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Cape Town - In another positive move to boost the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Immigration Bureau has allowed citizens of 48 countries to get a 30-day extension of their stay in Thailand after the expiry of their normal period of stay.
The new law will come into effect on 29 August, 2014 and will apply to South Africans visiting the country.
Other countries allowed the extension are Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Qatar, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam.
Citizens of these countries and territory who normally get Visa Exemption as tourists for 30- day stay permits, will get a once-off extension of stay no longer than 30 days from the expiry date.
The application process will cost 1 900 Baht (R635.03) per person. Should the application be denied, visitors will have to leave the kingdom within seven days after the expiry of the normal period.
Lesley Simpson, South Africa’s Tourism Authority of Thailand representative said, “Allowing visitors to stay on beyond their normal period will be a boost for the increasing number of global travellers who have already covered much of the world and now want to focus on specific destinations. It will also be a boost for those coming for niche-market activities; such as voluntourism, health and wellness, or sports.”
The 48 countries and one territory generate about half of Thailand’s total visitor arrivals.
