Thailand Expands Visa-Free Access to 93 Countries
Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry program, now allowing travelers from 93 countries and territories to visit for up to 60 days without needing a visa. This update, which started on Monday, increases the number of countries eligible for visa-free travel from 57. Tourism is crucial to Thailand’s economy, which is still bouncing back from the pandemic. In the first half of 2024, the country welcomed 17.5 million international visitors, a 35% increase from last year. Despite this rise, visitor numbers have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. The majority of these tourists came from China, Malaysia, and India. Tourism revenue amounted to 858 billion baht ($23.6 billion), which did not meet the government’s targets. In addition to the expanded visa-free entry, Thailand has introduced several new initiatives. A new five-year visa for remote workers allows stays of up to 180 days per year. International students who graduate from Thai universities can now stay for up to one year...