Thailand has officially extended its visa-free entry policy for Indian tourists, providing a significant boost to its tourism industry. Originally set to expire on November 11, 2024, the policy has now been scrapped, allowing Indian travelers to stay for 60 days without the need for a visa. Additionally, visitors can extend their stay for another 30 days, offering more flexibility for those wishing to explore Thailand’s rich culture and scenic beauty.
This move highlights Thailand’s commitment to attracting tourists from India, a growing market that has become a major contributor to the country’s tourism revenue. Since the visa-free policy was introduced in November 2023, the country has seen a surge in Indian visitors, with 16.17 million Indian tourists recorded between January and mid-October 2024. The policy has contributed to an increase in both short weekend getaways and longer vacation bookings.
Thailand’s decision to extend this policy aligns with similar strategies in Southeast Asia. In December 2023, Malaysia launched a visa-free policy for Indian nationals, boosting its tourism ranking among Indian travelers. This trend reflects the growing appeal of Southeast Asia, which collectively welcomed around 70 million tourists last year.
In response to this booming tourism, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, is pushing for a Schengen-type visa system across six Southeast Asian nations. This would allow tourists to visit multiple countries with a single visa, further promoting the region as a top travel destination.
Tourism figures for Thailand are impressive, with the country hosting 28.4 million visitors between January 1 and October 27, 2024, a 29% increase over the same period in 2023. The Thai government is targeting 36.7 million tourists in 2024, although this is slightly lower than the pre-pandemic record of 40 million in 2019.
This visa policy extension comes at a time when other countries, such as Russia, are also recognizing the importance of Indian tourists. Russia plans to introduce visa-free access for Indian travelers by spring 2025, further demonstrating the global trend of simplifying travel to meet the demand from India’s rapidly growing travel market.
