Foreigners visiting Thailand exceed 12 million. The government speeds up visa approval, confident that 25 million people will be able to travel throughout the year.

Foreigners visiting Thailand exceeded 12 million, adding further support to the economy. The Prime Minister follows up with agencies to expedite solutions to obstacles. Increase convenience and faster visa approval Confident that the number of tourists will meet the target of 25 million people.

Ms. Traisuli Traisaranakul, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has received the latest tourism report from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which shows that from the beginning of the year until June 25, 66, 12.46 million foreign tourists have visited Thailand, an increase of 539 percent compared to the same period last year.

The top 5 countries with the most tourists traveling to Thailand are Malaysia with 1.98 million people, China with 1.38 million people, Russia with 7.84 people, South Korea with 7.41 people, and India with 7.32 people, respectively.

The increase in tourists is consistent with the aviation situation as reported by Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited or AOT that during the 8 months of the fiscal year (Oct. 65 - May 66) There are international travelers (including inbound and outbound) through all 6 AOT airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai. A total of 34.31 million people, an increase of 635.7 percent, and a total of 202,700 international flights flying in and out, an increase of 175.2 percent.

Ms. Trisulee said that the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), Ministry of Finance. indicates that the continuous expansion of the tourism sector, both from foreign tourists and Thai visitors It is now a major driver of economic growth.

“The tourism sector is the main driver of economic growth this year. Compensate for exports that still face fluctuations in the world economy and finance. The Prime Minister therefore ordered relevant agencies to jointly take care of factors that may affect tourism. Whether it is an issue that is still an obstacle or a problem in traveling into and out of the country confidence safety of tourists,” Ms. Traisulee said.

Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister said that the Prime Minister has followed up and supported relevant agencies in resolving issues that may still cause inconvenience to tourists, such as the issue of the visa system. or visas that the tourism business sector has reflected on to make corrections to be faster The Prime Minister has learned that at this time the relevant agencies are Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Tourism and Sports Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Royal Thai Police There has been close coordination to increase convenience for tourists as much as possible. With the same goal of pushing the total number of foreign tourists to meet the target of 25 million people.

Recently, the TAT continues to assess that in 2566 the number of foreign tourists traveling to Thailand will meet the target. While tourists from China will be at 5 million as expected. In July, the TAT will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to launch the Visa Prescreening System, or VPSS, to speed up visa application for tourists under set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs