Thailand will set up a consulate office in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, this year, making it possible for Chengdu residents to apply for and get visas without leaving town.

The Foreign Affairs Office of the Sichuan provincial government said on Thursday the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed it that China has signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand on establishing the office.

The office in Chengdu will be established to serve the increasingly exchanges between Sichuan and Thailand on economy, culture and tourism, said the Sichuan Foreign Affairs Office.

The office is expected to open within the first half of this year.

Sichuan Province has been trying in recent years to win over more countries to establish consulates and offices in Sichuan, said the Foreign Affairs Office. Germany has opened a consulate in Chengdu in November 2004. A consulate of the Republic of Korea will also open soon.