Thailand soothes fears over visa scheme for Chinese visitors amid recent abductions

The policy aims to boost tourism revenue but risks misuse by low budget tours popular with Chinese visitors that are a bane for local businesses

The concerns also come amid a rise in abductions, sometimes fatal, involving Chinese nationals who attack their fellow citizens mainly for money

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Chinese tourists at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:30am, 14 Sep 2023

Thailand has sought to allay fears over a visa-free entry scheme for visitors from China, saying it would not lead to a surge in illegal Chinese businesses and transnational crime as the kingdom looks to inject more tourism dollars into its slowing economy.

Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsupakitkosol said the policy would amplify revenue generation in the travel industry – a key driver of the country’s growth – but acknowledged it also carries the risk of being misused by “zero-dollar” tours that have long irked local establishments.

The tours involve Chinese visitors paying Thai-based operators low prices for their package holiday. But once in the Southeast Asian nation, they are often pressured into buying overpriced food, accommodation and gifts.

Chinese tourists at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Chinese visitors accounted for nearly a third of Thailand’s almost 40 million tourist arrivals in 2019 before the pandemic. Photo: AFP

The government said the low-budget packages had tarnished Thailand’s image and police had frequently launched enforcement blitzes to rein in the tours.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who first proposed the temporary waiver, said it would be rolled out from September 25 to February 29 – Thailand’s peak holiday season – for guests from China and Kazakhstan.

Srettha said more Kazakh tourists were visiting Thailand, with a significant increase expected in the coming months due to harsh winter conditions at home.

The tourism-dependent country’s sandy beaches have drawn 18.5 million foreign visitors, including more than 2 million Chinese, so far this year.

Tourists on Phuket’s Mai Khao beach as a plane lands at the airport. The tourism-dependent country’s sandy beaches have drawn 18.5 million foreign visitors, including more than 2 million Chinese, so far this year. Photo: AFP