Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the existing waiver, set to expire on Friday (May 10), will now continue until Nov 11, allowing travelers from these countries to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days per visit, reports state news agency NNT.
The extension capitalizes on the success of the initial visa waiver that started last November. Normally, tourists from India and Taiwan can stay for 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme; however, the extended waiver now allows a 30-day visit, doubling the allowed period.
In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed over 12 million foreign tourists, a 39% increase from the same period in the previous year. Tourists from China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India made up half of the total arrivals this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Tourism plays a vital role in Thailand’s economy, supporting approximately 20% of total jobs and contributing about 12% to the country’s GDP, which is estimated at B18 trillion.
The government plans to attract 80mn tourists annually by 2027, setting its sights on doubling the record numbers seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.