Thailand Revises Visa Policy, Indian Travel Outlook Remains Strong
The Thai cabinet has decided to discontinue the 60-day visa exemption for citizens of 93 countries, including India. Instead, Indian nationals will be offered a visa-on-arrival (VoA) service, a system previously in place before 2024. This adjustment is not anticipated to significantly dampen the strong and consistent demand for travel to Thailand from the Indian market.
Industry Experts View Visa Change Positively
Amit Gilani, owner of TravelButler, a Mumbai-based agency specializing in outbound group and independent travel bookings from India, stated that the visa-on-arrival option is considered sufficient for Indian tourists. He noted that the VoA fee of 2,000 baht is not prohibitive for most Indian travelers. Alternatively, an e-visa option is available for 1,000 baht.
Mr. Gilani suggested that this policy change could be instrumental in identifying individuals who might intend to overstay their visas or engage in illegal work in Thailand, based on past observations. “This is a positive step by Thailand,” Mr. Gilani commented. “Hopefully, this will not further tarnish India’s reputation.”
Potential for 15-Day Visa Exemption Explored
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is also considering a proposal to the National Visa Policy Committee that would grant Indian visitors a 15-day visa exemption. This consideration stems from India’s position as one of Thailand’s top five source markets for tourism.
Should this 15-day exemption be approved, Mr. Gilani believes it would adequately cater to the needs of most Indian travelers, as their typical stays rarely exceed two weeks, even for those booking wellness packages. TravelButler is currently promoting wellness retreats in Thailand, offering 12-15 day mental and physical rejuvenation programs at various hotels and resorts, a segment that is reportedly growing in popularity among Indian travelers.
Key Destinations and Future Projections
Phuket and Bangkok continue to be the primary draws for Indian tourists, supported by numerous direct flight connections from various Indian cities. Indian travelers are also showing increasing interest in exploring emerging destinations such as Koh Chang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Pai district. This expanded interest is being fueled by travel agents actively promoting these locations after participating in familiarization trips organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Patsee Permvongsenee, executive director of the Asean, South Asia, and South Pacific region at TAT, indicated that the agency had set a target of 2.55 million Indian tourists for the current year, contingent on the continuation of the visa exemption scheme. Last year, Thailand welcomed over 2.48 million Indian visitors, and as of June 7th, the country had already received 1.1 million Indian arrivals, positioning India as the third-largest inbound market.
Mrs. Permvongsenee acknowledged that if the VoA system is implemented, TAT might revise its tourism targets later in the year. Discussions with Indian travel agents suggest that the new visa regulations are more likely to impact mass tour groups rather than luxury and independent travelers.
