19-9-2023 (BANGKOK) Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to embark on a diplomatic journey to India later this year to engage in discussions with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. The primary agenda for their meeting will be finding ways to enhance India-Thailand tourism by attracting more Indian visitors to the picturesque Southeast Asian nation.
Srettha Thavisin expressed that the Thai government has not yet given the green light to a visa-free policy for Indian tourists due to unresolved issues concerning visa application procedures. This meeting aims to address these concerns and potentially pave the way for a more seamless entry process.
One of the significant obstacles to increased tourism lies in the limited number of flights from India to Thailand. To tackle this issue, Thai Airways International intends to engage in negotiations with Indian authorities to secure more landing slots at Indian airports. The Prime Minister anticipates discussing this crucial matter with his Indian counterpart before the year’s end.
Highlighting the significance of Indian tourists, Srettha Thavisin noted that many of them are high-spending travelers. Each year, numerous Indian couples choose Thailand as the destination for their wedding celebrations, with substantial sums being spent on these lavish events. He emphasized that Indian guests intending to bring expensive jewelry into Thailand for these festivities should be aware of the relevant taxes associated with luxury items. However, he also hinted at discussing the possibility of exempting Indian tourists from such taxes with the Finance Ministry.
According to data from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), India ranked as the fifth-largest source of foreign visitors to Thailand from January 1 to April 30 this year. Out of the 8.6 million foreign tourists who visited Thailand during this period, approximately 450,000 were Indians. In 2019, prior to the pandemic’s onset, the average Indian tourist spent around 40,800 baht per trip in Thailand.
Popular destinations for Indian tourists in Thailand, as reported by the TAT, include Bangkok, Pattaya in Chon Buri, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui in Surat Thani, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Cha-am in Phetchaburi, Samut Prakan, and Koh Phangan in Surat Thani.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also revealed that the government is expediting the implementation of a visa-free scheme for Chinese tourists, recognizing the approaching high season as an opportune time. This initiative is anticipated to inject 35 billion baht into the Thai economy.
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke, referring to information from Airports of Thailand, disclosed that Chiang Mai airport is set to operate round the clock starting from November 1 to accommodate the influx of tourists effectively.
