Thai travel agents say China’s recent suspension of 144 hours visa-free application for security reason will certainly add higher cost for them.
Adith Chairattananon, secretary general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), admitted that China’s suspension of transit without visas or visa on arrival at Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong since August 7 would certainly affect travel agents in term of higher cost.
The suspension prompts travel agents need to apply for a personal visa which takes four days and an expense of 1,500 baht per person from the earlier 800 baht applied in Hong Kong, he said.
He said this was the first time that China has issued such a measure.
Chairattananon said that travel agents and tour operators have sent an official letter to the Chinese embassy seeking for a meeting with the ambassador for clarification of the situation.
