According to statistics, about 90% of foreigners arriving in the country for tourist purposes at present can enter Thailand without a visa and spend up to 30 days here. This has been made possible through a number of initiatives implemented by the government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.
Among the countries whose citizens enjoy visa-free travel, the leading countries are those in Europe, Asia and the Americas. These include France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Brazil, USA and many others.
In addition, on the basis of bilateral agreements, citizens of a number of countries, such as Russia, China, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, can stay on the territory of the kingdom without obtaining a visa for up to 90 days.
Effect on the tourism industry
The introduction of a simplified visa regime has had a positive impact on the tourism sector in Thailand. According to a study conducted by Mastercard, Bangkok topped the ranking of the world's most visited cities last year, receiving more than 22 million foreign tourists.
Popular resorts such as Phuket and Pattaya also made the top 20. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha noted a significant increase in the number of travelers arriving in Thailand after the abolition of visa formalities.
By the end of 2022, more than 28 million foreigners had visited the country and spent 1.2 trillion baht (about $33 billion) here. The top five most numerous groups included citizens of Malaysia, China, South Korea, India and Russia.
Prospects for further liberalization
In early 2024, Thai and Chinese authorities agreed to grant citizens the right of "permanent" visa-free entry. This measure will come into effect on March 1 this year and is designed to increase tourism exchange between the countries.
Thus, Thailand's tourism promotion policy opens up new opportunities for travelers from many parts of the world. The liberalization of visa formalities contributes to the growth of tourist traffic and the development of the hospitality industry in the Kingdom.
Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova
