THAILAND will permanently waive visa requirements for Chinese citizens starting March 1, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced yesterday. During a press conference after a Cabinet meeting at the government house, Srettha said Thailand had previously granted a temporary visa waiver status for visitors from China, which was set to end Feb. 29, 2024. After negotiations with related Chinese authorities, the Thai Government has now opted to adopt a permanent visa-free policy for Chinese citizens from March. He said that this measure will not only boost Thailand’s tourism industry but also signify further improvement in the friendly relations between the two countries. As the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, Thailand heavily relies on tourism as a major source of revenue. In 2023, the country welcomed 28 million foreign tourists, surpassing its target, and generated a considerable 1.2 trillion baht (US$34.93 billion) in revenue. Malaysia was the top source market with 4.5 million visitors, closely followed by China with 3.5 million arrivals. The visa waiver program for Chinese tourists played a significant role in attracting visitors from China. However, making this arrangement permanent will undoubtedly take the relationship between Thailand and China to new heights. Both countries believe that by removing visa requirements, they will witness a surge in the number of tourists traveling between their borders. This move is expected to not only benefit the tourism industry but also foster closer cultural and economic ties between Thailand and China. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand experienced a record number of arrivals, with 39 million visitors, including 11 million from China. While it may take some time to reach those levels again, this visa waiver program is a significant step towards recovery and growth for the tourism sector in Thailand. (SD-Xinhua) | 