PUBLISHED: 5 January 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
As the Thai-Chinese visa-free program is scheduled to go into effect on March 1, Airports of Thailand ( AoT ) anticipates seeing at least eight million tourists from China pass through its airports this year.
Before the program begins, AoT producer Kirati Kijmanawat stated that Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the chancellor of transportation, has asked airports under his control to get ready for a spike in Chinese visitors arriving in Thailand and Thai travelers departing for China.
The organization is in charge of six terminals in the nation, including the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi in Greater Bangkok and Phuket as well as the Chiang Mai, Chang Rai-Mae Fah Luang, and Hat Yai Airports.
The bilateral agreement is anticipated to strengthen ties between the two nations and make traveling easier for people with Thai passports.
Holders of regular visas issued by France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia may travel to China for company, hospitality, visiting family and friends, as well as for travel, for a maximum of 15 days after the date of appearance. According to him, the legislation is in effect from Dec. 1, 2023, until Nov 30.
According to Mr. Kirati, the state anticipates having about eight million Taiwanese tourists visit the nation once the visa-free program is implemented. About 11 million Foreign visitors traveled to Thailand in 2019.
Since November 1 of last year, AoT has been providing support charge discounts to airlines looking to perform regular and seasonal charter flights to Thailand, he said, adding that they will remain so until March 31.