Local reports in Thailand say the introduction of a new Schengen-style visa system in Southeast Asia could boost tourism and the overall economy.
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Thailand is aiming to increase the number of tourists from across Southeast Asia with a new visa system.
The Asian nation, along with five of its neighbors, insists on Schengen-style visas.
If the proposed system becomes a reality, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos could all become much easier to access from Thailand.
Local media reported this week that Thailand’s prime minister has laid out a plan to boost the country’s chances of reaching its target of 80 million annual tourists by 2027.
What would a Schengen visa system look like in Southeast Asia?
Thai Prime Minister Sureta Thavisin is said to be pushing for a joint visa program aimed at attracting big-spending tourists from far-flung countries.
It is said that the talks with the leaders of neighboring countries went well. Last year, her six countries received a total of around 70 million tourists, with Thailand and Malaysia hosting the majority of them.
Thailand is facing serious economic challenges due to a slump in manufacturing and declining exports. Tourism accounts for approximately 12 percent of the economy and approximately 20 percent of employment, and its popularity with tourists is critical to its survival.
Other countries scheduled to be included in the Schengen scheme are also likely to benefit from this boost.
Currently, Europeans can visit Thailand with a 30-day visa exemption, but extensions cost an additional fee and are only possible in certain locations.
Similarly, Cambodia and Laos offer a 30-day e-visa or visa on arrival, while Vietnam allows a 45-day visa-free stay and Malaysia allows a 90-day visa-free stay. Tourists from Europe must apply online for a 28-day tourist visa for Myanmar.
Regional travel experts say the new system should instead grant 90-day visas, which would mean tourists could spend more time in each country they choose to visit. There is.
However, the actual implementation of the process may be less clear-cut.
Bilateral agreements can be a slow process in Southeast Asia, where the often complex political world takes time to reach bilateral agreements.
What other changes has Thailand made to international visa agreements?
This week, Thai authorities revealed plans to remove visa requirements with Australia. Although no date has been set yet, the deal is likely to strengthen trade agreements between the two countries as well as boost tourism.
In March, China and Thailand introduced a reciprocal permanent visa-free entry system, allowing citizens to travel between the two countries for stays of up to 30 days. Since the introduction of this system, travel bookings from both countries have increased rapidly.
The policy follows a similar implementation in November 2023, which will also allow Indian travelers to travel to Thailand without applying for a visa. These positive developments may lead to more discussions focused on visas in the near future.
This has certainly worked well for Thailand, which saw a significant increase in international tourism in the first quarter of 2024, welcoming more than 9 million visitors.
The largest number of visitors to Thailand were Chinese tourists (approximately 1.7 million), followed by tourists from Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India.
