STORY: Thailand full of expectations for mutual visa exemption with China
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 28, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:17
LOCATION: Bangkok
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of airports and tourism in Thailand
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): PARNPREE BAHIDDHA-NUKARA, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): SURASIT THANADTANG, Director of Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center at the National Research Council of Thailand
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Thai): NARONGSAK PUTTHAPORNMONGKOL, President of Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

STORYLINE:

China and Thailand have signed a mutual visa exemption agreement, which will come into effect from March 1.

By then, Chinese holders of ordinary official passports and ordinary passports and Thai holders of ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in each other's country visa-free for up to 30 days per visit.

For the upcoming "visa-free era," Thai people from all walks of life have expressed anticipation for the two countries to increase exchanges in different aspects.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): PARNPREE BAHIDDHA-NUKARA, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
"This agreement is a symbol of our long-lasting friendship, trust and confidence, which is evidenced at every level. I am certain that travel between our two people, whether for tourism or business, will become more convenient, and help to stimulate the tourism industry in both countries."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): SURASIT THANADTANG, Director of Thai-Chinese Strategic Research Center at the National Research Council of Thailand
"I am very happy to hear the news, because Thailand has a lot of opportunities. In Thailand's perspective, China and Thailand are brothers. Therefore, cooperation on mutual visa exemption is an equal exchange that will strengthen relationships in terms of trade networks, travel, and cultural and educational exchanges."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Thai): NARONGSAK PUTTHAPORNMONGKOL, President of Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
"The mutual visa exemption policy is both beneficial to China and Thailand, because Thailand and China are one family, both sides have a strong bond and close relationship. Starting from March 1, there will be a big increase in number of Thai tourists visiting China. Because in the past, it used to take a long time to apply for a visa to go to China. After mutual visa exemption, China will become a prime destination for Thai tourists. Therefore, after mutual visa exemption it can boost tourist number in both countries, and people in both countries can travel to each other frequently."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bangkok.
(XHTV)