UAE & Thailand sign an agreement for mutual exemption of pre-entry visas
The Kingdom of Thailand and the government of the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement on a mutual exemption from prior entry visas between the two countries, according to which citizens of the UAE, holders of diplomatic and special passports, are exempted from entry visas to the Kingdom of Thailand, noting that the agreement will enter in force after the completion of the constitutional procedures for both UAE & Thailand.
UAE & Thailand Mutual Exemption
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and His Excellency Waravuth Pouapinya, the Kingdom of Thailand’s designated ambassador to the country, following the joint meeting that was held between them and in the presence of His Excellency Faisal Issa Lotfi, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Services Affairs.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, affirmed the strength of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, which were established 45 years ago, and said that signing this agreement aims to strengthen and develop the existing bilateral relations and friendship between the two countries.
His Excellency praised the volume of trade exchange between the two countries and the need to develop it institutionally, which would encourage an increase in tourism and cultural exchanges, and lead to promoting new opportunities for establishing a business, and investment.
The agreement includes visa exemption for citizens of the country who hold diplomatic and special passports to enter, exit, and pass through Thai territories without a visa, with a stay of only 90 days from entry.
UAE & Thailand Political Relations
The UAE and the Kingdom of Thailand linked with distinct diplomatic relations started since December 12, 1975, interpreted into reality in January 1992 when the Kingdom of Thailand opened a Consulate General in Dubai, followed by opening its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in November 1994, while the UAE opened an Embassy in Bangkok, in April 1998.
The political relations began between the two countries by exchanging visits of official delegations and VIPs since 1977, when HE Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied with Minister of Finance and Industry, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources visited the Kingdom of Thailand in May 1977 and a courtesy call of the Thai Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Jurin Laksanawisit in December 1980.