The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that the Royal Thai Government has approved the extension of the visa-on-arrival (VOA) fee waiver for citizens of 20 countries for another six months, until 31 October, 2019.
The decision was announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 30 April, reasoning it as a measure to stimulate and promote tourism as well as to enhance the kingdom’s attractiveness among foreign visitors.
Citizens of these 20 countries will be exempted from the 2,000 Baht ($65) visa-on-arrival fee for the purpose of touring in Thailand for not more than 15 days.
| Andora,
Bulgaria, Bhutan, China including Taiwan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, |
Lithuania,
Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan |
The government first approved the visa-on-arrival fee waiver from 15 November, 2018, to 14 January, 2019, and further extended the measure to 30 April.
Thailand has received 3 million visitor arrivals in 2019 compared to 4.9 arrivals in 2018. The Indian tourists increased by 4% while visitors from Taiwan jumped 21%. Chinese visitors accounted closed to 2 million for 2019.
Tourism is a major economic contributor to the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing, the equivalent of 9 per cent to 17.7 per cent of GDP.
Thailand also offers Elite residence program to foreign investors. It is the cheapest residence program in Asia to acquire a long term five to ten year residence visa. Prices start from $15,000
