Thailand’s cabinet has given the green light to a plan that will allow Russian tourists to stay in the country without a visa for up to two months. This move comes as Thailand looks to boost its tourism sector in order to aid its economic recovery.
According to deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Suwankiri, Russian passport-holders who arrive in Thailand between May and July will be able to stay for up to 60 days per trip under the new measure. This new rule will come into effect after the current arrangement, which allows Russians to stay for up to 90 days, expires at the end of the month.
Thailand, heavily reliant on tourism, has been making efforts to attract visitors from key markets such as China and India. Russians are the third-largest group of visitors to Thailand this year, following Chinese and Malaysians.
“This is a special case and it’s temporary,” Rudklao stated, referring to the cabinet’s decision to extend the visa-free stay for Russians. “The extension will help attract more Russian tourists during those three months, generating more tourism income and boosting the economy.”
Tourism plays a crucial role in Thailand’s economy, accounting for about 20% of total jobs and contributing around 12% to the nation’s $500 billion economy. The government aims to attract 80 million tourists by 2027.
With Russian tourist arrivals surpassing 700,000 so far this year and on track to exceed 1.48 million in 2023, this new visa-free stay policy is expected to further boost tourism in Thailand and drive economic growth.