Thailand is taking steps to revolutionise tourism with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s push for a joint-visa programme among countries that collectively hosted 70 million tourists last year. This initiative aims to attract long-haul travelers, who typically spend more during their visits, by streamlining travel within ASEAN nations.
Srettha has actively engaged in discussions with leaders from neighbouring countries like Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam to implement a Schengen-type visa system.
Modelled after the Schengen visa used in Europe, this initiative seeks to facilitate seamless mobility for travellers across the six nations. Similar to the European Schengen Area, where travellers can move freely across borders without individual visas or the need to pass through immigration checkpoints, this system would simplify travel logistics and enhance the appeal of the region to international tourists.
However, challenges may arise in establishing a Schengen-type visa system within ASEAN due to multilateral policy frameworks.
Tourism significantly contributes to Thailand’s economy, employing 20% of the workforce and constituting 12% of the nation’s GDP, making initiatives like the single-visa programme vital for economic growth.
Srettha’s administration aims to attract 80 million tourists by 2027, implementing measures like reciprocal visa waivers with China and temporary visa waivers for travellers from India, Taiwan, and Kazakhstan.
Source: Travel Weekly Asia
