Thailand considers extending tourist visas to 90 days

By Hoang Phong September 1, 2023 | 02:31 am PT

Tourists play with water guns as they celebrate the Songkran holiday which marks the Thai New Year in Bangkok, Thailand, April 13. Photo by Reuters

The new government in Thailand is considering the extension of tourist visas from the current 30 to 90 days as it seeks ways to spur tourism.

It would seek to ease immigration procedures to make them more convenient for visitors, newly-elected Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said at a meeting with tourism business executives in Phang-nga Province earlier this week.

The latter wanted the government to consider waiving visas for tourists from China, India and Russia, Thai PBS World reported.

But Srettha said the proposal should be considered carefully due to "security concerns."

This year Thailand has set a target of receiving 30 million foreign visitors, including five million Chinese.

It received 15.32 million in the first seven months.