Holders of China's Macao Special Administrative Region passport will hopefully enjoy visa-free access to Thailand as of October.

The general consul of Thailand in Hong Kong was quoted by Monday's Macao Daily News as saying that "now the two sides are negotiating the date to sign an official agreement on mutual exemption of visa requirements."

The articles in the to-be-cemented agreement have already been set and the Thai side is "very supportive" for the issue, the source said.

The move is widely anticipated to promote tourism growth and business exchanges in the two tourist meccas.

( Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2002)