Thailand grants 5-year visas to three Hong Kong celebrities

The trio received Thailand Privilege Cards, also known as Thailand Elite Visas, that allow holders to enjoy 5-year multiple entry visa, luxury limousine transfers, fast-track immigration, access to airport lounges, and a waiver of the 90-day reporting requirement.

They were chosen for their dedication and service to Thai tourism, Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) said as cited by The Nation Thailand.

Yim and Yam, both 67, are veteran artists in Hong Kong with huge followings in both Hong Kong and mainland China, while 50-year-old Wu has a popular YouTube channel that focuses on Thai food and culture.

Thailand is hoping to attract 800,000 tourists from Hong Kong this year.

Thanks to the open visa policy, Southeast Asia's second largest economy received 11 million foreign visitors last year, making its tourism industry among the fastest to recover in the region following the pandemic.

The Thai government is targeting 25 million foreign arrivals this year.