Thailand considers Japanese visa extension
Posted: Wed 30 Mar, 2011 12:27 PM
Thailand s Ministry of Tourism and Sports will determine whether the country should extend the current visa-free stay of 30-to-90-days for Japanese tourists, until September 30, 2011.
At an earlier meeting last week, the ministry, government and private sector recommended measures to support the long-stay market from Japan, and one of the proposals included extending the visa-free stay from 30-to-90-days, as reported in TTRWeekly. After the March 11 earthquake, the long-stay market from Japan is expected to rise as Japanese retirees affected by the disaster look for alternative places to settle in.
The ministry estimates that there are 200,000 Japanese retirement tourists in Thailand, who have paid particular interest in setting up residence in Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Phuket, Chonburi, Nonthaburi, Kohon Kaen, Nakohn Ratchasima, and Bangkok.
