Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin welcomes travelers from Shanghai at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Monday, the first day of the Thai government’s new visa-free scheme for Chinese and Kazakh tourists aimed at boosting tourism. Photo: Peerapon Boonyakiat/VCG

A Thai puppeteer performs for Chinese tourists at the arrivals gate. The new policy grants a temporary visa exemption for five months, remaining in effect until Feb. 29. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/VCG

Tourists pose with Thai dancers and puppeteers at the arrivals gate. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/VCG

Tourists snap photos upon arrival at the airport. The travelers, consisting of 306 Chinese nationals and 35 passengers from other countries, landed in Bangkok from Shanghai on an AirAsia X flight Monday. Photo: Sakchai Lalit/VCG

Thavisin poses for a photo with a tourist. Photo: Valeria Mongelli/VCG

Thavisin greets Chinese tourists at the airport. Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/VCG

Chinese tourists receive garlands from Thavisin. Photo: Sakchai Lalit/VCG

Thavisin waits for passengers at the airport. Thailand’s tourism authority is expecting to receive between 1.9 million and 2.8 million Chinese tourists during the visa exemption period, according to a CCTV report. Photo: Valeria Mongelli/VCG