PM not happy with proposed freeze of VOA for Chinese tourists
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Council of Economic Ministers should consider the proposal to suspend Visa On Arrival (VOA) for Chinese tourists carefully, said government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat on Friday (January 31).
The prime minister made the remark at the meeting of the council, citing its impact on Thai tourism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul planned to propose the suspension of Visa On Arrival for Chinese tourists at the immigration checkpoint to the council of the economic ministers on Friday.
“The prime minister emphasised that the committee should consider this matter carefully because China had prohibited its nationals from traveling abroad which has already affected the Thai tourism sector ,” she said.
“The prime minister said they have to foster confidence among Thai people and foreign tourists by creating awareness that the quality of our public health system is up to the standards of World Health Organisation (WHO),” she added.
“In the meeting, the minister of Tourism and Sports also disagreed with the proposal, because it might hurt the feeling of Chinese tourists and the country’s tourism in the long term”.