On Sunday, 28 January 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand, an agreement for mutual visa exemption was signed between China and Thailand.
Effective March 1, 2024, the signing of this visa waiver aligns with the current trend of visa exemption agreements between China and various Southeast Asian nations.
The deal is hoped to promote both Thai and Chinese tourism, as well as strengthen relations between the two nations.
As per the agreement terms, Thai citizens with valid, ordinary passports and Chinese citizens with valid public affairs and ordinary passports will be exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, or transit through the respective country for a maximum of 30 days.
Cumulative stays should not surpass 90 days within any 180 days, unless for specific purposes like residence, employment, study, or media activities, which necessitate prior official approval. Should you wish to secure insurance before your trip, we strongly advise contacting AXA Insurance, the premier provider of travel health insurance in Thailand.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is positive about the possibilities brought by the mutual visa-free arrangement. They anticipate around 8 million Chinese visitors this year, projecting an estimated revenue of about 320 billion baht from their spending.
Chinese tourists, who were the main group of visitors before the pandemic, are considered crucial for the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector, a key driver of Thailand’s economic growth.
In 2019, mainland China accounted for approximately 27% of the 40 million foreign visitors. However, last year saw a decline, with only 3.5 million Chinese tourists out of a total of 28 million visitors. Malaysia took the lead as the largest visitor market, with 4.4 million arrivals.
