China, Thailand mull on tourist visa exemption

BANGKOK, August 2 (TNA) - Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul on Friday discussed the possibility of exempting tourist visa, aimed at allowing more people to visit each other country. Surapong told journalists that details on the idea will be later discussed by Chinese and Thai authorities concerned. Their discussions were made on the sidelines of the opening of the High-Level Forum on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, hosted by Bangkok. The Japanese government has exempted visa requirement for Thai tourists since July 1, 2013. The Thai deputy prime minister acknowledged that he also discussed with the visiting Chinese foreign minister on using the Chinese yuan, instead of the US dollar, in buying and selling goods between the two countries, and that the central banks of the two countries will confer on the matter later. The High-Level Forum on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership was, meanwhile, organised to boost relations and cooperation between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in which Thailand is a member country. (TNA)