BANGKOK: Chinese tourists landing in Bangkok got a VIP welcome on Monday (Sep 25), as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin personally greeted the first batch of visitors to arrive in Thailand after it waived visas for Chinese nationals to boost the key tourism industry.
Dancers in traditional costumes and puppeteers put on performances for the bemused visitors, who came in on a flight from Shanghai. Many stopped to take selfies with Srettha.
Tourism is a crucial driver of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, known for its picturesque beaches and vibrant nightlife, and reviving an industry that was hard hit by the pandemic is one of the priorities of newly elected Srettha, who inherited an underperforming economy.
China’s own post-pandemic economic woes, however, have meant fewer tourists from what was once Thailand’s biggest market are flying in, a situation Srettha hopes the visa waiver can help fix.
“We are confident this policy will stimulate the economy,” the prime minister told reporters at Suvarnabhumi airport, adding that tourist safety will be prioritised.
The visa waiver programme runs from Sep 25 until February next year. The government expects 2.88 million Chinese visitors during that 5-month period, slightly higher than the 2.34 million Chinese who have visited this year.
The visa waiver was helping draw in new visitors by making it simpler to enter, said tourist Gu Siyi, 25, who was travelling to Thailand for the first time with friends.
“More Chinese tourists come to Thailand for holiday, because it is indeed very convenient,” he said.
Source: CNA
