As part of an agreement on legal cooperation, the Russian and Thai governments have agreed to increase the visa-free period for tourism to 90 days
The Governments of Russia and Thailand will increase to 90 days visa-free stay for citizens arriving in the countries for tourism purposes, said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, on an evening program on NBT television on Friday.
Responding to a TV presenter’s question about maintaining the extended visa-free period to 45 days for citizens of certain countries introduced during the pandemic, the minister also said that as part of an extradition and legal cooperation agreement with Russia, governments have also agreed to extend the visa-free period to 90 days.
Tourists from Russia fall into two main groups, the first and most massive being Russians arriving as part of organized tourist groups who rarely stay in the country for more than two weeks, Phiphat said.
The second group consists of well-off families with children and solo travelers who come to Thailand for a period of cold weather at the home of more than 30 or 45 days. It is this group of tourists, in the first place, is designed to increase visa-free stays, the minister explained.
Given the number of Russians arriving in the Kingdom recently, reducing the number of visits to the immigration office to extend stays each month, relieves the staff of the service. It would also eliminate the corruption component from the procedure, explained Phiphat.
The minister said that the inter-governmental agreement on a 90-day visa-free entry will take effect from June 1, 2023, after approval by Parliament, elections for which are scheduled for May. The government will make an official announcement next week, the minister added.
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