Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has told the Immigration Bureau to waive the 2,000 baht Visa on Arrival fee for foreign tourists.
Currently nationals from 21 countries, including China are eligible for Visa on Arrival.
The move is one of a number of measures being considered by the government to halt the recent decline in foreign tourists, especially from China.
In addition, the Tourism Authority will launch a new promotional campaign across social media in China in a bid to restore confidence among Chinese tourists.
The campaign will help to inform Chinese tourists how the can stay safe and avoid getting sick while in Thailand. A famous Chinese actor will be used to front the campaign.
Private sector tourism officials are worried that one million fewer Chinese tourists will visit Thailand over the next 6 months.
However, by waiving the visa on arrival fee, 2 million more Chinese tourists are expected to visit Thailand, officials said.
Photo source: picture from an open source