Thailand’s Cabinet on 14 July approved the restoration of a 30-day visa-free privilege for holders of Indian passports, reversing a May decision that had abruptly cut the permitted stay to 15 days. Tourism minister Sermsak Pongpanit told reporters that arrivals from India plunged more than 18 % in June after the shorter allowance came into force, alarming hoteliers and airlines that rely on the fast-growing outbound market. With the busy Durga Puja and Diwali travel season approaching, Bangkok wants to regain price-sensitive Indian travellers who were beginning to favour Malaysia and Vietnam—both of which currently waive visas for up to 30 days. The restored 30-day window will apply at all international airports and land borders from 15 July and can be used twice in a calendar year by air and once by land, exactly as before. E-arrival cards will automatically reflect the longer permission; travellers who already hold a paid tourist visa or an unused e-VOA may still use those documents if they wish. For Indian businesses, the decision removes a significant irritant that had complicated short-term project work, incentive travel and film shoots in Thailand’s popular resort provinces. Corporate travel managers can again book single-ticket itineraries without fretting about visa letters or extra fees, while destination-management companies expect group bookings to rebound within weeks. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air Asia have already announced flash sales on the Delhi–Bangkok and Mumbai–Phuket routes to stimulate demand. Travel advisors caution passengers to carry proof of onward travel and a minimum of THB 10,000 (about ₹23,000) in cash or credit, because Thai immigration officers continue to apply discretionary financial checks. Industry bodies meanwhile are lobbying for a multi-entry business visa on arrival that would mirror facilities India offers to Thai executives under the 2019 bilateral air-services pact.
Source: The Print
