Thailand may extend free tourist visa promotion
In a bid to woo international visitors, Thailand has proposed the extension of a promotion giving free tourist visas. Under the current promotion effective from 1 December 2016 until 28 February 2017, single-entry tourist visas issued at Thai embassies and consulates worldwide are free of charge.
Thailand’s tourism-minister says extending the offer for another three months would likely encourage more people to choose Thailand for their holidays. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul was attending an ASEAN forum in Singapore and she told attendees the extension would give the national tourism industry a shot in the arm as the traditional off-peak season is fast approaching.
Although passport-holders from the US, the UK, most EU countries and another 50 nations are offered visa-exempt entry for 30 days at Thai airports, others have to pre-apply for tourist visas or obtain visas on arrival. Standard tourist visas cost the equivalent of THB1,000 and give 60 days in-country from the date of entry.
Visas on arrival usually cost THB2,000, but during the current promotional period the price has been halved to THB1,000. MS Wattanavrangkul did not state whether this promotion would be extended as well. People taking advantage of the free visa option will find 12GO ASIA provides economically priced tickets on routes from Bangkok to the likes of Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Tao and Trang.
Increased admission fees at Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park have helped generate record income. Angkor Enterprise handles ticket issuing services for the park and reported earlier this month that income for May this year was almost 100 per cent higher than for May 2016.
Two of Thailand’s airlines were awarded several prizes in the recently announced Skytrax World Airline Awards 2017. National carrier Thai Airways scooped the top ranking in the category for economy class while Bangkok Airways was the number one regional airline in Asia as well as the world.
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