Thailand may reinstate the visa-free regime for Uzbekistan. MFA is conducting negotiations
Thailand intends to reinstate the visa-free regime for tourists from Uzbekistan and other countries, taking into account the complexities of visa processing. It is proposed to set the period of visa-free stay at 15 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan informed Gazeta that negotiations on this matter have been underway for several weeks.
Thailand may restore visa-free regime for Uzbekistan. MFA is conducting negotiations
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand supports restoring the visa-free regime for tourists arriving from Uzbekistan, as well as Colombia and Mexico, proposing to set the visa-free stay period at 15 days.
This decision is explained by issues with the expedited processing of visa applications and a decrease in tourist flow after the 60-day visa-free entry procedure, which had been in effect since September 15 for citizens of 93 countries, including Uzbekistan, was canceled.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul confirmed that the ministry is aware of chronic visa delays affecting various countries. For this reason, at a meeting to be held on November 9, the ministry intends to propose that the Visa Policy Committee consider introducing a 15-day visa-free entry for countries with a "low security risk level."
The ministry also stated it is aware that procedures have become extremely complicated for citizens of Uzbekistan, who are forced to apply to the Embassy of Thailand in Moscow to obtain a visa.
"This cumbersome process has forced local travel agents to cancel tour packages to Thailand and choose competing destinations such as Vietnam," the publication writes.
"The proposed reforms in visa policy are aimed at eliminating such problems, creating favorable conditions for incoming guests, and restoring the confidence of international tour operators and airlines," the report states.
Omonulla Fayziyev, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, had informed Gazeta prior to the introduction of the visa regime by Thailand that the agency was working on creating more favorable conditions for the country's citizens.
"We are conducting negotiations with the Thai side to amend this procedure," he said.
In response to Gazeta's inquiry, the MFA representative noted that the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Bangkok has conducted negotiations in recent months to ease the visa regime. Negotiations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand are scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.