Signed, sealed, delivered. The Thai and Chinese governments have signed a reciprocal visa waiver agreement, aimed at boosting tourism between both countries.
Thai PM Srettha Thavisin initially introduced a temporary visa waiver for Chinese tourists that was due to expire at the end of this month. The arrangement has now been made permanent, with Beijing returning the favour for Thai citizens travelling to China.
The agreement was recently signed by Thailand’s foreign affairs minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. It’s understood the arrangement officially takes effect from March 1, according to a report from the National News Bureau of Thailand.
Thailand is struggling to attract anything like the number of Chinese visitors seen in pre-pandemic times, when 11 million arrived in the kingdom in 2019. Last year, the figure was just 3.5 million.
According to the report, both China and Thailand have also agreed to accelerate work on the China – Thailand rail link, as well as working together to fight transnational crime.
SOURCE: National News Bureau of Thailand
