The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara, has said that he wants to hold talks with additional Schengen Area member states to reach an agreement on visa-free travel for Thais.
According to the Minister, it is very important that citizens of Thailand get to enter the Schengen countries without the need to apply for a visa, and thus, the current government want to start negotiations with the EU on visa-free travel.
In addition to wanting to start negotiations on the matter, Minister Parnpree said that Thailand is also ready to hold talks on mutual visa exemptions for a longer period of time as the country already permits all citizens of the Schengen countries to enter its territory for up to 30 days without a visa.
However, as The Nation explains, before the government starts the negotiations on the matter, the country wants first to approve a so-called Thai passport empowerment project. This project needs to be approved by the Cabinet, and then the talks on visa-free travel to Schengen can begin.
Thailand has already asked for Germany’s help on the matter. Earlier this month, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, requested Germany to give it a hand in reaching a visa-free travel agreement with the EU.
The request was made during German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s official visit to Thailand.
Prine Minister Thavisin said that the Schengen countries would see an increased number of foreign visitors if they dropped the visa requirement for Thais. He further reminded that citizens of Germany and all citizens of the other Schengen countries are currently permitted to visit Thailand visa-free.
While Prime Minister Thavisin made such a call, the authorities did not reveal President Steinmeier’s response on the matter.
In line with the current rules, the decision to drop the visa requirement for certain countries is taken following approval from all the member states of Schengen.
The visa exemption process includes a number of conditions that third countries wanting to reach a visa-free travel agreement need to fulfil.
The passport of Thailand is currently ranked 109th on the VisaGuide Passport Index. As the index explains, Thailand passport holders are permitted to enter 42 countries worldwide without applying for a visa.
In contrast, they need a visa to enter a total of 119 countries, including the Schengen countries.
Thais applying for a Schengen visa need to submit several documents. Among many others, they need to submit proof of having booked a place to stay, proof of sufficient funds, and a roundtrip itinerary.
