Thailand approves longer visa stays to boost tourism
Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of visa facilitation measures, including extended stay periods for foreign tourists, remote workers, students and retirees, in an effort to boost its vital tourism sector amid a sluggish economy.
Tourists from mainland China dressed in traditional Thai costumes visit Wat Arun temple. Photo courtesy of Reuters.)
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said that beginning in June, the country will allow visitors from 93 countries and territories, up from 57 currently, to enter without visa requirements for stays of up to 60 days, while the list of those eligible for visa on arrivals will also increase to 31 from 19.
For digital nomads who seek to stay in Thailand for a long period and work remotely, their visa validity will be extended from 60 days to five years, with each stay up to 180 days.
Foreign university students will be permitted to stay one year after graduation, while insurance requirements for long-stay foreign retirees will be relaxed, he added.
Thailand received over 14.32 million inbound tourists as of last week and is targeting at least 35 million foreign arrivals in 2024, with tourism receipts of THB3.5 trillion (about $95.62 billion), according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports
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