World

Thai cabinet acknowledges visa measures to boost tourism, economy

Implemented short-term measures include designating 93 countries and territories eligible for a special visa exemption, allowing stays of up to 60 days for tourism, short-term work, or business.

Immigration authorities introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which has been in use since May 1, 2025. (Source: thailand.prd.go.th)
Immigration authorities introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which has been in use since May 1, 2025. (Source: thailand.prd.go.th)

Hanoi (NNT/VNA) – The Thai Cabinet has acknowledged visa measures and guidelines proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote tourism and stimulate the country’s economy, in line with the Cabinet resolution of May 28, 2024.

The measures are organised into short-, medium-, and long-term frameworks. The Department of Consular Affairs has summarised progress as follows.

Implemented short-term measures include designating 93 countries and territories eligible for a special visa exemption, allowing stays of up to 60 days for tourism, short-term work, or business. Thailand has also approved an initial list of 31 countries and territories eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA).

Thailand has also introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) to attract high-quality visitors, digital nomads, and participants in cultural activities such as Muay Thai, traditional Thai massage, Thai cooking, and other soft-power initiatives.

The Cabinet approved the ED Plus non-immigrant visa for foreigners entering Thailand for study or for study combined with work.

A visa policy committee has been reappointed, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold additional meetings.

Medium-term measures include reducing the number of non-immigrant visa codes from 17 to 7, effective August 31, 2025, and expanding the e-Visa system to all 94 Thai embassies and consulates worldwide, effective January 1, 2025.

Long-term measures focus on developing online pre-travel authorisation systems. Immigration authorities introduced the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which has been in use since May 1, 2025.

Ongoing measures include a second-phase expansion of VOA eligibility to eight additional countries and revised long-stay visa criteria for elderly foreigners seeking retirement in Thailand.

The ministry noted observations regarding potential impacts on national security and Thailand’s image, as some foreign nationals have misused visa exemptions for unauthorised work or illegal activities. The newly appointed visa policy committee will review these measures at the earliest opportunity./.

VNA
#Thai tourism #Thai economy #Thai cabinet Thailand
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

TikTok confirms long-term investment in Thailand

TikTok confirms long-term investment in Thailand

TikTok confirmed long-term investment plans in Thailand valued at more than 270 billion THB (8.56 billion USD) and outlined proposals to support small and medium-sized enterprises by improving market access and income generation.

See more

Indonesian authorities rescue 34 stranded pilot whales

Indonesian authorities rescue 34 stranded pilot whales

The agency's head Imam Fauzi said his team conducted rescue operations for a total of 55 stranded whales from March 9 night to March 10 in a coordinated effort involving local security forces, conservation agencies, officials, and residents. Twenty-one whales were declared dead after stranding.

Indonesia shipped 1.8 million tonnes of palm oil to the Middle East in 2025. (Photo: REUTERS)

Middle East conflict pushes up Indonesia’s palm oil export costs

The conflict, which intensified after coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iran’s capital Tehran late last month, had disrupted key maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, some cargo vessels were delayed or forced to take longer alternative routes, raising transport expenses and maritime insurance premiums.

Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform Rini Widyantini (Photo: beritasatu.com)

Indonesia steps up plan to relocate civil servants to new capital

A meeting to review progress and implementation mechanisms for the relocation plan focused on office capacity in Nusantara, the availability of official housing and the criteria for selecting ministries and agencies that will relocate in the initial phase.

Delegates at the press briefing (Photo: Tempo.co)

Indonesia likely to achieve 6% growth amid geopolitical uncertainty

At a press briefing in Jakarta on March 11 to release the state budget report, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi said the Indonesian economy remained in an expansionary phase, with macroeconomic indicators staying stable. He noted that first-quarter growth was expected to exceed the 5.39% recorded in the final quarter of 2025.

Illustrative image (Photo: Nikkei)

Cambodia increases control of fuel trading

The Cambodian Ministry of Commerce requested fuel distributors and suppliers to instruct units within their networks to strictly manage fuel trading activities in accordance with technical standards, operational procedures and their internal regulations.

International visitors gather at a Vietnamese coffee stand during an event held at the United Nations headquarters. (Photo: VNA)

UN adopts resolution designating International Coffee Day

As a member of the core group promoting the initiative, Vietnam actively worked with partners to advance the proposal, helping strengthen international cooperation for the sustainable development of the global coffee value chain while promoting the image and value of Vietnamese coffee worldwide.

Participants at the WTO’s first regular meeting in 2026 in Geneva (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam pushes for consensus ahead of WTO ministerial conference

Vietnam stressed the importance of ensuring policy space for WTO members, particularly amid green and digital transitions, while calling for the full and effective restoration of the WTO’s dispute settlement system – an important pillar of the multilateral trading system.

Illustrative photo: Internet

Malaysia’s semiconductor market may reach 4.6 billion USD by 2030

Based on forecasts by LightCounting, a market research firm specialising in optical communications and photonics, the OSAT share of the datacom market in Malaysia could grow from about 1.7 billion USD in 2025 to 4.6 billion USD by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of around 22%.

BMA Governor Chadchart Sittipunt (Source: pattayamail.com)

Bangkok moves to respond to summer heat

The BMA has identified hundreds of strategic locations to help reduce the risk of heatstroke among residents. More than 600 cooling spots have been set up at parks, BMA-run schools, vocational colleges, health centres and 50 district offices. The city administration has also activated 2,806 clean drinking water stations across all 50 districts of the capital.

Illustrative Image (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand unveils resilience strategy to balance exports

Thailand’s exports reached 339.635 billion USD in 2025, the highest on record and up 12.9% from 2024. In January 2026, exports continued strong growth, rising 24.4% year-on-year to 31.57 billion USD, marking the 19th consecutive month of expansion.

Indonesian Deputy Chair of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) Alex Indra Lukman. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia’s rice reserve sufficient for nearly one year

Data from the Ministry of Agriculture showed that the country’s total rice reserve stands at nearly 28 million tonnes, including 3.76 million tonnes managed by the state logistics agency Bulog, 12.5 million tonnes held by households, and about 11.73 million tonnes of standing crop awaiting harvest.