KUWAIT CITY, Jan 21: The Iraqi side of Safwan border has informed the Kuwaiti side about extending the deadline for Kuwaitis, other Gulf nationals and expatriates to visit Iraq without restrictions or conditions and to continue the visa-free entry program until next week, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources. Sources confirmed that the Iraqi authorities sent a circular to their Kuwaiti counterparts, stating that the visa-free entry through Abdally and Safwan borders will continue until Friday next week. Sources revealed the concerned Kuwaiti and Iraqi entities will soon finalize a mechanism for granting visa at symbolic fees to those who wish to enter Iraq through Safwan border.

Sources added the largest number of citizens passing through the above mentioned borders was recorded Friday — about 10,000; as many citizens wanted to benefit from the visa-free entry before the specified period ends. Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Thailand, Watanachai Narandon, said his country has removed all restrictions and health conditions related to “Covid 19” for all tourists, reports Al-Rai daily.

Speaking at a “Symposium on Medical Treatment and Tourism in Thailand”, which was organized in cooperation with the Thai private sector for health and wellness, at the Jumeirah Hotel Thursday morning, he disclosed last year about 70,000 tourists from Kuwait visited his country. Narandon added that his country has provided people all over the world with a wonderful combination of medical treatment and medical tourism.

He stated that Thailand has 59 hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International or JCI, which is the highest number among the countries of Asia, the Pacific and South Asia, and ranks fourth in the world. He referred to the facilities that are provided to Kuwaitis visiting Thailand for treatment, through specialized information offices and agencies in Kuwait, before traveling. He added, “There are no diseases or symptoms that cannot be treated in Thailand, because our doctors have experience, expertise and great professionalism in various medical fields.”

He concluded saying his country is preparing to be the medical center of the world, under the national strategy for Thailand as an international medical center 2017-2026. In turn, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for the Middle East and Dubai, Chaiwatt Tamthai, said that Thailand has always been considered the first travel destination with its tropical islands, cuisine, historical and cultural treasures, and bustling markets, and it has also become known for wellness and comprehensive health on a global level