Thailand Announces Visa-Free Entry For Indians
Thailand and Sri Lanka are offering visa-free entry to boost tourism, while Thailand previously removed visa requirements for Chinese tourists.
Around 1.2 million Indians visited Thailand in January as per tourism ministry data. Thailand is a preferred destination for Indians because it is cheap and has many activities for all ages. As of now, Indian and Taiwanese tourists must apply for a 15-day visa-on-arrival at immigration checkpoints, present bank statements, and proof of accommodation. Thailand's tourism sector contributes almost 20 percent of the overall GDP but it has struggled to recoup ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to attract more tourists as the high season approaches, Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin informed reporters that travellers from India and Taiwan will enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand from 10th November 2023 to 10th May 2024. This decision came following a cabinet meeting, with the aim of boosting tourism in the country. Earlier in September Thailand removed visa requirements for China tourists as They were the top number of tourists visiting Thailand before the pandemic. Earlier on 24 October, the Sri Lanka Cabinet approved issuing free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till 31 March 2024. Visitors from these nations can now obtain visas for Sri Lanka without any charges, marking a significant change. India has historically been Sri Lanka's primary source of inbound tourism. Now isn’t that good news!
