Thailand Explores Visa Waiver Talks with Laos to Enhance Tourism

[webfact]

 

Thailand is set to engage in discussions with neighbouring Laos regarding a potential proposal to exempt visa on arrival (VOA) fees at their shared border checkpoints.

 

This initiative, spearheaded by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, aims to lift some of the barriers currently facing foreign travellers, thereby encouraging increased tourist flow into provinces alongside the Mekong River.

 

Minister Sorawong announced plans to meet with the Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Suansavanh Viyaket, on October 18. The primary focus will be on easing travel for international visitors crossing from Laos into Thailand, especially during key festivals. The goal? To enhance tourism not just for the sake of numbers, but also to foster a smoother cultural exchange.

 

With an intention to amplify the influx of tourists, specifically from countries like China and South Korea, targets are being set to increase monthly arrivals from 4,000 to 10,000 visitors.

 

Additional measures under review include providing alternative incentives, such as a 1,000-baht coupon redeemable at participating hospitality venues, should the visa exemption fail to materialise.

In a recent meeting with business stakeholders in Nong Khai province, Minister Sorawong heard various strategies proposed by local entrepreneurs to uplift tourism.

 

These entrepreneurs, who contribute significantly to the Northeastern region's economy, requested government support to emphasise "faith tourism" during notable religious events like the Naga Fireball festival.

 

They also advocated for promoting unique provincial attributes rather than direct competition for tourists—for instance, Nong Khai focusing on cross-border trade and Nakhon Phanom highlighting local cuisine.

 

Such collaborative efforts are timely, as tourism serves as a robust economic driver in the region. The proposed visa changes could act as a catalyst, boosting local income and reinforcing cultural ties across the border, reported Thae Nation.

 

Picture courtesy: Wikimedia

 

-- 2024-10-18

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

So, the Tourism Ministry trying to tell Laos 'let the Chinese into your country for free so that we can have more zero baht tourists.'

Defies all logic.

[Stargeezr]

Well cannot have corruption without greed now can we?

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

So, the Tourism Ministry trying to tell Laos 'let the Chinese into your country for free so that we can have more zero baht tourists.'

Defies all logic.

Thailand's broke, makes perfect sense.

[daveAustin]

😴😴 Can’t they come up with some new ideas to generate revenue internally without having to continually fall back on tourism thereby filling the country up? Already way too overcrowded. 

[watchcat]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

notable religious events like the Naga Fireball festival.

 

So it's a fake after all, I knew it.

[Scouse123]

14 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

So, the Tourism Ministry trying to tell Laos 'let the Chinese into your country for free so that we can have more zero baht tourists.'

Defies all logic.

 

Chinese are already in Laos and controlling certain areas outright.

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Chinese are already in Laos and controlling certain areas outright.

maybe but not as much as they dominate in Cambodia

[Scouse123]

19 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

maybe but not as much as they dominate in Cambodia

 

Yes,

 

Especially Sihanoukville.

[Scouse123]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand's broke, makes perfect sense.

 

I bet a lot of "alleged" first world countries would like to be as broke as Thailand.

[John Drake]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Yes,

 

Especially Sihanoukville.

 

What is the status of Chinese in Sihanoukville? Are they still there? Or have they left it in ruins and pulled out in significant numbers?

[Scouse123]

8 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

What is the status of Chinese in Sihanoukville? Are they still there? Or have they left it in ruins and pulled out in significant numbers?

 

I believe both.

 

There is still the trash there using buildings for call centre scams and holding people hostage.