Thailand extends waiver on visa-on-arrival fees to October

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) The Thai government approved Wednesday a plan to extend its waiver on visa-on-arrival fees for visitors from 21 countries, including Taiwan, for another six months, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed Thursday.

After contacting the Thai authorities, MOFA said in a statement that the program, originally set to expire April 30, will be extended until Oct. 30.

Aside from taking advantage of the waiver on visa-on-arrival fees, the ministry reminded travelers to Thailand that they can also apply for a travel visa at the Thailand Trade and Economic Office Taipei (TTEO), the de facto Thai embassy in Taiwan, at a cost of NT$1,200 (US$39).

The waiver on the visa-on-arrival fee began Nov. 15, 2018 and has been twice extended so far.

Under the program, the visa-on-arrival fee of 2,000 baht (US$60.67) is waived for travelers from 21 countries, for visits of no more than 15 days.

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak previously said the government planned to extend the program to ward off an economic slump during the transition to a new government.

The Southeast Asian country held its first post-coup elections March 24. The official results, however, will not be announced until May 9.