The process of considering and implementing this initiative requires strong cooperation among countries in the Southeast Asian region. Agreeing on and implementing a common visa regime can help increase the flexibility and convenience of travel in the region. If successful, this common visa area will open up new opportunities for the tourism industry and contribute to promoting economic development, while further strengthening the relationship between member countries.
Thailand launches joint visa initiative with Vietnam and some Southeast Asian countries
The single-entry visa is the most ambitious of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s tourism initiatives, according to the Bangkok Post. Tourism is a major source of income for Thailand, accounting for about 20% of total employment and 12% of the country’s $500 billion economy.
A single entry visa is a type of visa that allows a foreigner to enter and leave a country only once during the validity period of that visa, and cannot change the purpose of entry after it has been granted.
The single entry visa initiative is part of Thailand’s tourism development plans, a project of great importance and aimed at sustainable development in the future. Thailand’s tourism industry has been a significant contributor to the country’s development, providing about 20% of total employment and 12% of the country’s gross domestic product, worth about US$500 billion. Over the years, Thailand’s tourism industry has grown strongly and become an important pillar of the economy, especially in the context of a decline in manufacturing and exports, the traditional sectors of the Thai economy.
The development of Thailand's tourism industry has received strong support from the government, regulatory agencies and industry players, to facilitate domestic and international tourism and contribute to promoting overall economic growth.
