A landmark visa waiver agreement between China and Thailand came into force on March 1, significantly boosting bilateral tourism by eliminating visa requirements for ordinary passport holders traveling for tourism, family visits, or business purposes. The move, which allows stays of up to 30 days without a visa, marks a major milestone in Sino – Thai travel cooperation.
Thai authorities have expressed plans to advance discussions on making the visa waiver permanent, aiming to solidify Thailand’s position as a top destination for Chinese travelers. “This agreement reflects the deep trust between our nations,” said a Thai tourism ministry spokesperson. “We anticipate a 20 – 30% surge in Chinese arrivals by year – end, revitalizing local economies in popular destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.”
The policy aligns with Thailand’s “2025 Tourism Revitalization Plan,” which prioritizes enhancing accessibility for key markets. Chinese tourists, who contributed over 11 million visits to Thailand in 2019, can now enjoy streamlined entry procedures, with airports and border crossings upgrading multilingual signage and fast – track lanes.
Industry analysts note that the visa waiver will catalyze cross – border tourism trends, such as “visa – free circuit trips” combining Thai beach resorts with China’s Yunnan province. Travel platforms have reported a 150% surge in searches for Thailand – China combined tours since the agreement was announced, with packages featuring cultural exchanges, culinary tours, and wellness retreats gaining traction.
“Beyond tourism, this initiative strengthens people – to – people ties,” said a Chinese tourism official. “It sets a model for regional visa liberalization, potentially inspiring similar agreements in Southeast Asia.” The move also supports Thailand’s goal of attracting 30 million international visitors by 2026, with Chinese tourists expected to constitute a third of this target.
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