Government spokesperson reveals government policy for free visas Open to Chinese and Kazakhstan tourists Concrete results began to appear in October after AOT reported a 44% increase in flight estimates and a 77% increase in passengers compared to August 2023.
On September 21, 2023, Mr. Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that according to the government, Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. There is a policy to stimulate tourism in the immediate term. With free visa measures for tourists from 2 countries, China and Kazakhstan, they can travel to Thailand without having to apply for a visa. From September 25, 2023 – February 29, 2024, a total of 5 months, the results of the visa-free measure for Chinese tourists began to materialize in October 2023.
A government spokesperson further said: Most recently, the Airport Authority of Thailand (AOT) by Suvarnabhumi Airport (RTA) reported information as of September 20, 2023 to the Minister of Transport. Compare the number of flights and passengers traveling to and from China. Between 1 August – 19 September 2023 (actual flight) and 20 September – 28 October 2023 (estimated).
It was found that in October 2023 there were 3,075 flights, an increase of 44 percent from August 2023 (2,132 flights) and a 32 percent increase from September 2023 (2,335 flights). It is the number of regular passenger flights and charter flights. Does not include cargo flights. While in terms of passengers, in October 2023 there were 589,993 people, an increase from August 2023 (333,344 people) of 77 percent and an increase from September 2023 (365,980 people) of 61 percent.
“Chinese tourists are Thailand’s main target group of tourists. Before the COVID-19 situation, in 2018 there were more than 10 million Chinese tourists. However, this year, despite the COVID-19 situation, It has greatly improved and is now considered only an endemic disease. The number of Chinese tourists is still lower than the target expected by relevant Thai government agencies. This is a special temporary exemption from travel visas for tourists from China and Kazakhstan for 5 months in accordance with government policy. It will significantly support the promotion of tourism and the economy.”
2023-09-21 14:52:00
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