Thailand has announced a tourism promotion initiative whereby Indian nationals will be granted visa-free entry to the country between November 2023 and May 2024. This initiative is designed to increase the number of Indian visitors to Thailand.

This follows Sri Lanka’s recent declaration that visa-free travel is permitted for citizens of seven nations, including India. Numerous nations’ tourism agencies have begun to actively target Indian tourists in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, India has ranked as the fourth greatest source market for tourism for Thailand.

Thai Tourism confirms that from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024, Indian nationals may enter Thailand visa-free for a maximum of thirty days. Visa requirements have been waived for Indian and Taiwanese citizens in an effort to attract more visitors from these nations. It had previously done so for Chinese nationals in September of this year.

“Arrivals from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days,” spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said.

Visa requirements for Chinese travelers were eliminated by Thailand in September of this year.

With 11 million of the historical 39 million arrivals in 2019, China dominated Bangkok’s pre-pandemic tourism market.

According to the most recent government statistics, between January and October 29, approximately 22 million individuals visited Thailand, generating 927.5 billion baht ($25.67 billion).

India is Thailand’s fourth largest tourism market

With approximately 1.2 million arrivals so far this year, India ranks as the fourth largest source market for tourism for Thailand, trailing behind nations such as China, South Korea, and Malaysia.

The presence of an increasing number of airlines and hospitality chains entering the market contributed to the upward trend in inbound tourism from India.

Thailand is anticipating approximately 28 million visitors in 2023, as the country’s new government hopes that the travel industry can offset the country’s continued weak exports, which have impeded economic expansion.

Sri Lanka had similarly proclaimed visa-free entry for India and six other nations (China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand) with immediate effect until March 21, 2024, in an effort to boost tourism, last week.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Offers Indians Visa-Free Entrance | The Dope