Thai Tourism and Sports Minister and Ministry of Public Health to propose “Test&Go” to resume possibly in February

[webfact]

 

By Nop Meechukhun

 

Bangkok – The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister is planning to propose to the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) the return of the “Test&Go” tourism program as early as this February to attract a year goal of about eight million international arrivals while expecting substantial tourism income.

 

Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told the Associated Press today, January 18th, that the Ministry would mention the reimplementation of the previously-canceled tourism plan, possibly in this February, at the general meeting of Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by the Prime Ministry, in order to revive the tourism and the domestic economy. This meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, January 20th and you can read more about this here.

 

According to the Minister, the new “Test&Go” plan could proceed under strict guidelines of the Public Health Ministry. Visitors are required to conduct two RT-PCR tests which were on the first and the sixth day of their arrival. Other tight preventive measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and possible clusters should be further discussed with the Ministry. Early reports also state that Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul supports the plan but it will be further discussed with the entire CCSA.

 

Phiphat told reporters: “This matter would be reintroduced at the next CCSA meeting as we saw that the Ministry of Public Health can control the outbreak and the number of daily infections is declining after New Year’s holiday. More than 70 percent of people in the country also received full doses of a Covid-19 vaccination, so there was a potential to consider the use of the “Test&Go.”

 

Moreover, the Tourism and Sports Ministry had estimated that more than 8 million tourists would visit the country in 2022 if the “Test&Go” was reimplemented, which would also generate an income in the billions of baht.

 

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

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/01/18/thai-tourism-and-sports-minister-and-ministry-of-public-health-to-propose-testgo-to-resume-possibly-in-february/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-01-19

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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

[jing jing]

Good news that they're at least considering it, but I'm not holding my breath.

[daveAustin]

It’s a start to hopefully one day dropping passes, tests, insurance blah blah blah.

 

Omicron’s incubation period looks like it’s around three days. Do people get nervous in picking it up locally before second test?

[tomyami]

Its over in my country complete opening in feb, think US will be march.

Its basically virtual signaling at this stage to keep stupid restrictions.

open airport normal with mask wearing 

[Soikhaonoiken]

Good news if Test & Go I to be re-introduced,, but at the same time they must lift some of the other restrictions, like opening up the entertainment industry,,  there's not many people I know want to go on holiday, and have to return to there Hotel at 9pm.... 

[kiwikeith]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

It’s a start to hopefully one day dropping passes, tests, insurance blah blah blah.

 

Omicron’s incubation period looks like it’s around three days. Do people get nervous in picking it up locally before second test?

They should use a better test than rtpcr its not reliable for omicron and virtually everyone will get omicron, the sooner this variant is done the better 

[ezzra]

At last, someone had an Epiphany and the realizations that the tests&go was was the right procedure at the right time and sticking people in 7 days quarantine in hotels (and pay for it) it's counter productive to the goals of bringing tourists to Thailand...

[cheapcanuck]

In the land of the flip flop anything that is decided means nothing. In the end you'll end up being disappointed. 

[Dukeleto]

TOURISTS ARE NOT COMING COMING BACK IN THE NUMBERS YOU PREDICT UNTIL YOU DROP ALL RESTRICTIONS.

YOU CANNOT HAVE THOSE RESTRICTIONS AND THE TOURIST NUMBERS YOUR CURRENT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WAS SET UP FOR.

WE NEED TO LIVE WITH COVID LIKE WE LIVE WITH INFLUENZA. GET USED TO IT.

IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED ADDED PROTECTION GET ON THE VACCINE MERRY-GO-ROUND.

ITS ALL COMMON SENSE.

That last point is why they are all still swimming around and around in that round tank going exactly…….nowhere!

 

 

[NHPT]

flip flop flip flop.....

 

Cathay has cancelled flights until min February.

Couldn't get there even if they actually opened

[Dialemco]

Omicron is almost certainly well established in Thailand thus any visitors are more likely  to be infected from Thai Population the best way to reopen the country js without quarantine or any other requirements except Fully vaccinated and negative PCR before arrival. Tracking apps and PCR tests after arrival should be avoided.

[riverhigh]

A Thai pantomine. Altogether now "Yes he will". "No he won't", "Yes he will". Intermission drinks and Snacks will be provided before act two. On a more serious thought the comment that covid cases are declining is highy suspect. A lot my friends have caught covid and not reported. No one, Thais included, want to get banged up in hospital jail.

[farangroby]

"Islambangkok" are thinking to restoring the "Test & Go"? Wow, what a brilliant solution!

[charmonman]

When they first suspended Test and Go in December it was intended as a temporary measure until they could see how serious Omicron would become. They should stick to their own plan and lift the suspension now that even the Health Minister has said things have gone better than expected. 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok – The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister is planning to propose to the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) the return of the “Test&Go” tourism program as early as this February to attract a year goal of about eight million international arrivals while expecting substantial tourism income.

He just can't help slipping in that little reminder.

 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, jing jing said:

Good news that they're at least considering it, but I'm not holding my breath.

I wish he'd hold his.

[edwinchester]

TAT can kiss goodbye to what remains of this high season so they can look forward to any meaningful tourist numbers towards the end of the year.

[DFPhuket]

4 hours ago, daveAustin said:

It’s a start to hopefully one day dropping passes, tests, insurance blah blah blah.

 

Omicron’s incubation period looks like it’s around three days. Do people get nervous in picking it up locally before second test?

I arrived on Saturday under the Test & Go, having had a negative test before flying and after arrival. I will get my second PCR test in a couple of hours. Even though I stayed away from crowds, my concern is that I picked up Omicron during the 5 days I've been in Thailand, will get a positive result, and be whisked away. 

[spidermike007]

It is a bit late in the game. You, Prayuth and Anutin could be labeled the "premature gang". You panicked, when there was no need for panic, and you lodged another fatal bullet, into the heart of the Golden goose. Tourism is gone for good, now that you three saboteurs have had your go at it. Not that you care, that millions of your people will remain out of work for years to come. 

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Dukeleto said:

TOURISTS ARE NOT COMING COMING BACK IN THE NUMBERS YOU PREDICT UNTIL YOU DROP ALL RESTRICTIONS.

YOU CANNOT HAVE THOSE RESTRICTIONS AND THE TOURIST NUMBERS YOUR CURRENT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WAS SET UP FOR.

WE NEED TO LIVE WITH COVID LIKE WE LIVE WITH INFLUENZA. GET USED TO IT.

IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED ADDED PROTECTION GET ON THE VACCINE MERRY-GO-ROUND.

ITS ALL COMMON SENSE.

That last point is why they are all still swimming around and around in that round tank going exactly…….nowhere!

 

 

Even after all restrictions are dropped, expect no more than 5 million tourists a year, from 2026 forward. Everything has changed. Nothing was addressed, no concessions or sacrifices have been made, and Thailand has been forgotten. The tourism industry joins the Prayuth dustbin of destruction and desolation. 

[wealthychef]

Well, for what it's worth, I will go when they stop threatening me with quarantines for possibly catching omicron.   Not fun.  

[wealthychef]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Moreover, the Tourism and Sports Ministry had estimated that more than 8 million tourists would visit the country in 2022 if the “Test&Go” was reimplemented, which would also generate an income in the billions of baht.

"Ministry invented out of thin air the idea that more than 8 million..."  fixed that for you.  

[Mywayboy]

Covid will be with us for many years to come. 

No one likes the chances of contracting it ,but we can no longer afford to live in a bubble. 

Thailand has to open up its borders with very few restrictions. 

Then Tourists will reappear again.

[Caldera]

There's a lingering trust issue though. As they've suspended Test & Go on a whim previously, that could obviously happen again. Any potential tourist would be well advised not to book too long in advance and stay tuned for updates / more flip-flops.

 

I also doubt that they can find 8 million people who will be willing to jump through these hoops. At least 3 PCR tests (before departure, upon arrival, 5-6 days after arrival), potentially more if needed for the trip back home. Insurance. The cumbersome Thailand Pass registration process. The tracking app. The prospect of spending the holidays in quarantine if a test returns positive. It all adds up.

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, Dukeleto said:

TOURISTS ARE NOT COMING COMING BACK IN THE NUMBERS YOU PREDICT UNTIL YOU DROP ALL RESTRICTIONS.

YOU CANNOT HAVE THOSE RESTRICTIONS AND THE TOURIST NUMBERS YOUR CURRENT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WAS SET UP FOR.

WE NEED TO LIVE WITH COVID LIKE WE LIVE WITH INFLUENZA. GET USED TO IT.

IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED ADDED PROTECTION GET ON THE VACCINE MERRY-GO-ROUND.

ITS ALL COMMON SENSE.

That last point is why they are all still swimming around and around in that round tank going exactly…….nowhere!

People should pay more attention to the small print before SHOUTING the odds, one can only assume you are "irked".

 

Continued statements that Thailand is moving away from its former, perhaps controversial but highly lucrative foreign tourism market must tend to irk foreign adults who over the last thirty years or so have made Thailand a second home with many often spending their annual savings on trips to what used to be called the Land of Smiles. https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2021/12/17/thailand-again-signals-end-of-mass-tourism-thai-examiner/

[Jimbo53]

1 hour ago, DFPhuket said:

I arrived on Saturday under the Test & Go, having had a negative test before flying and after arrival. I will get my second PCR test in a couple of hours. Even though I stayed away from crowds, my concern is that I picked up Omicron during the 5 days I've been in Thailand, will get a positive result, and be whisked away. 

My concern is that i get it on the plane,and my A$$ is hauled away when i hit the tarmac!

That,along with all the BS associated with getting a visa stops me from even thinking of booking a flight.

[wpcoe]

Granted, this is just discussion of a proposal, but I wonder if it would be a reinstatement of the previous Test & Go program.  i.e. Only for a white list of specified countries, with an expanded choice of one-week sandboxes in places like Pattaya for those from non-white-listed countries.  Or, are they talking about Test & Go 2.0 with different provisions?

[Muzzique]

1 hour ago, Mywayboy said:

Thailand has to open up its borders with very few restrictions. 

Then Tourists will reappear again.

Oh no they won't ...  ????????????

[newnative]

    They'll never attract any visitors in numbers worth counting until they drop all the entry requirements except fully vaccinated.  

[BadSpottedDog]

I read the entire, original article, and it said nothing about test and go tourists being fully vaccinated. Is this a change? Or was this just an accidental omission? Curious.