Thailand eases more COVID-19 curbs, ready to welcome back tourists from 1 November 2021

[webfact]

 

Nearly all businesses and activities in the 4 Blue Zone provinces will be able to resume “New Normal” operations.

 

Bangkok1 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update that more COVID-19 curbs in most parts of the kingdom have been eased from 1 November, 2021, to facilitate the wider country reopening to vaccinated visitors from around the world.

 

Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha signed the announcement published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 30 October, 2021, that adjusted colour-zoning for different provinces and further relaxed COVID-19 controls up and down the country, particularly in the 4 ‘Blue Zone’ provinces – Bangkok, Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Phuket.

 

This means that the night-time curfew currently in place in Bangkok will be lifted from 23.00 Hrs. on 31 October, 2021.

Also, from 1 November, 2021, nearly all businesses and activities in the 4 Blue Zone provinces will be able to resume “New Normal” operations.

 

These include all shopping venues, convenience stores, markets, cinemas and theatres, sports venues, hair salons and barbershops, massage and spa shops, beauty and aesthetic clinics, and tattoo shops.

 

Restaurants and eateries can also resume normal opening hours, and be allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages. Meetings, events, and fairs can be also held normally with no limitation on the number of attendees.

 

However, all types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops nationwide are to remain closed. But the announcement stated that these businesses may undertake preparation to be ready for reopening.

 

Similar relaxed measures for the Blue Zone provinces have also been extended to the 5 yellow zone provinces, also newly added from 1 November, 2021, with the exception for events and activities that must be organised with the number of attendees capped at below 1,000.

 

Provinces in the red and orange zones have also seen the COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed further, with malls, markets, convenience stores, and cinemas being allowed to resume normal hours.

 

Restaurants and eateries in the orange zone can resume normal hours while in the red and dark-red zones must closed at 23.00 Hrs. and 22.00 Hrs., respectively. Sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages remain prohibited in the orange, red and dark-red zones.

 

Businesses and activities in the 7-remaining dark-red zone provinces can resume normal hours but no later than 22.00 Hrs., as the night-time curfew (from 23.00 – 03.00 Hrs.) remains in place for another 15 days or until 15 November.

 

Meetings and events in the red and dark-red zones can be organised for less than 500 attendees. Meanwhile, provinces in the orange zone can arrange more engaging activities; such as, sports tournaments, food fairs, and the likes for no more than 1,000 attendees.

 

Measures for the designated blue zone areas in 13 other provinces will be according to the provincial colour-zoning.

 

 

Thailand’s colour-zoning for COVID-19 control are in place for the following provinces:

7 (down from 23) Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas or dark-red zone provinces

 

Eastern Region: Chanthaburi; Northern Region: Tak, and Southern Region: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala.

 

38 (up from 30) Strict Controlled Areas or red zone provinces

Central Region: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, and Suphan Buri; Eastern Region: Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, and Trat; Northern Region: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun; Northeastern Region: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani; and Southern Region: Chumphon, Phatthalung, Ranong, Satun, Surat Thani, and Trang.

 

23 (down from 24) Controlled Areas or orange zone provinces

Central Region: Chai Nat and Sing Buri; Northern Region: Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, and Uttaradit; Northeastern Region: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, and Yasothon.

 

5 (newly designated) Areas Under Stringent Surveillance or yellow zone provinces

Northern Region: Nan; and Northeastern Region: Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, and Sakhon Nakhon.

4 (newly designated) Pilot Tourist Destinations or blue zone provinces

Central Region: Bangkok; and Southern Region: Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Phuket, as well as the designated areas in 13 other provinces.

 

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

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/10/thailand-eases-more-covid-19-curbs-ready-to-welcome-back-tourists-from-1-november-2021/

 

-- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2021-11-01

 

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[Gsxrnz]

Pantomime season is definitely upon us. 

[Geoffggi]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

However, all types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops nationwide are to remain closed.

So it is NOT fully open as advertised above therefore FALSE NEWS ...............LOL

[sezze]

Why is there names in blue zone area but also in other colored areas ? Udon Thani for example. 

[henry213]

Still NOT going! Lol

[vandeventer]

29 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

So it is NOT fully open as advertised above therefore FALSE NEWS ...............LOL

Now that they are here Just what are they going to do???

[nobodysfriend]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok1 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update that more COVID-19 curbs in most parts of the kingdom have been eased from 1 November, 2021, to facilitate the wider spread of the virus to vaccinated visitors from around the world.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

with the exception for events and activities that must be organised with the number of attendees capped at below 1,000.

If want to open up , open up completely .

Limit the number of visitors to 1000 is just ridiculous .

[Dialemco]

41 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

Now that they are here Just what are they going to do???

Don't expect rush of international tourists until all restrictions lifted especially quarantine on arrival.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Nearly all businesses and activities in the 4 Blue Zone provinces will be able to resume “New Normal” operations.

Amazing Thailand.. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

However, all types of entertainment venues, including pubs, bars, and karaoke shops nationwide are to remain closed.

Welcome tourists, you can go shopping.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Strap in Gents! We're going in...prepare for a bumpy ride!

Welcome tourists, we're open... sort-of.

Different colour zones, different regulations, but don't fear you'll be given a full briefing and a map at the airport which you can read at the quarantine hotel while you wait for your PCR test result...

Happy holiday. [please spend freely]

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, vandeventer said:

Now that they are here Just what are they going to do???

Go shopping.

[Thailand]

Went shopping yesterday so as to avoid the throngs of tourists arriving today.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Thailand said:

Went shopping yesterday so as to avoid the throngs of tourists arriving today.

They must have come early... traffic on Hwy 7 into Pattaya and on Klang was very heavy Sunday.

[sammieuk1]

Its going to be like when you watch a slow motion crash then speed it up 10x what could possibly go wrong????? 

[NanaSomchai]

43 minutes ago, Dialemco said:

Don't expect rush of international tourists until all restrictions lifted especially quarantine on arrival.

And the pesky gouging insurance.

[Bangkok Barry]

The two headlines on Asean Now this morning:

Thailand ......ready to welcome back tourists from 1 November

Chonburi Governor releases new Covid-19 orders: Alcohol ban at restaurants/nightlife stays

 

So...

Thailand ready to welcome back tourists teetotalers from 1 November

Edited November 1, 2021 by Bangkok Barry

[NanaSomchai]

20 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Welcome tourists, you can go shopping.

...and don't forget to tip! 555

[hotchilli]

7 minutes ago, NanaSomchai said:

...and don't forget to tip! 555

I always give the girls a little extra for good service ????

[NanaSomchai]

Just now, hotchilli said:

I always give the girls a little extra for good service ????

What a good lad! ????

[Rinrada]

Another half an hour....before the world changes...Get the kettle on.....yellow label at the eady..????."Thailand Pass will open for registration for electronic entry certification (Thailand Pass QR code) on November 1, 2021 from 09.00 hrs."

[Pravda]

Lol, a paper that can not be named is live at the airport.

 

It's an event!!!

 

 

 

[bberg]

I am going on the 3rd November and the difficulties I have had obtaining certification has been something I wont allow myself into twice. I hope the Thailand pass regime will provide easier procedure for those who seek travel to Thailand. 

 

People should also be aware its not quarantine free but minimum 1 day at selected hotels which include transport to a hospital for COVID19 test and locked up to wait for the result before people can be "free".

 

The cost related to COVID19 tests are horrendous, I just paid another 100USD for the pri. 72h flight test, I expect on a return leg to do 4-5 PCR tests these days so allow 4-500USD pre person in COVID19 PCR budget. The traveling, out of work hours etc to do and pick up documents are none budget items but also a cost for many. 

 

Although I am looking forward to the trip after 22months stuck I cannot see the main stream tourist returning in numbers, its too uncertain, to costly and to bureaucratic. I believe we will see an immediate rush and a quick fallback when tourists see the cost of COVID19 PCR test and the share time it takes overall to get the required pass. 

 

I try to remain positive and hope we all can return to somewhat normality but I don't see it just arriving yet, but a step in the right way at least.   

[BadSpottedDog]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Nearly all businesses and activities in the 4 Blue Zone provinces will be able to resume “New Normal” operations.

People don't want a "New Normal". We want life to be as close as possible to the way it was before. Such a terrible catch phrase. Like fingernails on a chalkboard.

[bang saen guy]

Is insurance easy to obtain? Friends have told me that coverage over 60 yo is difficult

[vandeventer]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Go shopping.

That's one thing to do. But I hear Japan has come out with a water proof mask so they can go swimming as well. 

[Rinrada]

26 minutes ago, bberg said:

I am going on the 3rd November and the difficulties I have had obtaining certification has been something I wont allow myself into twice. I hope the Thailand pass regime will provide easier procedure for those who seek travel to Thailand. 

 

People should also be aware its not quarantine free but minimum 1 day at selected hotels which include transport to a hospital for COVID19 test and locked up to wait for the result before people can be "free".

 

The cost related to COVID19 tests are horrendous, I just paid another 100USD for the pri. 72h flight test, I expect on a return leg to do 4-5 PCR tests these days so allow 4-500USD pre person in COVID19 PCR budget. The traveling, out of work hours etc to do and pick up documents are none budget items but also a cost for many. 

 

Although I am looking forward to the trip after 22months stuck I cannot see the main stream tourist returning in numbers, its too uncertain, to costly and to bureaucratic. I believe we will see an immediate rush and a quick fallback when tourists see the cost of COVID19 PCR test and the share time it takes overall to get the required pass. 

 

I try to remain positive and hope we all can return to somewhat normality but I don't see it just arriving yet, but a step in the right way at least.   

Thai Pass..... Just had a look at it ...seems straight forward BUT.... still has questions needing clarification.....also cut me off rather quickly...so...FIO.....  https://tp.consular.go.th/en/policy

[kennw]

2 hours ago, Dialemco said:

Don't expect rush of international tourists until all restrictions lifted especially quarantine on arrival.

And the insurance requirement

[David T Pike]

Be prepared for some long, drawn out "binge drinking" dinners... 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

Having to quarantine while waiting for test results on arrival, albeit for only one night, won’t encourage people; but needing to buy Covid specific health insurance for the entire duration of your visa remains the biggest prohibiter.