The Foreign Affairs Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs has chosen Beijing as the pilot city for its new online visa application service next year.
Department director-general Chatri Archjananun said the e-visa service will make it easier for foreigners who wish to apply for Thai visas.
The e-visa system will be first launched in Beijing, China on Feb 15 next year, and the service will be extended to include other Chinese cities on March 1.
The service will then be introduced in the UK and France on April 1, with plans to expand it to other countries where Thai embassies and consulates are located over the next three years, Mr Chatri said.
Mr Chatri added that more than eight million people applied for Thai visas last year, about 85% of whom sought to obtain tourist visas.
Chinese nationals made up the largest number of applicants.
He said the e-visa system is more convenient, as prospective applicants can access the service on their mobile phones and computers, anywhere and anytime.
Applicants can choose a convenient date and time via the system to submit their travel documents to their local Thai embassies or consulates.
"Applicants can fill in the forms at www.thaievisa.go.th, and pay the required visa fees through Kasikornbank's secure e-payment system," Mr Chatri said.
