Thailand moving to scrap all tourist restrictions this year once the Covid virus is declared endemic

[webfact]

Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, has said that Thailand will scrap all restrictions on inbound tourists once the COVID-19 virus has been declared endemic, something that is expected this year. It comes as the kingdom’s economic performance begins to improve since the reopening of its borders under the ‘Test and Go’ regime since November 1st last which has seen growth for 2021 revised to 1.6% and a projected growth rate for 2022 now forecast at up to 5%.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

In recent days, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has revised its projection for foreign tourists this year from 5 million to 5.5 million visitors and suggests that the country can use the renewed impetus from the sector to drive GDP growth for 2022 of up to 5%.

 

The Thai government is planning to scrap all entry restrictions on foreign travellers sometime this year when it declares the virus as an endemic disease according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. On Wednesday, the kingdom did away with the requirement for a second test on arrival on the 5th day for incoming tourists following calls by business leaders to allow the industry to revert to normal. This is happening at the same time as economic data suggests strongly that foreign tourism income has a far higher impact on the country’s economy than originally thought due to its impact on confidence and the level of indirect economic activity generated.

 

Thailand, on Wednesday, gave the green light to the suspension of the mandatory 2nd COVID-19 test for visitors from March 1st next. The move will see the scrapping of any need for a hotel reservation on the 5th day after arrival. For now, the requirement will be for a self-test to be undertaken by the visitor using an antigen test kit.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2022/02/24/thailand-moving-back-to-free-tourist-access/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2022-02-25

 

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[Jingthing]

Clear as mud

 

PCR test before flight?

Vaccines?

Insurance?

Thailand Pass?

Does all really mean all?

 

[ThailandRyan]

That's a huge step forward......looking forward to that so I can travel around again....

[tonray]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Clear as mud

 

PCR test before flight?

Vaccines?

Insurance?

Thailand Pass?

Does all really mean all?

 

The insurance 'Industry' (relatives of high level government ministers) is not going down without a fight....a source of zero risk cash flow is not easy to give up

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

That's a huge step forward......looking forward to that so I can travel around again....

It means nothing until it's actually announced and they tell us the SPECIFICS. 

[RichardColeman]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

has said that Thailand will scrap all restrictions on inbound tourists once the COVID-19 virus has been declared endemic

Sure hope so, I need go back to Uk for 24 hours in March next year, and I really do not want the hassle for just 1 day out !

[Blumpie]

You will be seeing this more and more as the pandemic is declared over.  Just give it time.  

Omicron is a total joke.  A total utter joke.  

[oscarsmum]

Dearly want to see my friend in Krabi. But won’t be coming for my usual month due to unreliable entry rules. For me,  the only reason to return is to see my friend. ????

[ezzra]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

once the COVID-19 virus has been declared endemic, something that is expected this year. I

Open ended empty words to appease some business sectors that their livelihoods depend on tourism, I'll believe it when i see it... 

[sammieuk1]

He means you will only need to carry half a kilo of paper to enter ????

[HappyExpat57]

11 minutes ago, Blumpie said:

You will be seeing this more and more as the pandemic is declared over.  Just give it time.  

Omicron is a total joke.  A total utter joke.  

It's not a joke, it's a weaker variant. You can't blame anyone for taking caution for something that previously put the earth in a world of hurt (literally). We're now coming to terms with it and taking it for what it's worth, opening borders and lessening requirements. The Spanish flu was never vanquished, it merely morphed into something that didn't kill its host.

[Blumpie]

2 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

It's not a joke, it's a weaker variant. You can't blame anyone for taking caution for something that previously put the earth in a world of hurt (literally). We're now coming to terms with it and taking it for what it's worth, opening borders and lessening requirements. The Spanish flu was never vanquished, it merely morphed into something that didn't kill its host.

Oh get vaccinated and stop worrying.  

[HappyExpat57]

1 minute ago, Blumpie said:

Oh get vaccinated and stop worrying.  

Already been jabbed and I don't worry. Merely pointing out a foolish description of what was an unknown threat.

[Blumpie]

Just now, HappyExpat57 said:

Already been jabbed and I don't worry. Merely pointing out a foolish description of what was an unknown threat.

That's great!  You would be surprised how many fools aren't vaccinated here.  

Fully vaccinated and boosted people have nothing to fear from omicron.  Those that aren't fully vaccinated I really don't care about in any way / shape / or form unless they can't get a shot.  I'm done with this pandemic and life is great.  

On March 1st our mask mandates, isolation rules, etc. are all gone.  We are going to be fully open very shortly with no restrictions whatsoever except for travellers who aren't fully vaccinated.  They can stay home.

[Bkk Brian]

6 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Already been jabbed and I don't worry. Merely pointing out a foolish description of what was an unknown threat.

As we can see from South Africa, that unknown threat is actually proving to be nearly as deadly as their original wave. Of course they had very low vaccination rates, fortunately here in Thailand its much better although boosters still have a long way to go.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/south-africa/

[smedly]

I wouldn't be getting exited just yet - allowing tourists to travel unrestricted is entirely different than removing restrictions in country - don't forget the constantly used Phrase  "New Normal" they kept using at every opportunity for the last 2 years - it is sinister and has an agenda

 

This government is determined  to hold on to power at any cost - lets see where this coes over the next 8 weeks 

 

One thing is clear from the article - Thailand relies heavily on tourism, more than most people on here believe - I always said it accounted for 25% plus of direct or indirect GDP - seems they are starting to realise that now and need the money 

[Blumpie]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

As we can see from South Africa, that unknown threat is actually proving to be nearly as deadly as their original wave. Of course they had very low vaccination rates, fortunately here in Thailand its much better although boosters still have a long way to go.

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/south-africa/

Again, don't care about unvaccinated.  

We are 80 percent vaccinated and the death rate / hospitalization rate is a joke.  I am not in favour of lifetime lockdowns because of anti vaccination people.  Life is going on here.  The vaccines have served their purpose very well.  

[nattaya09]

Hope for the best....Expect the worst

[Boomer6969]

Fair enough, but vaccination should remain mandatory. Actually airlines should enforce it, no boarding pass should be issued to unvaccinated people.

[poohy]

All for unrestricted travel but now we have this Bunfight in Ukraine which will force petrol prices and airfares through the roof as well as most other products

For a country i did not even know much about its probably going to mess our lives up no End

[LennyW]

Thailand seems to have this barmy idea that they can make a decision on this!

[2long]

Well they haven't 'dine away with the requirement for a second test' have they?

Saying that, I wonder how many will be foolish enough to enter 'positive/detected' in the Mor Chana App when they do their own ATK on Day 5. 

[aussiexpat]

It's almost like they introduced the 5th day hotel and PCR in February just so that they can remove it in March to show how progressive they are

 

The Test and Go is still the same as it was when introduced in November (1 day hotel with PCR + ATK on day 5) So no real progress in 4 months of supposed "learning to live with it"

[jacko45k]

25 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

As we can see from South Africa, that unknown threat is actually proving to be nearly as deadly as their original wave. Of course they had very low vaccination rates, fortunately here in Thailand its much better although boosters still have a long way to go.

You make a point... I have not really looked at South African numbers in the last month... prior they were optimistic. Only like to add that the death numbers for the prior waves there were, low relative to European countries, never exceeding about 750/day, whereas UK, with a similar population peaked over 1500. You have made me sit up and rethink what omicron might be though. 

[Henryford]

They have just cancelled the Pattaya Music Festival, and likely Songkhran. We are going backwards not forwards.

[TooMuchTime]

This is scary and sets a very dangerous precedent!

 

We need to make sure everyone is fully vaccinated with 2 doses, fully 2 dose boosted, and 2 masks at all times if they even want to consider going to Thailand.

 

Test before flight, test on arrival, test day 5, and test on flight out.

[Highend Expat]

Always, importance of tourism to the Thai economy is on full display. 

 

You'll find that the Thais have been and will continue to basically copy key neighboring countries like Singapore. When Singapore goes endemic, the Thais will simply wait a week or so and then say the same. 

 

I suppose it will be fine until the next variant... This is probably not over. 

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, Blumpie said:

Again, don't care about unvaccinated.  

We are 80 percent vaccinated and the death rate / hospitalization rate is a joke.  I am not in favour of lifetime lockdowns because of anti vaccination people.  Life is going on here.  The vaccines have served their purpose very well.  

That was not my point, i was making a clear comparison on SA with low vaccinations and Thailand which are much higher and so deaths far less. As for the UK, I'm all for its total re opening and lifting of restrictions due to its high immunity wall. For Thailand the Test and go is a complete waste of time.

Edited February 25, 2022 by Bkk Brian

[steven100]

Thailand see's other countries are opening up with minimal restrictions and now they don't want to miss out on tourists ...  hence their dropping of restrictions .... Lol    it's purely money,  nothing else   !!!

[freedomnow]

Just do it baby - by end of March at least.

 

Everyone can get living to the full again.