# Thailand and China sign mutual visa waivers starting from March 1

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/china/124107-thailand-and-china-have-agreed-to-mutual-visa-waivers-starting-from-march-1
- Published: 2024-01-28T14:17:34+07:00
- Author: Zhang Fang

Thailand and China have agreed to waive visa requirements for each other’s nationals
to boost travel and tourism between the two countries, which were impacted by COVID-
19.

## Key Takeaways

 * The visa exemption is expected to significantly increase the number of Chinese
   tourists visiting Thailand, benefiting the Southeast Asian nation’s economy.
 * The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand dropped to 3.5 million last 
   year from 11 million in 2019 before the pandemic.
 * In addition to the visa agreement, Beijing and Bangkok have committed to accelerating
   the construction of the China-Thailand railway and cooperating in combating transnational
   crimes.

The visa exemption will be effective from March 1 allowing for a maximum stay of
30 days per entry. This move is expected to increase the number of Chinese tourists
visiting Thailand, which had significantly decreased during the pandemic.

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Both countries also agreed to hold annual consultations between their foreign ministers,
signed agreements on poultry exports, and pledged support for Chinese companies 
investing in Thailand, demonstrating a commitment to strengthen economic and diplomatic
ties.

[Chinese tourists](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/tourism/108848-chinese-visitor-arrivals-still-below-pre-covid-levels)
were the largest group before the pandemic and accounted for a significant portion
of Thailand’s tourist arrivals. The visa exemption aims to enhance people-to-people
exchanges and is expected to stimulate the post-pandemic recovery.

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The tourism authority of Thailand estimates that this program will bring in 700,000
new arrivals, with an expected increase in Chinese tourists in the coming years.