The minister noted that while passport holders from around 40 nations do not need to apply for visas before coming to Thailand, nationals of the rest do. She continued by saying that among those who still needed visas were tourists from China and India.
The minister continued by saying that a long-term visa would probably encourage more people from those countries to visit Thailand. Standard tourist visas at present are valid for 60 days and can be extended by another 30 at immigration offices in-country.
These visas cost the equivalent of US$28 from Thai embassies or consulates and the 30-day extension another THB1,900. Some diplomatic missions will issue double or triple entry visas, but a high proportion do not.
Sources close to the Tourism and Sports Ministry claim the new visa will cost THB5,000. At today’s exchange rate this works out to US$143. This is more expensive than three single-entry tourist visas, but provides a lot more more convenience.
Six month tourist visa for Thailand in the pipeline
News in Asia
The tourism ministry in Thailand is in the process of setting up a new visitor visa which will have a six month validity. The tourist minister stated that prime-minister Prayut Chan-ocha had approved the new visa option and it could be available at Thai embassies and consulates around the world from October onwards.