TAT to ease travel regulations in line with new Covid policies

[webfact]

 

by Natthaphon Sangpolsit

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - As the government prepares to declare Covid-19 an endemic disease in July, authorities are seeking to ease travel restrictions in tandem with the policy in the hopes of attracting more tourists to Thailand.

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that the TAT may cut its revenue and arrival target for 2022 as a result of the Russian-Ukraine crisis, which has resulted in an increase in inflation and oil costs. The agency will wait until the end of this month before providing a new tourism forecast for this year.

 

The TAT has set a goal of 1.28 trillion baht in tourism revenue for 2022, with 626 billion baht from 10 million international arrivals and 656 billion baht from domestic trips.

 

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In regard to the government’s plan to declare Covid-19 endemic in July, the TAT governor said further relaxations have been discussed, with one of them being the suspension of the Thailand Pass. However, he stated that RT-PCR testing protocols will continue to be used to restrict the number of Covid-19 cases in the country. He advised the government to implement regulations and policies from other countries that would allow Thailand to maintain its tourism competitiveness.

 

The TAT’s plan to ease travel restrictions will be proposed at the next meeting of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on March 18, 2022.

 

Meanwhile, the TAT governor stated that the agency will follow the CCSA’s judgment on whether or not the upcoming Songkran holiday festivities will be suspended. He said the agency will promote marketing strategies to boost tourism if the CCSA allows celebrations for the upcoming holidays.

 

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-- © Copyright NNT 2022-03-11

 

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[RafPinto]

Means, they don't ease anything.

[timendres]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, he stated that RT-PCR testing protocols will continue to be used to restrict the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Won't restrict the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, but it will restrict the number of tourists that come.

[smedly]

seems like some people of influence is making huge amounts of money from covid and want it to continue, that is the only conclusion I can come too - it has to be about money

[connda]

3 minutes ago, smedly said:

seems like some people of influence is making huge amounts of money from covid and want it to continue, that is the only conclusion I can come too - it has to be about money

I do agree with you.  Private hospitals are making windfall profits from testing and forced Covid incarceration.  Then special rating for special expensive hotels and restaurants with friends in high places. 
The losers?  Middle and lower class Thais who used to work in the leisure and tourism industry.  This won't be given up as it's a massive wealth transfer to the richest segment of the population at the expense of tourists and middle/lower class Thais.

[internationalism]

flying anywhere in europe only vax (to austria with a booster).

to thailand - insurance from $20 (to many $k), Thailand pass, hotel+transport from $30, 2pcr (from $40 abroad and $65 in Thailand). Sometimes visa (say from $100) with supporting documents.

Plus logistics of it, when, how. The first time organising it might be a struggle for some.

Would thailand Pass take 3h, 7 days, would be refused for some reason?

If they decide to keep PCR in thailand then most probably they will also keep hotel quarantine and danger of hospitalisation/hospitelasation (the most dreaded by travellers, because forced and expensive in $k, rarely covered by insurance)

Edited March 11, 2022 by internationalism

[daveAustin]

Agree that people are making money but the next guy is losing 100x as much by being dicks about this. Mostly, however, the thai pass system is about control and being ‘clever’. ????

[popabear]

Drop the medical / covid insurance to travel to Thailand , as I am well over 75 years old and unable to get such insurance and maybe even if I could , it would be totally to expensive to buy. Now I am discriminated against because of my age , by T.A.T on entry to Thailand, which after coming for the past 40 years , really makes me feel sad .   Regards Popa

[spidermike007]

Dreamers, living in a parallel universe, of their own fantasies. The real numbers (at least until the cowards abandon test & go) will be closer to 60,000 tourists a month for the remainder of the year, and possibly 30 billion from domestic tourism. What these goons do not enjoy admitting, is that they have utterly decimated the domestic economy, and made Thailand very unappealing to international travelers. Thailand is being forgotten, and millions are struggling here to put food on the table. Granted, the middle and upper income Thais will continue to travel, but far less than before, with restrictions in place, bars closed in some areas, and the islands a pale shadow of their former selves. Time for the clowns to get a dose of realism. 

 

 

[daveAustin]

Someone in office may have also realised that adding a couple more to the ALREADY 17 trillion cases in Thailand won’t make much difference. Not opening properly at this point is all about agendas and control. 

[koratkarlos]

My friend from America wanted to come in the next few weeks.  When I told him about the state of affairs here he just said forget it.  And he is right.  Things must turn around here before people visit Thailand again.  Throwing away the entrance requirements is a start, but the tougher job will be to open up the businesses and get the economy moving forward.  Perhaps the return to some degree of normalcy will take at least two to three years.  

[internationalism]

16 minutes ago, popabear said:

Drop the medical / covid insurance to travel to Thailand , as I am well over 75 years old and unable to get such insurance and maybe even if I could , it would be totally to expensive to buy. Now I am discriminated against because of my age , by T.A.T on entry to Thailand, which after coming for the past 40 years , really makes me feel sad .   Regards Popa

new policy, covering $20k.

from 4200b per year.

Up to age 85, so you qualify.

Multi entry.

https://tqm-app.com/static/thailandpass/detail-ta-fwdgi.html 

[Thailand]

Tourists will come when Thailand reverts to pre Covid restrictions. Quite simple.

They need to do it soon or potential tourists will book alternative destinations.

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The TAT has set a goal of 1.28 trillion baht in tourism revenue for 2022, with 626 billion baht from 10 million international arrivals and 656 billion baht from domestic trips.

Just spewed my iced coffee all over when I read this statement.  What kind of crack are they smoking, or are they chewing Kratom...

[TheFishman1]

Get rid of the Thai Pass

[audaciousnomad]

Trillion?  Someone's smoking that new cannabis they sell at Big C !   

[Jimbo53]

53 minutes ago, connda said:

I do agree with you.  Private hospitals are making windfall profits from testing and forced Covid incarceration.  Then special rating for special expensive hotels and restaurants with friends in high places. 
The losers?  Middle and lower class Thais who used to work in the leisure and tourism industry.  This won't be given up as it's a massive wealth transfer to the richest segment of the population at the expense of tourists and middle/lower class Thais.

The Gravy Train keeps on rolling $$$$$.  T.I.T.

[blazes]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, he stated that RT-PCR testing protocols will continue to be used to restrict the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

The first and main barrier to a resurgence of tourism....

[popabear]

8 minutes ago, internationalism said:

new policy, covering $20k.

from 4200b per year.

Up to age 85, so you qualify.

Multi entry.

https://tqm-app.com/static/thailandpass/detail-ta-fwdgi.html 

Thanks for the information , but this is only for covid  insurance , I do also need medical health insurance along with the covid insurance , which I would be very surprised , if it was possible for me to get , and if possible I would think it might be very expensive.  Regards Popa

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Trillion baht Authority Thailand (TAT)

[Havenstreet1940]

31 minutes ago, popabear said:

Drop the medical / covid insurance to travel to Thailand , as I am well over 75 years old and unable to get such insurance and maybe even if I could , it would be totally to expensive to buy. Now I am discriminated against because of my age , by T.A.T on entry to Thailand, which after coming for the past 40 years , really makes me feel sad .   Regards Popa

If you are coming as a tourist, you can get insurance.   I am 83 and obtained a months Insurance for 3000 THB which is not expensive.   I got the Thailand pass within  the same day as applying - absolutely no problem!   3000 THB too expensive??   Where's the discrimination?

[popabear]

2 minutes ago, Havenstreet1940 said:

If you are coming as a tourist, you can get insurance.   I am 83 and obtained a months Insurance for 3000 THB which is not expensive.   I got the Thailand pass within  the same day as applying - absolutely no problem!   3000 THB too expensive??   Where's the discrimination?

Thanks for your help . Do I only need a covid insurance, or do I need medical health insurance along with the covid insurance , did you get covered for both ? . Is this a Thai insurance , maybe you can send me a link to it Thanks.  Regards Popa

[Destiny1990]

Meanwhile In Europe all is back to normal. No silly face masks anywhere, bars, nightclubs, restaurants all open, no testing nothing.

[sammieuk1]

Is Mr Covid fully onboard with this plan ????

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, popabear said:

Drop the medical / covid insurance to travel to Thailand , as I am well over 75 years old and unable to get such insurance and maybe even if I could , it would be totally to expensive to buy. Now I am discriminated against because of my age , by T.A.T on entry to Thailand, which after coming for the past 40 years , really makes me feel sad .   Regards Popa

If you can't afford any insurance, it is likely you are not the quality tourist they are seeking. unfortunately you are where many of us will be at some day.

[racket]

However, he stated that RT-PCR testing protocols will continue to be used to restrict the number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
 

They better get rid of ThailandPass. The whole system is rigged with scam emails and phishing attempts.
 

Forget it, no one will come. Thailand needs to get rid of test on arrivals. It’s absolutely ridiculous that people need to test pre, after and again on the fifth day. 

 

The only compromise I see is to at least waive pcr tests for those who have been boosted. 

[simola]

Because it’s all about the science. 

[sead]

Isn't there any station showing how it now looks in Europe regarding masks etc. There's none. Perhaps that would put some pressure on the government

[internationalism]

44 minutes ago, popabear said:

Thanks for the information , but this is only for covid  insurance , I do also need medical health insurance along with the covid insurance , which I would be very surprised , if it was possible for me to get , and if possible I would think it might be very expensive.  Regards Popa

that is the only insurance you need.

month from 650b or year from 4200b.

That insurance is recommended by Thailand Pass website, among others, more expensive. 

Once as a tourist inside country, you can apply for any visa. That, if getting visa in your country is too complicated

[ThailandRyan]

29 minutes ago, Kuzbidon said:

Also the notion of fully vaccinated is changing constantly in many countries.

As the vaccine that was offering 95% protection appears more as a profilactic gene therapy offering a reduction of covid mortality for the elderly for a short period of time and no protection against latest variant transmission. Even Mr. vaccine (Gates) is saying omicron is doing a better job than vaccines.

More and more people are pulling out of the repeated boosters and are not considered  fully vaccinated in their country so they won't even look to come in Thailand (even if 2 dosis is still accepted here).

I understand that people have invested in testing facilities and must get ROI and hospital must compensate the loss in health tourism.

The only way to get mass tourism is to stop any red tape before departure.

To make testing interests happy make them organize rapid test at entry and selling insurance before testing for the ones who want to cover their quarantine expanses in case of positive test.

 

To put this into context, Testing prior to arrival and upon arrival is still being required, as well as testing 24 hours prior to returning to the US.  So lets just say a family of 4 from California who wants to visit here will have to spend approximately $1000 to $1200 dollars for the first test in the US, then add in another $360 upon arrival and then around the same for the return.  Off the top and before they even book flights, or hotels etc...they are already out of pocket just under $2k USD.  If this Government would stop the nonsense that would actually be $2k or 60K THB more the local economy would pick up.....

 

My sisters family is heading to Mexico for the 2 week spring break they have, flights were cheap and no testing required for them either. Only requirement was to be vaccinated before flying.   Total cost, and already paid up front through their travel agent, $5k USD and that's an all inclusive resort where they never have to leave and can enjoy the beaches as well as horseback riding etc....

 

They had wanted to come here to visit us since I had just visited them, but the extra cost was more than enough to put them off, and of course it is for my sisters 50th birthday as well.