Thailand and China agree visa waiver
THAILAND AND CHINA HAVE signed a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement intended to boost tourism between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Parnpree BahiddhaNukara and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi inked the agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok on Jan 29.
The “Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Ordinary Passports and Passports for Public Affairs” is effective from Mar 1.
Under the agreement, holders of valid, ordinary Thai passports and Chinese holders of passports for public affairs and ordinary passports will be exempted from visa requirements for entering, exiting or transiting the other country for up to 30 days.
Cumulative stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period, except for the purposes of residing or engaging in employment, study, media activities or other activities that require prior official approval.
‘This agreement is a symbol of our longlasting friendship, trust and confidence, which is evidenced at every level,” Mr Parnpree said. “I am certain that travel between our two peoples, whether for tourism or business, will become more convenient, and help stimulate the tourism industry in both countries.”
Wang was also effusive. “From March 1, our two countries will officially enter a visa-free era. This will surely bring our people-to-people exchanges to a new height. There will be a big increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand,” he said.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects the reciprocal visa-free scheme will attract about 8 million Chinese visitors this year, and generate about B320 billion in revenue from their spending.
Chinese tourists were the country’s largest group of visitors before COVID-19 and are seen as key to a sustained recovery of the tourism industry, a main driver of economic growth.
Travellers from mainland China made up about 27% of the 40mn foreign visitors in 2019, but only 3.5mn of the 28mn tourists last year. Malaysia was the largest visitor market, at 4.4mn.
The government is targeting 35mn foreign arrivals this year.