Thailand has announced a new policy that will waive some visa fees and halve visa-on-arrival costs for tourists from 18 countries for a period of three months.

Tourists from Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan will not be required to pay the 1,000 baht (US$28) fee for visas sought at Thai embassies and consulates.

Also, a 2,000 baht fee for visas on arrival will be cut to 1,000 baht, as stated by assistant government spokesman Apisit Chaiyanuwat. The changes will be implemented from the beginning of December until the end of February next year.

The fee reduction is primarily intended to attract more visitors to Thailand during the period and increase earnings related to tourism. 

In addition, foreigners staying in Thailand long-term may extend their long-stay visas from a maximum of one year to a maximum of 10 years, on the condition that visa holders have a minimum of 3 million baht in the bank or a minimum monthly income of 100,000 baht. (mra/kes)