Thailand has decided to waive on-arrival visa fees to 21 countries, including the Maldives, for the New Year holidays.
The Thai cabinet approved the measure to waive the visa fee of USD 60 paid by visitors on arrival, last Tuesday. The measure will be in effect from December 1 to January 31, for tourists travelling to the country for not more than 15 days.
In addition to Maldives, the visa fee will be waived for visitors from countries including Thailand's largest market of China, Taiwan, India, and Saudi Arabia.
According to foreign media, the Thai government's decision comes in the wake of a 15 percent drop in arrivals from China last September, following a boat accident in July which killed 47 Chinese tourists. Thailand is hoping to boost tourism, which accounts for 12 percent of its economy, during the peak New Year season.
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