The Thai government and personal agencies in Chiang Rai are considering combining five cities in Thailand, Myanmar, China and Laos under one visa.
Planning for the user-friendly travel program began about twenty years ago with the goal of encouraging travelers to go to those cities within the Mekong region, thereby boosting tourism in all 4 countries.
Called the “five cities of Chiang”, it includes the provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Chiang Tung (Keng Tung) in Burma, Chiang Rung (Jinghong) in China and Chiang Thong (Xieng Thong) in Laos, or Luang Prabang.
Thailand, Laos and Myanmar are closer to agreeing on a single visa option, but for China to hitch them, more long conversations will probably be required.
Thailand hopes to draw more quality tourists to Chiang Province.
Association of Northern Tourism Federations president Kitti Tissakul said Thailand would profit from this system as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai may benefit from an influx of Chinese tourists visiting other cities.
“It will add about 10 percent, or more than two million tourists a year,” he added. post office in Bangkok she quoted Kitti as saying.
If the plan is implemented, the province will see an influx of tourists from South Korea, Japan and France who can even visit Luang Prabang.
Approximately 14 million foreign tourists visit Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai every year. According to Kitti, increasing the population within the “five cities of Chiang” is close by.
Source : post office in Bangkok | Asia travel wire
