government said on Tuesday.
The move comes after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led to a decline in tourist arrivals from India. Although the proposal didn't come into effect, it created uncertainty among travellers and resulted in fewer arrivals.
India is one of Thailand's biggest tourism markets, after China and Malaysia.
However, the maximum visa-free stay duration for Indian visitors has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Thailand's Tourism Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, said the move was aimed to match the travel patterns of Indian tourists while supporting Thailand’s tourism industry.
"If problems arise from this measure in the future, the government can review it then," Surasak said as reported by Bloomberg.
In May, the Thai cabinet had approved a proposal to reduce the list of visa-exempt countries from 93 to 54, with a 30-day stay limit for eligible visitors. However, the proposal had not yet come into force. Now, along with India, visitors from Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives will also enjoy 30-day visa-free entry.
The visa policy changes come as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government steps up efforts to curb the misuse of Thailand's visa-free regime by foreign nationals involved in illegal activities. The move also addresses concerns raised by local businesses, particularly in tourist hotspots, over visitors working without authorisation or engaging in activities that violate their visa conditions.
Tourism remains a vital pillar of Thailand's economy.
Thailand tourism also grabbed headlines after a massive fire tore through a pub in Bangkok on July 12, killing at least 27 people and leaving several others injured.
Indian visitors will continue to enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand, the Thai government said on Tuesday.
The move comes after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led to a decline in tourist arrivals from India. Although the proposal didn't come into effect, it created uncertainty among travellers and resulted in fewer arrivals.
India is one of Thailand's biggest tourism markets, after China and Malaysia.
However, the maximum visa-free stay duration for Indian visitors has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Thailand's Tourism Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, said the move was aimed to match the travel patterns of Indian tourists while supporting Thailand’s tourism industry.
"If problems arise from this measure in the future, the government can review it then," Surasak said as reported by Bloomberg.
In May, the Thai cabinet had approved a proposal to reduce the list of visa-exempt countries from 93 to 54, with a 30-day stay limit for eligible visitors. However, the proposal had not yet come into force. Now, along with India, visitors from Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives will also enjoy 30-day visa-free entry.
The visa policy changes come as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government steps up efforts to curb the misuse of Thailand's visa-free regime by foreign nationals involved in illegal activities. The move also addresses concerns raised by local businesses, particularly in tourist hotspots, over visitors working without authorisation or engaging in activities that violate their visa conditions.
Tourism remains a vital pillar of Thailand's economy.
Thailand tourism also grabbed headlines after a massive fire tore through a pub in Bangkok on July 12, killing at least 27 people and leaving several others injured.
