Thailand Extends Visa Exemption Plan for Indians to Keep Economy in Check

Tourism Authority of Thailand officials said there had been a sharp increase in the number of tourists from India since the facility was implemented.

The number of visitors to Thailand from India between November 2022 and April 2023 was 7,55,066, the official said. This number went up to 9,68,000 between November 2023 and April 2024.

“There has been a 28.2 per cent increase in the number of visitors from India between November 2023 and April 2024 compared with the previous year. This helped the Thailand government decide to extend the visa-free facility,” said Sirges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New Delhi Office. “India is a very important market for us.”

At other times, an Indian has to spend Rs 3,000 for a Thai visa and needs a balance of Rs 70,000 in his or her bank account, tour operators said.

Tourism is one of Thailand’s key industries accounting for about 20% of total jobs and making up about 12% of the nation’s $500 billion economy. Srettha’s administration has set a goal of attracting 80 million tourists by 2027.

This year, TAT has targeted 1.8 million Indian visitors.