China, Thailand mull tourist visa exemption   

(ECNS)-- China and Thailand are continuing discussions of a bilateral tourist exemption to start in September, according to Thailand's World Journal.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she hopes the exemption will attract 5 million Chinese visitors to her country annually.

The exemption would be mutually beneficial to both countries, Yingluck said, and Thailand needs to increase ties with China to boost trade and investment.

Thailand began exchanging views with China about the visa exemption two months ago.

Around 2 million Chinese tourists visit Thailand annually. The Chinese movie "Lost In Thailand" released at the end of last year has also spurred travel to the country.