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30-day visa-free for Saudis; estimated to bring Thailand $5 billion a year

The Thai Cabinet has updated the list of visa-free countries that allow Saudi Arabian passport holders to stay in the country for up to 30 days, hoping to boost tourism after COVID-19.

On June 7, 2022, Ms Traisuli Traisornkul, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the Cabinet approved the addition of Saudi Arabia to the list of countries which passport holders or documents substitute passports can freely enter the Kingdom for travel, with visa exemption for up to 30 days.

As a result of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Saudi Arabia and the two sides announced a complete return of diplomatic relations between them. A critical outcome of the discussion was promoting contact between the nationals.

This policy will allow more Saudis to travel to Thailand; initially, the Saudi government would allow around 30,000 Saudis to travel to Thailand a year, and it will increase to 100,000-150,000 a year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with relevant agencies on February 4, 2022. All agencies have no objection to increasing Saudi Arabia’s rights in this matter as it is in line with the government’s policy to promote the attraction of foreign tourists to revitalize the economy after the Covid-19 epidemic.

It will help promote income distribution to different regions, and Saudis are also quality tourists. They have high spending and often travel with extended family. It was estimated to be able to generate income for Thailand at least 5 billion baht per year.

Ms Traisuli said, before this policy, Saudi passport holders could apply for a visa at the immigration clearance (Visa on Arrival: VoA) for 15 days in Thailand for a fee of 2,000 baht per person.

Prayut emphasized that they must be proud of each other

General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, announced today the Cabinet had approved passport holders from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to travel in the country for 30 days without a visa.

It is a continuation that he has succeeded in restoring relations with Saudi Arabia; it will lead to further cooperation, including exporting food and labour and opening flights from Bangkok to Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia. On this policy, a large number of Saudis will travel to Thailand. There will be opportunities for people in the export, labour and tourism sectors to benefit. This is the success of our work that we have been working together for both the public and private sectors. We must be proud that we have worked together until our success today.

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