ALTHOUGH the number of passengers arriving at Chiang Mai International Airport increased throughout 2023 after World Health Organization ended the global emergency status for Covid-19 the free-visa scheme has not boosted Chinese tourist arrivals, TV Channel 7 said last night (March 1).
Wing Commander Ronakorn Chalermsanyakorn, director of this northern airport, said the overall total of passengers reached 7.8 million in 2023, up 75% from the previous year.
Even so, the free-visa access for tourists from China temporarily granted from Sept. 25, 2023 to Feb. 29, 2024 and extended yesterday has not boosted the number of Chinese passengers because Chinese airlines flying to this northern city have not increased their flights, he said.
Nevertheless further development of this airport is set to start in 2026 with a goal of increasing capacity to 16.5 million from 11.3 million passengers a year at present.
Under a Thai-Chinese agreement signed on Jan. 28, 2024 citizens from both countries are exempt from visa requirements for entering, exiting, or transiting each other’s territory for a 30-day stay. Cumulative stays must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
This is except for those with the purposes of residing or engaging in employment, study, media activities or other activities that require prior approval from competent authorities of the other country.
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Top and Front Page: Chinese tourists having fun in Chiang Mai. Photos: Thai Rath
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