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Thailand Expands Visa-Free Entry to 93 Countries to Boost Tourism

  Photo by Robin Noguier on Unsplash Thailand has expanded its visa-free entry scheme to include 93 countries and territories to rejuvenate its tourism sector. Effective Monday, the revised policy allows visitors to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, according to a BBC report. Previously, travellers from 57 countries could enter Thailand without a visa. Tourism plays a crucial role in Thailand's economy, yet it has struggled to fully rebound from the impacts of the pandemic. In the first half of 2024, Thailand welcomed 17.5 million international tourists, marking a 35% increase from the same period the previous year, based on official statistics. However, these figures are still significantly lower than pre-pandemic numbers. Most of the visitors during this period hailed from China, Malaysia, and India. Tourism revenue for the first six months amounted to 858 billion baht ($23.6 billion; £18.3 billion), falling short of the government's ambitious target. Thailand is renowned