Thailand, a popular tourist destination among Indians, announced extending its visa exemption program for visitors from India and Taiwan for another six months.
Under this programme, the Indian tourists will be permitted the visit the country without the need for a visa until November 11, 2024, a Bloomberg report stated.
The decision to extend the program was taken in an effort to boost Thailand’s tourism industry, which is a major contributor to the country’s economy and the move is expected to attract more foreign tourists to Thailand.
The extension was announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, adding that travelers from India and Taiwan can stay for a maximum of 30 days without a visa.
This comes after the success of the initial waiver implemented last November. Previously, tourists from India and Taiwan were allowed to stay in Thailand for only 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan government also announced that Indian visitors will continue to receive tourist visas free of charge. This decision comes amidst a controversy surrounding increased fees for on-arrival visas, which were being handled by a foreign company.
The excemption was also announced for China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia nationals.
A statement issued by the office of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday said, “It was decided today to maintain the existing USD 50 fee for a 30-day visa for foreigners visiting the country and the free visa service currently offered to citizens of seven countries — India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
The government’s decision to retain the existing visa fees and free visa service follows days of stiff criticism directed at the new on-arrival visa system, which was being handled by a foreign company at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
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