Thailand: New visa rules to be launched

Thailand's new six-month, multiple-entry tourist visas will become available from Nov 13, announced the country's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The new multiple-entry visa will cost 5,000 baht (about US$140) meanwhile a single-entry will cost about US$28, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

It will allow unlimited border crossings during the validity period and each entry will last up to 60 days.

According to the Foreign Ministry, passport holders from all over the world can register for the new visa, which is intended to support the establishment of an ASEAN community and boost the country's tourism.

Last year, about 24.8 million foreign tourists travelled to Thailand, bringing about 1.13 trillion baht (US$32 billion) to the country's economy.

The Thai Government set a goal of welcoming 29 million foreign arrivals this year.

The tourism sector accounts for over 10 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).