Tourists from China and Kazakhstan will be granted a temporary visa
exemption for a 30-day stay in Thailand from 25 September 2023 to 29
February 2024.
Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports,
said the temporary visa scheme forms part of the government’s
‘Quick-Win’ measures to boost the Thai economy through travel and
tourism.
“It will help stimulate inbound travel from China which is one of
Thailand’s key source tourist markets, and Kazakhstan, which is
considered an emerging market. Ultimately, it will help revive Thai
tourism and reach the revenue target set for this year.”
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT), said, “The ‘ease of travelling’ policy will enable tourists to
save time and spending on visa applications and fees, making it easier
for tourists to choose to travel to Thailand.”
With the visa exemption scheme, Thailand expects to welcome around
4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023 and achieve the forecasted revenue
target of 257,500 million baht.”
The stimulus visa scheme takes effect just ahead of the Golden Week from 1-8 October 2023.
During the weeklong holiday, airlines have announced their readiness
to operate charter flights, increase flight frequencies, and introduce
new routes between cities in China and Thailand including Chengdu–Samui,
Beijing–Chiang Mai, Guangzhou–Chiang Mai, Shanghai–Chiang Mai,
Shanghai–Phuket, Guangzhou–Phuket, and Kunming–Hat Yai.