Taiwan asks Thailand to reciprocate visa-free entry

By WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

Chen-Yuan Tung, a representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand.

 

VISA-FREE ENTRY will attract more Taiwanese tourists and investors to Thailand, says Chen-Yuan Tung, a representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand.

There were 370,559 Taiwanese visitors to Thailand between January to August this year, a drop of 3.7 per cent. 

 

“This year the number decreased a little bit,” Chen-Yuan told The Nation. “We really hope the Thai government would consider granting a visa-free programme for Taiwanese visitors.” 

 

In stark contrast ,Thai tourists visiting Taiwan during the same period this year were up 73 per cent to 182,840 people. It was because Taiwan has granted visa waiver status for Thailand, he said. The programme is in place until July 31 next year. 

 

Chen-Yuan believes that visa-free status had contributed to the rising number of Thai tourists visiting Taiwan during 2016-2017. 

 

Thailand’s lack of reciprocity seems to contrast with the trend among other nations.

 

Taiwan has already obtained visa-waiver status from 124 countries, including the Schengen region, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. Among Asean countries, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have also granted a visa waver to Taiwan, according to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. 

 

Chen-Yuan said Taiwan’s contribution to Thailand’s tourism sector was Bt18.6 billion last year. 

 

The number of Thai tourists visiting Taiwan from August to December 2016 after the waiver was announced jumped 88 per cent compared with the same period in 2015.

 

Chen-Yuan said he expects that granting a visa waiver to Taiwan would also encourage more Taiwanese to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor project initiated by the Thai government. Taiwanese investors have shown their strong interest in investment opportunities in high technology industries, including biotechnology, the Internet of things (IoT), virtual reality and augmented reality, he said. 

 

Since May last year, Taiwan has aggressively promoted a New Southbound policy, aimed at cementing closer economic and cultural relations with Asean and South Asia countries and also Australia. Taiwan’s move demonstrates that it also wants to play a greater role in the region to balance China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

 

Chen-Yuan hosted the celebration of Taiwan’s National Day on October 10 in Bangkok. 

 

In delivering her National Day address to the nation, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, emphasised her government’s commitment to reform, safeguarding Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, and finding Taiwan’s role in the new international order. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30329322

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-16

"Thailand’s lack of reciprocity seems to contrast with the trend among other nations."

 

The understatement of the year.

China says jump, Thailand says how high. 

A logic test on good governance for the junta.  Let see if they pass and resist pressure from the Chinese speaking country to the north. 

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

A logic test on good governance for the junta.  Let see if they pass and resist pressure from the Chinese speaking country to the north. 

And what about their xenophobic brethren in Thailand?

Please also reciprocate what foreign spouses are entitled in other countries, such as no need for work permits and residence rights. 

Thirty something years ago, Taiwanese had bad manners just like the present day mainland Chinese. 

 But, that was thirty something years ago. 

Yes give them 'visa free' entry and more gangsters will be setting up their phone scams as i had next door to me in Pattaya when living there.

5 hours ago, Suttisan said:

China says jump, Thailand says how high. 

Sometimes I think it's "China says duck, Thailand says how low."

China might not be happy with democratic-minded, China independent-thinking Taiwanese visiting Thailand now.

1 hour ago, pattayadgw said:

Yes give them 'visa free' entry and more gangsters will be setting up their phone scams as i had next door to me in Pattaya when living there.

 visa free or not, gangsters and scammers will come no matter what, thailand is known as a paradise and escape place for criminals all over the world

6 hours ago, hansnl said:

And what about their xenophobic brethren in Thailand?

Many Taiwanese look rather Thai Chinese.  Know a few Taiwanese in Thailand.  They get by rather easily after a few years. 

5 hours ago, Johnnyngai said:

Thirty something years ago, Taiwanese had bad manners just like the present day mainland Chinese. 

 But, that was thirty something years ago. 

I go to Taiwan several times per year, nothing has changed I assure you other than those pushing, spitting, shouting and generally running amok wear designer labels now.

7 hours ago, UnkleMoooose said:

I go to Taiwan several times per year, nothing has changed

Not correct.