Thailand extends visa exemption for Russian tourists until July

From May 1 to July 31 Russian passport holders will be allowed to enter Thailand without a visa and stay for a maximum of 60 days, Bangkok Post reported.

The previous policy that allowed them a 90-day visa-free stay expires at the end of this month.

The extension would bring more Russian tourists to Thailand, helping boost tourism revenues and revive the economy, deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Suwankiri said at a press conference on Tuesday as cited by Bloomberg.

Thailand has received nearly 10 million foreign visitors so far this year, according to its Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Russians are the third biggest group of visitors, with nearly 700,000 arrivals, behind Chinese and Malaysians.

This year Thailand targets 35-36 million foreign arrivals and is seeking ways to diversify its sources of tourists.

Earlier this week the government also approved the permanent waiver of visas for visitors from Kazakhstan.

In March Thailand and China permanently waived visa requirements for each other's citizens.