Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin wants to discuss visa-free travel to and from the Schengen countries
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced that Thailand will expand its visa waiver to citizens of more countries, following an earlier waiver for travelers from China and India. The move is aimed at revitalizing the tourism sector, crucial to the economy of Southeast Asia's second largest economy. Discussions are also underway about visa-free travel with Australia and countries within the Schengen zone, in an effort to promote travel and business.
Cabinet takes measures against high living costs and introduces visa exemption for Chinese
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is taking action to relieve the pressure on the wallets of Thai citizens. With a new supervisory body for the 10.000 baht digital wallet initiative, plans for bi-weekly salary payments to civil servants and a brave visa waiver for Chinese and Kazakhstani citizens, the government is committed to economic stimulus and financial relief for the people.
Thailand has risen six places to 65th in the World Passport Power Ranking based on the number of locations its holders have visa-free access to, according to a recent survey by Henley & Partners Holdings Ltd
The tourism sector and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) want to increase the 'visa exemption rule' from 30 to 45 days from the second half of this year.
The Dutch passport is one of the most valuable passports in the world. The Dutch can travel visa-free to 188 countries with the passport and is even one of the top 4 most powerful passports in the world. This is evident from the 2022 ranking of the UK-based company Henley & Partners.
TB Immigration Info Brief 075/20: Exemption extended to October 31 (2)
At the moment I do not see any notification on the immigration website about the extension of the exemption, or an official document has been published about it. Perhaps they are waiting to appear in the Royal Gazette. But I think we can assume that the extension of the exemption was granted.
TB Immigration Info Letter 072/20: Exemption Extended to October 31?
In recent days it has been possible to read on various social media that the exemption would be extended until October 31, 2020. Although a draft note was indeed leaked about this and that possibility certainly exists, this is not yet official.
TB Immigration Info Letter 071/20: Announcement from the Dutch embassy about the end of visa amnesty
Reporter: Dutch embassy Dear Dutch people, The visa amnesty in Thailand will expire on September 26. After being extended twice by the Thai authorities, no extension is possible anymore. This means that exceeding your visa duration can lead to fines and/or bans from entering Thailand in the future. We understand that for many long-term residents in Thailand without a valid visa, this may mean you have to leave the country in the future. The…
TB Immigration Info Letter 070/20: Just a few more days and the exemption is over, remember!
Reporter: Lodewijk Lagemaat The Thai Immigration Service issues a warning. Police spokesman Colonel Pakpong Sai-ubol of the Royal Thai Immigration Bureau said in a message that a large number of foreigners should renew their tourist visas before September 26 in order not to be confronted with an accusation of overstay. Not renewing the tourist visa in time is a criminal offense and tourists can be prosecuted with legal action, even with deportation from Thailand. Thai law…
Today (24/07/20) the following two messages were published on the official website of immigration. The first message states that foreigners are allowed to stay in Thailand until September 26, 2020.
On unofficial channels you can currently read that the Council of Ministers has decided to extend the exemption until September 26.
At the moment, everyone can stay until July 31, given the exemption. At least if your period of stay ended after March 26. What will happen afterwards is not yet known. According to the Belgian embassy, a decision on this should not be expected before July 24. A few days ago there was a statement from an immigration officer. He would have said in an interview that a new exemption is unlikely to happen. But it's not an official announcement.
Thai tourism companies want the government to take measures and launch campaigns to boost tourism from other markets amid no concrete plans to counter the decline from China.
Visa Thailand – what do you need?
Are you going to Thailand on holiday? Then you are not required to have a visa if you stay in Thailand for less than 30 days. You do not need to apply for a visa in advance.