10-9-2023 (BANGKOK) The proposed visa-free policy for Chinese visitors, which is expected to stimulate tourism in Thailand, will be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting this week. The implementation of this measure is anticipated to increase workloads for authorities involved in the process.
The issue is being raised during the first cabinet meeting since the new ministers took office, demonstrating the government’s commitment to boosting tourism, a significant source of foreign exchange earnings for the country, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Further details regarding the policy are expected to be discussed and finalized during the cabinet meeting before its official launch on October 1. Tourism provinces across the country are preparing for the anticipated visa waiver for Chinese tourists.
The tourism sector has responded positively to the policy aimed at attracting more Chinese visitors, who constitute a significant portion of international arrivals. Prime Minister Srettha, who considers tourism a key driver of economic growth, has been promoting this stimulus measure. He recently visited Phuket to gain firsthand insights into the current tourism situation.
The temporary visa-free policy for Chinese visitors is intended to provide a short-term boost to the tourism sector and is expected to remain in effect until the end of the high tourist season in the first quarter of next year. The industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for over three years and requires revitalization.
Phuket’s immigration office, headed by Pol Col Thanet Sukkachai, has expressed no objections to the visa-free policy. The office oversees the “white accommodation” program, which tracks the whereabouts of tourists on the island and fosters closer relations between tourist attractions and residents.
However, Pol Col Thanet acknowledged that the policy would result in additional work for state authorities. He emphasized that the tourist police, responsible for taking care of foreign visitors, would have an increased workload due to the relaxation of certain visa rules. Local police would also assist visitors in resolving any visa-related issues.
Chinese tourists constitute the largest group of foreign visitors to Phuket, with 60,000 arrivals last month, followed by Russians and Australians. Phuket received a total of 300,000 foreign visitors in the same period. The traceability of visitors has helped deter crimes and provided timely assistance to tourists when needed, contributing to Phuket’s growth as a world-class destination.
Concerns have been raised about potential loopholes and increased congestion at immigration counters due to the visa waiver. The Immigration Bureau (IB) recently warned that the waiver could allow call center gangs, illegal businesses, and transnational criminals to enter the country. The IB anticipates an increased workload in detecting and apprehending such individuals once they enter Thailand.
In Chiang Mai, Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn stated that state agencies were collecting data on the strengths and weaknesses of local tourism to create dynamics in the sector. The province’s tourism is gradually recovering and is expected to generate revenue of 63 billion baht by the end of the year, with 8.8 million tourist arrivals.
Efforts are underway to counter negative perceptions of Thailand’s safety, particularly among Chinese tourists, through various confidence-building measures. The visa-free scheme is expected to accelerate the pace of Chinese visitor arrivals. Kemchart Somjaiwong, honorary chairman of the Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce, suggested that the government and tourism industry promote other provinces to distribute the benefits of the visa-free initiative more evenly.
Soratheproj Pojanarat, deputy spokesman of the Thai Sang Thai Party, urged the government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to quickly address negative publicity regarding tourist safety in Thailand. He emphasized the long-lasting impact that safety concerns can have and stressed the need for prompt action to repair the country’s image.
Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), highlighted the positive impact of simplifying visa procedures on travel. He cited data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, indicating that removing visa red tape leads to an 8.1% increase in travel, while a visa waiver doubles that number. With visa-on-arrival (VOA) travelers accounting for 80% of global travelers, Chairattananon estimated that the visa-free policy could attract an additional 500,000 to 700,000 Chinese visitors to Thailand in the last quarter of this year.
Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, TAT deputy governor for marketing communications, reported that the planned visa-free policy has received a positive response in China, creating anticipation for increased tourism between the two countries.
