YANGON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) — Myanmar has granted e-visa for tourists and business visitors at three border crossings with Thailand — Tachileik, Myawaddy and Kawthaung starting Thursday, said an official report quoting the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population.

The authorities began e-visa services for tourists entering the country through Yangon International Airport on Sept. 1, 2014 from a total of 100 countries and the service was extended to Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw on Nov. 9 the same year.

Moreover, the authorities also offered e-visa for business visitors from 51 countries at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports on July 1, 2015.

According to statistics, foreign tourist arrivals in Myanmar amounted to 1.69 million in the first six months of this year, increasing by 4 percent as compared with the same period of the previous year when over 650,000 came to the country.

During the period, visitors from Thailand, Singapore, China and Japan took 70 percent stake, while European tourists shared 30 percent.

Thai tourists accounted for the majority, followed by Chinese and Japanese.

Myanmar targets to attract 5.5 million of tourists this year.