Private sector groups in three Andaman provinces have submitted a petition to the government, calling for a review of Thailand’s visa policy for Indian tourists amid concerns that the country could lose up to 8 billion baht if wedding groups choose competing destinations during the upcoming high season.
The petition was supported by 13 organisations, including chambers of commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Tourism Council, and hotel associations in Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi.
The letter was submitted to the Minister of Tourism and Sports last week.
The private sector said it understood the government’s decision to end the 90-day visa exemption for most countries, but raised particular concern over the Indian market.
Under the revised policy, Indian tourists would be required to apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival, instead of entering Thailand visa-free as they have been able to do over the past two years.
Business groups said the visa-on-arrival scheme itself was not the main obstacle.
However, they warned that the 2,000-baht fee could discourage tourists travelling in large groups, especially Indian wedding parties, which often choose Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi as wedding destinations.
According to records from 2023 to 2025, around 600 Indian couples held wedding celebrations across the three provinces.
Those events generated more than 8 billion baht in revenue, with each wedding bringing around 350 to 500 guests who typically stayed for five to seven days.
The private sector said the economic benefits extended well beyond hotels.
Spending from wedding groups also supported related businesses, including event organisers, hospitals, beauty clinics, spas and restaurants.
Wichupan Phukaoluan Srisanya, president of the Thai Hotels Association’s southern chapter, said wedding events usually require four to six months of planning.
As a result, groups planning celebrations from October onwards are now closely watching Thailand’s visa policy before making final decisions.
“If the visa factor becomes an obstacle, they will shift to other countries that are competitors of Thailand, causing the country to permanently lose revenue from this segment,” the statement said.
Wichupan said private sector groups had urged the government to speed up its review of the issue and announce a decision in July.
She said a clear decision would allow businesses to communicate with the Indian market in time for the high season.
The private sector has proposed four measures to help protect the market.
The first is to grant Indian tourists a visa exemption of at least 30 days, citing India’s reciprocal visa-free policy for Thai citizens.
If that cannot be implemented, the government has been urged to waive the 2,000-baht visa-on-arrival fee for Indian travellers.
The groups also called for improvements to the e-visa application system to make the process faster and more efficient.
Another proposal is to introduce a dedicated immigration lane for wedding groups.
Under the proposal, wedding organisers and guests would be able to obtain a group visa within three days of submitting their application.
The private sector also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to hold talks with Indian authorities.
The discussions would aim to reach a permanent bilateral visa exemption agreement within the third quarter of this year.
Business groups said such an agreement would help Thailand maintain its competitiveness as a leading tourism and wedding destination.
