Are you craving a tropical getaway where you can soak up the sun, swim in the sea, relax barefoot on the sand, and savour some spicy Thai food? Or maybe you want to explore Thailand's rich culture, warm hospitality, and buzzing nightlife? If you nodded yes to these questions, you are in luck!
Thailand's new Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, has some fantastic news for you! He wants to make it super easy and tempting for you to visit his country, especially if you are from China or India. Read on to find out more!
No More Visa Headaches for Chinese and Indian Travelers
Srettha said that the current visa system for Chinese and Indian travelers is a pain in the neck, which has affected the number of arrivals this year. Chinese tourists, who were the biggest fans of Thailand before the pandemic, have to go through a complicated e-visa process, while Indian tourists have to shell out 2,000 baht ($57) for a 15-day visa on arrival. Srettha wants to change that and expand the list of visa-exempt countries and allow longer stays of up to 30 days for many travelers.
More Flights and Faster Immigration in Peak Season
Srettha met with executives of Airports of Thailand Pcl and several airlines on Monday to discuss ways to boost tourism in the fourth quarter, which is usually the best time to visit Thailand.
The airport operator agreed to reduce traffic jams and increase flight capacity by 20 per cent, as well as speed up immigration clearance, Srettha said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Slow Recovery of Chinese Tourists
However, the return of Chinese tourists has been slower than expected, even though they were the largest source of travelers in July at nearly 420,000. In 2019, before the pandemic, about 28 per cent of the record 40 million foreign arrivals to Thailand were from China, generating about 1.9 trillion baht in revenue.
According to Nomura analysts, one of the reasons for the lag in Chinese arrivals is the strict e-visa requirements introduced in May, especially for group travelers. Another factor is Thailand’s reliance on tourists from lower-tier cities, which may be more sensitive to China’s worsening economic woes.
Alternative Markets and Strategies
To compensate, Thaneth said that his association recommended adding more flights to Phuket and Krabi provinces, and extending visas for tourists from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, who typically spend more than peers from China and Malaysia.
However, analysts warned that supply-side measures may not be enough to attract tourists if demand-side conditions deteriorate further. “If China’s economic outlook for instance worsens further and consumer sentiment weakens, the risk is these supply-side responses to attract tourists will be less effective,” Paracuelles said in a separate email.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now and get ready to have a blast in Thailand with less hassle and more time!
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