BANGKOK, 31 October 2013: The Thai Travel Agents Association says a plan to waive visas for citizens of Thailand and Myanmar will benefit two-way tourism.
TTAA president, Suthipong Pheunphiphop, said Myanmar is currently the only country in the ASEAN grouping that still requires ASEAN citizens to apply for a visa.
“If the waiver happens, it will provide greater convenience for Thai travellers who already visit the country frequently.”
The visa exemption will be valid for a 14-day trip leisure only and for citizens of the two countries who enter at designated airports. Thai officials have identified the airports. Visa-free travel does not extend to overland travel.
A number of airlines have also introduced new routes in Myanmar to take advantage growing tourism demand. Mandalay and Yangon are the main destinations to benefit.
Thai AirAsia already flies from Bangkok to Yangon and Mandalay. Bangkok Airways recently kicked off services between Bangkok and Mandalay. THAI Smile started flights to Mandalay from Bangkok mid April.
Nok Air recently introduced a service from the Thailand border town of Mae Sot to Mawlamyine a coastal town in southern Myanmar. It takes up to nine hours to reach Mawlamyine by car from Mae Sot on a bumpy road, while the flight time will be just 20 minutes. The airline will also start at a Bangkok-Yangon route, 1 November.
Once visa-free travel is allowed, the cost of travel should decrease. Packages cost range from Bt18,000 to Bt30,000. Hotel rates are a major concern for tour operators as well as securing room allotments.
Last Tuesday, the Thai Cabinet approved their side of a draft agreement on visa exemption with Myanmar and once Myanmar has completed its formalities the two countries will be ready to sign.
The signing ceremony should take place this December when the two premiers meet at the opening of the Southeast Asian Games.
Thai government spokesman, Teerat Ratanasevic, confirmed the draft agreements were now with both Cabinets. The Thai PM will visit Myanmar, 11 and 12 December, to participate in the SEA Games opening ceremony.
Under ASEAN membership rules all 10 countries are supposed to allow visa-free travel for the group’s citizens. Myanmar is the last of the member countries to comply with the rule.
However, ASEAN rules are based on voluntary participation and in the case of visa-free travel, bilateral agreements need to be ratified first that comply with national immigration laws.
Once the bilateral accord is signed the visa exemption will apply to departures and arrivals at 23 airports in Thailand.
The airports are: Suvarnabhumi; Don Mueang; Chiang Mai; Chiang Rai; Hat Yai; Phuket; Nan; Phitsanulok; Mae Sot; Mae Hong Son; Khon Kaen; Nakhon Ratchasima; Udon Thani; Ubon Ratchathani; Krabi; Trang; Narathiwat; Ranong; Surat Thani; Hua Hin; Samui; Sukhothai; and U-tapao.
However, the two countries reserve the right to deny entry to certain citizens or reduce their stay without having to inform them of the reasons, he said.
The spokesman cited that the agreement could also be suspended for security and public health reasons by informing the other country at least 15 days in advance. It can be annulled by either country through a notice presented through diplomatic channels at least 60 days in advance.
source: TTR Weekly
http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/10/xxxxxxxxxxx-2/
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