Thailand has announced an extension of its visa waiver for Indian travelers “until further notice,” according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. This extension allows visitors to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, with the option to extend their stay by an additional 30 days. The visa-free entry was initially set to end on November 11.
This move has sparked speculation that the visa waiver could become a permanent arrangement. Indian travel agencies are reporting a significant impact on bookings, with many travelers opting for destinations with easier visa access.
Bharatt Malik, Senior VP of Air and Hotel Business at Yatra Online, noted, “Thailand’s extension of visa-free arrivals has greatly boosted demand and strengthened its appeal as a top destination, particularly for first-time international travelers from India.” He added that Indian tourists tend to favor destinations that offer visa waivers or visa-on-arrival options, and as a result, passenger numbers are returning to, and in some cases exceeding, pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Also Read- Canada Discontinues Fastrack Study Visa Program; Impact Expected on Indian Students
Anuj Rathi, Chief Business and Growth Officer at Cleartrip, shared, “With the year-end travel season in full swing, this news is great for our customers. We’ve seen significant growth in bookings across popular routes. Ahmedabad to Bangkok has experienced a 442% increase, Chennai to Bangkok bookings are up by 136%, Kochi to Bangkok has surged by 270%, and Mumbai to Phuket has grown by 84% compared to last year.”
Both travel agencies also pointed out that the increase in direct flight connections between India and Thailand is driving more Indian travelers to the country. Rathi highlighted that the introduction of a direct flight between Guwahati and Bangkok in December 2023 has led to an astounding 2,620% growth in bookings on that route alone.