Thailand promotes common visa with Vietnam and 4 other Southeast Asian countries

Thailand is pushing a joint visa program initiative with regional countries to attract more long-haul, high-spending tourists.

According to the Economic Times , Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin - who is committed to upgrading Thailand's status from a tourist hotspot to an aviation and logistics hub - has discussed the idea of an EU-style Schengen visa with his counterparts in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam in recent months. The idea is to ensure seamless travel for tourists between six neighboring countries that share a single visa.

Can international tourists visit Vietnam and 5 other countries in the region with just one visa?

BUI VAN HAI

With most leaders responding positively to the concept of a common visa, tourism-reliant Thailand aims to generate more revenue per tourist and support its economy against headwinds such as sluggish exports and weak global demand that are hurting its manufacturing sector. The six Southeast Asian countries are expected to attract a total of 70 million foreign tourists by 2023, according to official data. Thailand and Malaysia account for more than half of the total, or about $48 billion in tourism revenue. The common visa is the most ambitious of Srettha’s tourism initiatives, with a long-term goal. The industry has served the country well, accounting for about 20% of total employment and about 12% of Thailand’s $500 billion economy. “A common visa could make it easier for long-haul travelers to make the decision,” said Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, former president of the Thai Hotels Association. The visa’s validity would need to be extended to 90 days from the usual 30 days to make it attractive, she added. The common Schengen visa allows travelers to move freely between 27 border-free countries within the EU.

Thanhnien.vn