Proportion of Thai independent tourists visiting Japan jump

BANGKOK, July 27 (TNA) - More Thai tourists have opted to travel to Japan independently, rather than taking a tour package, as a result of a recent visa waiver announced by Japan for those on short-term visits of less than 15 days. Anek Srichiwachart, Chairman of Thailand-Japan Tourism Promotion Association, told journalists of the development on Saturday, acknowledging that the proportion of Thai free independent travelers or FTI visiting Japan has jumped exponentially, following Japan's visa waiver, which has been in effective since July 1, 2013. Anek suggested, however, that Thai independent travelers still need to prepare all required documents and present them to authorities at Japanese airports' immigration clearance counters, cautioning if they do not meet immigration clearance requirements, they will be refused to enter Japan and sent back home. According to the chair of the Thailand-Japan Tourism Promotion Association,Thai independent travelers need to present return-air tickets, credit cards or evidence of funds they hold, contact addresses of hotels or persons they intend to stay with while they are in Japan and a plan for their stay to the authorities at the immigration clearance desks. Anek said that some Thai independent travelers have been refused to enter Japan due to their failure to show all the required documents, but such the refusal has not happened to those travelling with tour agents. (TNA)