Saudi Arabia lifts Thailand travel ban

The announcement was made by Saudi’s General Directorate of Passports

Saudi Arabia has normalised relations with Thailand, allowing citizens to travel to Thailand and Thai nationals to enter the kingdom.

Saudi restored full diplomatic ties with Thailand and a planned exchange of ambassadors in January. The move came after Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visited Riyadh for a two-day official visit.

In what was the first official visit from a Thai delegation in more than 30 years, Prayut held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and was keen to resolve issues between the two countries. 

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Before relations between the two countries broke down, Saudi Arabia was a key tourism source market for Thailand.

Speaking about what can be expected now that diplomatic ties are restored, Thai government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said: “Thailand expects between five and 15 million foreign arrivals this year, depending on policies in place in its main tourism markets.”

Saudia, the kingdom’s national carrier, relaunched its flights between Saudi Arabia and Thailand this week.

For more information and bookings, visit www.saudia.com