Thailand will allow 30-day visa-exempted entries by visitors from India after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led arrivals from the country to drop in a blow to the vital tourism industry.An initial proposal, which had not come into effect despite being approved by the cabinet in May, had caused confusion for Indian travellers and resulted in a decline of arrivals from the country, tourism minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said after a cabinet meeting. “The cabinet therefore approved a 30-day visa-free entry to align with the travel behaviour of Indian tourists, who represent a large market for Thailand,” Surasak told reporters. “If problems arise from this measure in the future, govt can review it then.”Indian tourists, the third-biggest group of visitors to Thailand this year behind China and Malaysia, are currently allowed to stay 60 days without a visa. That had been set to end after Thailand in May announced the elimination of visa-free entry for tourists from 93 countries and territories. Under that proposal, Thailand would have given 30-day visa waivers to just 54 countries and territories.The new waiver plan, which now accounts for all 27 EU member states, may help Thailand in ongoing negotiations for Schengen visa exemptions for Thai passport holders, a govt spokesperson said.PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s new conservative govt has sought to curb foreigners who exploit Thailand’s visa-free policies to carry out illicit activities, as part of a wider crackdown on transnational scam operations. He is also seeking to address concerns among local businesses that their livelihoods are being threatened by visitors who misuse visas to engage in prohibited activities.(Bloomberg)
