Travellers from India have good news! Thailand has extended visa-free access to Indian nationals for an indefinite period of time. Originally scheduled to end on 11 November 2024, the policy now allows Indians to stay in Thailand up to 60 days with no visa.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand announced the extension. Business Standard confirmed that the Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi, had received instructions from officials to continue the policy of visa-free entry. An embassy official told Business Standard that “Visa-free Entry Extension Instructions have been given to Us.”
“We haven’t been told when this facility for Indians will end.”
Thailand’s appeal to Indian tourists
The visa-free policy, which was implemented in November 2023 and is now in effect, has been an attraction for Indian tourists searching for destinations with minimal requirements.
“Indian tourists are increasingly seeking destinations that offer convenience, variety and experiences without enduring lengthy visa procedures,” said Krishna Rathi.
Senior country director for India at Agoda. Thailand is the most popular visa free destination for Indian tourists. The policy has led to an increase in accommodation searches. Malaysia saw a similar pattern, introducing visa waivers for Indian tourists as early as December 2023. This allowed it to climb from eighth place to fourth among the most searched destinations by Indian travellers in the second half of 2024.
“Removing visa requirements makes a huge impact on inbound tourism and we see it across the globe,” stated Omri Morgenshtern CEO of Agoda.
What is visa free travel?
Visa-free entry allows tourists to enter the country without a need for a prior or on arrival visa. Passports are checked and stamped by immigration control. This simplified procedure avoids lengthy applications, fees and is beneficial to both tourists as well as the economy of the destination.
Visa-free policies can lead to:
- The demand for accommodation is increasing, which improves occupancy rates and room rates,
- Tourism-related sectors create jobs,
- Transportation, tours, and other related services are in high demand.
Thailand’s rising popularity
Thailand is a popular destination for Indian tourists. It is known for its beautiful beaches, cultural sites and diverse cuisine. It also offers affordable accommodations of high quality. In the first quarter of 2024, Thailand received 9.4 million foreign tourists, generating approximately 454.6 billion baht (£9.7 billion) in economic contributions. This year, Thailand hopes to welcome 40 millions tourists, which is close to the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
By October 2024 Thailand would have welcomed around 1.64 millions Indian tourists. This makes India the third largest source of foreign visitors, after Malaysia and China. TAT expects to have over 2 million Indian tourists by the end of the year, generating revenue of nearly 90 billion Baht. The visa-free policy is a major factor in this growth.
TAT reported that India was Thailand’s second-largest tourist source in 2022. There were nearly a half million Indian tourists among Thailand’s 11 million foreign arrivals.
