Thailand has significantly expanded its visa-free entry scheme to 93 countries and territories in an effort to boost its vital tourism industry.
The new policy, which comes into effect on Monday, allows visitors to stay in the Southeast Asian country for up to 60 days. Previously, only passport holders from 57 countries were able to enter Thailand visa-free, according to a BBC report.
Tourism, a key component of Thailand’s economy, has struggled to fully recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Thailand is set to welcome 17.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2024, up 35 percent from the same period last year, according to official data.
But the numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, with most visitors coming from China, Malaysia and India.
Tourism receipts for the period reached 858 billion baht ($23.6 billion, £18.3 billion), falling short of the government’s target.
Known for its golden temples, white sand beaches, picturesque mountains and vibrant nightlife, Thailand attracts millions of tourists every year, and the visa waiver changes are part of a broader strategy to boost tourism.
Additionally, Thailand has introduced a new five-year visa for remote workers, allowing holders to stay for up to 180 days per year.
International students who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand can now stay for one year after graduation to work or travel.
Despite recent tourism-boosting measures, such as a two-year extension of the hotel fee exemption and the scrapping of tourist taxes for air passengers, concerns remain about whether the country is ready to handle the expected influx of tourists.
“As tourist numbers increase, Thailand needs to prepare the resources to accommodate them,” said Kantapon Tananuangroj, chairman of the Tourism Association of Thailand.
“Otherwise we risk disappointing visitors and losing repeat customers,” he said.
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Association of Thailand, warned of potential congestion in air travel as current air capacity will not be able to keep up with the surge in tourist demand, potentially causing delays and congestion.
Safety concerns have also been raised, with rumors of tourists being kidnapped and sent across the border to work in fraud centres in Myanmar and Cambodia.
Despite these challenges, Thailand continues to work to strengthen its tourism sector and welcome more visitors from around the world.
