Thailand has taken a U-turn on visa-free entry for Indians. Now Indian tourists will get visa-free entry for 30 days instead of 60 days. This decision has been taken in view of the decline in the number of tourists.
Bangkok: Thailand has taken a U-turn from its decision to end visa-free entry for Indians. In the Thailand Cabinet meeting, it has been decided to give 30 days visa-free entry to tourists coming from India. Tourism Minister Surasak Pancharoenvorakul said that the cabinet has taken this decision keeping in mind the travel habits of Indian tourists. He also said that if any problem arises due to this decision in future, the government can reconsider it.
Earlier Indians were allowed to stay in Thailand without a visa for 60 days. But in May this year, the Cabinet of Thailand had prepared to end 60 days visa-free entry for many countries including India. Due to this, there was a decline in the number of tourists coming from India. In view of this, instead of abolishing visa-free entry completely, the government decided to reduce its duration from 60 days to 30 days.
Indians are at third place in the number of tourists visiting Thailand after China and Malaysia. Currently, people coming from China and Malaysia are allowed to stay in the country without a visa for 60 days. Thailand had till now given 60 days visa-free entry to 93 countries, including India, but the government planned to limit it to only 54 countries. It was also decided to give 30 days visa-free entry to eligible countries, but it could not be implemented.
Apart from India, it has also been decided to give 30 days visa-free entry to people from Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Maldives. With this, the number of countries allowing 30 days visa-free entry has increased to 60. These also include 27 European Union (EU) countries. This exemption has been given to the countries of the European Union so that it becomes easier for the passport holders of Thailand to get the Schengen visa.