Thailand’s cabinet has approved the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s proposal to extend the Special Tourist Visa (STV) program, for visitors wishing to stay for up to 270 days, for another year.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Traisoranakul said that, over the past year, a total of 5,609 tourists had visited Thailand under this special visa program and were estimated to have spent 1.2 billion baht in the country.

She said many of these visitors were from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Croatia and the average stay was 90 days, adding that their most popular destinations were Bangkok, Surat Thani (Koh Samui), Phuket, Udon Thani, Chon Buri (Pattaya City), Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Chiang Mai and Rayong.

The government now aims to attract more tourists who are interested in staying in Thailand for 90 to 270 days and believes this special long-stay visa program will contribute greatly to Thailand’s attempt to revive its tourism sector.

Source: NNT