CCSA offers incentives like visa extension to make up for 14 days lost in quarantine

[webfact]

CCSA offers incentives like visa extension to make up for 14 days lost in quarantine

 

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin

 

The Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Thursday that some types of visa have been reactivated, the certificate of entry (CoE) validity extended and sports tournaments have been given the go-ahead.

 

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said that since December 1, the authorities have been conducting three Covid-19 tests on people under quarantine, instead of two. The previous set up was to test individuals between the third and fifth day and then again between the 11th and 13th day. Under the new system, visitors will be tested on the first day, then between the ninth and 10th day and then again on the 13th or 14th day.

 

He said the new testing system may offer authorities an incentive to reduce the mandatory quarantine period from 14 to 10 days, though nothing is clear as yet.

 

Separately, the Public Health Ministry is looking for ways to cut down on the fees private hospitals are charging for Covid-19 tests. Private hospitals, which have been contracted to test people in alternative state quarantine (ASQ), have been asking the government for more funds.

 

Meanwhile, tourists who arrive on cruise ships and complete their 14-day quarantine on board will be allowed to extend their visa by another 15 days. The CCSA said that under the current 30-day visa, tourists only have 15 days to travel around after they have completed their 14-day quarantine.

 

Tourists have until December 29 to apply for the 15-day visa extension.

 

Meanwhile, tourists who are unable to travel within the time period specified in the certificate of entry (CoE) will be granted an extra 24 hours. If the travel can be completed within 72 hours after the original timeframe, then a new CoE will not be required.

 

Taweesin, however, provided little information on the Foreign Ministry’s plan to allow CoE applications to be completed online.

 

The CCSA has also issued a new list of 56 countries and territories whose citizens do not require a visa and can live in the Kingdom for up to 30 days. The countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Principality of Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Peru, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

 

Meanwhile, non-immigrant visa holders from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea can stay for a maximum of 90 days based on inter-governmental agreements.

 

Visa on arrival (VoA), however, is still suspended until the Covid-19 situation gets better.

 

Three types of visitors – transit visa holders, tourist visa holders (not from the 56 countries and territories listed above) and athletes participating in meetings or competitions hosted by Thailand – will get a 15-day extension on their visa to compensate for the 14 days lost in quarantine.

 

The Honda LPGA women's golf tournament will be held in Thailand from May 3 to 9. Spectators will be allowed to join based on the virus situation at the time.

 

Separately, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is planning to add Mandarin to the Thailand Plus application from January onwards. The apps will also be linked to smart wristbands and Thai Chana apps.

 

The spokesman added that Christmas and New Year celebrations will be held as usual, but under the new normal, people will be required to maintain social distancing, observe hygienic behaviour and agree to cooperate so there is no need for a lock

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399759

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-17

 

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

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[RR2020]

Dont expect any opening up until November 2021 at the earliest.   Which means mandatory quarantine until then.

 

I see British Airways has  just cancelled all Bangkok flights until 1st November 2021.    Thai Airways remains "shut down".........no point them starting up until the country opens up.

 

November 2021 is the "target" time for mass tourism to "resume".  Until then..................unless you like 14 days (or in time for Chinese New Year  a reduced 10 days) in "prison"...........AVOID.

[fusion58]

Great! Now all they have to do is find all those tourists who have more than two weeks' vacation.

[SGD]

So the exemption is still 30 days, only extendable once (presumably) for another 30 days and then that is it.

 

No mention of 45 days or 45 + 30 or 45 + 45 or anything else concerning exemption entry.

 

And before you say it, yes I know how to get a visa but I want to go in the next 2 weeks and over Xmas in the UK, there is zero chance of a passport going back and forth and a visa coming back with it.

[RotBenz8888]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He said the new testing system may offer authorities an incentive to reduce the mandatory quarantine period from 14 to 10 days, though nothing is clear as yet.

A mouse step forward to something that won't make any difference. 

[Oldie]

"will get a 15-day extension on their visa to compensate for the 14 days lost in quarantine." 

 

For free? 

[snoop1130]

Thailand relaxes travel curbs for tourists from over 50 countries

By Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

A man wearing a protective face mask walks as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Chinatown, one of the city's top tourist spots, in Bangkok, Thailand March 30, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/Files

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Thursday eased travel restrictions for citizens from 56 countries in a bid to boost the country's pandemic-hit tourism industry, though visitors will be required to undergo a mandatory two-week hotel quarantine.

 

Tourists from countries including Australia, France and the United States can travel without visas, but would need a certificate to show they were free of COVID-19 72 hours before travel and a place at a quarantine hotel, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for Thailand's COVID-19 taskforce said.

 

Visitors would then be subject to a two-week quarantine period after arriving, he said, adding that the normal 30-day visa would be extended to 45 days.

 

While in quarantine, arrivals would undergo three COVID-19 tests, up from two required previously, Taweesin said, adding that more testing could potentially lead to shorter quarantine times in the future.

 

The revisions come as the tourism-reliant economy struggles to encourage more domestic activity, but an ongoing travel ban continues to keep most foreign tourists away.

 

"The entry of tourists will stimulate the economy," Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tanee Sangrat, told Reuters.

 

Travellers from other countries not included in Thursday's announcement could still be eligible for a 90-day special tourist visa and a certificate of entry.

 

Thailand's entry restrictions have helped keep its COVID-19 cases at a low 4,281, but caused widespread economic damage and many job losses.

 

"We are confident in the Thai public health system, before this we were not sure, but now we are confident in the system," Tanee said.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-17

 

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

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[batata]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The CCSA said that under the current 30-day visa, tourists only have 15 days to travel around after they have completed their 14-day quarantine.

who is stupid enough to book a 30 day vacation but has the right to enjoy only 15 days out of it  and having to spend the other 15 days in a supervised "jail" and paying for it

[batata]

10 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Visitors would then be subject to a two-week quarantine period after arriving, he said, adding that the normal 30-day visa would be extended to 45 days

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The CCSA said that under the current 30-day visa, tourists only have 15 days to travel around after they have completed their 14-day quarantine.

is this a contradiction or what, either is a 30 day or a 30 +15 day visa.... as always anything from them is very confusing

[batata]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

will get a 15-day extension on their visa to compensate for the 14 days lost in quarantine.

how can anybody compensate for what's lost/spend in quarantine, these 14 days are gone and regardless of any proposal they will never be recuperated, people have a 30 day (1 month) vacation not 45 days vacation

[RR2020]

Most people in the world get 20 to 25 days holiday per year.

 

Who in their right mind will lose 10 or 14 days of that stuck in a hotel.......along with losing 2 or 3 for flights.........so a total of 13 to 17 days lost out of their entitlement of 20 to 25 days ???????

 

Madness.

 

If  quarantine is in place........no tourists will visit........end of story.

 

They need to stop this ongoing nonsense......... just stay shut down until Nov 1st 2021 and stop talking about nonsense of quarantine..............

[smedly]

They still aren't getting it

 

It's hard to believe that government ministers running a country can be so delusional 

 

Most people I know come here for a 2-3 week holiday (mostly 2 week), very few can take 4 weeks and for sure not 6 weeks 

 

exception being those who are self employed or retired 

[bermondburi]

They just don't get it. You can give all the extra time in the world but no tourist in their right mind is going to pay through the nose to spend 15 nights of their holiday in jail. 

 

I'm in quarantine right now. It's shxx. I'm only doing it because I've got 9 weeks off work and I've not seen my family since January. I'm still pixxxd off at losing those 15 nights. 

 

I came on a 777 with Emirates. There were maybe 30 people on the whole plane. 

 

You can dress it up any way you like but quarantine = no tourists. 

[overherebc]

How do they expect people on a wotld cruise to spend 14 days locked in their cabin prior to what is normally 2 or 3 days in port?

Out of interest does anyone know how many cruise liners are actually up and running cruises in this part of the world?

Most cruise companies keep extendinģ start dates, some even saying maybe early 2021.

Edited December 17, 2020 by overherebc

[RR2020]

They are also losing the "weekend" tourists.......the big spenders who come in on a Friday night from other Asian cities and then leave on Sunday night.

 

Never going to get that back until there is no quarantine.

 

 

[RR2020]

Confirmation BA has cancelled Bangkok flights until 1st November 2021.

 

https://www.godsavethepoints.com/british-airways-route-suspensions-2021/

 

.

[Schlanbusch]

12 hours ago, batata said:

who is stupid enough to book a 30 day vacation but has the right to enjoy only 15 days out of it  and having to spend the other 15 days in a supervised "jail" and paying for it

And in a lot of countrys people also will have a quarantine when they come back from abroad . . .

[dr_lucas]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Separately, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is planning to add Mandarin to the Thailand Plus application from January onwards. The apps will also be linked to smart wristbands and Thai Chana apps.

 

What smart wristbands? Has anyone actually got those since November 1st or are they still just in the planning stage? 

[alex8912]

16 hours ago, RR2020 said:

Dont expect any opening up until November 2021 at the earliest.   Which means mandatory quarantine until then.

 

I see British Airways has  just cancelled all Bangkok flights until 1st November 2021.    Thai Airways remains "shut down".........no point them starting up until the country opens up.

 

November 2021 is the "target" time for mass tourism to "resume".  Until then..................unless you like 14 days (or in time for Chinese New Year  a reduced 10 days) in "prison"...........AVOID.

I doubt it. British Airways has nothing to do with....well anything.  Quarantine for many will be over with this Summer. 

[mvdf]

Every positive, genuine and constructive effort of this government is met with derision and contempt by almost all members here. None-- not one single one-- appreciates the efforts being developed and introduced for a resumption of normalcy. 

 

If you want a perfect world, create one yourself.

 

 

[vandeventer]

Why not make the quarantine free with real live dancing girls and parties everyday. That should bring them in?

[bermondburi]

6 minutes ago, mvdf said:

Every positive, genuine and constructive effort of this government is met with derision and contempt by almost all members here. None-- not one single one-- appreciates the efforts being developed and introduced for a resumption of normalcy. 

 

If you want a perfect world, create one yourself.

 

 

I thought you were joking at first, but then I realised you were actually serous. ????????????

Enjoy your day buddy! ????????

[Dialemco]

Don't expect any significant increase in tourist arrival until quarantine not required 30 day is exemption of visa requirement previously extendable by another 30 days Anyway just not the time to holiday in Thailand wait until 2022.

[mike1967]

I'm a bit confused. They say you won't need a visa if travelling from the 56 countries but a VOA is still not available. What is it you actually need?

Edited December 18, 2020 by mike1967
Spelling error

[Thaifly88]

16 hours ago, fusion58 said:

Great! Now all they have to do is find all those tourists who have more than two weeks' 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

CCSA offers incentives like visa extension to make up for 14 days lost in quarantine

 

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin

 

The Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Thursday that some types of visa have been reactivated, the certificate of entry (CoE) validity extended and sports tournaments have been given the go-ahead.

 

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said that since December 1, the authorities have been conducting three Covid-19 tests on people under quarantine, instead of two. The previous set up was to test individuals between the third and fifth day and then again between the 11th and 13th day. Under the new system, visitors will be tested on the first day, then between the ninth and 10th day and then again on the 13th or 14th day.

 

He said the new testing system may offer authorities an incentive to reduce the mandatory quarantine period from 14 to 10 days, though nothing is clear as yet.

 

Separately, the Public Health Ministry is looking for ways to cut down on the fees private hospitals are charging for Covid-19 tests. Private hospitals, which have been contracted to test people in alternative state quarantine (ASQ), have been asking the government for more funds.

 

Meanwhile, tourists who arrive on cruise ships and complete their 14-day quarantine on board will be allowed to extend their visa by another 15 days. The CCSA said that under the current 30-day visa, tourists only have 15 days to travel around after they have completed their 14-day quarantine.

 

Tourists have until December 29 to apply for the 15-day visa extension.

 

Meanwhile, tourists who are unable to travel within the time period specified in the certificate of entry (CoE) will be granted an extra 24 hours. If the travel can be completed within 72 hours after the original timeframe, then a new CoE will not be required.

 

Taweesin, however, provided little information on the Foreign Ministry’s plan to allow CoE applications to be completed online.

 

The CCSA has also issued a new list of 56 countries and territories whose citizens do not require a visa and can live in the Kingdom for up to 30 days. The countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Principality of Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Peru, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

 

Meanwhile, non-immigrant visa holders from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea can stay for a maximum of 90 days based on inter-governmental agreements.

 

Visa on arrival (VoA), however, is still suspended until the Covid-19 situation gets better.

 

Three types of visitors – transit visa holders, tourist visa holders (not from the 56 countries and territories listed above) and athletes participating in meetings or competitions hosted by Thailand – will get a 15-day extension on their visa to compensate for the 14 days lost in quarantine.

 

The Honda LPGA women's golf tournament will be held in Thailand from May 3 to 9. Spectators will be allowed to join based on the virus situation at the time.

 

Separately, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is planning to add Mandarin to the Thailand Plus application from January onwards. The apps will also be linked to smart wristbands and Thai Chana apps.

 

The spokesman added that Christmas and New Year celebrations will be held as usual, but under the new normal, people will be required to maintain social distancing, observe hygienic behaviour and agree to cooperate so there is no need for a lock

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399759

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-17

 

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

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

This will bring some tourists back to Thailand, but I would imagine only a trickle. The 2 impediments being quarantine eating around 50% of vacation time as well as the costs (quarantine at 40k plus, Covid insurance plus elevated flight ticket prices. Most tourists will wait until quarantine is relaxed or eliminated.

[jossthaifarang]

Every one of you moaning about and ridiculing their efforts, just thinking about yourselves. Consider the fact that many younger expat parents (yes we are not all on our last legs) come over her to see their grandchildren at Chrismas, this is good news for them.

 

Might not make Christmas but It's better than nothing... Take a look at the bigger picture every once in a while guys.

[Jimbo2014]

14 day quarantine with no booze in a government selected hotel with 10 minute sunshine breaks, epic pollution, overpriced flights.... whats not to love! 

[jossthaifarang]

11 minutes ago, mike1967 said:

I'm a bit confused. They say you won't need a visa if travelling from the UK but a VOA is still not available. So, if you were allowed to stay for 30 days plus another 15 what is it you have to apply for, if anything?

Visa on arrival and visa exempt are 2 different things, you don't get a visa when exempt, just a stamp with duration of stay. That will be extended by 15 days to make up for quarantine.

[jossthaifarang]

Just now, jossthaifarang said:

Visa on arrival and visa exempt are 2 different things, you don't get a visa when exempt, just a stamp with duration of stay. That will be extended by 15 days to make up for quarantine.

Sorry I didnt answer the question, it look as though they will just need to applt for the COE, which proves you have booked quarantine, have health insurance etc etc..

 

 

[Surasak]

Their silly visa changes will NEVER make any difference to their desperate attempts to attract tourists. How many countries would offer Thais a visa at this time? I could count them on one hand and still have four fingers over. As someone has posted previously in another thread, Ignorance can be educated and crazy can be medicated, but there is no cure for stupid.