THAILAND has come up with a new plan to allow foreign visitors to stay in the country for 90 days, extendable up to 270 days under a special tourist visa scheme (STV).
The cautious move by the government is projected to generate 12 billion baht a year in revenue as the country suffers a serious economic downturn due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bangkok Post reports that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said the STV was aimed at long-staying tourists who arrived intending to travel extensively around the country or access Thailand's healthcare facilities.
The policy is expected to become effective next month and last until November next year.
"I would like to call on Thai people to support this project because it can contribute to the economy," he said while describing the scheme as a possible answer to the economic challenges.
He said tourists with the special visa would be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a hospital or hotel upon their arrival.
Deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said the STV had been proposed by the Tourism Ministry and intended to lure quality visitors and prop up the tourism industry.
She said the government expects up to three flights a week for STV tourists, generating an extra one billion baht every month.
She added that tourists must have proof of their long-stay plans, such as paying for accommodation or evidence of ownership of condominiums, where they will stay after completing their quarantine, plus a Covid-19-free certificate and sufficient travel and health insurance.
In another development, Thai Immigration plans to sue a Twitter user who claimed that most foreigners arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport were not being quarantined.
Immigration chief Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang said they were taking action for spreading false news as all foreign visitors were obliged to undergo quarantine, even if they were only arriving for health treatment.