Foreign Visitors to Get Longer Visas Starting October 1

Foreign Visitors to Get Longer Visas Starting Oct. 1

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s proposal to extend the maximum stay of foreign visitors in the country. Holders of regular tourist visas will now be able to stay for 45 days instead of 30, while holders of visas on arrival can stay up to 30 days instead 15. This will take effect starting Oct. 1, 2022, until March 31, 2023.

“We are looking to extend their stay as this will help boost tourist spending, revive the economy, and reduce the impact of the pandemic,” CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin was quoted as saying.

He added that the CCSA will no longer be the ones handling the disease once the government declares COVID-19 endemic in October. By then, the main agency responsible for dealing with COVID-19-related concerns will be the emergency operations centre of the Public Health Ministry and the committees for provincial communicable disease. This is based on the “relatively limited number of severe cases and related fatalities” in Thailand.

“The goal is for people to be able to coexist safely with COVID-19 and live normal lives," Dr. Taweesilp said.

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