Thailand may lift visas for Lithuanians by way of exception

Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister Neris Germanas, on a visit to Bangkok, discussed the possibility of visa-free travel for Lithuanians with Thailand’s Deputy Foreign Minister Veerasak Futrakul and Deputy Trade Minister Winichai Chaemchaeng.

“It was explained in a very practical and simple way: under their rules, the issue of visa-free travel is not addressed until the number of travelers reaches 16,000 people. We were somewhat surprised by the fact, but now we at least now have a formal explanation,” Germanas told BNS.

Some 10,000 Lithuanians have visited Thailand this year so far, up from around 9,000 people in 2015, the official said.

“The Foreign Ministry promised to make efforts toward the lifting of visas despite these formal requirements, but underlined that this issue is not within their area of competence,” he said.

According to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, Lithuania is currently one of the three Schengen countries whose citizens are not eligible for a 30-day visa-free stay in Thailand.

Lithuanian travelers are granted a 15-day visa on their arrival in Thailand, or they can obtain a tourist visa for up to 60 days via Thailand’s consulate in Vilnius.