Thailand visa fee waived until 2010

July 09 2009 by Mark Johnstone

Get a fee-free Thailand visa until 2010

In an effort to help revive its country’s flagging travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai Government has agreed to extend the exemption of the Thailand visa fee for tourist visa applications until 4 March 2010.

The exemption will apply to all applicants for a Thailand visa on arrival at all international airports in Thailand as well as those applying at Thai embassies and consulates abroad for stays longer than the period for which they are normally eligible.

Thailand currently gives a Visa on Arrival for citizens of 20 countries for a stay not exceeding 15 days. Citizens of another 42 countries are allowed a visa-free stay in Thailand not over 30 days.

Visitors who wish to stay longer than those periods have to apply for Thailand visas at the Thai embassies or diplomatic missions abroad before their arrival in the country.

The extension is one of several measures taken by the Thailand tourism industry to invigorate itself after a number of global and local events that have led to a temporary drop in visitor arrivals.

TAT Chairman, Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat says, “As a result of the global economic downturn, the worldwide travel and tourism sector has declined as people have become more cautious about spending on leisure and business travel. Hence, the government has implemented many measures to enhance Thailand’s competitive advantage and strengthen our country’s unique qualities.”

In 2008, Thailand welcomed around 14.59 million international visitors, a growth of 0.88 per cent.

In January to April 2009, visitor arrivals to Thailand totalled 4.7 million, down 14.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. While most markets showed varying rates of decline, arrivals from the Middle East grew by almost 11.5% and arrivals from South Asia were up 3.6 per cent.

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