(Image source from: Freepik.com)

Thailand extends visa exemption program for Indians:- Thailand is extending its visa exemption program for Indian and Taiwanese tourists for another six months. This means that visitors from these countries can enter Thailand without a visa until November 11, 2024, for a maximum stay of 30 days. The aim of this move is to boost Thailand's economy, which heavily relies on tourism. The announcement came from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Thailand plans to encourage longer stays and more frequent visits from these countries by extending the exemption.

This extension follows the success of the initial waiver implemented last November, where tourists from India and Taiwan were allowed to stay for only 15 days under a visa-on-arrival scheme. Thailand is also relaxing visa rules for travelers from other primary tourism markets such as China and Russia. In the first four months of 2024, Thailand welcomed over 12 million foreign tourists, a 39% increase from the same period last year. This year, 50% of all arrivals can be attributed to this particular period.