Thailand extends visa exemption till NovemberKOLKATA: Thailand has extended the visa exemption for Indian citizens, bringing cheer to holidayers.The visa exemption plan was announced in 2023 and came into effect from last Nov. The duration was till May 10. Under the scheme in motion, Indian passport holders could visit Thailand for up to 30 days without needing to apply for a visa. On Tuesday, the Thai govt extended the visa-free travel to Indian passport holders by six months till Nov 11. Last year, India was the fifth-largest contributor of foreign visitors to Thailand. According to Tourism Authority of Thailand, it projected 1.6 million Indian visitors in 2023, an 86% rise over 2022. This year, TAT has targeted 1.8 million Indian visitors. West Bengal and Kolkata accounted for around 1.6 lakh visitors last year. This year, around 2 lakh visitors from Bengal could visit the country.Travel Agents Federation of India national committee member Anil Punjabi said the move would lead to off-peak business with travellers taking a holiday in Thailand on a long weekend. “Thailand is a repeat destination. We expect an immediate uptick in travel,” said Punjabi.
