China and Thailand Sign Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement, Expected to Boost Tourism
On January 28, 2024, the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Royal Government of Thailand held a signing ceremony in Bangkok for an agreement on mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders. The agreement is set to take effect on March 1, 2024.
With this agreement in place, it is expected that the number of Thai tourists traveling to China will increase. Thai tourism industry insiders believe that the younger generation, in particular, who are fans of Chinese TV series and pop culture, will be more inclined to visit China.
Reporting from Bangkok, headquarters reporter Yang Tanli stated that Thai economists predict a gradual increase in the number of Thai tourists traveling to China, with a potential 20% rise in total travelers.
Sidiwa Jivaradanapon, President of the Thailand Travel and Tourism Association, expressed excitement about the prospect of Thai people participating in China’s festivals and experiencing activities such as the Ice and Snow World in Harbin.
Furthermore, Lin Chuqin, Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, shared statistics indicating that bilateral exchanges between the people of China and Thailand reached 3 to 4 million in 2023. With the visa-free agreement expected to triple the number of exchanges, reaching 10 million in 2024.
This development is anticipated to further strengthen the cultural and economic ties between China and Thailand, benefiting both nations in terms of tourism and people-to-people exchanges.