Thailand extends the visa period of 64 countries including Malaysian tourists
BANGKOK: In an effort to increase the number of tourist arrivals at the peak of the tourist season, starting October 1, tourists from 64 countries and territories on the visa exemption list including Malaysia can stay in Thailand for up to 45 days compared to the current period of 30 days.
Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday also approved a proposal to extend the visa-on-arrival period applicable to nationals of 19 countries including India, Saudi Arabia and China from 15 days to 30 days.
In addition, visitors from visa-free entry countries or territories under certain bilateral agreements will be able to stay longer than 30 days to 45 days.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said the temporary extension will be effective from Oct 1 to March 31 next year.
“The approval was made with the aim of boosting the country’s tourism industry and stimulating economic recovery,” he said in a statement today.
Thailand is targeting the arrival of at least 10 million foreign tourists by the end of this year with 1.5 million foreign tourists from October to December.
Meanwhile, it also plans to remove COVID-19 from the list of prohibited diseases for foreigners entering the country.
Deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the cabinet approved the ministry’s notice exempting COVID-19 from the list of prohibited diseases for visitors and foreign residents applying for visas and residence permits under the Immigration Act.
“It will come into force as soon as it is published in the Royal Gazette,” he said in a statement.
Foreigners entering the country must be free from leprosy, tuberculosis, gout, drug addiction, alcoholism and third-degree syphilis.
source – BERNAMA
