Thailand's new permanent visa-free policy effective from March 1 this year, in addition to previously giving temporary visa waiver status to Chinese tourists, has sparked an irresistible allure to Chinese tourists, fueling their fervor to explore the wonders of Thailand.

Announced by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Jan. 2, the decision to permanently waive visa requirements for Chinese citizens propelled Thailand to become one of the top three sought-after destinations for Chinese tourists during the recent New Year holiday, as reported by a leading Chinese tourism website.
The positive impact of the new policy is palpable, with an influx of travel groups arriving and tour guide Gao Dujuan expressing enthusiastic support for the encouraging visa-free measures.
"We have more travel groups arriving. The new permanent visa-free policy is quite encouraging," said Gao.
Chinese tourists themselves are also relishing the newfound convenience.
"Now it's visa-free, so it's very convenient to enter Thailand. We fly from Sichuan Province, and the travel time is just three hours," said a tourist.
In a notable shift, more Chinese tourists are opting for independent travel and prioritizing immersive experience and top-notch services during their stay in Thailand. The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports revealed that in the first week of 2024 alone, over 600,000 foreign tourists visited Thailand, with a staggering 80,000 hailing from China, securing the top spot.
"We are planning to add new flights. Since Thailand started visa-free policy for Chinese tourists, the number of passengers surged. All airliners are working around clock to prepare more flights," said Samart, an airline worker.
Thailand had previously granted a temporary visa waiver status for visitors from China, which was effective from Sept. 25, 2023 to Feb. 29, 2024. After negotiations with related Chinese authorities, the Thai government has now opted to adopt a permanent visa-free policy for Chinese citizens from March.
"The number of Chinese tourists to Thailand maintained growth. The visa-free policy has a significant effect in attracting Chinese tourists. Thailand will improve service quality and strengthen security to boost Chinese tourists' confidence in Thailand," said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
As Thailand's tourism industry plays a pivotal role in its economy, recording 28 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, including 4.4 million from Malaysia and 3.4 million from China, the two largest source markets, the visa-free policy stands as a beacon of opportunity, propelling Thailand's tourism sector to new heights.