Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed allegations that the nation’s entry process for Chinese visitors is overly complex. It affirms the existence of a streamlined visa procedure, providing an easy entry to Chinese tourists.
The tourism sector had criticized the government for imposing restrictive visa regulations, allegedly discouraging Chinese tourists from considering Thailand as a destination. This situation could potentially lead to a hefty loss of 250 billion baht in tourism revenue.
At a recent Thai Sang Thai Party meeting, tourism stakeholders voiced their concerns. They argued that the stringent visa norms intended to thwart illegal activities by Chinese criminals are also dissuading genuine Chinese tourists.
Addressing these concerns, Ministry spokesperson, Kanchana Patarachoke, said on June 14 that the government is committed to finding a middle ground between safeguarding national security and fostering tourism growth.
Patarachoke reassured that Chinese visitors have straightforward options for visas on arrival or electronic visas. She clarified that the e-visa system at www.thaievisa.go.th, requiring minimal documentation, ensures a smooth application process with cross-sector data integration.
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According to Patarachoke, the e-visa system is equipped to process up to 5 million applications annually, a capacity that could be expanded to 15 million. She firmly denied allegations about Thailand imposing a quota on visas for Chinese tourists.
The Ministry’s focus, she insisted, is to maintain checks at points of entry to prevent illicit workers, unauthorized entries into Thailand, and visa violations.
The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, has developed guidelines to meet the ambitious goal of five million Chinese visitors to Thailand this year. The Government remains devoted to maintaining national security alongside an efficient immigration screening system.
China has historically been Thailand’s most significant foreign tourism market, with Chinese tourists making up around 28% of all arrivals in 2019.
Source: The Star
