The move to waive visa-on-arrival fees is part of the government’s plans to salvage falling tourist numbers, especially those from Mainland China. The exemption is expected to help foreign arrivals edge towards 40 million, up from the target 38 million. Chinese arrivals could reach 12 million, compared with the earlier target of 10.5 million.
Visitors from 21 countries typically need to pay a fee to obtain visa-on-arrival in Thailand. However, according to a report on Bangkok Post, the fees will be exempted over the next two months.
The move to waive visa-on-arrival fees is part of the government’s plans to salvage falling tourist numbers, especially those from Mainland China. The exemption is expected to help foreign arrivals edge towards 40 million, up from the target 38 million. Chinese arrivals could reach 12 million, compared with the earlier target of 10.5 million.
The government is also mulling a waiver of the BHT 2,000 visa fee for Chinese visitors to boost their arrival numbers.
The concerns for falling Chinese tourist numbers are valid. Private tourism operators, for example, are worried that Thailand may lose up to one million Chinese arrivals over the next six months. That is, if the country fails to restore confidence in safety issues. This will in turn have grave consequences on the country’s GDP. Tourism, according to the same report, accounts for 20% of GDP.
Here is the list of countries eligible for visa on arrival in Thailand:
1. Andorra
2. Bulgaria
3. Bhutan
4. China
5. Cyprus
6. Ethiopia
7. Fiji
8. India
9. Kazakhstan
10. Latvia
11. Lithuania
12. Maldives
13. Malta
14. Mauritius
15. Papau New Guinea
16. Romania
17. San Marino
18. Saudi Arabia
19. Taiwan
20. Ukraine
21. Uzbekistan