Thailand is about to implement some Northern Thai policies, and in the process, change the visa policy for Chinese tourists. The government is looking to change the 90 day visa extension to a mere 30 days. What is the rationale behind this?
Visa Policy Alterations
While speaking on March 27, Sorawong explained how the move is intended to sync visa policies with tourism patterns. Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong, recently has stated how Chinese tourists on average stay for a maximum of 15 days. So, inferring from this, the 90 day extension would be too lenient.
What are the Current Terms of the Visa?
In March, 2024, Thailand and China signed a mutual visa free deal. Citizens from either country can travel to the other without a visa for a month. They can additionally stay in the receiving country for 90 days within 180 days.
However, with most Chinese tourists not staying anywhere close to the full 90 days, Thai officials believe it is more reasonable to reduce the extension period.
Forthcoming Initiatives In Tourism Development
Alongside visa restrictions, you would be surprised to learn that changes are being made to other areas too. To put this into context, Sorawong stated that he is currently developing another phase of the “Rau Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) campaign.
This initiative looks to increase the tourism holdings of the lesser-known provinces, particularly during off-peak season and weekdays.
Some have suggested creating additional incentives for government workers, such as counting business travel as workdays instead of vacation days, to foster greater inter-regional travel.
With these strategies in the works, it appears that Thailand is now working on its tourism policies. Though there may be some restriction in visa policies, the country is clearly moving towards ensuring that tourism is evenly distributed throughout.
