Thailand will continue to allow Indian passport holders to enter the country without a visa, but the maximum stay under the visa-exemption scheme will be reduced to 30 days. The decision comes after the Thai government found that uncertainty over a proposed withdrawal of visa-free entry had led to a decline in arrivals from India, one of its biggest tourism markets.
The Thai cabinet approved the 30-day visa-free entry for Indian travellers at its weekly meeting on Tuesday. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the move was aimed at matching the travel patterns of Indian tourists while supporting the country's tourism industry.
"The cabinet therefore approved a 30-day visa-free entry to align with the travel behavior of Indian tourists, who represent a large market for Thailand," Bloomberg quoted Surasak as telling reporters after the cabinet meeting. "If problems arise from this measure in the future, the government can review it then."
Indian travellers are currently allowed to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa. That policy had been set to end after the Thai cabinet approved a proposal in May to reduce the list of visa-exempt countries from 93 to 54, with a 30-day stay limit for eligible visitors. However, the proposal had not yet come into force.
According to the tourism minister, the announcement had created confusion among Indian travellers and resulted in fewer arrivals from the country.
India is Thailand's third-largest source of tourists this year after China and Malaysia, making it an important market for the country's tourism sector.
Along with India, Thailand has also approved 30-day visa-free entry for travellers from Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and the Maldives, Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said. The latest decision increases the number of countries and territories eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to 60, including all 27 European Union member states.
Ploytalay said the updated policy could also support Thailand's ongoing efforts to secure Schengen visa exemptions for Thai passport holders.
The visa policy changes come as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government seeks to tighten oversight of foreigners accused of misusing Thailand's visa-free regime for illegal activities. The government is also responding to concerns from local businesses, particularly in tourist destinations, that some foreign visitors are working illegally or engaging in activities not permitted under their visas.
Tourism remains one of Thailand's key economic sectors. The country earned nearly $50 billion from 33 million foreign visitors last year and had welcomed more than 16 million international tourists this year through July 4.
