Taiwan seeking visa-free entry for tourists into Thailand

PHOTO: The Nation

Taiwan is seeking visa-fee entry into Thailand. A representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, Chen-Yuan Tung, says visa free entry will attract more Taiwanese tourists and investors to the Kingdom.

There were 370,000 Taiwanese visitors to Thailand in the first half od this year, a drop of 3.7 per cent. In stark contrast ,Thai tourists visiting Taiwan during the same period were up 73 per cent to 182,000 people taking advantage of Taiwan’s visa waiver status for Thailand. Chen-Yuan Tung says Thailand’s lack of reciprocity seems to contrast with the trend among other nations. Taiwan has already obtained visa-waiver status from 124 countries.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is announcing its new “Southbound” policy which will mean more educational opportunities for people from all ASEAN countries, including Thailand.

The Taiwanese Education Minister Pan Wen-chung says, “In line with the policy, our government will offer more scholarships for academic staff and students from Southeast Asian nations to boost the development of the region’s human resource.”

Fifteen scholarships are being granted via the Thai Ministry of Education this year, which will cover 20,000 Baht personal expenses per month for Masters Degree students and 15,000 Baht for undergraduate students on top of a 40,000 Baht contribution towards the tuition fees.

Last year, Taiwan granted 193 scholarships for undergraduates from ASEAN countries and 1,700 students from Thailand attended undergraduate courses in the island state. The Taiwanese ministry hopes to attract more ASEAN students in the future.

SOURCE: The Nation