Thailand Welcomes Indian Travellers: Visa-Free Entry Starts November 2023

Thailand Welcomes Indian Travellers: Visa-Free Entry Starts November 2023

By Author

Published on November 3, 2023

Thailand, in an exciting move for international travellers, has announced a visa-free entry policy for Indians starting from 10th November 2023. This initiative, stretching until 24th May 2024, is part of Thailand’s strategy to boost tourism and make travel more accessible.

Highlights of the Visa-Free Entry to Thailand for Indians:

Duration of the Policy: From 10th November 2023 to 24th May 2024, Indians can enjoy the ease of travelling to Thailand without the hassle of a visa.

Stay Period: Tourists from India can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days upon arrival.

Tourism Boost: This policy aims to revitalise Thailand's tourism industry, attracting more visitors from one of its largest source markets.

Tourist Influx: India ranks as the fourth largest source of tourists for Thailand, following Malaysia, China, and South Korea.

2023 Tourist Numbers: Thailand has already welcomed approximately 22 million tourists, nearing the government’s target of 28 million for the year.

Further Insights:

  • Thailand is the second country, after Sri Lanka, to offer such a convenience to Indian travellers.

  • In the period from January to October 2023, Thailand saw 22 million visitors, contributing significantly to its economy.

  • The visa-free entry is expected to attract an additional 1.4 million tourists, generating substantial revenue for Thailand.

  • The move aims to capitalise on the high travel interest from India and Taiwan.

  • Previously, Indian and Taiwanese tourists needed a 15-day visa-on-arrival, with additional requirements like bank statements and proof of accommodation.

Why This Matters for Indian Travellers:

The visa-free policy by Thailand marks a significant step in simplifying travel for Indian tourists. It not only acknowledges the importance of the Indian market for Thailand’s tourism but also opens up new opportunities for travellers seeking international experiences with less bureaucratic hassle.

This policy could lead to a surge in travel plans to Thailand, offering a seamless and more inviting travel experience. For Indian travellers, this presents a perfect opportunity to explore Thailand's rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant city life without the burden of complex visa procedures.

Looking Ahead:

As we await further official statements from the Thai Embassy, this development signals a positive trend in international travel post-pandemic, with countries easing entry requirements to revive tourism. For travel enthusiasts from India, the allure of Thailand's scenic beauty, cuisine, and hospitality is now just a flight away, with no visa worries to dampen the excitement.


IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 3, 2026

IndiGo has outlined a cautious yet forward-looking approach as it prepares for the next phase of growth, placing strong emphasis on “operational reliability” while planning a limited set of international route additions. The airline said its immediate focus is to “stabilise operations” as it continues to strengthen capacity and network resilience.

As part of its international plans, IndiGo has announced the launch of non-stop services to Athens. This route will also mark the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR, a new aircraft type expected to support the airline’s entry into fresh overseas markets as it gradually expands beyond short-haul operations.

Beyond Athens, the airline has not shared details of additional international destinations or capacity increases. IndiGo stated that it will continue to grow its international footprint while further densifying its domestic network, without outlining the pace or scale of expansion.

On the domestic front, the airline is also preparing to begin operations from Noida International Airport at Jewar, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region once services commence.

Addressing recent operational challenges, IndiGo said it had swiftly restored normal operations following a temporary network disruption. The airline also confirmed that it is “fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator's committee” as part of an ongoing review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

While IndiGo reiterated its long-term ambitions, including plans related to widebody aircraft and sustained growth, its near-term outlook remains measured. The airline said its renewed focus on stability will help drive future scale, innovation, and impact as it carefully explores new frontiers.


Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has made an impressive start, handling a total of 26,021 passengers in its first five days of operations. This includes 12,431 arrivals and 13,590 departures, showing strong demand right from day one.

Weekend traffic was particularly high, with 5,548 travellers on Saturday and 5,614 on Sunday, reflecting growing confidence among passengers. During this initial period, the airport managed 162 flight movements, 81 arrivals and 81 departures, while keeping on-time performance smooth for both airlines and ground services.

Currently, NMIA connects 13 major domestic destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa (MOPA), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Nagpur, Vadodara. These connections cover key business and leisure hubs, giving travellers more options and conveand nience in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its network with additional destinations and increased flight frequencies in coordination with partner airlines. With strong early passenger response and ready infrastructure, NMIA is set to become a modern, seamless travel hub in Western India


Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Air India has strengthened its partnership with airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, by entering into a new codeshare agreement, making travel between India and the Baltic region easier and more seamless for its customers. This move builds on the interline partnership established between the two carriers in June 2025.

Under the codeshare, Air India has begun adding its ‘AI’ designator code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Air India’s European gateways including Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, Zurich, and London Gatwick. This allows passengers to travel between India and Riga with a single Air India ticket, covering connecting flights under the same booking.

Additionally, Air India’s interline agreement with airBaltic allows travellers to reach Tallinn, Estonia, and Vilnius, Lithuania via select European gateways, further expanding access to the Baltic region.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, "This expanded partnership with airBaltic reflects Air India’s commitment to providing seamless global connectivity to our customers. Latvia and the wider Baltic region are growing travel markets, and this codeshare makes the journey more convenient than ever."

Air India currently operates multiple non-stop flights connecting India with Europe:

  • Delhi: Amsterdam (7x weekly), Paris (14x weekly), Frankfurt (12x weekly), Copenhagen (4x weekly), Milan (6x weekly), Vienna (4x weekly), Zurich (4x weekly)

  • Mumbai: Frankfurt (5x weekly)

  • Amritsar & Ahmedabad: London Gatwick (3x weekly each)

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to include 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements, offering passengers access to over 800 destinations worldwide.

The new codeshare flights are now available for booking through both airlines’ official channels and travel partners.

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