Chinese tourists, among others, may now apply online for a visa to visit  Thailand. The digital service is expected to shorten lines for visas on arrival, which are endemic to Thai airports. 

Thailand Immigration Bureau has opened a  website to offer visa services for tourists from 21 countries,  state-backed Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday. 

Travelers may submit their applications and receive the visa via e-mail within 24 hours after paying the fee of THB525 (USD16 or RMB110) online. The e-visa is valid for one month after the date of issuance. 

With the new digital procedure,  filling in the application takes less than one minute instead of the two hours of waiting at the airport, he added.