A free-visa entry given for 30 days to Japanese

Chatrudee Theparat

Thai goverment: A free-visa entry given for 30 days to Japanese investors as a special measure to help drive economy

The cabinet yesterday approved in principle to allow Japanese investors to enjoy a visa-free stay for 30 days in a bid to facilitate their business procedure, taking effect from January 1, 2024 to -December 31, 2026.

Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesman, said the cabinet approved such an initiative, proposed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. It is in line with the government policy to drive the Thai economy and facilitate business operation.

“It will be implemented with a purpose to enhance economic relations between Japan and Thailand, especially a trade promotion, investment and in doing business.”

He said Japanese investment has topped Thailand's investment rankings for many decades, while currently Japan is the third trade partners of Thailand.

Japanese government asked Thai government last year to exempt visa for their investors.

Thai government has allowed a visa- free stay for Japanese tourists for 30 days since 1995, while Japanese government has allowed a visa-free stay for Thai business people and visitors since 2013, with a three-year period of extension and the latest extension until 2025.

Trade between the two countries in the first ten month of this year was worth US$ 47.41 billion, down 5.01% from the same period last year. It included US$ 20.83 billion of export, down 0.02% and $26.58 billion of import, down 8.59%. Thai trade deficit was $ 5.75 billion baht.