Southeast Asian countries push for creation of Restriction-Free Travel Zone

12-04-24

In a pioneering initiative that promises to transform Southeast Asia's tourism and business landscape, Thailand has spearheaded an ambitious proposal to establish a Schengen-style unrestricted travel zone. The idea has been presented to the political leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam, with the aim of fostering a border-free space that would allow tourists and businesspeople to move freely between these six countries.

The proposal, dubbed the Pan-Southeast Asia Zone, seeks to emulate the success of the European Union's Schengen zone, where internal borders have been minimized to facilitate the free movement of people. By eliminating the need for multiple visas and simplifying bureaucratic processes, the promoters of this initiative hope to catalyze a significant increase in tourism and trade flows in the region.