The flow of tourists from India to Thailand has increased after the country declared a visa-free entry for Indians from November 10, 2023, to May 10, 2024, said the consul general of Thailand in Kolkata.
“Last year, Thailand had welcomed 1.6 million Indian visitors and this year our target is to welcome 1.8 million visitors. Most of the visitors are from eastern India as it takes less time to travel (from eastern India to Thailand),” Siriporn Tantipanyathep, consul general of Royal Thai said at the celebration of the Songkran festival at a hotel in New Town on Saturday.
The celebration was organised by SKAL International, Kolkata, an organisation for tourism professionals around the world, in association with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The Thai government declared visa-free entry for Indians from November 10 to May 10.
“Tourism in Thailand is increasing gradually after the country has declared visa-free entry (for Indians),” said Tantipanyathep. “We believe that the number of visitors will increase more as the Thai Airways has bigger aircraft to accommodate more visitors
from Kolkata,” Tantipanyathep said.
Songkran is the Thai New Year festival. After being recognised by the Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage this year, the country will be celebrating the Songkran Festival for 21 days.
“After the Unesco recognition, the government has decided to celebrate the festival for 21 days in 2024, instead of three days. The celebration of the Songkran festival will open opportunities for tourists to take part in the celebration and that will give boost to Thai tourism. The celebration will also enable tourists to the experience the Thai culture,” said an official at the Thai consulate general.
The Telegraph reported on Saturday that Thai Airways will fly a B772 or B787 (Boeing) aircraft, instead of the smaller A325 (Airbus) plane, on the Bangkok-Kolkata-Bangkok route from Aptil 1 till May 1. The airline will keep flying daily on the route.
The Boeing B777-200 aircraft has 30 Royal Silk class (business class) seats and 262 economy class seats. The Boeing 787-800 aircraft has 22 Royal Silk class seats and 234 economy class seats, the airline said in its communication.
“We are expecting more tourists from Kolkata for Thailand this summer because of the visa free entry facility and introduction of the wide-body aircraft by Thai Airways,” said Amin Asghar, president, SKAL International, Kolkata.