Are you still undecided about your next international vacation? Thailand has just made it easier for Indians to visit the country as it has extended a visa exemption programs for tourists for six more months. Thailand’s cabinet on Thursday approved a plan to extend visa-free entry for tourists from India and Taiwan.
Visa-free stay for 30 days
Under this, tourists from India and Taiwan will be able to enter Thailand without a visa until November 11. Travelers can stay for a maximum of 30 days at a time under the rules.
Also read: 7 Popular Places In Thailand To Visit
Thailand had initially rolled out a visa-free entry for Indian and Taiwanese tourists in November 2023. The waiver was only for six months and ended last.
Originally, tourists from India and Taiwan were allowed to stay in Thailand for only 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme, which has now been increased to 30 days.
Tourism in Thailand
Tourism-reliant Thailand has been relaxing visa rules for travelers from some of its main markets including China and Russia. In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed more than 12 million foreign tourists, representing a 39% increase from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Thailand’s largest groups of visitors — those from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea and India — accounted for half of the total arrivals this year.
Indian tourists in Thailand
India is one of the most important source markets for Thailand and in 2023, over 1.6 million Indian travelers visited the country.
Also read: Explore The Captivating Beauty Of Thailand’s Vibrant Capital
In 2023, Thailand was one of the top international destinations for Indians, with Bangkok being the second most popular foreign destination after Dubai, according to travel agency Skyscanner.
The trend continued in 2024, and according to reports, till February, India ranked fifth among the more than 300,000 tourists who visited Thailand. For 2024, Thailand has set a target of attracting over 1.7 million Indian travelers to the country.
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