Threat Of Overtourism Returns As Thailand, China Sign Total Visa-Free Travel Deal

[webfact]

 

THAILAND and China have signed an agreement for the citizens of the two countries to get totally visa-free access, as of March 1, 2024. The move will set off a renewed boom in Chinese visitors and help the kingdom exceed its original arrival targets for 2024 beyond eight million for Chinese nationals and 35 million in total. It will also lead to the renewed threat of overtourism and all its associated social, cultural and environmental problems.

 

The agreement was signed on Jan. 28 by Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi, who is also a Member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. It is a critical part of a broader plan to mark the 50th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations in 2025 with a sweeping upgrade of economic, political, cultural and transportation linkages.

 

The agreement allows citizens of the two countries a visa-free stay for up to 30 days, and a cumulative period of stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period, except for the purposes of residing or engaging in employment, study, media activities or other activities that require prior approval from competent authorities of the other country.

 

In his remarks to the media, Mr. Wang Yi said, “This will surely bring our people-to-people exchanges to a new height. There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. We also welcome friends from Thailand to feel the vitality and vibrancy of China and the hospitality of the Chinese people. China and Thailand are one family. It’s important that our two peoples forge closer friendships and stronger bonds, and embrace a better life.”

 

by TNR Staff 

TOP: Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara at today’s (Jan. 28) signing of a total visa-free travel agreement.

 

Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2024-01-29

 

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[stoner]

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

It will also lead to the renewed threat of over tourism and all its associated social, cultural and environmental problems.

 

then they saw how much money rolled in....and forgot all about these issues. 

[Gknrd]

Joke of the day!

[flyingtlger]

 

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

Mr. Wang Yi said, “There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand"

I highly doubt there will be a big increase with Chinese tourist.

China is not doing so well economically and with all the negative media and new reports regarding the pollution, violence, crime and police corruption and even fake news of organ harvesting, will not help....

 

[GammaGlobulin]

I am fluent in HanYu, GuoYu, ZhongWen, PuTongHua, etc....

 

The more Chinese the better.

 

 

Edited January 28 by GammaGlobulin

[ikke1959]

Just as it looks that a visa will hold tourists back to visit the country... Maybe China will get more Thai tourists.. but I doubt there will be suddenly more Chinese

[2baht]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I am fluent in HanYu, GuoYu, ZhongWen, PuTongHua, etc....

 

The more Chinese the better.

 

 

Ever thought of moving there permanently and leaving us without your rubbish posts???

[2baht]

4 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Just as it looks that a visa will hold tourists back to visit the country... Maybe China will get more Thai tourists.. but I doubt there will be suddenly more Chinese

Insurgents will be happy!

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

THAILAND and China have signed an agreement for the citizens of the two countries to get totally visa-free access (...)

 

There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand (...)

 

That's like saying: "I just bought a lottery ticket... I will be rich soon!"

Edited January 28 by StayinThailand2much

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

 

then they saw how much money rolled in....and forgot all about these issues. 

 

Well, after all, it's not really tourists Thailand wants to host, but about the money they want to get their hands on. Unfortunately, for Thailand, the money only arrives together with the pesky tourists...

[mr336]

9 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Well, after all, it's not really tourists Thailand wants to host, but about the money they want to get their hands on. Unfortunately, for Thailand, the money only arrives together with the pesky tourists...

How flawed is their approach to Tourism. Every Tourism article they publish screams only about how many gazzilions of Baht they will rake in from us. The Tourists? _u_k the Tourists😂.

[2baht]

23 minutes ago, mr336 said:

How flawed is their approach to Tourism. Every Tourism article they publish screams only about how many gazzilions of Baht they will rake in from us. The Tourists? _u_k the Tourists.

It's an antiquated cultural thing! They know no different!

[thesetat]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

That's like saying: "I just bought a lottery ticket... I will be rich soon!"

congrats!! Perhaps you can use some of the winnings to convince more Chinese to come to Thailand. Since the previous TAT Scheme to get more Chinese tourists failed miserably. Why TAT thinks extending free visas will improve their odds to get more travelers when it did not work the last time a couple months ago? 

[daveAustin]

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

China and Thailand are one family. It’s important that our two peoples forge closer friendships and stronger bonds, and embrace a better life.”

What a load of old twaddle! It’s important Thailand maintain its own identity and in particular keep you lot at arm’s length. One family? Lol

[RandiRona]

I doubt that it’s visa related issues which are stopping Chinese from traveling to Thailand. Chinese problems are many starting from China not renewing their passports or granting new from their policy they created during Covid. 

plus lot of economic uncertainty is keeping Chinese at home or close to home, plus negative perception about crimes in Thailand isn’t helping either. So this visa free travel may help Chinese more than Thailand I guess

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, RandiRona said:

I doubt that it’s visa related issues which are stopping Chinese from traveling to Thailand. Chinese problems are many starting from China not renewing their passports or granting new from their policy they created during Covid. 

plus lot of economic uncertainty is keeping Chinese at home or close to home, plus negative perception about crimes in Thailand isn’t helping either. So this visa free travel may help Chinese more than Thailand I guess

They don't need a Visa currently, I presume they are free to leave China as they wish? I heard it is dire economic worries that they underplay holding them back.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

THAILAND and China have signed an agreement for the citizens of the two countries to get totally visa-free access, as of March 1, 2024. The move will set off a renewed boom in Chinese visitors and help the kingdom exceed its original arrival targets for 2024 beyond eight million for Chinese nationals and 35 million in total. It will also lead to the renewed threat of overtourism and all its associated social, cultural and environmental problems.

TAT can never have enough.. 

[2baht]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

That's like saying: "I just bought a lottery ticket... I will be rich soon!"

You too???

[bamnutsak]

From September, 2023

 

The Royal Thai Government Promotes Tourism with a 30-day Tourist VISA Exemption Scheme for Chinese and Kazakhstani Tourists Starting from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024

 

https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/tourist-visa-exemption-scheme-en

 

So this "new scheme" simply makes this permanent, 1 March 2024 -->

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hanuman2547]

I think Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara will soon be walking back some of the comments he made when the tourism goals for China fall very short of their targeted numbers.  

[brianthainess]

[mfd101]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

China and Thailand are one family

Oh dear!

[Caldera]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

We also welcome friends from Thailand to feel the vitality and vibrancy of China and the hospitality of the Chinese people. China and Thailand are one family. It's important that our two peoples forge closer friendships and stronger bonds, and embrace a better life.

 

Heartwarming. 

[Gweiloman]

Good news for those businesses that depend on tourism and for Thais wishing to visit China.

[Thingamabob]

The govt need higher numbers of low-spend tourists to meet it's revenue requirement. They could have pushed for lower numbers of high spenders but chose not to, sad to say.

[nausea]

Magical thinking strikes again.

[LivingNThailand]

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I presume they are free to leave China as they wish?

I read, and not saying it is true, but I read that the Chinese people have to get permission to leave the country from the government.    Unlike Western countries, where you can hop on a plane and go somewhere, as long as you have the correct paperwork, visa, etc.

 

[BigStar]

9 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

 

I highly doubt there will be a big increase with Chinese tourist.

China is not doing so well economically and with all the negative media and new reports regarding the pollution, violence, crime and police corruption and even fake news of organ harvesting, will not help....

 

 

Exactly the official position of TAT: TVF, always has been. Besides, we all know, unlike Thais, that Chinese don't spend. Nothing can stop the perpetual downward trend of Thai tourism, and so the ruination of the Thai economy, until the great Golden Egg Layers are brought back with visa-free entry, no overstay fines, no alcohol taxes, and low bar fines.