Thailand will start offering multiple-entry visas to visitors from any country, in a bid to boost its tourism industry.
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The Tourism and Sport Minister said the new measure is aimed at increasing the number of tourists to the country.
Currently, citizens of 30 to 40 countries can enter the Kingdom without a visa, but some other nationals are required pay about THB1,000 to get a single-entry, 30-day visa. The government plans to charge THB5,000 (US$142) for the six-month visa.
The campaign drew 12.48 million tourists in the first five months, a growth of 25% from the same period last year, and generated 592 billion baht in revenue.
Ms Kobkarn said from October 2014, the first month of the 2015 fiscal year, until the end of July, Thailand recorded 1.2 trillion baht in tourism revenue, up 23.1% from the previous fiscal year, which was dominated by street protests in Bangkok and then the military coup. Domestic and inbound tourism are expected to generate THB2.2 trillion in revenue, or about 10% of gross national product. To achieve target revenue, the TAT is planning to hold roadshow events in new foreign cities in Malaysia, Singapore, England, France, and China.
It would also relax travel conditions and increase cooperation with other countries, particularly Thailand’s neighbours.
Most recently, Myanmar and Thailand agreed to waive entry visas at major airports, which would allow its citizens to travel between the two countries without an entry visa. They can stay up to 14 days. The high season is in the second half of the year.
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The Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry has also planned to expand the regional tourism market by improving links with countries along the Mekong River, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
