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Thailand And Myanmar To Formalise Deal On Visa Free Entry
26th Jul 2015
Governments of Thailand and Myanmar are close to formalising a mutual agreement allowing passport holders of both countries to shuffle between the two regions without visas.
The two countries agreed in principle that the visa-free programme would apply to visits not exceeding 14 days.
In 2013, a similar programme between the two regions was supposed to be ratified but this was sidelined the following year when Thailand experienced political instability brought on by a military coup.
The current visa-free programme though similar to the original would carry a few amendments.
The draft agreement indicates that either countries may opt to cancel the agreement provided it is done in writing and through appropriate channels. Said cancellation, if any, shall take effect 90 days from date of written notice instead of 60 days, per original agreement.
The new draft agreement also indicates that the visa-free programme applies to visits not exceeding 14 days and to visitors flying in via commercial jets.
Myanmar citizens flying into Thailand's more than 20 airports scattered across the region is covered by the agreement. Thai airports include Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Suvarnabhumi, Surat Thani, U-Tapao, and Trang, among others.
Thai and Myanmar foreign ministers are scheduled to sign the agreement in Chiang Mai. As soon as the agreement is signed, the visa-free programme will take effect on or about the last week of August 2015.
Thai citizens visiting Myanmar via the visa-free programme will be allowed entry through three Myanmar airports namely Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Yangon.
Meanwhile, travellers can rely on seven airlines to fly them to and from the two countries.
The agreement also covers land travel along the Thai-Myanmar border where security checkpoints are installed. These areas include Htee Khee, Kawthaung, Myawaddy, and Tachileik.
Back in 2013, inclusion of overland visits in the proposed visa-free programme was met with criticism as this could present risks to security.
Myanmar has existing visa-free entry agreements with countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines and Vietnam. Soon Thailand will be included in this roster.
Myanmar is also set to pursue a similar agreement with Malaysia and Singapore.
Myanmar was host to the 2014 ASEAN Summit where it committed to finalise said deals with its ASEAN neighbours.
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