Thailand Extends Free Visa Service For Chinese Tourists

To attract more Chinese tourists to visit Thailand, the country plans to extend the previous three-month-long visa free policy for foreign tourists to the end of the year: a saving of CNY230 for each visa application.

Until December 31, 2009, each tourist will also get travel insurance for USD10,000. If tourists get hurt during political demonstrations or riots their medical and hospitalization costs can be offset by the USD10,000 insurance. If tourists are stranded due to airport closure, all the lodging, dining, and traffic costs during their extended stay can also be offset by the insurance.

The tourist destination Pattaya City will hold a series of tourism promotion and marketing campaigns from June to August, including granting each tourist a consumption voucher worth THB1,000. Furthermore, 33 local hotels will also participate in the campaign by offering favorable discounts to guests.