Thailand’s prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, has asked Germany to help her negotiate a visa-free travel agreement with the European Union. Prime Minister Thavisin encouraged German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to support Thai nationals’ exemption from EU visa restrictions during the latter’s official visit to Thailand.

According to Thavisin, granting visa-free entry to Thai nationals into the Schengen Area will probably lead to a rise in the number of international visitors to the area. He emphasized that citizens of Germany and other Schengen Member States are now eligible to enter Thailand without a visa for stays up to 30 days.

During their discussion, Prime Minister Thavisin revealed that more than 700,000 German visitors traveled to Thailand last year without a visa, highlighting the importance of visa-free travel for Thai nationals. However, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke withheld President Steinmeier’s reaction to the request for a visa exception.

The procedure for releasing citizens of a third country from the need for a visa requires consent from every Schengen member state and entails a number of procedures and assessments, one of which is the appraisal of irregular migration risks.

President Steinmeier stated that he was in favor of sustainable growth despite the lack of information around the visa issue. He underscored Germany’s commitment to supporting the generation of renewable energy and helping Thailand reduce its carbon emissions through a variety of projects.

Business people who indicated interest in arranging trade shows in Thailand accompanied President Steinmeier. They also indicated a desire to support the nation’s recycling industry development.

According to the VisaGuide Passport Index, Thailand’s passport is now ranked 109th. According to the index, Thai passport holders are not required to have a visa in order to access 42 countries. But in 119 countries across the world, including the Schengen Member States, a visa is needed to enter. Thai nationals need to present a number of documents when applying for a Schengen visa, including proof of lodging, evidence of sufficient cash, and a round-trip itinerary.