Thailand Proposes Joint-Visa Programme – Nation Also Extends Visa-Free Travel

Thailand is taking significant strides to enhance its tourism appeal. The country is leading a proposal for a joint visa program encompassing six ASEAN nations, aiming to replicate the Schengen model for seamless travel within the region. This initiative, discussed with counterparts in Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, seeks to facilitate mobility for approximately 70 million tourists who visit these countries annually.

Complementing this ambitious plan, Thailand has extended its visa-free entry period to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries and territories. This move, which came into effect in July 2024, is designed to attract more visitors, including those from key markets like the U.S., Europe, China, and emerging nations such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, and Kazakhstan.

This move will no doubt encourage more travellers to visit the country and cities like Bangkok for longer where they can stay at properties such as Pathumwan Princess Hotel. For those based at such centrally located hotels near MBK Mall, Bangkok shopping and sightseeing adventures are easy to enjoy while extended visas mean tourists have more time to travel to other destinations too.