Thailand allows 30-day extension of stay for visitors from 48 countries

In another positive move to boost the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Immigration Bureau has allowed citizens of 48 countries and Hong Kong SAR to get a 30-day extension of their stay in Thailand after the expiry of their normal period of stay.

The move is effective as of 29 August, 2014. It will apply to visitors holding travel documents of Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Qatar, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam.

Citizens of these countries and territory who normally get Visa Exemption as tourist for 30-day  stay permit, will get extension of stay for one time no longer than 30 days from the expired date.

The application process will cost 1,900 Baht per person. No further extensions will be allowed. If the application is denied, visitors will have to leave the kingdom within seven days after the expiry of the normal period.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, “Allowing visitors to stay on beyond their normal period will be a boost for the increasing number of global travellers who have already covered much of the world and now want to focus on specific destinations. It will also be boost for those coming for niche-market activities; such as, voluntourism, health and wellness, or sports.”

The 48 countries and one territory generate about half of Thailand’s total visitor arrivals.

Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tourist visa fee waiver for Chinese and Chinese Taipei visitors

Effective 9 August, 2014, holders of Chinese and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) passports will be exempt from paying visa fees when visiting Thailand purely for the purpose of tourism between 9 August – 8 November 2014.

The short-term waiver has been passed by the National Council of Peace and Order (NCPO) as part of a package of measures to rapidly revive Thai tourism in the second half of 2014. The move has now passed all the stages of regulatory approval through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior and been published in Royal Gazette.

The exemption will apply only to visitors coming to Thailand for tourism, and submitting their tourist visa applications at Thai diplomatic missions or via the visa-on-arrival desks at the international checkpoints. Only a Tourist Visa is applicable to this measure; visitors who apply for other categories of visa; such as, Transit Visa or Non-Immigrant Visa still have to pay for the visa fee as normal.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said, “Thailand and China have very close relations and have much in common in terms of food, cultural and ethnic relationships with many Thai prominent businessmen and political families having roots in China.  Chinese visitors were selected for the exemption as part of the commemorative activities marking the 40th  Anniversary of Thailand – China Diplomatic Relations. Moreover, this measure is also to help the Thai private sector and the many small and medium sized enterprises to recover.”

From both mainland China and Chinese Taipei, Thailand is considered a short-haul and value-for-money destination with good airline connections and an excellent range of accommodation and tour products for people of all age groups. The kingdom is well-known for its long-standing tradition of friendliness and hospitality.  Bangkok also has a very large and bustling Chinatown area where Chinese visitors can regularly be seen shopping for herbal medicines, jewellery and gold. Many of them also go to make offerings at the numerous Chinese temples.

cr: Tourism Authority of Thailand

cr pictures: ibtimes, echinacities, lohwendy blogspot