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The visa-free policy for Chinese tourists lasts for five months, from September 25th to February 2024. The Thai government expects to welcome approximately 2.9 million Chinese tourists during this period, generating billions of USD in revenue.
"Thailand is delighted to welcome all our brothers and sisters from China. Our country has many beautiful beaches and diverse Thai cuisine. I hope everyone will have a safe and memorable trip," Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin wrote on Twitter on September 30.
Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said that in the first two days of implementing the visa-free program, Thailand welcomed 22,000 Chinese tourists.
The country expects to reap profits worth $3.8 billion from this program.
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin greets Chinese delegation at Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 25 - Photo: REUTERS
The visa waiver program is one of the Thai government's efforts to boost tourism revenue back to pre-COVID-19 levels, with a target of $84.1 billion in 2024.
To date, Thailand has welcomed 19.5 million international visitors, with a target of 28 million by the end of the year.
According to the Thai Ministry of Tourism, as of September 25th, tourists from Malaysia topped the list of visitors to Thailand, with 3.2 million arrivals. This was followed by tourists from China with 2.4 million arrivals.
Mr. Wacharonke cited figures from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand showing that 650,000 tourists from China had booked tours to the country in October 2023. Thailand expects to welcome between 4 and 4.4 million Chinese tourists in 2023.
According to Mr. Wacharonke, the visa waiver program also came at the right time, coinciding with the Golden Week holiday for Chinese people celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.
