Thailand waives visa fees on arrival from India

  • | Wednesday | 14th November, 2018

KOLKATA: Thailand on Tuesday announced the waiver of visa fees on arrival from India and 20 other countries, including China, to give the tourism sector a fillip. Around 3 lakh people travel to Thailand annually from Kolkata with close to 1,000 seats on offer daily. Tourism is the biggest contributor to Thai economy that relies heavily on spending by holidayers. Travellers from Kolkata will save around 2,000 baht or Rs 4,600. Besides, there was a major drop in Chinese tourists following a tour boat accident off Phuket that sparked safety concerns.The visa waiver is an attempt by Thai authorities to stem the slide and will be in effect till January 13, 2019.

KOLKATA: Thailand on Tuesday announced the waiver of visa fees on arrival from India and 20 other countries, including China, to give the tourism sector a fillip. Travellers from Kolkata will save around 2,000 baht or Rs 4,600. However, those who apply for visa in India before travelling will still have to shell out Rs 2,715 per person, inclusive of charges levied by facilitator VFS.According to Travel Agents Federation of India chairman (east) Anil Punjabi, the fee waiver is aimed at attracting more Chinese and Indian tourists, the two top spenders in the country. Around 3 lakh people travel to Thailand annually from Kolkata with close to 1,000 seats on offer daily. However, in recent times, Malaysia and Indonesia (particularly Bali) are emerging as destinations following over-exposure to Thai destinations.Trade traffic had also reflected a dip owing to slump in demand and high Customs duty. Besides, there was a major drop in Chinese tourists following a tour boat accident off Phuket that sparked safety concerns.The visa waiver is an attempt by Thai authorities to stem the slide and will be in effect till January 13, 2019. Tourism is the biggest contributor to Thai economy that relies heavily on spending by holidayers.

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