Welcoming an influx of Chinese tourists, the Thai government has embarked on a mission to reform policies and streamline procedures related to the acquisition of the tourist visa. The impetus behind this change? A notable rise in the arrival of Chinese tourists, topping the list of international visitors over the past week, confirmed Rachada Dhnadirek, the deputy government spokeswoman, just yesterday. Indeed, Thailand played host to 95,581 visitors hailing from China during this period, significantly outpacing the arrival numbers coming from Malaysia (73,810), South Korea (37,754), India (27,707), and Vietnam (25,717).
In an encouraging move consistent with the revised visa rules, Chinese tourists looking to explore the enticing beauty of Thailand and delve into its rich culture will now have fewer hurdles to clear. They would need to provide only six essential pieces of documentation for their Thai visa applications, including their passport, three photos, an airline ticket, proof of their accommodation in Thailand, evidence of permanent residence, and financial statements. Dhnadirek stressed that these modifications are expected to slash the processing time in half, reducing it from two weeks down to a more manageable one-week period.
As part of a coalition, efforts are underway by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to integrate their tourist visa application systems. Dhnadirek expressed that this tactical move is intended to further expedite the visa approval process for all the eager globetrotters yearning to experience the magic of Thailand.
These changes have come in the wake of substantial growth in Thai tourism numbers, especially during the extended holiday spell from July 31 to August 6. On any given day during this period, Thailand was hosting an impressive average of 80,000 international arrivals, reported Bangkok Post. With the turn of the new year, Thailand has greeted a whopping 16 million tourists from across the world. Notably, visitors from Malaysia, China, South Korea, India, and Russia have consistently filled up the top spots in the country’s global tourist count, giving a significant fillip to the Thai tourism industry.
The Thai tourism industry paints a picture of positivity, with forecasts pointing to continued growth under the watchful and effective leadership of the Pheu Thai government. With bated breath, industry stakeholders are looking forward to the introduction of practical tourism policies. They pin their hopes on Pheu Thai’s commendable governance track record and their proven capability to uplift the nation’s economy. True to their goal of ‘Tourism for All’, the government’s salient aim is to improve the visa application process and to guarantee the best safety measures for its treasured tourists. For more detailed information click here.
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