Myanmar, Thailand offer reciprocal visa exemptions to boost tourism

Myanmar and Thailand are exempting visa requirements for each other’s citizens travelling by plane as of August 11 to foster their respective tourism sectors, said the Thai Embassy in Myanmar.

Myanmar and Thailand are exempting visa requirements for each other’s citizens travelling by plane as of August 11 to foster their respective tourism sectors, said the Thai Embassy in Myanmar.

Foreign tourists to Shwe Indein Pagoda of Myanmar (Photo: irrawaddy.org)

Citizens entering the other country by plane will be allowed to stay 14 days without visas.

Myanmar officials said the visa exemption will help promote the number of Thai tourists entering through main airports in Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw.

Meanwhile, Thai officials said Bangkok is working to expand exemptions to Myanmar nationals entering Thailand via border gates.

Thai tourists represent the largest number of foreign visitors to Myanmar. Their favourite destinations in the neighbouring country are Shwedagon Pagoda, Sule Pagoda and Bago town in northeast Yangon.

Myanmar welcomed 3.05 million foreign arrivals in 2014, a year-on-year surge of 49.5 percent. It targets 5 million visitors in 2015.