The Chinese island province of Hainan, which lies about 1,000km northeast of Bangkok, will offer 30-day visa-free access to visitors from 59 countries including Thailand, the UK, Russia and France from May 1.
China's Xinhua News Agency filed the report yesterday quoting the State Immigration Administration.
It said the new visa scheme will apply to groups and individuals who book their trips through travel agencies.
The aim is to attract more international tourists and support the island's reform and opening-up.
The move comes after President Xi Jinping announced on April 13 he would make Hainan a pilot free trade zone.
Since August 2010, groups of five people traveling together from 23 countries including Thailand have been able to enjoy a 15-day visa waiver policy on Hainan.
Small groups from South Korea, Germany and Russia have been allowed to stay for up to 21 days as long as they booked their trip through a travel agency.
