The step has taken to revive the economy battered by COVID-19. The extending of VISA exemption is for tourists from 56 countries from 30-45 days to attract more visitors. On Wednesday, the spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tanee Sangrat said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha had instructed the ministry recently to expedite the relaxation of restrictions on the foreigners’ entry in Thailand. The 15 days added on the VISA exemption is considered to make up for the 2-week quarantine required for those visiting the country. The official is hoping to gain more tourism through the strategy.
Presently, the foreign tourists can only enter the country under the pre-issued 60 days tourist VISA or the new Special Tourist VISA which allows a 90 days stay that can be extended twice, adding up to approx 9 months. Thailand had no tourist activities and arrivals from late March to October. Since then, there have been fewer flights with people arriving under the Special Tourist VISA but it has not been enough to revive the tourism sector in Thailand. Mr. Tanee also added that the ministry raised the matter on Monday at a meeting of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) panel on the easing of restrictions.
In the meeting, it was agreed that the VISA exemptions will be granted to the foreign tourists from three groups of the country. The first group includes 56 countries and territories which are allowed under a VISA exemption scheme to stay for 30 days. The second group includes 6 territories and countries which have bilateral agreements with Thailand to stay for 30 days. These countries include Hong Kong, Laos, Macau, Russia, and Vietnam. The third group consists of four countries namely Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. They also have bilateral agreements with Thailand and are allowed to stay for 90 days. However, there will be no VISA exemption for tourists arriving from Myanmar and Cambodia even though they also have a bilateral agreement with Thailand.
Since the 14 days, quarantine requirement is a must; VISA on arrival will be suspended until 30th December. However, the meeting has asked the ministry to first issue an announcement of VISA exemption for 56 countries from 30-45 days, and most probably the extension will take effect until 30 September 2021. Mr. Tanee said that the interior ministry has promised to present the matter for cabinet approval. Once the proposal has been approved and it is published in the Royal Gazette the proposal will immediate take effect. The new regulation is predicted to have a great impact on the travel agencies for business growth.