Bangkok, Thailand, September 21, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The five-month visa program, valid until February 29, 2024, is intended to help achieve this year's tourism revenue target of 2.38 trillion baht. Thailand will grant visa-free entry to Chinese and Kazakh tourists starting September 25, 2023. The Thai government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has announced the temporary visa waiver for nationals of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan from September 25, 2023, to February 29, 2024, in order to achieve this year's tourism revenue target of 2.38 trillion baht.

Chinese and Kazakh nationals are granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay in Thailand for tourist purposes during the five-month visa exemption period.

Her Excellency Mrs. Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports stated: “This visa stimulus program is part of the government’s immediate action plan announced on September 11, 2023, aimed at achieving the long-term goal of boosting the Thai economy through travel and tourism. It will help stimulate tourism from China, one of Thailand’s most important source markets for tourists, and from Kazakhstan, an emerging market, particularly during the upcoming peak tourist season. Ultimately, it will help revive Thai tourism and achieve this year’s revenue target.”

During the five-month visa waiver period, Thailand expects between 1,912,000 and 2,888,500 Chinese tourists – a growth of approximately 41–62% compared to the previous year – and anticipates tourism revenues of around 92.58–140 billion baht. From Kazakhstan, Thailand expects 129,485 tourists – an increase of 49.73% compared to the same period last year – and revenues of 7.93 billion baht.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated: “Facilitating travel allows tourists to save time and money on visa applications and fees, thus making it easier for them to decide to travel to Thailand. Thanks to the visa waiver, Thailand expects to welcome approximately 4.04 to 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023 and is projected to generate 257.5 billion baht in revenue.”

From January 1 to September 10, 2023, Thailand recorded 2,284,281 Chinese visitors, making it the second-largest source market for tourists after Malaysia. Without the visa waiver, Thailand expects 3,470,430 Chinese visitors in 2023 – approximately 31% of the 2019 figure – and revenues of 174.358 billion baht.

The economic stimulus visa program will come into effect shortly before Golden Week, one of the longest holidays in China, from October 1st to 8th, 2023. During the week-long holiday in China, airlines have announced their readiness to operate charter flights, increase flight frequencies, and introduce new routes between cities in China and Thailand, including Chengdu – Samui, Beijing – Chiang Mai, Guangzhou – Chiang Mai, Shanghai – Chiang Mai, Shanghai – Phuket, Guangzhou – Phuket, and Kunming – Hat Yai.

“Thailand expects that the visa waiver from Kazakhstan will help to reach 180,000 tourists by the end of this year,” added Ms. Thapanee.

From January 1st to September 10th, 2023, Thailand recorded a new record with 108,636 tourists from Kazakhstan. Phuket is the most popular destination for Kazakh tourists.

Extending visa exemptions to Chinese and Kazakh tourists is intended to help revive Thai tourism and achieve this year's target of 25 to 30 million tourists and revenues of 2.38 trillion baht.

This policy is also expected to help boost tourism growth by 2024. This reflects the government's policy of viewing tourism as a key mechanism for promoting the Thai economy and establishing Thailand as a preferred destination for travelers from around the world.