Thailand to review visa policy following US attacks
\nReuters
\nBangkok<\/p>\n
Thailand said on Thursday it would review its policy of
\nissuing tourist visas on arrival in the wake of the attacks on
\nthe United States.<\/p>\n
\"The review is being made in the interest of national security
\nand in line with our policy against international terrorism,\"
\nThai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters.<\/p>\n
Thai authorities grant automatic tourist visas to citizens of
\n96 countries, allowing visitors to stay here from 15 days to one
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
The minister declined to give further details.<\/p>\n
Thailand is one of the world's top tourist destinations and
\ntourism is one of the major sources of foreign exchange,
\ncontributing about six percent of gross domestic product.<\/p>\n
The number of tourists has declined since the tragic attacks
\non New York and Washington on September 11 and the state Tourism
\nAuthority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast worse to come.<\/p>\n
It estimates that during the last quarter of this year -- the
\npeak tourist season -- the number of visitors could drop by
\nalmost a third compared to 2000.<\/p>\n
It said total foreign tourists this year might fall by six
\npercent from 9.51 million in 2000.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thailand-to-review-visa-policy-following-us-attacks-1447899208",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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