简体中文
BANGKOK, May 18 (APD) -- The Thai government recently has implemented a new regulation allowing national from China to stay in Thailand up to 90 days without a visa.
An eligible Chinese patient, together with not more than three accompanying individuals of Chinese nation (i.e. parents, spouse, children or adopted children) are allowed to have a 90 days’ visa exemption for medical purpose in Thailand, according to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the official website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT).
Those seeking a 90 days’ visa exemption must present a document to prove they have a medical appointment issued by health institutions certified by the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand. Once the documents approved by immigration bodies, applicants are able to enter the country for medical treatment.
Thailand has currently become a popular medical tourist destination and over the years, it has gained recognition and credibility for its medical tourism.
The government has launched a crackdown on "zero dollar" tour operators to root out illegal kickback tours since last August. The operation aims to improve qualities of tour packages.
However, the number of Chinese tourists to Thailand has fallen significantly since then. The country has eyed a drop of 7.5 percent compared to that of last year in terms of the arrival of Chinese in the first four months of 2017.
Thailand's tourism bodies are pinning hopes on the visa exemption scheme to bring more Chinese tourists to the country's medical industries.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
