Thailand is still determined to enter the EU without a visa, and it recently asked France to support its efforts.

Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister of Thailand, asked French President Emmanuel Macron to help facilitate Thai residents’ entry into the EU without a visa while she was in Paris.

Macron reaffirmed France’s support for a visa-free travel agreement between the European Union and Thailand while expressing support for the project.

Thavisin underlined the need of granting Thai nationals unfettered access to the Schengen Area and the advantages of streamlining visa application processes.

He emphasized that, since Thailand already permits visa-free entrance for all EU nationals, enabling visa-free travel would reflect reciprocity and encourage more Thais to choose EU locations, therefore promoting economic growth for Member States.

Although Macron’s backing is encouraging, support from other EU members is still awaited.

Parallel to this, Thailand is working to fulfill all requirements in order to be eligible for formal negotiations with the EU.

Furthermore, during German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s visit to Thailand earlier this year, Thavisin urged support for Thailand’s efforts to advance a visa liberalization accord.

Steinmeier would not confirm Germany’s position, but Thavisin admitted that it would be difficult to bring about such an agreement and advised Thai nationals to keep applying for visas until a solution is found.

Thailand’s passport is currently ranked 108th in the world, meaning that only 43 countries allow admission without a visa, while 118 countries—including EU members—demand one.

The proposed visa liberalization deal with the European Union has the potential to greatly improve Thailand’s passport ranking and increase the international mobility of its nationals.