Thailand has prolonged its visa exemption initiative for Indian and Taiwanese tourists by an additional six months, enabling them to enter the country without a visa until November 11, 2024. This extension is part of efforts to stimulate Thailand’s economy by drawing in more international visitors, vital for the nation’s tourism-dependent economy.

As reported by Bloomberg, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin disclosed the extension after a cabinet session on Tuesday, specifying that individuals from India and Taiwan can now enjoy stays of up to 30 days in Thailand without requiring a visa.

The decision to extend the waiver follows the positive outcomes of the initial implementation last November. Earlier, visitors from India and Taiwan were limited to stays of 15 days under a visa-on-arrival arrangement. With this extension, Thailand aims to promote extended stays and increased frequency of visits from these travelers.

Thailand has eased visa regulations for travelers from key tourism markets such as China and Russia. In the initial four months of 2024, Thailand saw over 12 million foreign tourists, marking a 39% surge compared to the corresponding period last year. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports noted that the most significant influx of visitors to Thailand originated from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India, collectively constituting half of this year’s total arrivals.

Tourism stands as a pivotal pillar in Thailand’s economy, contributing roughly 12% to the nation’s $500 billion economy and offering employment to approximately 20% of the workforce. Acknowledging its vital role, Srettha’s administration has outlined an ambitious objective of enticing 80 million tourists by 2027. The extension of visa exemptions for Indian and Taiwanese tourists reflects Thailand’s proactive approach to reaching this target and fortifying its tourism industry.

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