The Thai Consular Department has paid attention to this issue when it revealed that the number of Thais overstaying in Japan has increased from 8.688 in 2021 to 11.472 in 2023.
Reports suggest that the Japanese government has called on Thailand to quickly resolve the above issue, warning that the visa-free policy could be at risk by 2025 if not resolved.
Even so, Chotechuang Soorangura, Vice President of the Thai Tourism Association, reassured Thais that the number of overstay guests, when compared to nearly 1 million Thais traveling abroad in 2023, is relatively low. small, accounting for less than 2%.
Thai tourists fleeing back to Japan raise concerns about visa exemption policy
Chotechuang added that, if Japan decides to reimpose visa requirements, this would likely only be done after Expo 2025, which Osaka hosts from April to October. in line with Tokyo's commitment to accommodate the number of tourists attending the six-month event.
He reassured Thai tourists there is no need to worry about stricter immigration screening processes at Japanese airports as the country continues to rely heavily on tourism for economic growth.
However, Chotechuang also warned that due to the ongoing overtourism in Japan, many attractions may begin to impose taxes or even bans to manage the number of visitors. This follows the imposition of a $13 fee and daily visitor quota at Mount Fuji as well as a proposed new tax on foreign visitors in Osaka. Notably, Kyoto's famous Gion district will ban foreign tourists from private streets from April due to local residents' dissatisfaction with the sudden increase in the number of visitors, Bangkok Post news.
Since July 7.2013, Japan has waived visas for Thai tourists to promote tourism after the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. This plan was temporarily paused during the pandemic but was restored in October 10.2022.
