Thailand to relax rules for international arrivals from March 1 despite COVID surge

[Albert Zweistein]

9 hours ago, John Drake said:

Probably right. Let's hope they incrementally return to the status quo ante.

Pecunia non olet. ( Just to show off a bit )

[webfact]

Thai government lowers entry barriers despite growing number of Covid cases

By Erich Parpart

 

 

Thailand on Wednesday eased entry regulations despite a growing number of domestic Covid-19 cases.

 

Thailand will continue its program to require a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before departure for tourists who are traveling to Thailand. They will also have to book one night at a SHA+ accommodation to wait for the result of their RT-PCR test which will be administrated on arrival.

 

However, starting on March 1, travelers will no longer have to book for another accommodation on the fifth day after arrival as they will only be required to take a self-administered antigen test (ATK) instead.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/37817/thai-government-lowers-entry-barriers-despite-growing-number-of-covid-cases/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-02-24

 

- 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

[webfact]

COVID-19 Insurance Requirement Eased for Visitors

 

 

BANGKOK, Feb 23 (TNA) – The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration reduced the minimum sum insured for COVID-19 insurance required from each visitor from US$50,000 to US$20,000. The reduction will take effect on March 1.

 

After CCSA's meeting at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the reduction was aimed at relieving the financial burden of visitors and boosting tourism in the country.

 

Besides, he said, CCSA changed the COVID-19 testing method required on visitors on day 5 after their arrival from RT-PCR to antigen testing. Visitors would receive antigen test kits free of charge and will report test results. The testing change would also take effect on March 1, Mr Anutin said.

 

Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-889382

 

-- © Copyright TNA 2022-02-24

 

- 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

 

 

[tjb30i]

49 minutes ago, shdmn said:

I am guessing it would need to be a supervised test for the reasons you gave, but I could be wrong.  I think there are apps where they can monitor you doing the test remotely.

I read these are not supervised tests. Yes, we have those proctored tests where they watch you on video but it does not sound like that. Good luck trying to do that with reliable Thai internet! They had this self administered test deal under the early Test & Go program so I think the answer is known by someone. 

Edited February 23, 2022 by tjb30i

[Turkleton]

3 hours ago, EricTh said:

This is the same insurance of 50,000 USD coverage.

Ok thanks.
I didn't realize that the insurance has been reduced from 100,000 USD to 50,000 coverage in the meantime. I still have a 100,000 USD insurance, which is still valid for 6 months. Should be sufficient.

Edited February 23, 2022 by Turkleton

[kimamey]

11 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Well, with 30,000ish cases and less than 200 "from abroad", the surge certainly isn't coming from outside the country (as much as certain people would like to pretend that was the case).

 

Reduce the restrictions and let people decide if they want to risk getting a cold while on holiday.

I'm due back on 9 March so this is good news. I've paid for insurance which isn't much but i haven booked hotels yet so good news there.  As you say it seems most of the infection isn't coming in from outside and the day 5 test was always a bit ridiculous. I'm not sure the day one test is really needed either if you've been vaccinated and had a test before you travel but at least it's some improvement. 

 

One thing I would disagree with is it isn't a cold. It has similarities but I don't think many people with a cold go to hospital. As far as I know there isn't anything like long covid from a cold. 

[shdmn]

2 minutes ago, kimamey said:

I'm due back on 9 March so this is good news. I've paid for insurance which isn't much but i haven booked hotels yet so good news there.  As you say it seems most of the infection isn't coming in from outside and the day 5 test was always a bit ridiculous. I'm not sure the day one test is really needed either if you've been vaccinated and had a test before you travel but at least it's some improvement. 

 

One thing I would disagree with is it isn't a cold. It has similarities but I don't think many people with a cold go to hospital. As far as I know there isn't anything like long covid from a cold. 

It's like the flu, not a cold.  

Edited February 23, 2022 by shdmn

[kimamey]

10 hours ago, Hoppyone said:

Was stated changes on Thailand pass will be changed on 1St March have a look then

What happens if you're applying for Thailand Pass now but stubbing in March as I am (March 9)?

[nattaya09]

I will continue for now to hold out some hope that the decisionmakers there will have an epiphany and drop all arrival tests in time for a mid summer trip to visit wife's family. If not, we will look to 2023

[nattaya09]

3 hours ago, tjb30i said:

How will this unsupervised self administered test and reporting work? Heard this used to be in place previously.

 

What is stopping someone from buying the test and if they don't want to report being positive and being locked up after they take it, just have someone else take it and report those results? Seems like more of an honor system. Good luck with that!

Hard to believe that somebody testing positive on a self administered test wouldn't immediately turn themselves into the  authorities for their own immediate incarceration?

[gp2002]

Don't get too excited....everything will change again on February 28th 

[Twin Peaks]

1 hour ago, kimamey said:

What happens if you're applying for Thailand Pass now but stubbing in March as I am (March 9)?

Just submitted my TP application today for March 5th arrival. 5th night booking still required as of 6 hours ago. Guess I'll be asking for my non-refundable night back after March 1st.

[vinny41]

1 hour ago, kimamey said:

What happens if you're applying for Thailand Pass now but stubbing in March as I am (March 9)?

suggest you read this before applying for Thai Pass

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-exemption-from-quarantine-test-go/

[michel7752]

I want to arrive in Thailand on March 3.

The new Thailand pass with only one PCR test can only be booked starting March 1, which is too late.

Do you think I can book the old Thailand pass NOW which still needs one PCR test on day 1 and another PCR test on day 5, and later just cancel the PCR test for day 5?

Are there hotels with PCR packages that can be canceled (Pattaya)?

[jacko45k]

Will this stop the winging and complaining over Thailand's attempts to keep Covid effects limited.... one can but hope. 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has decided to change the second COVID-19 RT-PCR test, currently required for overseas arrivals on their fifth day in the country, to a self-administered rapid antigen test and will reduce the amount of required insurance coverage from US$50,000 to US$20,000.

So whats the 300 baht cover for?

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

I guess the Authorities are looking at 01 March as the time when this present Outbreak Infection numbers recedes to a more " manageable "level.

They are usually somewhere close to their predictions.

As they make up the daily numbers that's not hard to achieve.

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, freedomnow said:

One step in direction of normality again...woo hoo !

One small step for man.. a giant leap for Thailand.

But why the insurance policy if they are now required to pay 300 baht towards a fund?

[metisdead]

A troll post and the replies have been removed. 

[dsj]

For the antigen test, does it have to be done by swab or can you use the saliva (spit) test. My daughter has to take 2 spit test a week for her school, so I have lots of those tests.

 

[darrenr]

Still too much bull <deleted> having to apply for entry , upload insurance, upload vaccination history , stay 1 night until PCR result negative even just did one before departure , when booking a approved hotel in Pattaya they want me to email all the previously said things that I uploaded to government website on an unencrypted email to them (including Copy of my passport data page ) which would be a cyber criminals dream come true , plus continued tracking, face masks , bars etc limited trading times , NO THANKS WILL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE , shame as I like Thailand and it’s people !

[jacko45k]

6 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

One small step for man.. a giant leap for Thailand.

But why the insurance policy if they are now required to pay 300 baht towards a fund?

Not in force yet of course.... I heard April.... no more Go Fund Me pages eh!

[kimamey]

1 hour ago, michel7752 said:

I want to arrive in Thailand on March 3.

The new Thailand pass with only one PCR test can only be booked starting March 1, which is too late.

Do you think I can book the old Thailand pass NOW which still needs one PCR test on day 1 and another PCR test on day 5, and later just cancel the PCR test for day 5?

Are there hotels with PCR packages that can be canceled (Pattaya)?

I just had a quick look at Bangkok on Agoda and most can't be cancelled but I saw one that could. It maybe that will change with these new rules but who knows. Probably not.

You may find something if you look hard enough. It wiill take longer but maybe check hotel websites. Particularly hotel groups as you can check several at a time. Good luck.

[Millcx]

The more visitors the more they can make money by throwing tourists into hotels with false positives .. More money in the pocket “;0) … You have to laugh 55555

[kimamey]

1 hour ago, vinny41 said:

suggest you read this before applying for Thai Pass

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/02/thailand-reopening-exemption-from-quarantine-test-go/

Thanks for that. It seems these new rules start on the 7th not the 1st. I should be ok as I'm flying on the 8th at 9:30. I'd rather have a bit more time for delays though as this is stressful enough as it is.  They do seem to have a bit of trouble organising things sensibly.

[dsj]

6 minutes ago, kimamey said:

Thanks for that. It seems these new rules start on the 7th not the 1st. I should be ok as I'm flying on the 8th at 9:30. I'd rather have a bit more time for delays though as this is stressful enough as it is.  They do seem to have a bit of trouble organising things sensibly.

I think what they are trying to say is that you can apply on March 1st, but book any flights until the 7th so that they have time to approve your Thai Pass.

[vinny41]

6 minutes ago, kimamey said:

Thanks for that. It seems these new rules start on the 7th not the 1st. I should be ok as I'm flying on the 8th at 9:30. I'd rather have a bit more time for delays though as this is stressful enough as it is.  They do seem to have a bit of trouble organising things sensibly.

Personally I would wait for details to be published in the Royal Gazette

the tatnews link is stating if you apply for Thai Pass on March 1st the new rules apply

There seems to be a question mark over in if  you apply for a Thai pass before March 1st and enter Thailand on the 7th or March onwards as to which rule set applies current one or new one

[BadSpottedDog]

Thailand should scrap proof of vaccine AND testing. All of it. Why? Let's take a look at Mexico. The country never closed down. They have not required testing or vaccine certificate, and they've historically done better than the US, UK, Israel, and currently, Mexico is doing better than Thailand. Take a look at this chart. (set for cases per 100k). You can choose up to 6 countries to compare.

Also for reference, here is an interactive map showing updated requirements for each country. 

 

Let's please stop the nonsense, and get on with life. There is no logical reason for all the hoops people are being forced to jump through. Thailand needs tourism!

[Pdavies99]

They still don't get it!!!

 

We are not coming under your rules!!

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, BadSpottedDog said:

Let's take a look at Mexico

Yes, what a disaster that was in the early Covid days, mass burials, and still has a higher per capita death number than the UK! The 16th worst in the total infections table and over 700 Covid deaths yesterday! Proper fiasco that was!