Thailand will extend the length of stay for tourists, postgraduate students and distant employees and improve visa conditions for retirees from June, it was revealed on Tuesday in a bid to spice up the tourism sector, a key pillar of the country’s economy amid an economic slowdown.
The latest policy is an element of a technique to spice up tourism, especially from fast-growing key markets, by extending visa stays from 30 to 60 days. From next month, tourists from 93 countries will give you the chance to remain in Thailand for as much as 60 days, up from 57 countries now, government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said.
Here are the brand new rules:
- PhD students:Extended stay for 1 12 months after graduation with a certificate from the Ministry of Higher Education. This is to allow you to discover a job in Thailand.
- Digital Nomads:Destination Thailand visa valid for five years with a maximum stay of 180 days per visit (extendable for an additional 180 days for a further fee of 10,000 THB (270 USD)). This policy is aimed toward distant employees, freelancers and Thai culture enthusiasts.
- Pensioners: Health insurance requirements for long-term visas have been reduced from THB 3 million (US$82,000) to THB 440,000 (US$12,000), valid for September-December applicants. E-visa application services have been expanded to 94 Thai consulates/embassies, up from 47.
Thailand has recorded tourist arrivals all year long, with 14.3 million as of May 26, and is predicted to eventually attract 40 million foreign tourists, which is able to translate into revenues of three.5 trillion baht (about $95.73 billion).
Thailand saw a big increase in visitors last 12 months in comparison with the previous 12 months, with greater than 24.5 million visitors. The government goals to draw 25 to 30 million foreign tourists in the course of the period. Revenue from these visits reached almost 1.03 trillion baht (about $29.6 billion).
However, the number remains to be below the pre-pandemic record of 40 million visits in 2019. Tourism Ministry data shows that growth in Thailand’s tourism industry has slowed compared with neighbouring countries, prompting revolutionary measures to spice up the economy.
