Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy and a major source of employment.
Bangkok:
Thailand’s government said on Tuesday it approved longer visa stays for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees, in a move to boost its crucial tourism sector while its economy weakens.
From June, Thailand will allow travelers from 93 countries to stay for 60-day periods, up from the current 57 countries, while more countries will also be eligible for visas on arrival, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke told reporters .
Foreign students will be able to stay for another year after graduation, while insurance requirements for foreigners wishing to retire in Thailand will be relaxed, he added.
Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy and a major source of employment.
The new measures come as part of an effort to increase visitors, especially from its main and fastest-growing markets, by extending stay limits to 60 days, instead of 30 days for visas on arrival.
The validity of so-called “digital nomad” visas for independent and remote workers will be extended to five years, from the current 60 days, with each stay limited to 180 days.
Thailand registered 14.3 million tourists between January and May 26 this year and is targeting a record 40 million foreign arrivals for the entire year, with revenues of 3.5 billion baht (95.73 billion dollars).
In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand received a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 billion baht.
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