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90 Days Visa exemption extended to Russian tourists
The Cabinet meeting in Thailand has agreed to extend the period of temporary stay for Russian tourists from 30 to 90 days, starting from November 1, 2023.
Key Takeaways
- The Thai Cabinet has extended the temporary stay period for Russian tourists from 30 to 90 days, aiming to boost tourism during the winter months.
- The increase in visa-free stay is seen as a positive development and a gesture of friendship between Thailand and Russia, with potential for negotiations to improve bilateral relations.
- Russian tourists ranked fifth in the number of international tourists visiting Thailand, with nearly 1 million visitors between January and October 2023, highlighting their significance to the country’s tourism industry.
This decision aims to boost tourism and attract more Russian visitors during the winter season. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring tourist safety and preventing visa overstays.
Russian tourists ranked fifth in terms of international tourists entering Thailand, with 994,431 visitors between January and October 2023. Prior to the pandemic, Thailand had the highest number of Russian tourists among Europeans in 2019.
Phuket has long been a favorite to escape Russia’s harsh winter, but a surge in property sales since President Vladimir Putin ordered mobilization in September 2022 suggests that many intend to stay longer than the typical holiday.
Last year, Russians bought nearly 40% of all condominiums sold to foreigners in Phuket, according to the Thai Real Estate Information Center, Al Jazeera reported.
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