(TAN): Thailand will temporarily suspend granting visa on arrival to visitors from 18 countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus, reports said.
The list of countries reportedly affected by the decision includes – Bulgaria, Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.
Nationals of all these 18 countries or territories were previously eligible to apply for Visa on Arrival, as per reports.
Thailand’s Minister of Interior Anupong Paochinda reportedly said all visitors looking to travel to the country should contact the Thai embassy for visa application.
“People from any country who want to come will need to apply for a visa with our embassies. Thai embassies everywhere will ensure that no sick people will travel to Thailand,” Paochinda was quoted by US News as saying.
The ministry said that visa applicants will be required to present medical certificates at Thai embassies as part of the application process, as per reports.
Visa exemptions will be cancelled for South Korea, Italy and Hong Kong, to contain the issue of foreigners arriving from risky parts of the world, reports said.
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What could it mean for Indian tourists?
According to reports, nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited Thailand in 2019, a growth of over 20% from the earlier year.
Last year, the government of Thailand had extended the visa-fee waiver for citizens of 18 countries, including India, until April 2020, reports said.
The tourism ministry had proposed a waiver of the visa itself for Indian tourists visiting Thailand for up to 30 days. But the country’s foreign ministry had asked the government to reconsider it citing security reasons and environmental concerns.
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