Thailand temporarily introduces visa-free travel for citizens from India and Taiwan

Thailand has announced a temporary visa exemption for tourists from India and Taiwan. This change will come into effect on November 10, 2023 and will be valid until May 10, 2024. Citizens from these countries will no longer need a Thai visa to visit Thailand. This temporary exemption joins around 60 other countries whose citizens also do not need a visa. The decision follows earlier changes to Thailand's visa policy.

Nationals of China and Kazakhstan have already been temporarily exempted from the visa requirement, but this exemption will become permanent from November 10, 2023.

Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin confirmed the news at a press conference after the cabinet meeting. The decision was made to attract more international tourists to Thailand. India, with a middle class of around 350 million people, is showing a growing interest in Thailand.

The interest of the Indian middle class in Thailand as a travel destination continues to grow. According to data for the first nine months of 2023, the number of Indian tourists visiting Thailand was around 1.26 million. This number is expected to reach the 1.55 million mark by the end of the year. The number of tourists from Taiwan has also increased.

Temporary changes to Thailand's visa policy for travelers from India and Taiwan mean that citizens of these countries will not need a visa for Thailand for stays of up to 30 days for the next six months. However, if Indian and Taiwanese nationals plan to stay for more than 30 days, they will need to apply for a visa. The same applies to those who wish to work or study in Thailand. Citizens from India and Taiwan are advised to apply for a visa if they are planning a longer stay in the country.