This special visa, once approved, will grant entry to 6 Southeast Asian countries
As reported earlier, in a bid to attract more long-haul tourists, Thailand proposed the introduction of a Schengen-style visa scheme. According to reports, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also held discussions with the representatives of Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam to advance this initiative.
If reports are to go by, in 2023 alone, Thailand welcomed 28 million tourists, highlighting the effectiveness of such policies. The proposed visa system aims to replicate seamless travel experience found in Europe’s Schengen Area, making travel across Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam more accessible and efficient. This collaborative effort is strategically designed to boost tourism and strengthen economic ties within the region.
If approved, travellers won’t need additional visas or permits. Modelled after Europe’s Schengen Area, the unified visa system would allow tourists to travel freely among the participating countries. This initiative is part of Thailand’s ambitious goal to attract 80 million tourists annually by 2027.
The Schengen-style visa proposal holds significant potential to enhance Thailand’s economy, as tourism is a crucial sector that contributes approximately 12 percent to the country’s GDP and provides about 20 percent of its jobs.
Thailand’s well-developed tourism infrastructure, including its thriving wellness industry, positions it to benefit significantly from the expected increase in tourist arrivals. The visa initiative could make these wellness experiences more accessible and help Thailand tap into the growing global wellness tourism market.
However, despite its potential economic benefits, the proposal raises concerns about feasibility, overtourism, and inflation. There are also broader questions about regional integration and mobility, including whether the visa scheme could eventually lead to greater freedom for ASEAN citizens to work, study, or reside across national borders. While the Schengen-style visa could enhance travel convenience, it also risks exacerbating overtourism, which could harm Thailand’s long-term tourism sustainability.
However, it’s pertinent to note that Thailand’s ambitious drive to implement a joint-visa program across several Southeast Asian nations is expected to have a limited impact on Indian travellers. This is primarily due to the existing privileges that Indian citizens already enjoy when visiting these countries. Currently, Indians benefit from visa exemptions, visa-on-arrival facilities, and convenient e-visa options in these countries, which allow for relatively hassle-free entry. These existing visa arrangements provide Indian tourists with a high level of accessibility and flexibility, reducing the need for significant changes under the proposed joint-visa system.
Originally Published at TIMESOFINDIA
