Thailand eyes 8 million tourists from China in 2024 as mutual visa exemption starts on March 1

China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on Sunday, set to take effect on March 1 this year.

During a media briefing after attending the signing ceremony in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the agreement would not only benefit tourism in Thailand and Chinese tourists but also enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Thailand had previously granted temporary visa waiver status for visitors from China, scheduled to end on February 29, 2024.

The Southeast Asian country aims to attract 8 million tourists from China this year, representing a 75 percent recovery compared to the 11.1 million Chinese tourists in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

Wang is currently visiting Thailand from January 26 to 29. He held a new round of meetings with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Bangkok on Friday and Saturday.

China has concluded mutual visa exemption agreements, covering various passport types, with 157 countries. Additionally, agreements or arrangements on simplified visa procedures have been reached with 44 countries. Comprehensive mutual visa exemption is enjoyed with 22 countries, including Singapore, the Maldives and Kazakhstan.

Currently, over 60 countries and regions grant Chinese citizens visa-free access or visas on arrival, significantly enhancing the convenience of Chinese citizens traveling abroad.