India has announced a reciprocal visa-free entry programme for Thai visitors, effective from July 1, 2024. This initiative, initially set for six months, aims to facilitate hassle-free travel for Thai nationals planning holidays in India, allowing them to bypass the lengthy visa application process.
The decision follows Thailand’s temporary visa exemption for Indian nationals, which began in May 2024 and will run until November 2024. A government source told the Thai Enquirer that India’s visa-free entry for Thai visitors is likely to become a permanent arrangement over time.
This move is expected to strengthen bilateral relations and boost tourism between the two countries. In a related development, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is anticipated to visit India later this year, further reinforcing the ties between Thailand and India.
Planning to visit India this year?
India is known for its ancient monuments and the history behind them. Every monument has its own narrative. Today’s travel story unfolds the symbol of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture and the world heritage site – Qutub Minar. This soaring 73 m tall tower is a prominent tourist attraction.
Its first story was built by Qutubuddin Aibak in the year 1192. The rest of the four stories were built by Shamsuddin Iltushmish and Firoz Shah Tughlaq till 1388.
Sikander Lodi also carried out the stone restorations during his tuner as a Delhi Sultanate. In the year 1805, this minaret got serious damage caused by earthquake which was later in 1828 renovated by the British Indian Army and they installed a copula right at the top of the building.
In the year 1948 copula was removed by the orders of then Governor Viscount Hardinge and later reinstalled at the ground level. Qutub Minar has a spiral staircase with 379 steps. One can also find carvings in Parso Arabic and Nagari revealing the history of its construction and restoration of Qutub Minar.
One of the finest example of Indo Islamic Afghan Architecture, Qutub Minar is the highest Brick Minaret in the world and is a must visit tourist attraction which should be included when visiting the Nation Capital New Delhi.