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ISSUE 238 • MAY 2022
Happening
TELL YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY – IT’S NOW MUCH EASIER TO VISIT THAILAND Travel rules for vaccinated travelers From May 1, fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival. They also no longer need to pre-book a hotel room for their first night’s stay in the country, a move which ends the Test & Go scheme which has been in place since Feb 1. However, they are still required to register with Thailand Pass in order to submit a copy of their vaccination certificate, as well as proof of COVID-19 insurance with at least $10,000 coverage, which has been reduced from $20,000. Travelers are only recommended to take a self-ATK test if they show symptoms for COVID-19. Upon arriving in Thailand, fully vaccinated travelers are free to go anywhere in the kingdom. Travel rules for non-vaccinated travelers isitors to Thailand who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer need to undergo any testing or quarantine from May 1.
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Tourism is a key driver for Thailand’s economy, with the kingdom one of the most popular holiday destinations, not only in Asia, but anywhere in the world.
Unvaccinated travelers will also be exempt from mandatory 5 day hotel quarantine if they can show a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours of their departure to Thailand.
In the year before COVID-19, more than 40 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, which in terms of revenue accounted for approximately 12 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
All visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, are still required to register online with the ‘Thailand Pass’ system (https://tp.consular. go.th/), and provide proof of health insurance with COVID-19 coverage not less than $10,000.
Thailand has seen an upturn in arrivals during the first quarter of 2022.
Authorities hope the move will help to rejuvenate Thailand’s tourism industry, which like many countries, has been left decimated because of the pandemic. Since February, Thailand had operated the ‘Test & Go’ program which enabled people who were fully vaccinated to enter the country with limited quarantine, of typically less than 24 hours. People had also been required to undergo an RTPCR test on arrival. However, from May 1, no testing of any form will be required for fully vaccinated travelers. “Test & Go will be scrapped and there will be a shift to antigen testing on May 1. This will be more convenient and faster for visitors. Tourism is also starting to recover,’’ Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha said during the announcement. “Many countries have already eased their restrictions”, the PM added. “We are a country that relies on the tourism industry, especially during these times. This will help move the economy forward.”
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 444,039 foreign tourists visited the country between January-March 2022. While this was an increase of 2,101 percent compared to the same period a year previously, it is a drop in the ocean compared to its pre-pandemic levels, where Thailand would average over 100,000 tourist arrivals per day. The decision to scrap Test & Go and RT-PCR testing on arrival has been welcomed by the country’s tourism and business sectors. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said in making its decision, the government had responded to calls from business operators. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also said the government will consider launching the “Two Countries, One Destination” in a bid to facilitate travel and promote tourism between Thailand and other countries.
Non vaccinated travelers to Thailand can avoid a mandatory 5 day hotel quarantine if they are able to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of their departure. Proof of the negative test result must be uploaded to the Thailand Pass system, along with proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 of up to $10,000. They also no longer need to show a negative RT-PCR test result either on arrival in Thailand. Alternatively, if they are unable to show a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of their departure they must undergo 5 day quarantine in a hotel and take an RT-PCR test on day 5 of their stay. If the test is negative they are free to travel anywhere in Thailand. Proof of the 5 day hotel booking must be submitted to Thailand Pass prior to departure.
