BANGKOK, Dec. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Thai Cabinet has ratified a draft visa exemption accord with Russia as part of efforts to promote tourism, trade and communication between the two countries, the official Thai News Agency reported Wednesday.

    The agreement, reached during Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhona's visit to Moscow late November, was approved at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

    It will be signed within the framework of the ASEAN-Russia summit scheduled later this month, according to a joint statement issued by foreign ministers of the two countries.

    Under the pact, Thais and Russians with valid travel documents will be allowed to stay in each other's country for up to 30 days.However, government agencies reserved the right to deny the entry or stay of signatory state nationals on security or public health grounds.

    The agreement will take effect within 30 days once the signatory state notifies the other party that the draft agreement has passed its internal procedures as required.

    Thailand and Russia hope to sign an agreement on visa exemptionfor ordinary passport holders on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russiasummit in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 13.

    Currently, Thai travelers to Russia must apply for a visa before departure, while Russians can apply for visa on their arrival. Moscow allows visa exemptions only for diplomatic passports.

    Statistics from the Tourism Authority of Thailand showed that 117,725 Russians visited Thailand in 2004, and the number is expected to rise to 140,000 in 2005.

    Last year, about 2,910 Thais visited Russia, an increase of more than 28 percent from 2,266 in 2003. Enditem