Picture: INN

 

Thailand's deputy prime minister and health mninister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that tourists arriving in Thailand will have to stay one night in a place where they can be contacted.

 

He did not refer to this as quarantine by name.

 

He was addressing concerns about the reopening of Thailand as he presented his plans for 2022 to health officials nationwide via online links. 

 

He confirmed that potential tourists must take RT-PCR tests before and after arrival in Thailand, be double vaxed and have "fit-to-fly" documentation. 

 

Referring to this, he promised better communication with the people when making policy decisions in the future.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that there has been considerable confusion as to what "no quarantine" means when visiting Thailand from next month.

 

Many people have pointed out that one night is still quarantine of sorts.

 

Depite his promise of better communication the minister didn't elaborate on what kind of hotel the tourists would have to stay in, just that they needed to be contactable.

 

INN reported the minister's 2022 policy report without criticism or comment.

 

Anutin claimed he had created 45,242 new jobs in public health, provided benefits to workers and said that his staff could have faith in the system and other institutions.

 

He came up with the mantra of "Healthy people - Healthy Economy - Healthy Thailand" for his 2022 priorities.

 

He had a nine point plan that included measures to help the economy get back on its feet, developments of health systems at local levels, expansions of the 30 baht universal health coverage and particular attention paid to the health needs of the elderly.

 

Also among his aims were better cancer care with more surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services available to the public at state hospitals. 

 

He also mentioned his favorite hobbyhorse that helped propel him to power - the promotion of marijuana and hemp health products to "give people an income and create jobs".

 

He thanked health professionals nationwide for their efforts in the pandemic saying that he had worked 24/7 on that and PM2.5 and flooding problems.

 

He claimed that Thailand had faced up to the challenge of Covid-19 and got through it emphasising that 2022 would see further challenges especially in getting the economy back on track and getting more people back to work again. 

 

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

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2021-10-19

 

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

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

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

He confirmed that potential tourists must take RT-PCR tests before and after arrival in Thailand, be double vaxed and have "fit-to-fly" documentation. 

I thought they did away with this requirement?

 

Why are they bringing it back now, and where the hell am I supposed to get one?

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

He confirmed that potential tourists must take RT-PCR tests before and after arrival in Thailand, be double vaxed and have "fit-to-fly" documentation. 

 

.

 

Why the PCRs if double vaxxed....?

 

Even he does not believe the vaccines are worth a $h1+.

So what is new for 23 years I have been putting my contact info on my arrival card?

Since whenever I had to give it again as a TM-30. Fit-to-Fly must be a gaffe. No other country used that nonsense as far as I know.

 

.

 

He should change his last name to Thailand.......

 

A-nut-in Thailand.

Just now, HeijoshinCool said:

.

 

Why the PCRs if double vaxxed....?

 

Even he does not believe the vaccines are worth a $h1+.

PCR tests and 1 day quarantine is necessary to ensure tourists do not have covid.  The vaccine does not nullify being able to receive/ spread covid. 

18 minutes ago, fusion58 said:

I thought they did away with this requirement?

 

Why are they bringing it back now, and where the hell am I supposed to get one?

.

Doctors will issue one....

 

Hey, it's only another $150! ????

19 minutes ago, fusion58 said:

I thought they did away with this requirement?

 

Why are they bringing it back now, and where the hell am I supposed to get one?

This is a circus.

Just now, HeijoshinCool said:

.

Doctors will issue one....

 

Hey, it's only another $150! ????

They won't in the U.S. even for $150. 

This BS is not only applying to Tourists! I have a Thai friend returning from the UK early next month, she is fully vacced and had to jump through all the hoops as well as prepay a 7 day quarantine hotel booking. On hearing of the one day thingy she contacted the hotel for confirmation = they were very vague but stated she would not be getting a full refund on the unused days!

1 minute ago, JCP108 said:

They won't in the U.S. even for $150. 

.

 

That's what I paid in San Diego last December.....

 

Never saw the doctor's face.

One night in place means one night in quarantine.

 

If you're here on a 14 day holiday and you test positive, well you know what follows.

Antigen testing is cheaper and faster, and please stop creating more complicated requirements to prevent us from entering.

6 minutes ago, kevin612 said:

Antigen testing is cheaper and faster, and please stop creating more complicated requirements to prevent us from entering.

What are the profit margins on antigen vs PCR?  With PCR Thailand govt gets a guaranteed ASQ Hotel Stay.  Their way seems more profitable.

Good luck:

Covid cases exploding again but soon, allowed to travel to Thailand.

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-records-highest-daily-new-covid-19-case-number-rcna3151

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/18/uk-covid-cases-50000-in-one-day-no-10-challenging-winter

 

14 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

They won't in the U.S. even for $150. 

Well, I found this:

 

https://quick.md/fit-to-fly-certificate/
 

75 bucks a whack for those in the U.S.

And imagine you travel, doubled vaccinated plus your negative test before flying to Thailand and arriving here, they give you a positive test result.

 

Nightmare:

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-lab-suspended-after-false-negative-covid-tests-2021-10-15/

I am pretty sure, there was the same requirement to entry Azores(Portugal), last year.

Test on arrival, then wait for the result, I don't remember exactly where, at some airport facility or hotel....But pretty sure was the same procedure.

But it was not the tourist who payed.

1 minute ago, fusion58 said:

Well, I found this:

 

https://quick.md/fit-to-fly-certificate/
 

75 bucks a whack for those in the U.S.

Complete <deleted>. They ask you, "are you sick?" So, you say, "no." They collect the money and you download a certificate. Sounds like a great method to protect public health. 

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

have to stay one night in a place where they can be contacted.

 

I doubt that the hoteliers like that vague statement, as it could be interpreted as the returnees could go straight home????

 

Eliminate the 1 night quarantine at ASQ hotel and replace it with rapid PCR test at the airport. If done right this can be done in 15-30 minutes.

 

This is doable and acceptable for both Thai government and foreigners/travelers/tourists. It should help with tourism.

2 minutes ago, fusion58 said:

Well, I found this:

 

https://quick.md/fit-to-fly-certificate/
 

75 bucks a whack for those in the U.S.

This shows how much of a joke the whole process is.  Just video chat with a Dr and say "yea bro I don't have any symptoms, give me certificate now". 

 

Reminds me of a friend getting a "medical marijuana" card.  All he said on the app was that he had anxiety and he was approved!

Well done, you've ruined another high season for millions of Thai workers. Looks like Thailand will struggle to get 500,000 tourists this high season.

 

 

I think there must be a ministry of " how difficult can we make it for visitors to Thailand" .

They seem to be very good at their job.

2 minutes ago, Thailand said:

I think there must be a ministry of " how difficult can we make it for visitors to Thailand" .

They seem to be very good at their job.

 

They will finally drop all the requirements ... in November 2022.

 

Meanwhile dozens of other countries will be taking all the tourist dollars that Thailand doesn't seem to want.

25 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

They won't in the U.S. even for $150. 

You can get one online from a Quack. Just like a fake vaccine certificate a prescription for medical marijoona or a Letter that says a giant untrained dog can fly free because it is a "comfort animal". 

"No alcohol!"

 

"Must pay for Thai quarantine hotel!"

 

"Must pay for Thai PCR test!"

 

"Must pay for Thai insurance!"

 

"Must fill in Thai paperwork!"

 

"What you mean, you not come?! Thailand special!!!"

It's not the double- and triple-vaccinated travelers that pose a risk to Thailand. It's the un-vaccinated populace of Thailand that poses a risk to the travelers. Just require a test before flight and proof of vaccine. Do that, and you might save some of the high season this year. 

its 2021, i have a mobile, you can contact me on it.

ASEAN can now note that there is even more confusion.