Tourism reopening: Four phases on the cards - No quarantine at all from October

File photo//Reuters

In the clearest indication yet of the likely way forward for the reopening of the country to foreign tourists Thai business media has said that there will be three phases, according to their sources.

Tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan's plan that will be discussed at the end of this week will see tourists from low risk countries like the UK, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea and India able to visit. 

Plans are also afoot to add to the number of countries creating a medium risk category, reported Bangkok Business News. 

BBN said that D-Day for the start of what is known as Area Quarantine - part of what is now being called "Open System" - will be April 1st.

Tourists will still have to quarantine for 7 days from April to September if they have been given two doses of vaccine in their home countries. 

It's ten days for those not vaccinated. 

There are four phases:

Phase 1 - April and May: Tourists will be able to use fitness facilities, swim and go on cycle rides in the grounds (subject to protocols). They can eat food delivered from outside the hotels.

Phase 2 - June to September: would involve the setting up of an exclusive travel area or "seal route" in which tourists could move around while doing Area Quarantine for 10 days. They would be restricted where they could move.

After they have completed their quarantine they can travel anywhere in Thailand. 

The plan is to have Area Quarantine in Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani (Khon Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan), Phangnga and Bangkok. 

Phase 3 October to December: is called the "Sand Box" and will be done from October to December in seven specified tourism provinces that are mostly by the sea. This could involve one day in quarantine with a swab test requirement for tourists who have already been vaccinated twice abroad. 

Along with it will be an end to the Certificate of Entry document that will be replaced by a vaccine certificate (perhaps the so-called "vaccine passport).

Phase 4 from January onwards would see quarantine ended and free movement throughout the country though a one day quarantine with swab test might still be required. Tourists would still need to have been vaccinated twice abroad and have documentation related to that.  

Under the Open System tourists will be able to come for a stay of 45 days (up from the previous 30) or utilize Special Tourist Visas, Yacht Quarantine or Elite cards. 

Picture: Bangkok Business News

Thaivisa notes that this is all speculation based on Thai media sources at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and potential visitors to Thailand are advised to await official clarification probably this Friday.

Even then caution is advised as the Thai authorities have been known to flip-flop especially amid the uncertainty of the vaccine rollout and unpredictability of the next stage of the pandemic. 

BBN also indicated that the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine, halted abruptly amid concerns about clotting, is likely to be resumed following contact with the WHO and other worldwide agencies who are saying that there is no cause for concern. 

 

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"Phase 3: is called the "Sand Box" and will be done from October to December in seven specified tourism provinces that are mostly by the sea. This could involve one day in quarantine "

hence the title is misleading - there would be 1 day quarantine.

And if positive test it will be much longer, including hospitalisation.

At the same time very few in thailand would have vax by themselves. So virus can be passed on them. And tourists won't be coming because of the possible outbrake

36 minutes ago, webfact said:

the Thai authorities have been known to flip-flop especially amid the uncertainty of the vaccine rollout

Yup. Don’t be booking any flights yet folks????

The invaders will bring the plague to us just like centuries ago with their beads and colorful cloth. 
Nothing is going to happen until we get vaccinated. The 4,400 so for does not qualify Thailand for herd immunity. 

5 minutes ago, grantbkk said:

The invaders will bring the plague to us just like centuries ago with their beads and colorful cloth. 
Nothing is going to happen until we get vaccinated.

Apparently figures from Israel, UK and USA indicate that vaccinations are greatly reducing the capability of those vaccinated to infect others, which has been a major concern and why waiting on Thailand's program to kick in was being mooted.

If these figures are accurate there could be no need to wait on the local program.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

low risk countries like the UK, China, Germany, Italy, Japan,

UK? Italy? Germany? "Low risk?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thaivisa notes that this is all speculation based on Thai media sources at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and potential visitors to Thailand are advised to await official clarification probably this Friday.

Lets just wait for official clarification after which time we will wait for another re clarification and yet another and another after that. I'm expecting plenty of flip flops before it's finally decided what hoops we will have to jump through.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

one day in quarantine

That will scare away the majority since 1 day means all the hussle with CoE, timing of flight and ASQ etc.  If you have been vaccinated, have a negative test before departure,  a rapid test on arrival would be enough. 

Only way to open your country is to vaccinate your people. How you work area quarantine, stop all unvaccinated Thais entering or leaving that area too?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thaivisa notes that this is all speculation based on Thai media sources at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports

 was wondering when TV would post something like that, it's or it was  over due.... TAT and their delusional speculations / predictions  555

12 minutes ago, treetops said:

Apparently figures from Israel, UK and USA indicate that vaccinations are greatly reducing the capability of those vaccinated to infect others, which has been a major concern and why waiting on Thailand's program to kick in was being mooted.

If these figures are accurate there could be no need to wait on the local program.

It must be incredibly hard to know whom was infected by whom. And, whether or not the whom that did so was a vaccinated whom?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Phase 2 - June to September: would involve the setting up of an exclusive travel area or "seal route" in which tourists could move around while doing Area Quarantine for 10 days. They would be restricted where they could move.

After they have completed their quarantine they can travel anywhere in Thailand. 

The plan is to have Area Quarantine in Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani (Khon Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan), Phangnga and Bangkok. 

So how is this supposed to work? Will the tourists be allowed to move freely within, say the whole of Pattaya or Chiang Mai, or only around their hotels? If it's the whole area, then surely that means the entire population will also have to be penned-in., or have tracking bracelets fitted. Given that many Thais registered as living in Pattaya and able to vote here have nothing to do with the foreign tourism industry, I don't see them being over-enthused at this prospect. Face it, it's just another idiotic Anutin/Pipat pipe-dream that would never work in practice.

17 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

That will scare away the majority since 1 day means all the hussle with CoE, timing of flight and ASQ etc.  If you have been vaccinated, have a negative test before departure,  a rapid test on arrival would be enough. 

Or perhaps they could simplify the CoE process. 

Phase 5: i'll believe when i see it, until than it's all a pie in the sky...

It would be surprising if such drastic measures are imposed even for vaccinated tourists?

Quarantine will be lifted for vaccinated tourists way before January. By September 1st at the latest there won't be any quarantine for inoculated tourism. 

 

I'm happy to take bets people.

This is just the daily blah blah, nothing confirmed yet, October seems a possibility - that would give Thailand to vaccinate it's people with two doses.

Stay tuned for tomorrows speculation!!

43 minutes ago, John Drake said:

UK? Italy? Germany? "Low risk?

What about Australia ? We have Zero cases. Maybe Thailand has forgot about how much Australian people have done for them.

4 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

What about Australia ? We have Zero cases. Maybe Thailand has forgot about how much Australian people have done for them.

Zero cases, but maybe how many people have been vaccinated, by country, is the thing?

All the while the “wet market” is on fire? 

twice vaccinated???...and what if you have the one shot johnson and johnson like I have???

15 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

What about Australia ? We have Zero cases. Maybe Thailand has forgot about how much Australian people have done for them.

It looks like it, doesn't it? Perhaps Australia and New Zealand news sources should publicize just who Thailand thinks is safe and who isn't.

Have we run all of this by the Covid virus yet?

4 minutes ago, Lingba said:

twice vaccinated???...and what if you have the one shot johnson and johnson like I have???

Well , probably that would be OK also , if they hear from that . The 2 vaccines mentioned are " to be fully vaccinated " so if it requires 2 there should be 2 .

Lets not jump too high , since it is not at all confirmed ( and we know how that goes ) , and many things i find still very unclear . Let's say i arrive in October , i stay 1 day Pattaya with testing , and then i am free to travel in Thailand ? If not i rather come in September , get 7 days in Pattaya with tests and then travel freely ( got a place in Udon) .

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

UK? Italy? Germany? "Low risk?

Italy just going back into Lockdown.  Don't these Guys read the National Press?  Oh, sorry TIT, the hub of all knowledge.

as usual, Thai politicians are living in bubbles and drawing plans in the sky, I wouldn't pay attention to their silly plans, we all know in Thailand that the best plan is no plan ????

if the world open up in July, then the Thai will have no choice but open up and keep up with the competition

anyway, don't expect cheap flights, it's going to be hard to catch a plane to go anywhere, limited seats etc...

What is the official steer as opposed to speculation and silly ideas? It’s still 16 days not allowed outside?

46 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

What about Australia ? We have Zero cases. Maybe Thailand has forgot about how much Australian people have done for them.

? Why question Thailand your country is the one that has banned overseas travel which seems indefinitely.

54 minutes ago, Rainville said:

Quarantine will be lifted for vaccinated tourists way before January. By September 1st at the latest there won't be any quarantine for inoculated tourism. 

 

I'm happy to take bets people.

How does UK fall into the low risk??? 1You couldn't maje it up. Its high risk in uk now 

2 hours ago, Thaiophil said:

Yup. Don’t be booking any flights yet folks????

 

1 hour ago, treetops said:

Apparently figures from Israel, UK and USA indicate that vaccinations are greatly reducing the capability of those vaccinated to infect others, which has been a major concern and why waiting on Thailand's program to kick in was being mooted.

If these figures are accurate there could be no need to wait on the local program.

The vaccines significantly reduce 

-The likelihood of infection
-The severity of infection (*if* you get infected)
-The amount of virus shed (*if* you get infected)

Couple that with 72hr testing before you fly and 7 day quarantine and the risk from vaccinated travellers is negligible compared to that from smuggled migrant workers.