Thailand and China’s visa exemption agreement is one month old, with positive outlooks and increased tourism interest. The agreement aims to boost trade and strengthen bilateral ties.
Positive Outlook for Thailand-China Visa Exemption Agreement
This Monday marks one month since the visa exemption agreement between Thailand and China took effect. Vichai Mongkolchaichawan, the vice president of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, stated that the outlook is positive. Leading up to the start of the scheme, the number of searches for Thailand tourism on Baidu for January and February surged by 48%, with most searches coming from users in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan, Shanghai, and Beijing.
Benefits and Challenges of the Visa Exemption Scheme
Kamphol Mahanukul, the TCJA president, highlighted the need for airlines and hotels to be prepared to accommodate the increased number of tourists attracted by the scheme, as Thai tourism continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set a target of 8 million Chinese visitors this year, while China’s Ambassador to Thailand emphasized the strong trade ties between the two countries. The agreement with Thailand allows for 30-day travel for holders of Thai ordinary passports and Chinese passports for public affairs, with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days in any 180-day period.
