Thailand has decided to waive visa fees for some countries and halve visa-on-arrival costs for tourists from other nations as part of a three-month tourism promotion running from December 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017.
According to the Bangkok Post, the promotion – which affects passport holders from 19 countries – is intended to boost visitor numbers by 350,000 and generate THB28 billion (US$787 million) in income. Tourists from Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will not have to pay the THB1,000 (US$28) fee for a visa when applying at Thai embassies and consulates.
Apisit Chaiyanuwat, vice minister of the Prime Minister's Office, also stated that visa-on-arrival costs for these nationals would be reduced from THB2,000 to THB1,000, reports the newspaper.
In addition, foreigners residing in Thailand long-term may be eligible to apply for a 10-year long-stay visa if they can prove a minimum bank balance of THB3 million or a minimum monthly income of THB100,000, reports the Jakarta Post.
This promotion is part of Thailand’s efforts to renew its tourism industry. Earlier this year, the government announced a plan to get rid of the notorious sex tourism industry in order to attract wealthier tourists. Moreover, it has also proposed monitoring foreign tourists’ phones with special SIM cards.
[Photo via Flickr user Duane Storey]
