THAILAND said it would offer visa-free entry to India and Taiwan tourists as the government seeks to rebuild its key sector after the pandemic.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said India and Taiwan visitors would be entitled to stay for up to 30 days under the six-month trial, which would start next month.

Thailand’s tourism sector accounts for almost 20% of its overall gross domestic product, but it has struggled since Covid-19 broke out.

“We will provide visa-free entry to India and Taiwan because a lot of their people like to travel to Thailand,” Srettha told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Before this, India and Taiwan tourists have had to apply for a 15-day visa on arrival at Immigration checkpoints by presenting a bank statement and proof of accommodation.

The move came after the government opened a similar visa-free scheme for China tourists in September.

Government spokesman Chai Watcharong said authorities hoped the scheme would attract 1.4 million extra tourists, generating an additional 55 billion baht (RM7.3 billion) in income.

Tourism Ministry data showed about 1.2 million Indians visited Thailand in the first nine months of this year – the fourth highest after Malaysia, China and South Korea.

Srettha, who took power in August following months of political wrangling after a May election, said boosting the tourism sector and stimulating the economy were among his priorities. – AFP, October 31, 2023.