TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Thailand’s government on Tuesday, May 28, approved longer visa stay periods of up to 60 days for tourists, postgraduate students, and remote workers from 93 countries starting in June. The number increased from 57.
Speaking to reporters, the government spokesman Chai Wacharonke also said that more countries will be eligible for visas on arrival. This aims to boost the tourism sector as its economy stutters.
Foreign students will be permitted to stay for an additional year upon graduation, while insurance requirements for foreigners seeking to retire in Thailand will be relaxed, he added.
Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy and a big source of employment.
The new measures come as part of an effort to boost visitors, especially from its main and fastest-growing markets, by extending stay limits to 60 days from 30 days for on-arrival visas.
The validity of so-called “digital nomad” visas for self-employed, remote workers will be extended to five years, from 60 days presently, with each stay limited to 180 days.
Thailand recorded 14.3 million tourists from January to May 26 this year and is targeting a record 40 million foreign arrivals for the full year, with revenue of 3.5 trillion baht or Rp1,543 trillion.
In pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand welcomed a record 39.9 million arrivals, generating 1.91 trillion baht or Rp842 trillion.
REUTERS | VN EXPRESS
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