Visa extensions for foreign visitors to Thailand coming in October

It’s official, that Thailand’s CCSA has said yes to longer visas for foreign travellers to the country. Starting October 1 this year, the exemption period extension for foreign visitors will be extended from 30 days to 45 days. Meanwhile, the visa-on-arrival scheme will go from 15 days to 30 days, the CCSA announced yesterday. The visa extensions will last until March 31, 2023.

The new visa extensions are part of Thai officials’ efforts to up the country’s tourism economy. Thailand has drawn 3.3 million foreign tourists between January and July this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Dr Taweesilp said…

“We are looking to extend their stay as this will help boost tourist spending, revive the economy and reduce the impact of the pandemic.”

Officials have made different predictions on the total number of foreign visitors expected to arrive in the kingdom this year. In July, the Tourism and Sports Ministry said it expected about 9.3 million foreign visitors to arrive in the ‘Land of Smiles’ in 2022.

Dr Taweeslip said that in October, the government will declare Covid-19 endemic. He said the current Covid-19 situation is “at the green level”, with 2,000-3999 inpatients, and 11-39 deaths a day. Dr Taweeslip added that 201-399 inpatients are dependent on ventilators, and infection clusters are limited.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News | Bangkok Post