The mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Thailand marked its 1st anniversary since taking effect on March 1 last year.

The past year saw a notable surge in both domestic travelers to Thailand and Thai travelers to China departing or entering China via the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

Chinese and Thai travelers going through customs inspection at the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection increased notably. (Photo provided by the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection)

Thailand has consistently remained the top destination for domestic travelers departing through Hunan ports. Since the mutual visa exemption took effect a year ago, Hunan ports have handled 137,000 trips by domestic travelers to Thailand, increasing by 79% over 2023 and accounting for 43.5% of all outbound trips by domestic travelers through these ports.

The number of Thai travelers has ranked among the top among all foreigners entering via Hunan ports. Over the past year since the mutual visa exemption policy took effect, Hunan ports have recorded 74,000 inbound trips by Thai travelers, a 234% surge compared to 2023, accounting for 16% of all foreigners entering through these ports. Among these Thai travelers, 99% benefited from the visa-free exemption policy.

Over the past year, six Chinese and Thai airlines—–Okay Airways, Beijing Capital Airlines, 9 Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai AirAsia, and Thai VietJet Air—have operated nearly 2,600 passenger flights between Hunan ports and Bangkok, Thailand. Of these, 90% were operated through the Changsha port. In peak periods, the passenger flights to and from Thailand through Hunan ports reached 70 weekly.

As the Chinese and Thai governments agreed, Chinese holders of ordinary official passports and ordinary passports and Thai holders of ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in each other's country visa-free for up to 30 days (no more than 90 days per 180 days). Those who enter each other's country for work, study, news reporting, residence and some other activities requiring prior approval and plan to stay in each other's country for more than 30 days shall obtain the corresponding visa before entry.

责编：冯宇轩

一审：冯宇轩

二审：唐煜斯

三审：秦慧英

来源：湖南省政府门户网