Thursday, January 23, 2025 Thailand’s tourism operators are urging the government to revise the visa-free policy for Chinese tourists, reducing the length of stay from the current 60 days to 15 days. This call comes as the sector grapples with concerns over illegal employment and transnational scams, which are affecting both the industry and its international reputation. Proposed Changes to Visa-Free Stays Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, acknowledged on January 20 that the private sector has raised concerns about the misuse of the visa-free scheme by foreign scammers.
While the policy currently permits a 60-day stay, operators suggest a 15-day limit, aligning with the typical 7–10 day travel duration of Chinese tourists. Thapanee emphasized, however, that the visa-free scheme remains vital for the industry, which is targeting 8.8 to 9 million Chinese tourists out of an anticipated 39–40 million total international arrivals in 2024.
Safety Concerns and Market Impact The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) has urged authorities to address safety issues that are reportedly deterring not only Chinese visitors but also other Asian travelers. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, TCT Vice President, highlighted that safety concerns have led to canceled bookings, particularly in Bangkok. According to the Thai Hotels Association, 4,572 room nights booked by Chinese tourists in January were canceled, including 2,001 in Bangkok.
The negative perception of sa.