Thailand to waive Visa On Arrival fee in November and December

Thailand is expected to waive the fee for Visa on Arrival in November and December in a bid to boost declining tourist arrivals.

TNA reported that Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has told the Immigration Bureau to waive the 2,000 baht Visa on Arrival fee for foreign tourists.

Currently nationals from 21 countries*, including China are eligible for Visa on Arrival.

The move is one of a number of measures being considered by the government to halt the recent decline in foreign tourists, especially from China.

In addition, the Tourism Authority will launch a new promotional campaign across social media in China in a bid to restore confidence among Chinese tourists.

The campaign will help to inform Chinese tourists how the can stay safe and avoid getting sick while in Thailand. A famous Chinese actor will be used to front the campaign.

Private sector tourism officials are worried that one million fewer Chinese tourists will visit Thailand over the next 6 months.

However, by waiving the visa on arrival fee, 2 million more Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand, officials said.

On Wednesday, Thailand’s Immigration Bureau announced the launch of a new page on the popular Chinese social media app Weibo that will help improve communications between officials and Chinese tourists.

Countries eligible for the Visa on Arrival:

Andorra

Bulgaria

Bhutan

China

Cyprus

Ethiopia

Fiji

India

Kazakhstan

Latvia

Lithuania

Maldives

Malta

Mauritius

Papua New Guinea

Romania

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Taiwan

Ukraine

Uzbekistan

Thai Visa

Thai Visa

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