Thailand Seeks Visa-Free Access To Schengen Nations

BANGKOK – The Prime Minister of Thailand has confirmed ongoing discussions regarding visa-free travel with Schengen countries but refrained from providing a specific timeline for substantial progress.

Srettha Thavisin reiterated the nation’s dedication to establishing a visa-free travel arrangement with Schengen countries while acknowledging the time and patience required to finalize such an agreement.

Read more:Thailand Grants Visa-Free Access, Except For One Country

Thavisin conveyed that Thai citizens would need to follow standard visa application procedures until the European Union (EU) makes a definitive decision. Despite expressing greater confidence in previous statements, the prime minister adopted a more cautious tone this time. Nevertheless, he assured citizens that the government is actively working towards achieving visa-free travel to the Schengen Area. He also highlighted his intention to address the matter during future visits to Germany and France.

Thailand, renowned as a tourist destination, has actively sought support from Germany to secure visa exemption. During a recent official visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Thailand, Prime Minister Thavisin sought assistance in exempting Thai nationals from visa requirements for Schengen countries, emphasizing the reciprocal visa-free regime enjoyed by citizens of those nations in Thailand.

In an effort to attract tourists, Thailand has proposed a regional agreement with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam. This proposal aims to enable tourists holding visas from one of these countries to travel freely to the others without additional visa requirements.

Additionally, Thailand’s government has successfully negotiated a permanent visa-free agreement with China, set to commence in March of this year. This development marks a significant breakthrough for the country, especially considering the challenges posed by the global pandemic.