Thailand and Kazakhstan are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in April to permanently exempt Thai and Kazakh citizens from requiring pre-travel visas for travel to each other’s country, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Jakkaphong Sangmanee.

Currently, Kazakh citizens can visit Thailand without a visa, following the Thai cabinet’s decision on September 25th last year, but this arrangement is due to expire on February 29th. On February 20th, the cabinet decided to extend the arrangement until the end of August.

Thai tourists can visit Kazakhstan up to 30 days without a visa.

Jakkaphong said the Kazakh foreign minister will attend the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) meeting in Bangkok in April, during which he and Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara are expected to sign the MoU.

Management of Air Astana, a Kazakh airline, welcome the cabinet’s decision during a meeting with representatives of Thai Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports on Friday.

About 170,000 Kazakh tourists visited Thailand last year and it is projected that at least 200,000 will visit this year.