Thailand & China citizens to travel visa-free between both countries from 1 Mar 2024

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This waiver will be permanent, as shared by Thai PM Srettha Thavisin.

Thailand has announced its updated permanent visa waiver with China. 

Starting 1 March 2024, holders of Thai and Chinese passports will be able to travel between the two countries without a required visa. 

As cited in Reuters, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared with reporters that "this will upgrade the relationship between the two countries.".

China's foreign ministry also shared the sentiment that "both countries were enhancing people-to-people exchanges by mutually exempting the visa requirements." Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin was quoted as saying: "Competent authorities of both sides are communicating closely on the matter and we are looking forward to the implementation of the relevant arrangement."

Further cited by Reuters, in 2023 alone, Thailand welcomed 28mn foreign tourists, of which its top source markets were Malaysia (4.5mn), followed by China (3.5mn). For comparison, Thailand's pre-COVID record of 39mnn arrivals comprised 11mn travellers from China.

Lead image / Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's Facebook