Thailand, Southeast Asia's second most visited country, is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. The proposal, announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, aims to ease visa processing delays and attract more long-haul visitors.
The move comes after visa-processing delays disrupted Thailand's long-haul tourism market, particularly from Latin America. Passenger show-up rates on some flights fell by 20% to 30%, and Emirates filed a complaint after 20-30 passengers per flight from Mexico missed their trips due to visa issues.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit the proposal to a visa policy committee on November 9. The committee will assess security and economic implications, with the ministry seeking exemptions for countries considered low security risks.
For travelers from Colombia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan, the proposed waiver would simplify entry procedures and reduce disruptions to travel plans. It aims to restore confidence among international tour operators and airline partners, potentially making Thailand a more accessible destination.
