Thailand Tourist Arrivals in July Up Nearly 40% on Year

Tourism is the only industry that has continued growing in recent years while others are still suffering from the global economic slowdown.

Thailand hopes to attract 28 million visitors this year. Domestic tourism will push the total to THB3 trillion.

Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said yesterday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Chou has given the green light to the proposal, which is expected to go into effect within 60 days after receiving Cabinet approval. Charoen Wongananont also added that the six-month period offers a short enough time frame to assess the effectiveness of multiple-entry visas.

The new visa strategy is part of Thailand’s three-year tourism development master plan, which is to relax some travel conditions to boost Inbound Tourism and promote sustainable development.

Most recently, Myanmar and Thailand agreed to waive entry visas at major airports, which would allow its citizens to travel between the two countries without an entry visa. They can stay up to 14 days. The high season is in the second half of the year.

The Thai Tourism, and Sports Ministry have also planned to expand the regional tourism market by improving links with countries along the Mekong River, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The ministry sets a target of 2.5 trillion Baht of revenue for 2017.