16-10-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, recently announced that the country will allow Russian tourists to extend their visa-free stay from 30 to 90 days starting in November. This decision is aimed at boosting tourism during the peak travel season and comes as part of the government’s strategy to revive the tourism industry. Thailand is counting on foreign tourists to contribute to economic growth.
In the year leading up to August, Thailand welcomed 923,113 Russian tourists, ranking fifth in terms of international visitors behind Malaysia, China, South Korea, and India, according to data from the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Before the pandemic hit in 2019, Thailand hosted around 1.5 million Russian tourists who spent approximately $3.3 billion in the country, making them the third-largest spenders, based on official data.
However, a recent shooting incident at a Bangkok shopping mall may have negatively affected the country’s appeal to Chinese tourists, who can also enter Thailand without obtaining a visa in advance. The shooting incident led to a drop in the number of Chinese visitors. Before the incident, around 650,000 Chinese travelers had confirmed flight and hotel bookings for Thailand, but as of October 14, that number had fallen to 590,000, according to government spokesman Chai Wacharonke.
Despite such challenges, Thailand remains optimistic about its tourist arrivals. It is forecasted to receive up to 30 million tourists in 2023, more than double the number in 2022, as the government aims to revitalize its tourism sector and economic growth through tourism.
