Thailand weighs visa exemptions for four countries in tourism push

Thailand is weighing visa exemptions for visitors from Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Belarus under a tourism strategy targeting revenue of at least ฿4 trillion, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said on October 31.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to put the proposals before a relevant committee on November 9. Approval is still pending, and none of the proposed exemptions is in force. Belarus has been added to the three countries previously under consideration.

Lalida outlined the proposals after Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun chaired a meeting of the National Tourism Policy Committee. The draft Fourth National Tourism Development Plan, covering 2028 to 2032, seeks better service standards and a top-30 position in the Travel & Tourism Development Index.

Officials want to draw visitors who spend more and channel more tourism income towards small businesses and local communities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on improvements to e-Visa processing, while the committee considered shorter immigration queues at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Cruises and yachting are priorities, with TAT assigned to coordinate plans for additional terminals and marinas. Marketing for nearby markets will target Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore; long-haul efforts include major events and stronger ties with airlines and travel agencies.

Other proposals include provincial tourism calendars in multiple languages and promotion of seasonal fruit tours in eastern Thailand to bring farmers and local businesses additional income.

Separately, the committee examined public responses to a proposed ฿450 tourist entry fee, which remains undecided and has not been implemented. Draft legislation on tourism and cultural administration is scheduled to go before parliament on November 4.