China News Service, March 1 (Zhang Naiyue) On March 1, the "Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Royal Government of Thailand on Mutual Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passport Holders" officially came into effect.
According to the agreement, Chinese people holding ordinary official passports and ordinary passports, and Thai people holding ordinary passports, will be able to enter the other country without a visa for a single stay of no more than 30 days (a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days in every 180 days).
This means that China and Thailand have officially entered the "visa-free era", making travel more convenient for people and making trade between the two countries smoother.
As China’s visa-free “circle of friends” continues to expand, the “gold content” of Chinese passports is also getting higher and higher.
Data map: Phuket, Thailand.
Just leave! China and Thailand enter the "visa-free era"
Sunshine, beaches, islands, ancient temples... Thailand, with its beautiful scenery and unique culture, has always attracted a large number of tourists to go sightseeing and vacation.
Thailand borders the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, has a long coastline and many islands, and has an average annual temperature of 27 degrees Celsius.
The warm climate and stunning sea views attract thousands of tourists.
Whether it’s “checking in” at internet celebrity attractions, staying in a beachside villa, or “island hopping” visiting niche islands, it’s all fun.
This country located in the south-central part of the Indochina Peninsula has a population of about 67.9 million and more than 30 ethnic groups. More than 90% of the people believe in Buddhism.
The unique customs and customs here have also attracted the attention of tourists from all over the world.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has a strong urban atmosphere, with both magnificent ancient buildings and bustling commercial centers, suitable for experiencing the collision and excitement brought by multiculturalism; Chiang Mai, known as the "Rose of the North", has beautiful scenery and profound history and culture. Here, you can enjoy the ancient ruins and beautiful scenery leisurely...
Data map: Streets of Bangkok, Thailand.
For Thai tourists, China, a vast country with magnificent and beautiful natural landscapes, ancient and mysterious history and culture, contains huge exploration value.
Whether it is historical sites or modern cities, they are all fascinating.
No need for a visa, just pack your bags and set off. After the China-Thailand Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement comes into effect, "just go" travel is just around the corner.
Come whenever you want! Mutually beneficial cooperation has broad prospects
"China's consumption is recovering, which will support economic recovery. This will also boost Thailand's economy, because China is Thailand's largest trading partner, and more Chinese tourists will travel to Thailand." "Bangkok Post" wrote.
In fact, before the visa-free agreement officially came into effect, Thailand had implemented a phased visa-free policy for Chinese tourists from September 25, 2023 to February 29, 2024, attracting a large number of Chinese tourists to travel to Thailand.
From January 1 to February 25, 2024, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand exceeded 1 million, ranking first among foreign tourists visiting Thailand. This shows that the visa-free initiative has brought huge benefits to the tourism industry, one of Thailand's pillar industries. .
Mutual visa exemption has brought great convenience to Chinese and Thai tourists traveling in both directions. It has also promoted personnel exchanges and business communication, allowing those who want to engage in cross-border cooperation and investment to come whenever they want.
Data map: Beijing Daxing Airport.
Photo by China News Service reporter Tomita
China and Thailand have close economic and trade relations. China is Thailand's largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment. Thailand is China's third largest trading partner among ASEAN countries, with bilateral trade volume reaching US$135 billion in 2022.
Thailand has superior hydrothermal conditions and is rich in rice, tropical fruits and other agricultural products, and China is the largest export destination of Thai agricultural products.
Thai rice, natural rubber and tropical fruits are popular in the Chinese market.
In addition, cooperation between China and Thailand continues to deepen under the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and more than 90% of goods trade in the region will eventually achieve zero tariffs.
As important countries in the region, China and Thailand have broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.
With the implementation of the new visa-free policy, exchanges between Chinese and Thai people in business, study, tourism and other aspects will become closer, helping the development of the two countries and the region.
Kiss more kiss! China and Thailand welcome milestone in cultural exchanges
With the arrival of the new visa-free policy, China and Thailand are also actively preparing to provide more convenient conditions for the exchanges between the two peoples.
In September 2023, the new terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, was officially opened. This terminal can take off and land up to 28 aircraft at the same time, and can transport 15 million passengers every year.
To facilitate travel, many airlines also plan to expand routes or add flights.
Thai Airways will increase flights between Bangkok and major cities in China from March 31. The round-trip flights between Bangkok, Kunming and Chengdu will increase from 5 and 4 flights per week to 7 flights per week.
In terms of providing convenient digital services, Chinese and Thai companies cooperate closely.
In Bangkok, all 68 stations of the Dark Green Line and Light Green Line of the light rail have fully implemented WeChat payment, allowing passengers to pay easily and travel smoothly.
Data map: The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ta Peni, director of the National Tourism Administration of Thailand, once said that by reintegrating tourism products and attraction resources, the Thai tourism department hopes to further improve the satisfaction of Chinese tourists and create a pleasant and unforgettable travel experience for tourists.
"The signing of the (Mutual Exemption) Agreement is an important milestone in the long-term promotion of cultural exchanges between the two countries, especially in tourism, economic and trade exchanges and personnel exchanges." The Thai Embassy in China wrote.
Thai Prime Minister Seetha also said, "The signing of a mutual visa exemption agreement (by Thailand and China) will be conducive to closer economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, enhance the friendship between the people, and make Thailand and China closer." (End)