Thailand may extend visa exemption for Indians beyond 6 months if tourism grows

Thailand may extend its visa exemption for Indian travellers over the 6-month pilot project depending on feedback from tour operators and travellers.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), while welcoming the first group of travellers from India under the visa-free regime, said while similar exemption for Kazakhstan and China was given for three months, for India "it is six months and if we get good feedback from tour operators and travellers, we will ask the cabinet to approve more".

Starting November 10, Thailand has scrapped the need for a visa for Indian travellers. The visa exemption allows Indian tourists a 30-day stay, and will be in place until May 10 next year.


India holds a significant position among Thailand's top 10 tourist source markets. In the first 10 months of 2023, Thailand welcomed 1,302,483 Indian tourists, marking an impressive 86% increase from the same period in 2022. With the newly implemented visa exemption scheme, TAT anticipates hosting 1.6 million Indian tourists in 2023, generating an estimated revenue of 65.6 billion baht.

Indian Ambassador Nagesh Singh highlighted Thailand's status as a tourism superpower, with a pre-pandemic annual visitor count of 40 million. He praised Thailand's gesture to revive the industry, emphasizing the trust placed in India. The visa-free arrangement not only benefits tourists but also streamlines the immigration process, making it simpler and faster for travellers like Virender Singh from Delhi, who reported a swift clearance of immigration in just five to ten minutes.

TAT Governor Kiatphaibool acknowledged India as the fourth largest inbound market for tourists, with 1.32 million visitors, underscoring its significant contribution to Thailand's tourism sector.

The first group of Indian tourists, arriving on IndiGo Flight 6E 1639, received a warm welcome at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, and Indian Ambassador Nagesh Singh greeted them with orchids and souvenirs at the gates. This special gesture was part of Thailand's effort to boost tourism, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

with TOI inputs

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Lufthansa’s Bengaluru to Munich flight will operate thrice a week- Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight time: Almost 10 hours

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IndiGo’s tri-weekly flights take off from Goa’s Manohar International Airport in Mopa on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight time: 3 hours 20 minutes

IndiGo’s tri-weekly flights take off from Goa’s Manohar International Airport in Mopa on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight time: 3 hours 20 minutes

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Air India will be operating flights on this route three times a week—Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flight time: 14 hours +

Air India will be operating flights on this route three times a week—Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flight time: 14 hours +

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