Thailand and Australia are on the brink of eliminating visa requirements for their citizens, paving the way for visa-free travel for specific periods. This development follows discussions between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley during Hurley’s recent visit to Thailand. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the existing levels of tourism between the two countries, with Thailand being a favored destination for Australian tourists and approximately 800,000 Australians visiting Thailand annually.
During the discussions, PM Srettha emphasized the appeal of Thailand’s health-oriented travel options to Australian tourists. He highlighted the country’s high-quality healthcare facilities, affordable services, and widespread English proficiency, factors that make Thailand an attractive destination for medical tourism. On the other hand, Australian PM Hurley proposed deeper cooperation on the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Tafta) to bolster trade ties and explore opportunities in sectors like green energy and smart technology.
The upcoming ASEAN-Australia Special Summit presents an opportune moment for Thailand to showcase investment opportunities and foster bilateral initiatives. Thailand, a significant tourist hub that saw nearly 40 million visitors before the pandemic, faced a sharp decline to 430,000 visitors in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. With China leading as the top source of tourists in 2019 and Australians contributing significantly to Thailand’s tourism revenue, the potential removal of visa requirements can further boost tourism and economic ties between the two countries.
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