The Thai government on Tuesday said that it would extend its visa waiver program for Taiwanese passport holders for six months, expecting to attract 700,000 Taiwanese visitors this year.
Thailand first announced a six-month visa waiver for Taiwanese starting on Nov. 10 last year. The program was to end on tomorrow, but Thai authorities extended it to Nov. 11. The decision was approved at a meeting of the Thai Cabinet.
The program grants Republic of China (Taiwan) passport holders traveling to Thailand for tourism purposes a visa-free stay of up to 30 days. Before the program, Taiwanese were required to pay NT$1,200 per person for a Thai visa.
Photo courtesy of MOFA
In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the move by the Thai government to extend visa waivers for Taiwanese travelers was very welcome. The Thai government’s decision shows that the New Southbound Policy of the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has paid off, it said.
The New Southbound Policy aims to enhance trade and exchanges between Taiwan and 18 countries in Southeast and South Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand, to reduce Taiwan’s dependence on China.
Thailand is an important partner under the New Southbound Policy and also a popular destination among Taiwanese, the ministry said, adding that it would continue to seek more visa waivers or other measures that provide greater convenience for Taiwanese travelers.
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