Thai authorities have again decided to allow foreign tourists, including Russians, to stay longer in the kingdom without a visa. Experts call the innovation excellent, but do not expect it to have a greater effect in terms of increasing the organized tourist flow to the kingdom.

THAILAND WILL INCREASE THE TERMS OF VISA-FREE STAY IN THE COUNTRY FOR TOURISTS

The Thai government listened to the country's tourism industry and approved the proposal of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and tour operators to extend the period visa-free stay for foreign, including Russian tourists.

This practice, while not new to Thailand, is now looking more attractive. Recall that at the beginning of 2021, at a time when tourists coming to Thailand required a mandatory two-week quarantine, the royal government had already increased the period of permitted stay in the country (between January and September 2021) from 30 to 45 days.

At that time, this was done in order to ensure that the quarantine period did not “take away” rest days from travelers. Now there is no quarantine and an increase in visa-free stay will give the right to a good rest in Thailand for a longer period.

According to a government decision adopted on August 19, the period of visa-free entry from the current 30 days to 45 days is increased for the period from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. As soon as the decisions made are published in the Royal Gazette, they can be considered officially entered into force.

According to the decision of the government, for tourists from countries that have the right to visa-free entry into the kingdom ( Russia among them), the period of stay will be increased from 30 to 45 days, and for citizens of countries receiving visas on arrival (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.) – from 15 to 30 days.

INNOVATIONS IN THAILAND DO NOT MEAN TOO MUCH FOR THE ORGANIZED MARKET

Tour operators working in the direction positively assessed the decision. They explained that it is excellent in terms of the overall movement of Thailand towards tourists. But in terms of the growth of the organized tourist flow, this innovation will have little effect.

“Thai authorities are trying by any means to attract tourists. This is precisely what the measure to extend the visa-free stay is aimed at. And it certainly makes sense. But only for the category of tourists who come to Thailand for a long time. But such tourists mostly still organize their trips on their own. If we are talking about clients of tour operators, then their length of stay in Thailand is not so long. Last year, our clients spent an average of 15 nights in the kingdom. And that's a lot for organized travelers. But even such terms do not reach the maximum values ​​​​of even the non-extended visa-free stay of 30 days, ”says Andrey Snetkov, CEO of TEZ TOUR Thailand.

In the company PAKS also called the innovations good, but for organized tourists, the vast majority of whom spend 10-14 days in Thailand, of little significance. Rather, it is a solution to attract the so-called digital nomads.

TOURIST BUSINESS AND TOURISTS ARE WAITING FOR MORE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO THAILAND

Direct flights and a wide geography of flights from Russia to Thailand are what, according to experts, could help restore the Russian tourist flow to the kingdom.

Yes, the launch of Aeroflot flight programs from Moscow to Phuket is scheduled for October 30. But so far, the declared volumes – once a day – are too small to meet the current increased demand.

That is why tour operators are betting on connecting flights to Thailand in the upcoming winter season. Now options are already appearing for 15-20% cheaper (thanks to block transportation), and such tours, according to the companies themselves, are snapped up very quickly.

But, of course, tour operators hope to increase the volume of direct transportation, including from the eastern regions of Russia. There are hopes for this, according to market participants, but companies are still wary of giving more accurate insiders.

Alexandra Polyanskaya