Some foreigners to be allowed to enter Thailand from July 1

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Some foreigners to be allowed entry from July 1

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand will allow some foreigners to enter the country from July 1, in an easing of the months-long travel lockdown.

 

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Wednesday (June 24) that the first group would comprise businessmen and investors in the waiting list who have agreed to Alternative State Quarantine.

 

Related story: Seven groups of foreigners expected to be allowed entry.

 

The second group to be allowed entry from July 1 include: skilled labour and experts, foreigners married to Thais and permanent residents of Thailand, educational personnel, teachers, and students.

 

Meanwhile, businessmen on short-duration stays may be exempted from quarantine but officials are considering alternative ways to monitor them. CCSA will hold further discussions next Monday.

 

Medical and wellness tourists will be allowed when health institutions and hospitals are ready and have received the Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration standard which could start from July 1. The areas of the country open for this group are: Bangkok, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces

 

Of the groups that have registered seeking entry, there are 700 business people and investors; 15,400 skilled labourers and experts; around 2,000 foreigners married to Thais or permanent residents of Thailand, around 2,000 educational personnel, teachers and students, and 30,000 medical and wellness tourists.

 

Discussions are still on about letting in the second group -- businessmen on short-duration stays, government guests, and tourists under the "travel bubble", especially the tourists -- since the virus situation around the world remains a cause for concern.

 

The CCSA has tentative plans to let in tourists under the travel bubble in August under villa or state quarantine if the virus situation shows improvement.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30390208

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-24

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

[Sayed Ali Salman Alhalay]

I have appointment next month in hospital what can i do

[reallyaffiliated]

Did anybody already try to contact their embassy for the wellness tourism, and do they know what that consists off? 

[tribalfusion001]

6 minutes ago, reallyaffiliated said:

Did anybody already try to contact their embassy for the wellness tourism, and do they know what that consists off? 

Will probably be a wellness resort and you won't be allowed to leave. Thai government have it covered. No mingling with the locals in case you are infected lol.

[bluesofa]

3 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Will probably be a wellness resort and you won't be allowed to leave. Thai government have it covered. No mingling with the locals in case you are infected lol.

Ha ha!

When I was a lad it was called 'illness'. Now with the aid of a spin-doctor we have wellness.

Another marketing success.

[kiever]

How I can be a medical Wellness tourist ?

[tribalfusion001]

For those thinking of being a medical wellness tourist, it won't be a free reign to slip to Pattaya or see your girlfriend. Medical wellness tourists are quarantined before and after treatment. Business tourists only short stay of 2 or 3 days.

 

You'll have to wait the same as everyone else.

[reallyaffiliated]

4 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

For those thinking of being a medical wellness tourist, it won't be a free reign to slip to Pattaya or see your girlfriend. Medical wellness tourists are quarantined before and after treatment. Business tourists only short stay of 2 or 3 days.

 

You'll have to wait the same as everyone else.

Did you call the embassy?

[tribalfusion001]

8 minutes ago, reallyaffiliated said:

Did you call the embassy?

It was already announced that "medical wellness tourists" would be in quarantine before and after treatment, that seems fairly obvious that you can't do what you want apart from treatment, 30,000 in total.

[bluesofa]

25 minutes ago, kiever said:

How I can be a medical Wellness tourist ?

Surely by having an illness that needs curing.

[DrJack54]

I realize it would be pure guess work. I notice 2000 spots set aside married folk.

Seems a bit thin. I realize there is capacity constraints. 

So for the guess work question......how many people would be trying to enter Thailand using the married option. 

You would think a big number or opposite.

[brewsterbudgen]

No official yet.  Best to wait until the Cabinet have approved the proposals and all the restrictions and caveats agreed.

[snoop1130]

Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers in next week

 

FILE PHOTO: Empty chairs are seen on a beach which is usually full of tourists, amid fear of coronavirus in Phuket, Thailand March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers into the country starting next week, as it eases restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, a senior official said on Wednesday.

 

The first group of foreigners that have registered for 14-day state quarantine include those with work permits, investors and business executives, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

 

The new measures will be subject to approval by the government's task force that meets on Monday, he said, adding that medical tourists would also be allowed entry.

 

The Thai aviation regulator has banned international commercial flights up to the end of June, but has said some business travel could resume in July.

 

"There will not be a complete opening of skies any time soon because the crisis is still going on globally, but arrangements can be made for certain foreign travel," Taweesin told Reuters.

 

Short-term business travellers will be required to have a certificate showing they are free of the coronavirus, health insurance and to allow medical personnel to monitor them while in Thailand.

 

Travellers, however, may find it difficult to obtain virus-free certification due to limited testing and flights to Thailand because the pandemic has brought global air travel to a virtual standstill, with many airline fleets grounded.

 

Tourists from countries with "travel bubble" arrangements will be allowed to travel in August, but they will be limited to a certain space in what the government calls "villa quarantine".

 

Foreign arrivals this year are expected to be only around 8 million people, down from last year's record of 39.8 million, the central bank had said.

 

Thailand has so far recorded 58 deaths related to COVID-19 among 3,157 infections, of which 3,026 patients have recovered.

 

The government on Wednesday also announced that schools, bars and massage parlours would also re-open next month, but with strict health guidelines.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-24

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[bluesofa]

1 minute ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers in next week

Where will they both be going?

[rvaviator]

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

Ha ha!

When I was a lad it was called 'illness'. Now with the aid of a spin-doctor we have wellness.

Another marketing success.

Just like when all second hand cars vanished from the face of the earth and was replaced by pre-owned cars ....

[Guderian]

I'm sure that Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos already have their flights booked...lol. 

[tribalfusion001]

Tourists from countries with "travel bubble" arrangements will be allowed to travel in August, but they will be limited to a certain space in what the government calls "villa quarantine".

 

Sounds like fun in a "villa quarantine".

[CLS]

1 hour ago, kiever said:

How I can be a medical Wellness tourist ?

You have to convince the embassy staff that your illness can only be cured in Soi Cowboy.

[richard_smith237]

18 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers in next week

 

FILE PHOTO: Empty chairs are seen on a beach which is usually full of tourists, amid fear of coronavirus in Phuket, Thailand March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand plans to allow some foreign travellers into the country starting next week, as it eases restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, a senior official said on Wednesday.

 

The first group of foreigners that have registered for 14-day state quarantine include those with work permits, investors and business executives, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

 

The new measures will be subject to approval by the government's task force that meets on Monday, he said, adding that medical tourists would also be allowed entry.

 

The Thai aviation regulator has banned international commercial flights up to the end of June, but has said some business travel could resume in July.

 

"There will not be a complete opening of skies any time soon because the crisis is still going on globally, but arrangements can be made for certain foreign travel," Taweesin told Reuters.

 

Short-term business travellers will be required to have a certificate showing they are free of the coronavirus, health insurance and to allow medical personnel to monitor them while in Thailand.

 

Travellers, however, may find it difficult to obtain virus-free certification due to limited testing and flights to Thailand because the pandemic has brought global air travel to a virtual standstill, with many airline fleets grounded.

 

Tourists from countries with "travel bubble" arrangements will be allowed to travel in August, but they will be limited to a certain space in what the government calls "villa quarantine".

 

Foreign arrivals this year are expected to be only around 8 million people, down from last year's record of 39.8 million, the central bank had said.

 

Thailand has so far recorded 58 deaths related to COVID-19 among 3,157 infections, of which 3,026 patients have recovered.

 

The government on Wednesday also announced that schools, bars and massage parlours would also re-open next month, but with strict health guidelines.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-24

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

The Covid-19 Negative Certificate seems difficult to obtain, particularly within the 72 hr time limit. 

 

In UK people can get a Covid-19 test (I’ve had one), but, we are only contacted if the result is positive. Obviously we are then told to isolate and ‘track and trace’ is employed (everyone we’ve been in contact with also has to self isolate). With the regular tests we do not receive any notification or certificate if the result is negative. 

 

I am struggling to find anyone who could provide a Covid-19 free certificate. 

 

In the UK https://samedaydoctor.org seems as though they may issue a Covid-19 free certificate, but that would involve travelling into a potential 'hot-spot’ (London or Manchester) for a test when there are no cases in my area of the UK’s quiet countryside. 

 

 

 

 

 

[tribalfusion001]

8 minutes ago, CLS said:

You have to convince the embassy staff that your illness can only be cured in Soi Cowboy.

Not sure if Soi Cowboy is opening back up yet.

[kotsak]

35 minutes ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Tourists from countries with "travel bubble" arrangements will be allowed to travel in August, but they will be limited to a certain space in what the government calls "villa quarantine".

 

Sounds like fun in a "villa quarantine".

Will they be allowed to call in any "entertainment"? ????

[tribalfusion001]

33 minutes ago, kotsak said:

Will they be allowed to call in any "entertainment"? ????

Mai dai 555

[richard_smith237]

A ‘contact’ tells me, it’s not even possible (for foreign spouses) to register to apply to return at the moment... 

 

The announcement seems to be nothing more than media lip-service... “look at us, we’re letting families get back together” 

 

Nothing is in process... I’ll believe it when I see it. 
 

I’m starting to believe the posters who write that at could be months before we can get home to our families. 

[Sheryl]

11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

A ‘contact’ tells me, it’s not even possible to register to apply to return at the moment... 

 

The announcement was nothing more than media lip-service...  

 

Nothing is in process. 

 

i jsyt contacted the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh on behalf of a Cambodian woman scheduled for surgery at a Bangkok Hospital in August. Same story - no way to register, nothing in progress.

[brewsterbudgen]

44 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

i jsyt contacted the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh on behalf of a Cambodian woman scheduled for surgery at a Bangkok Hospital in August. Same story - no way to register, nothing in progress.

My wife and son need to get back from Laos.  I've been told there's a good chance that some reopening of the land borders is possible after this week's COVID meeting between the ASEAN countries.

[Sheryl]

8 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

My wife and son need to get back from Laos.  I've been told there's a good chance that some reopening of the land borders is possible after this week's COVID meeting between the ASEAN countries.

I devoutly hope so!!!

 

 

 

 

[Bobsuruncle]

I tried yesterday (23 June 2020) here in the US, to apply for a visa as a spouse to a Thai national at the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. The doors were locked but the man in charge was coming out the door to mail something and he told me that they weren't open due to Covid-19 and when I asked him about a visa for a spouse, he said "we are not giving visas to any foreigners who want to go to Thailand. We are only helping Thai nationals who want to return home." He told me to watch their website for future information. Or better yet to follow them on facebook. 

Apparently either he hasn't gotten the memo yet or things haven't been all ironed out as to how to approach this many foreigners wanting to come in.

[shdmn]

Thanks to a terrible and continued poor response from the US gov't leadership, Many US hospitals are in danger of being overrun with cases now.  I seriously doubt any country is going to want to rush to allow US travellers back in.

[CLS]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

A ‘contact’ tells me, it’s not even possible (for foreign spouses) to register to apply to return at the moment... 

 

The announcement seems to be nothing more than media lip-service... “look at us, we’re letting families get back together” 

 

Nothing is in process... I’ll believe it when I see it. 
 

I’m starting to believe the posters who write that at could be months before we can get home to our families. 

At least it seems to be set up in Germany, according to this post.

 

Here is a copy and paste from a post from xn47140

Asked the Thai Embassy in Berlin about the rules for entry to Thailand if married to a Thai. Here's the answer translated with Google:

 

"we received a new order from Thailand on Friday. People who are married to a Thai citizen can apply for a special permit to enter Thailand. The following documents must be sent in advance to the Thai embassy by email:

- Copy of the passport (first page with the photo)

- Copy of the passport (first page with the photo) of the Thai spouse

- Copy of visa and re-entry permit for Thailand

- Copy of the marriage certificate - Medical certificate for a negative test for Covid-19

- Fit-to-Fly airworthiness certificate

- Proof of overseas health insurance that includes treatment for COVID-19 in Thailand equivalent to at least $ 100,000

- Copy of the flight confirmation

- Proof of confirmed quarantine stay (hotel booking):

 

When entering the Kingdom, non-Thai nationals must undergo a 14-day quarantine at a state quarantine facility at their own expense. The quarantine may only take place in the following hotels:

1. Mövenpick Wellnes BDMS Resort Hotel

2. Qiu Hotel Sukhumvit

3. The Idle Residence

4. Grand Richmond Hotel

5. Royal Benja Hotel

6. Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel

7. Grande Centerpoint Hotel Sukhumvit

 

At www.hsscovid.com you will find the hotels selected for quarantine and further information

 

- The completed declaration form The documents will be forwarded to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval. In the event of approval, the Thai embassy will contact the applicant. The applicant speaks personally to the embassy within 72 hours before the flight date and submits the following documents:

 

- Medical certificate for a negative test on Covid-19 (not older than 72 hours before departure)

- Fit-to-Fly certificate of fitness to fly (not older than 72 hours before departure)

 

The Thai embassy then issues a certificate of entry. You can also apply for a special permit to enter Thailand at the Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Consulate General in Munich. Please note that the medical certificate and the airworthiness certificate must be submitted twice. In the event of approval, these two certificates, issued within 72 hours before the flight date, must be submitted again in person to the embassy.

 

We recommend that you submit the application to a consulate in your area, based on the short-term personal consultation before the departure date.

 

Best regards Visa section of the Royal Thai Embassy Lepsiusstr. 64-66 12163 Berlin Tel. 030 79481117 (telephone information Mon - Fri from 2.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.) Fax 030 79481118 [email protected]"

 

[unheard]

3 hours ago, Bobsuruncle said:

he said "we are not giving visas to any foreigners who want to go to Thailand. We are only helping Thai nationals

It seems the consulates are out of the loop for now.

You can apply via this link posted by the embassy:

 

https://thaiembdc.org/onlinevisaapplication/