Minister to propose easing visa rules for some countries, new co-payment scheme in pipeline
(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The government is considering a 15-day visa exemption for Indian travellers and a 30-day exemption for all European Union (EU) countries, while assessing that easing geopolitical tensions could lift tourism revenue this year back to 2025 levels.Meanwhile, a new phase of the domestic tourism co-payment scheme is set to launch, with discounts for 1 million hotel room-nights, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Tuesday.
He said that revisions to visa rules for certain countries would be proposed at the next meeting of the visa policy committee, overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The cabinet on May 19 approved scrapping 60-day visa-free entry for travellers from 93 countries and introduced new entry rules for each country. However, the measure has yet to take effect as it requires publication in the Royal Gazette, leaving room for amendments.
