KATHMAMDU: Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to 93 countries and territories to boost its tourism industry. Under the new scheme, effective Monday, visitors can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, an increase from the previous allowance for passport holders from 57 countries. This reform intends to boost tourism, which is still below pre-pandemic levels despite a 35% rise in foreign tourist arrivals in the first half of 2024, reaching 17.5 million.

The Thai economy depends heavily on tourism, yet revenue from this industry in the first half of 2024 was only 858 billion baht ($23.6 billion; £18.3 billion), or less than 25% of the government's aim. Most tourists were from China, Malaysia, and India. The visa-free expansion is part of broader efforts to attract more visitors, alongside the introduction of a new five-year visa for remote workers allowing up to 180 days of stay per year, and a one-year post-graduation stay for international students with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Thailand has dropped plans to charge foreign tourists a tourism fee and renewed a two-year concession on hoteliers' operating expenses. Thailand welcomes millions of visitors each year drawn by its temples, beaches, mountains, and vibrant nightlife. These steps are intended to increase the country's attractiveness as a vacation destination.

Regarding how the nation's infrastructure will manage the influx of more tourists, there are worries. Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association, emphasized the need for national preparedness to ensure a positive visitor experience. Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, highlighted potential bottlenecks in air traffic due to possibly insufficient incoming flights to meet rising demand.

Safety concerns have also been raised, with rumors of tourists being kidnapped and taken to scam centers in Myanmar or Cambodia, and the impact of a fatal shooting at Bangkok's prominent shopping mall last year. These issues could affect tourists' perceptions and experiences in Thailand.