Thailand suspends visa-on-arrival temporarily for India other countries

In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, the Thailand government has temporarily suspended visa on arrival for several countries, including India. In an advisory, the Thailand government has temporarily suspended the visa on arrival for nationals and holders of passport or travel documents of several countries from March 13, 2020, till September 30, 2020.

Visa-on-arrival of nationals belonging to India, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China (excluding Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Vanuatu have been temporarily suspended. Also, the Thailand government has suspended visa exemption for nationals and holders of passport or travel documents of Italy, Republic of Korea and Hong Kong SAR.

"All existing visas attached to the passport or travel documents issued by the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates prior to the temporary suspensions remain valid," it said. As many as 1,88,298 coronavirus cases have been reported so far with 7,499 deaths, globally. According to statistics, Thailand has reported 177 cases and one death, since the outbreak of COVID 19.

With coronavirus cases swelling in India, the Centre has banned the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31. So far, India has reported 137 cases and three deaths.