Thailand to end quarantine for some vaccinated visitors from Nov - PM

[webfact]

FILE PHOTO: Health workers stand at the COVID-19 swab test area at the airport as Phuket reopens to overseas tourists, allowing foreigners fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to visit the resort island without quarantine, in Phuket, Thailand July 1, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo

 

By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand will end coronavirus quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting Nov. 1, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Monday, as the Southeast Asian nation tries to revive its pandemic-hit economy.

 

Thailand last year suffered its deepest economic contraction in more than two decades, with the key tourism sector still struggling.

 

Visitors from at least 10 countries including the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, China and the United States will be exempted from quarantine on arrival, Prayuth said in a televised speech.

 

More countries will later be added to the list, he said.

 

"I know this decision comes with some risk. It is almost certain that we will see a temporary rise in serious cases as we relax these restrictions," Prayuth said.

 

"We will have to track the situation very carefully and see how to contain and live with that situation, because I do not think that the many millions who depend on the income generated by the travel, leisure and entertainment sector can possibly afford the devastating blow of a second lost new year holiday period," he said.

 

But if there is an unexpected emergence of a highly dangerous new variant of the virus in the months ahead, Thailand will act accordingly, Prayuth said.

 

Strict entry requirements and quarantine measures helped keep Thailand's coronavirus outbreaks under control until recent months, but the curbs saw arrival numbers plummet to a fraction of its nearly 40 million visitors in 2019.

 

Thailand lost about $50 billion in tourism revenue last year, an 82% plunge.

 

It started with a pilot reopening that began on July 1 on its most popular island, Phuket, which has been vaccinating most of its local population.

 

A total of just 100,000 foreign visitors are expected this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

 

Thailand also plans to allow resumption of alcohol sales at restaurants and to reopen entertainment venues by Dec. 1, Prayuth said, adding that the country will have more than 170 doses of vaccine by the end of the year.

 

Thailand has so far vaccinated 32.5% of 72 million people in the country against COVID-19 and has eased many restrictions in Bangkok and other provinces, where infection numbers have declined lately.

 

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat ThepgumpanatWriting by Orathai SriringEditing by Kay Johnson)

 

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-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-10-12

 

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

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[webfact]

No quarantine required for 10 countries starting November 1 as Thailand delays reopening

 

 

Thailand will no longer require quarantines for visitors from 10 low-risk countries starting November 1st, as the country is gradually reopening to overseas visitors, a delay from the initial complete reopening deadline of October 15th, announced Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a televised address tonight (Monday).

 

Among the list is the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Germany and Singapore. The full list of the 10 countries will be decided at a Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Thursday. Apart from showing proof of being fully vaccinated, the arrivals must also show negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results before their travel and undergo another test once arrived to Thailand.

 

On June 16th, Gen. Prayut declared Thailand will completely reopen in 120 days. The date is soon approaching, and it is clear now that the deadline will not be met.

 

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

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/no-quarantine-required-for-10-countries-starting-november-1-as-thailand-delays-reopening/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-10-12

 

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

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[welshguy]

Hmmn,

 

It looks like I "may" be able to go in February then.

 

There again.......I may not!  Depends on how many times they change their minds re. quarantine etc etc really!

[Banana7]

PM can say what he wants but there are multiple levels of approval before it is implemented and those approvals will take time.

 

[drenddy]

China, irrelevant.

Other countries?

 

Only Germany has a relatively low incidence.

[webfact]

Thailand to open doors to vaccinated travelers from ‘safe countries’ starting November 1

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Thailand will open its doors to vaccinated travelers from a list of ten “safe” countries starting November 1, the Thai prime minister said on Monday.

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said in a nationally televised address that it was time for the country to gradually reopen in accordance with his government’s plans.

 

The United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, and Australia were among the countries mentioned as being on the safe list with more to be announced later.

 

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

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/33850/thailand-to-open-doors-to-vaccinated-travelers-from-safe-countries-starting-november-1/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2021-10-12

 

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

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Chad3000]

It's good news but I still see CoE, insurance (for O B Visa/extension) b30-40k and expensive PCR tests. Not to mention the b500 fee attached to every arrival - you just know this will apply to every farang regardless if on O or B. Even with hotel quarantine mafia lifted it's still going to be 50k in in/direct fees to come and go from Thailand.

 

Any tourists planning on those new 9mo visas would also be on the hook for that pricey insurance.

 

Dec 1 for alcohol. Well that leaves 14 weeks for high season.

Edited October 11, 2021 by Chad3000

[webfact]

PM: Thailand Will Start Lifting Quarantine From Nov 1

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said during a televised speech on Monday evening that Thailand will lift quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors from low risk countries from November 1 onwards.

 

PM said he had instructed the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Ministry of Public Health to consider allowing from 1st November international visitors to enter Thailand without any requirement for quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and arrive by air from low-risk countries. Visitors will need to show that they are COVID-free at their time of travel with an RT-PCR test taken before they leave their home country, and do a test in Thailand.

 

Initially, at least 10 low risk countries will be exempted to enter the kingdom without undergoing quarantine on arrival. These includes the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, China, and the United States of America. More countries will later be added to the list by 1st December.

 

In addition, by 1st December, Thailand will also consider allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages in restaurants as well as the operation of entertainment venues.

 

Last but not least, the country will have more than 170 million doses of vaccine by the end of the year.

 

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

 

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-10-12

 

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

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Metapod]

Still too many restrictions.

[Thaiwrath]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

by 1st December, Thailand will also consider allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages in restaurants as well as the operation of entertainment venues.

"Will consider" isn't good enough to get people to commit to come here.

Not many are going to book to fly long haul, if they are unsure as to whether you have lifted your Draconian measures or not.

[boogiewoogie]

Blah blah blah.

 

Not a single bleep about COE and insurance.

[gk10012001]

3 minutes ago, boogiewoogie said:

Blah blah blah.

 

Not a single bleep about COE and insurance.

and if it is a Pattaya sandbox thing with mandatory 7 day SHA pre paid in advance.  not really a auarantine but mandated stay

[charmonman]

As usual, scant on details.

[kotsak]

I guess they can kiss this coming high season goodbye, no person in his right mind will make plans/bookings when they hear those muppets talking about future plans.

[JCP108]

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

"Will consider" isn't good enough to get people to commit to come here.

Not many are going to book to fly long haul, if they are unsure as to whether you have lifted your Draconian measures or not.

Right. Why not just keep your mouth closed until you are ready to say, "Okay. Here is the specific plan which will surely be implemented on this date."? These speculative announcements are only more confusing and don't provide the concrete information travelers need when they are making costly and consequential travel plans. 

[meechai]

My wife & I spend 3 months a year at our Thai home

We have not been back since December 2019 due to this Covid

 

We personally will not return till it is Open with a capital O

Meaning ok vaccination required no prob...done

But that is it

No 100K USD Covid Insurance ( We already pay $300 for travel insurance...will not pay another 12k baht for 100k USD covid cover)

 

No PCR Testing in Thailand (For fear of being called asymptomatic & hospitalized to drain insurance)

 

No COE (our usual paper work is plenty enough to deal with (My 90 day married visa etc)

 

So if & when that happens we will return if not no problem either as we live in a nice free place & mainly want to return & visit family

[nattaya09]

We won't be able to get there again until the summer. Hopefully, by then it will be closer to normal

[tomacht8]

There will be no mass tourism. I think the COE and the insurance requirements will remain. Also a pcr test before departure and at least one more in Thailand. Also the obligation to book a specific hotel for the first 7 days. There will probably be more "sandboxes" by November 1st. Setting up the transfer options from Bangkok Airport to Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Krabi, etc. also takes time.

 

Thailand - Visitors are still far away from simply buy a plane ticket and fly to Thailand without requirements.

 

[Blumpie]

2 hours ago, welshguy said:

Hmmn,

 

It looks like I "may" be able to go in February then.

 

There again.......I may not!  Depends on how many times they change their minds re. quarantine etc etc really!

Quite clearly you are not an idiot because you didn't run out and book your flight for february like I know so many people who should know better will do.  

[Blumpie]

1 hour ago, gk10012001 said:

and if it is a Pattaya sandbox thing with mandatory 7 day SHA pre paid in advance.  not really a auarantine but mandated stay

You need to pay off the governments puppets.  

[darrenr]

So Australia is not on the list , yet USA with some close to 100,000 cases a day is on the list ?

[sirineou]

Question:

Is it which country you come from , or which country you are a citizen and hold a passport?

Both me and the wife are US citizens and have American  passports, and we are in Thailand right now but we would like to go to Greece , and I am not sure if Greece is going to be in the list. So the question is : if I comeback from Greece with my American passport will I have to quarantine? 

[sirineou]

5 minutes ago, darrenr said:

So Australia is not on the list , yet USA with some close to 100,000 cases a day is on the list ?

Three different articles, with slightly different lists. 

This is mentioned in one of them

 

"The United States, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, and Australia were among the countries mentioned as being on the safe list with more to be announced later."

 

 

Edited October 11, 2021 by sirineou

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, boogiewoogie said:

Blah blah blah.

 

Not a single bleep about COE and insurance.

The whole presentation seemed to leave an air of ambiguity......... 

[bubba]

So does this mean there will only be a requirement to show negative tests and COVID vaccination, with the COE process being dropped?

 

 

[sirineou]

3 minutes ago, bubba said:

So does this mean there will only be a requirement to show negative tests and COVID vaccination, with the COE process being dropped?

 

 

If they hope to revive tourism, the above should be it, otherwise this proposal will only serve to introduce even more confusion in the process. 

[Wiggy]

16 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Question:

Is it which country you come from , or which country you are a citizen and hold a passport?

Both me and the wife are US citizens and have American  passports, and we are in Thailand right now but we would like to go to Greece , and I am not sure if Greece is going to be in the list. So the question is : if I comeback from Greece with my American passport will I have to quarantine? 

The UK system is based on where you’ve been recently, not your nationality. So I guess Thailand’s system would be based on the same logic, but I don’t know for sure. My guess is you’d need to do some kind of quarantine if coming from a country not on the list. 

[JCP108]

Just now, Wiggy said:

The UK system is based on where you’ve been recently, not your nationality. So I guess Thailand’s system would be based on the same logic, but I don’t know for sure. My guess is you’d need to do some kind of quarantine if coming from a country not on the list. 

Please refrain from using "Thailand" and "logic" in the same sentence.

[Spilornis]

Very promising

The post flight PCR test will however deter many people.

Still it's a start and sounds similar to what was recently introduced in Sri Lanka (albeit not limited to ten countries)

[bristolgeoff]

Good news that this happens,will make me start planning to get there.find out my options flights insurance etc