TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Thailand on Tuesday (May 7) announced it will extend its visa-free policy for Taiwanese for 6 months.

From May 11 to Nov. 11, Taiwanese tourists will be exempt from needing visas when visiting Thailand, reported CNA. The Thai government estimates that 700,000 Taiwanese tourists will visit the country this year. 

After taking office in August 2023, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's first task was to stimulate economic growth in Thailand. Part of Thavisin's strategy to accelerate tourism industry growth was waiving visa requirements for more countries.

To attract more tourists to Thailand, the Thai cabinet decided late last year to grant visa-free entry to Indian and Taiwanese tourists from Nov. 10, 2023 to May 10, 2024, a period of six months, allowing them to stay for up to 30 days at a time.

Before the expiration on May 10, a Thai cabinet meeting decided on Tuesday to extend the visa-free treatment for tourists from Taiwan and India. From May 11 to Nov. 11, tourists from these countries can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days.