Thailand to review visa policy following US attacks

Thailand to review visa policy following US attacks
Reuters
Bangkok

Thailand said on Thursday it would review its policy of
issuing tourist visas on arrival in the wake of the attacks on
the United States.

"The review is being made in the interest of national security
and in line with our policy against international terrorism,"
Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai told reporters.

Thai authorities grant automatic tourist visas to citizens of
96 countries, allowing visitors to stay here from 15 days to one
month.

The minister declined to give further details.

Thailand is one of the world's top tourist destinations and
tourism is one of the major sources of foreign exchange,
contributing about six percent of gross domestic product.

The number of tourists has declined since the tragic attacks
on New York and Washington on September 11 and the state Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecast worse to come.

It estimates that during the last quarter of this year -- the
peak tourist season -- the number of visitors could drop by
almost a third compared to 2000.

It said total foreign tourists this year might fall by six
percent from 9.51 million in 2000.