On November 13, Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), revealed that Thailand is planning to extend its visa-free policy for Chinese tourists until the end of 2024. Since September 25, 2023, Thailand has implemented a five-month temporary visa exemption for Chinese nationals, covering key travel periods such as the National Day “Golden Week” and the Chinese New Year. The policy allows a maximum stay of 30 days per entry.
Since the policy was enacted, interest in travel to Thailand among Chinese tourists has continued to rise. The average number of daily arrivals has stabilized between 8,000 and 10,000 people, with peak single-day arrivals exceeding 10,000 in early November.
Thai authorities will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the policy. If results prove positive, a recommendation will be made to extend the visa-free period. The specific duration of the extension will be determined after coordination among multiple government departments. Prime Minister Srettha will also seek input from relevant agencies and lead discussions on how long the extension should last.
