Summary:
- Thailand will launch e-visas for Bangladeshi official passport holders on December 19, 2024, and for general passport holders on January 2, 2025.
- The Thai Embassy in Dhaka confirmed that e-visas can be applied for online and will be delivered via email within ten days.
- The Thailand Visa Center in Dhaka will close permanently on December 24, 2024, as part of the transition to e-visas.
- A visa waiver agreement for official passports will also take effect on December 19, allowing travel without a visa.
Thailand is set to streamline travel for Bangladeshi citizens with the introduction of an electronic visa (e-visa) system. This new service will be available to holders of official Bangladeshi passports starting December 19, 2024, and will extend to general passport holders from January 2, 2025. The Thai Embassy in Dhaka confirmed this development on December 16, 2024.
The e-visa system aims to simplify the visa application process by allowing applicants to complete their submissions online. Once submitted, e-visas will be delivered via email within ten days, eliminating the need for physical visits to the embassy or consulate. This initiative is part of Thailand’s broader strategy to enhance accessibility for international travelers, having already implemented similar services across 69 embassies worldwide.
In conjunction with the launch of the e-visa service, the Thailand Visa Center in Dhaka will permanently close its doors on December 24, 2024. This move underscores Thailand’s commitment to digital transformation in its visa services.
Additionally, a significant visa waiver agreement signed between Bangladesh and Thailand in April 2024 will come into effect on December 19, 2024. This agreement allows holders of official passports from both countries to travel without a visa. Notably, diplomatic passport holders have enjoyed such exemptions since 2018.
Ambassador Worawoot Pongprapapant, Director-General of the Consular Department of Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized the importance of document authenticity in visa applications. He cautioned that fraudulent submissions could result in blacklisting by Thai authorities. Furthermore, he highlighted that Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment in Thailand could apply for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which offers a five-year validity with six-month stays per visit.
This new e-visa system marks a significant step towards facilitating easier travel between Bangladesh and Thailand, reflecting both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting tourism and business exchanges.
Source: Bangla News24
