(Photo by the Airports of Thailand)

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Thursday) a proposal will be made at the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s meeting tomorrow whether the January 10th deadline, for foreign tourists with the “Thailand Pass” to enter the country through the Test and Go scheme, can be postponed to January 15th.

 

He made clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline to February or April, as suggested by some tourism business operators, explaining that the government is focusing on “quality” tourists, not on the numbers.

 

The public health minister said that he could not say for sure whether lockdown restrictions will be re-imposed, to cope with the rapid surge in COVID-19 infections since the end of the long New Year holidays adding, however, that the Disease Control Department has proposed that some high-risk areas be declared COVID-19 “orange zones”, under which restrictions, such as no alcohol service in public venues and mandatory quarantine for foreign arrivals, can be imposed.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/deadline-for-arrivals-under-thailands-test-and-go-scheme-may-be-extended-to-mid-january/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-01-06

 

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So my own ass could be lucky again since it is due to arrive on the 14th.

21 minutes ago, JackGats said:

So my own ass could be lucky again since it is due to arrive on the 14th.

Hope so... Best of luck... Have a safe trip...

45 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

He made clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline to February or April, as suggested by some tourism business operators, explaining that the government is focusing on “quality” tourists, not on the numbers.

Someone needs to explain to the honourable minister that "quality" tourists need surety of process. Their limited relaxation time is valuable to them. Constant changing of the rules ensure cancelations of bookings and a different "quality" destination on the list for the next booking.

 

 

Oh my goodness.

 

Decide something.  Anything.  And go with it.  Constant change is not very good for stability or confidence.

Here we go......again.

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

explaining that the government is focusing on “quality” tourists, not on the numbers.

Headline December 31st 2022.

 

Thailand admits concentrating of quality tourism was a disaster and another 2 million added to the unemployment numbers 

my arrival date was the 19th jan,now i have to cancel everything.I just hope tomorrows news will be good

10 hours ago, JackGats said:

So my own ass could be lucky again since it is due to arrive on the 14th.

Don’t count your chickens.... You could be sat next to the annoying to$$er my wife was sat next to a few weeks back..... ????

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, bristolgeoff said:

my arrival date was the 19th jan,now i have to cancel everything.I just hope tomorrows news will be good

Change dates to 14th ??? ( its outside of the Thailand Pass window, but there’s still time to reapply).... 

 

Or, Sandbox it is..... which isn’t too bad really... is it ???... erm, I kind of preferred that ‘forced little’ holiday !

I am due to arrive 15th at 06.20 in the morning. IF the deadline is the 15th then am allowed in, or does it cut off at 23.59 hrs 14th?

Not sure if the deadline will be up to 15th or including 15th? Any know?

Ready for them to change their minds tomorrow. 

12 hours ago, 86Tiger said:

Decide something.

Yeah, this one exposes the frailties of thai-style "governing". I'm sure there is a thai colloquialism involving animals to explain this effect?

 

 

For the easy stuff the pm simply issues orders. "pm orders that Bangkok's traffic problems must be solved in 30 days.".

 

For complicated stuff a committee, meeting, proclamation with gazetting is required.

 

Given that airlines ultimately enforce the daily "rules" with pre-departure screening, I'm not sure a CCSA meeting today, with a potential decision on a stoppage date, eight days hence maximum, is that challenging a decision. 

 

So you're absolutely right.

 

Pick a date between 8 and 15 January.

 

If in doubt get a monkey to throw a dart.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

my arrival date was the 19th jan,now i have to cancel everything.I just hope tomorrows news will be good

You don't have to cancel it

You can still adjust the QR code sending new flight (change the dates of yours if possible) and Sha plus hotel dates (they moved it for free for me) to the embassy and they will send you updated QR

Took like 2 hours for me for everything 

That you need to do if your new flight is not within 72 hours of original booking. If still within- you don't need to adjust the QR code

13 hours ago, JackGats said:

So my own ass could be lucky again since it is due to arrive on the 14th.

Good Luck recommend you get PCR test to confirm you are not positive and again the mandatory PCR before departure and that you are lucky not to sit close to anyone who subsequently tests positive. Bear in mind you have a very high chance of contracting Omricron whilst in Thailand

Due to so much uncertainty I have cancelled my 3 week trip to Phuket and Krabi, for March 2022. I have a very valued friend in Krabi who is 80+ and I had hoped to see him, maybe one last time, however I just cannot accept the onerous, changeable entry rules and restrictions levied on foreign visitors to Thailand. BTW my last spend at locally owned food outlets and family owned hotels was only 60,000 baht for 3 weeks so I may not qualify as a “quality tourist”. ????Kerala in India seems to believe my intended visit qualifies me as someone who might add to the Indian economy.????????

15 minutes ago, Dialemco said:

 Bear in mind you have a very high chance of contracting Omricron whilst in Thailand

Like anywhere in the world nowadays, right?))) 

And checking the statistics, Thailand has ~30 cases per 100 000 while the country where I live has 250 and UK 2000, so where is safer?))))

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

explaining that the government is focusing on “quality” tourists, not on the numbers.

Bull, he means those that will spend more money by going through AQ or Sandbox schemes. 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

explaining that the government is focusing on “quality” tourists, not on the numbers.

It's focusing on anyone that wants to come.... cut the BS

15 hours ago, JackGats said:

So my own ass could be lucky again since it is due to arrive on the 14th.

Unless your ass tests positive on arrival ... then it'll be a sorry one.

4 hours ago, mikesalaugh said:

I am due to arrive 15th at 06.20 in the morning. IF the deadline is the 15th then am allowed in, or does it cut off at 23.59 hrs 14th?

Not sure if the deadline will be up to 15th or including 15th? Any know?

I'll be on the same Qatar flight on the morning of the 15th and have the same questions. 

Five days make all that medical difference in herd immunization then, it seems ........ give the boys a medal for their farsighted care! 

Well the original cut off was stated as the 10th, and since mid January is only 5 days after that, it seems to be of little impact..... it's here already too!

Understand now why BA cancelled all their flights to Thailand, such a bloody mess they have created with almost weekly changes of the entry rules.

15 hours ago, Chang_paarp said:

Someone needs to explain to the honourable minister that "quality" tourists need surety of process. Their limited relaxation time is valuable to them. Constant changing of the rules ensure cancelations of bookings and a different "quality" destination on the list for the next booking.

I've heard that 60% of tourist bookings have been cancelled in the past few days. Hardly a surprise, is it.

I am supposed to be going to Dubai on a work assignment next month. It seems that entry into Dubai isn't a problem, but the hoops and quarantine requirements needed for me to return home will probably make the trip impossible. Even though I have received three vaccinations (or 2.2, as the first was Sinovac).

But who knows. Before then, because of the huge number of Omicron cases likely to result in something like zero deaths and little hospitalisation, Thailand might re-introduce the scheme they've just abandoned. It's the uncertainty that is the problem, and tourists are certainly not going to risk money and the small amount of time they have for a break to book anything in a country that frequently changes the rules.

26 minutes ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

Understand now why BA cancelled all their flights to Thailand, such a bloody mess they have created with almost weekly changes of the entry rules.

Well to be honest the UK does that too..... they just did it yesterday! Fortunately relaxing requirements this time. 

"Quality tourists " . This is akin to Macdonald’s ,when hardly anyone is eating out, announcing that they now only want  gourmet diners while simultaneously wildly varying their opening hours at the drop of a hat and having a bouncer on the door arbitrarily deciding on a dress code for patrons ! ???? ???? 

More guys in Pattaya then girls enjoy yourself people.,  if they close down the bars you can stand outside 7/11 chasing girls., 

He made clear that it is not possible to extend the deadline to February or April, as suggested by some tourism business operators, explaining that the government is focusing on “quality” tourists, not on the numbers.

 

 

Can someone please translate this for me?