Jonathan Fairfield

 

The processing of British passport renewals from Thailand could take up to 11 weeks, according to VFS, the company responsible for processing applications on behalf of the British government.

 

VFS says that renewals of British passports for expats in Thailand are currently taking up to 11 weeks, while the processing of first time passports for children is taking up to 13 weeks.

 

Typically passport renewal applications are processed within six weeks, and often much sooner. 

 

No reason has been given for the delay.

 

However, it could be due to a surge in passport applications in the wake of an easing of global travel restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

 

While Thailand is set to officially welcome inbound foreign visitors from Monday (Nov 1), some British expats in Thailand are eager to return to the UK to visit friends and family after having been separated for almost two years. 

 

UK passport holders travelling to the UK from Thailand are urged to ensure their passport has at least six months’ validity remaining before booking their trip. They are also advised to take into consideration the 11 to 13 week processing period.

 

 

At least he admitted the mistake. That's real progress. 

Image: Tourists on a beach in Thailand. File photo. Reuters.

 

On Monday (Nov 1), Thailand will reopen to international foreign tourists for the first time in almost two years.

 

With the reopening just days away, the Thai government has provided a little more clarity on the entry process and requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign tourists.

 

Anyone arriving in Thailand from November 1 will essentially be grouped into three categories:

 

1. Fully vaccinated arriving from a ‘low risk’ country

 

Anyone who is fully vaccinated and arriving from one of the 46 countries deemed to be low risk must stay one night in an SHA+ certified hotel or alternative quarantine hotel for one night while they await the result of a RT-PCR test.

 

If the test is negative, they are free to travel anywhere in Thailand without restrictions. Thailand is calling this process ‘Test & Go’.

 

 

 

2. Fully vaccinated from a non low risk country

 

People who are fully vaccinated but arrive from a country not listed among the 46 low risk countries are required to stay at an SHA+ hotel in a Blue Zone ‘sandbox’ area for seven nights. 

 

If they test negative on day 6 or 7 of their stay, they are free to travel elsewhere in Thailand. 

 

All of Thailand’s main tourist destinations are ‘sandbox’ areas, such as Bangkok and Phuket. However, some provinces are only opening certain districts to tourists. 

 

For example, in Chonburi, tourists are only allowed to visit Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Sri Racha, Ko Si Chang and Bang Saray. In Prachuap Khiri Khan, tourists from non low risk countries can visit Hua Hin and Nong Khae districts. 

 

Thailand is calling this process ‘Living in the Blue Zone’.

 

 

3. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated 

 

Regardless of which country they are travelling from, anyone who is unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated are required to stay in an alternative quarantine hotel for 10 nights. If they test negative on day 9 or 10 of their stay they can travel to other areas of Thailand.

 

Before departure to Thailand

 

Before departing for Thailand, foreign tourists need to make sure they have the required documentation listed below and have applied for a Thailand Pass, which replaces the Certificate of Entry needed previously to enter Thailand.

 

 The required documents are:

 

- A Certificate of Vaccination (fully vaccinated) with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.

 

- Those previously infected within 3 months must have received 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.

 

- Travellers under 12 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians, are exempt from the vaccination requirement.

 

- A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before  travelling (all travellers).

 

- A confirmed payment for a 1-night stay at SHA+, AQ, OQ, or AHQ accommodation, and 1 RT-PCR test.

 

- An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.

 

How to register for Thailand Pass:

 

- Register for a Thailand Pass at https://tp.consular.go.th/ (available from 9am on 1 November, 2021). 

 

- Upload the required document (along with the valid visa/re-entry permit, if required), and allow 3-5 working days for the       approval process. Wait for the approval of the Vaccine Certification and paid accommodation, including the RT-PCR test.

 

- Confirm the approval, and receive a Thailand Pass QR Code.

 

 

Additional info:

 

- Entry to Thailand is via one of six approved airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui and U-Tapao. Buriram airport can only be used for charter flights. 

 

- Everyone who arrives in Thailand must download the Mor Chana mobile app

 

- Expats or Thais returning to Thailand can not quarantine at their home in Thailand and must stay in an approved SHA+ or quarantine hotel.

 

- Travel from the airport to hotel must take place via a ‘sealed route’ or rather approved SHA+ vehicle, organised by the hotel.

 

List of 46 low risk countries and territories

 

List of 17 'Blue Zone' destinations

 

Bangkok
Krabi
Chon Buri (Banglamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, and Sattahip – Na Jomtien and Bang Sarey)
Chiang Mai (Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng)
Trat (Ko Chang)
Buri Ram (Mueang)
Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae)
Phang-Nga
Phetchaburi (Cha-Am)
Phuket
Ranong (Ko Phayam)
Rayong (Ko Samet)
Loei (Chiang Khan)
Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao)
Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai, and Tha Bo)
Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han, and Prachaksinlapakhom)

 

 

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discovery of Delta Plus variant will not scupper Thailand's reopening plans

 

Image: Reuters, file photo

 

The presence of the Delta Plus COVID-19 variant in Thailand will not delay the government's plan to reopen the country to foreign tourists on November 1, the Ministry of Public Health has said. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1237015-discovery-of-delta-plus-variant-will-not-scupper-thailands-reopening-plans/

 

Image: Reuters, file photo

 

The presence of the Delta Plus COVID-19 variant in Thailand will not delay the government's plan to reopen the country to foreign tourists on November 1, the Ministry of Public Health has said. 

 

On Monday, health officials announced the discovery of the more contagious Delta Plus variant in a 49 year old man who had been working in Ayutthaya before then travelling to Kamphaeng Phet, where the strain of the variant was confirmed.

 

The man, who had no history of travelling overseas or being in contact with any 'high risk' groups, has since made a full recovery. 

 

On Tuesday, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said the discovery of the COVID-19 variant will not disrupt the reopening plans. 

 

Mr Sathit said that because viruses can mutate all the time, only a mutation that is found to cause severe illness or be resistant to drugs would be significant enough to potentially halt the reopening plans. 

 

Mr Sathit added that the Delta Plus is only considered to be a minor variant, therefore it will result in a delay to the November 1 reopening. 

 

The news comes as Thailand will begin welcoming foreign tourists from 46 low risk countries and territories on November 1.

 

Tourists do not have to quarantine in the same manner as was required previously (spending either 14 or 7 days confined to a hotel room) but they are required to spend the first night of their stay in Thailand in an approved quarantine facility such as a Alternative Quarantine – AQ, Organisation Quarantine – OQ, or Alternative Hospital Quarantine – AHQ, or SHA Plus-certified hotel, while they await test results of a RT-PCR test.

 

The entry for foreign tourists from Nov 1 are as follows:

 

• Travel by air from the approved countries/territories. Currently, Thailand has approved quarantine-free entry for arrivals from Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, USA, and Hong Kong.
  • Must have been in the approved countries/territories for 21 days or more.
  • For returning Thais and foreign residents, it is not necessary to be in an approved country/territory for 21 days or more, as long as they are travelling from Thailand to the approved country/territory and return within the last 21 days.
• A Thailand Pass QR Code, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/ from 1 November, 2021. Until then, a Certificate of Entry (COE) can be applied via https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/.
• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
  • A Medical Certificate of Recovery is also required from those having a lab result with COVID-19 detected to show that that have recovered from COVID-19 no later than 3 months.
• An insurance policy, with coverage clearly identified as no less than US$50,000, which should cover the cost of the treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation for the whole duration in Thailand. *Except for Thai citizens who are entitled to the national health insurance system.*
• A payment confirmation for no less than a 1-night stay upon arrival at the approved quarantine facilities (Alternative Quarantine – AQ, Organisation Quarantine – OQ, or Alternative Hospital Quarantine – AHQ), or SHA Plus-certified hotel.
  • The prepayment should cover both the 1-night accommodation, the required RT-PCR COVID-19 test, and an Antigen Test Kit (ATK).
• A Certificate of Vaccination (fully vaccinated).
  • For those fully vaccinated, proof includes a Certificate of Vaccination with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) (see here) or the World Health Organisation (WHO) (see here) no less than 14 days before their travel date.
  • For those having recovered from COVID-19, proof includes a Certificate of Recovery within the last 3 months and a Certificate of Vaccination with at least one dose of the approved vaccine at least 14 days before their travel date.
  • Travellers under 12 years of age, travelling with their parents or guardians, are exempt from this vaccination requirement, but must have a Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
• Undergo the entry screening (health screening and Immigration procedures) upon arrival at Thailand’s International Airport, and submit all the required documentation to the officials.
• Then proceed directly by the approved airport transfer to the pre-arranged COVID-19 test centre, or the reserved accommodation and undergo the required RT-PCR COVID-19 test on Day 0-1.
  • Travellers must download and install the specified alert application (MorChana), and must wait within the accommodation only for the test result, which should be available within the day.
• If testing negative for COVID-19, travellers can go anywhere in Thailand.
  • Each traveller will receive an ATK that they have prepaid when booking the accommodation.
  • Any traveller experiencing COVID-19 symptoms must immediately get a test done, using the provided ATK. If experiencing no symptoms, travellers must use the provided ATK for COVID-19 self-testing on Day 6-7, and show the result to staff at the hotel or accommodation, as well as record the result (both detected and non-detected) in the MorChana App.
  • Hotel/AQ staff must recommend that travellers self-monitor themselves for at least 7 days. If any traveller experiences COVID-19 symptoms, Hotel/AQ staff must immediately notify the officer in charge of communicable disease control in their respective area.
• For travelling from Thailand to other countries, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective country of their destination.

 

 

61 people arrested after police raid bar on Sukhumvit Soi 23

 

Image: INN

 

Thong Lor Police arrested 61 people after carrying out a raid at a bar on Sukhumvit Soi 23.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1237010-61-people-arrested-after-police-raid-bar-on-sukhumvit-soi-23/

 

Image: INN

 

Thong Lor Police arrested 61 people after carrying out a raid at a bar on Sukhumvit Soi 23.

 

Police said they received a tip off that alcohol was being served on the 2nd floor of the bar.

 

Upon visiting the premises, police said that as well as finding alcohol being served, many people were dancing, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19. 

 

Police said they found receipts which confirmed the sale of alcohol. 

 

Police said they arrested 61 people in total, 26 men and 35 women, all of whom were charged with violating the emergency decree and Communicable Diseases Act.

 

The bar's owner was also charged with serving alcohol.

 

Those arrested were taken to Thong Lor Police Station for processing. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute has announced that they are opening a new channel for requesting the vaccine certificate for international travel.

 

Those who wish to acquire the "vaccine passport" may register via Mor Prom application from 18 October onward.

After registering in the application, users choose their delivery preference, as follows: self-pickup, postal delivery, or email for a digital copy of the certificate. Payment can be made by cash for self-pickup or by e-payment with internet banking via QR code.

According to the data from 19 April to 16 October 2021, there were 31,340 people nationwide who walked in to request the vaccine passport at the organizations designated by the Department of Disease Control.

 

To reduce the congestion and make it easier for the public, the institute now offers an online platform for requesting the vaccine passport. For more information, please contact the DDC hotline at 1422.

 

We can’t go back to our old ways, Phuket marine industry cautioned

 

 

PHUKET: Phuket’s marine industry has been cautioned against returning to pre-COVID business strategies following hard lessons learned in surviving during the pandemic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1236584-we-can’t-go-back-to-our-old-ways-phuket-marine-industry-cautioned/