Thailand Draws More Indian Tourists Due to Extension of Visa-Free Policy

Chai Wacharoke, a government spokesperson, recently announced that Thailand is seeing an increase in tourism from India. This is the result of a visa-free initiative that the Thai government endorsed, allowing Indian visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days without a visa. This exemption is active from 11 May 2024 to 11 November 2024.

Following this, the number of searches for Thailand on Airbnb, an online accommodation platform, has soared by over 200% compared to 2023 stats. The most popular Thai destinations on Airbnb are Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Koh Samui.

In a bid to invigorate Thailand's economy and encourage tourism, the Government has approved three new measures to make travel easier into the country. From late June, the following changes are anticipated:

1) Tourists and short-term business visitors from 93 countries will now be allowed to stay for up to 60 days rather than the previous 30-day limit.

2) The number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA) will rise from 19 to 31.

3) A new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) will be introduced for long-term travelers, "digital nomads," and those participating in certain cultural activities. With this, visitors are allowed to stay up to 180 days per visit during a five-year multiple-entry period.

File photo for reference only

-- 2024-06-05

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