India · Nation Thailand
13 Andaman tourism groups seek India visa-free review to keep Thai edge
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The Thai Hotels Association - Southern Chapter and 12 private-sector tourism and economic organisations in the Andaman provinces of Phuket , Krabi and Phang Nga , 13 organisations in all, have submitted a letter to the Minister of Tourism and Sports
Key facts
- It is estimated that more than 600 weddings were held between 2023 and 2025, with an economic value of no less than THB8 billion.
- Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said the Cabinet had approved revisions to visa-exemption measures, particularly the cancellation of visa-free entry for India, which would affect Indian tourists
- The problem does not stem from the cancellation of visa-exemption rights and the return to Visa on Arrival ( VOA ), but mainly from the visa fee, currently set at THB2,000 per person.
- The global market value of destination weddings from India is forecast to reach US$10 billion (about THB360 billion).
- The Indian tourist market is regarded as one of Thailand’s high-potential markets, with arrivals rising steadily from 2.2 million in 2024 to more than 2.5 million in 2025, and expected to exceed 3 million in 2026.
- As the Cabinet under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul passed a resolution on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) approving a review of Thailand’s visa-exemption measures and visa privileges, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign
Summary
The Thai Hotels Association - Southern Chapter and 12 private-sector tourism and economic organisations in the Andaman provinces of Phuket , Krabi and Phang Nga , 13 organisations in all, have submitted a letter to the Minister of Tourism and Sports and the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand ( TAT ), proposing that the government consider reviewing the measure to end visa-free entry for Indian tourists.
Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, president of the Phuket Tourist Association, said the Cabinet had approved revisions to visa-exemption measures, particularly the cancellation of visa-free entry for India, which would affect Indian tourists travelling to Thailand.