Popular Post webfact Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view 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 - 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 9 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jingthing Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 Clear as mud PCR test before flight? Vaccines? Insurance? Thailand Pass? Does all really mean all? 63 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThailandRyan Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 That's a huge step forward......looking forward to that so I can travel around again.... 23 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tonray Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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 43 10 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jingthing Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. 36 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardColeman Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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 ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Blumpie Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. 31 3 4 2 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post oscarsmum Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. ???? 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ezzra Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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... 25 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sammieuk1 Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 He means you will only need to carry half a kilo of paper to enter ???? 6 1 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HappyExpat57 Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. 24 6 2 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Blumpie Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. 10 1 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HappyExpat57 Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. 12 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Blumpie Posted February 24, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 24, 2022 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. 8 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bkk Brian Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 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/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post smedly Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 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 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Blumpie Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 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. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post nattaya09 Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 Hope for the best....Expect the worst 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Boomer6969 Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 Fair enough, but vaccination should remain mandatory. Actually airlines should enforce it, no boarding pass should be issued to unvaccinated people. 17 17 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poohy Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 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 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LennyW Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 Thailand seems to have this barmy idea that they can make a decision on this! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2long Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 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. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post aussiexpat Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 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" 6 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jacko45k Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Henryford Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 They have just cancelled the Pattaya Music Festival, and likely Songkhran. We are going backwards not forwards. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TooMuchTime Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 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. 1 5 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highend Expat Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bkk Brian Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 (edited) 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 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post steven100 Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 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 !!! 14 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post freedomnow Posted February 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 25, 2022 Just do it baby - by end of March at least. Everyone can get living to the full again. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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