BREAKING: Thailand issues NEW Covid entry requirements effective January 9th.

[brewsterbudgen]

1 hour ago, Confuscious said:

"Non-Thai passengers arriving from countries which refuse entry to infected people must have taken out COVID insurance, valid throughout their stay in Thailand plus seven days, before their departure for Thailand. "

Which are the countries which refuse entry to infected people?

India is one.  I've not heard of any others, yet.  Most countries only require people coming from China to be tested.

[ozimoron]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

They can't refuse entry to their own citizens!

Australia did. For a long time.

[mikeymike100]

So to not discriminate against the Chinese, all foreigners must show proof to the check in staff, wherever they are coming from, that they have at least 2 vaccinations on the approved list?

This goes into affect on Jan 9th, this year?

So any foreigners, not vaccinated and have already booked a non refundable ticket to Thailand in January, are in trouble apparently?

All the other countries have decided only people coming from China need to show proof of vaccination. Now these folks will not have booked yet, as the in country ban has only been lifted very recently, so they can sort their vaccinations out first?

Looks like Thailand bowing to their masters again? They don't care about tourists only Chinese tourists? I'm shocked!

[ozimoron]

1 minute ago, mikeymike100 said:

So to not discriminate against the Chinese, all foreigners must show proof to the check in staff, wherever they are coming from, that they have at least 2 vaccinations on the approved list?

This goes into affect on Jan 9th, this year?

So any foreigners, not vaccinated and have already booked a non refundable ticket to Thailand in January, are in trouble apparently?

All the other countries have decided only people coming from China need to show proof of vaccination. Now these folks will not have booked yet, as the in country ban has only been lifted very recently, so they can sort their vaccinations out first?

Looks like Thailand bowing to their masters again? They don't care about tourists only Chinese tourists? I'm shocked!

I'm having trouble mustering any sympathy.

[mikeymike100]

1 minute ago, ozimoron said:

I'm having trouble mustering any sympathy.

Point is only giving 2 days notice is ludicrous, if they had given a months notice, fair enough?

 

[Harveyboy]

15 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

So, basically none of us need insurance unless flying to countries requiring testing. I'm ok with jus flashing my vaccine cards - but you just know they will soon try to cash in on it.

yep here we go again..money must be getting short 

[Harveyboy]

4 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

I'm having trouble mustering any sympathy.

do we really expect anything less from this government...

[ozimoron]

3 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Point is only giving 2 days notice is ludicrous, if they had given a months notice, fair enough?

 

They've had years to contemplate their personal responsibility.

[ozimoron]

1 minute ago, Harveyboy said:

do we really expect anything less from this government...

The government must respond to the virus not the other way round.

[jasonr3255]

Now officially on Thai Airways Website 

Edited January 8, 2023 by jasonr3255

[Bangkok Barry]

It's probable that most travellers to Thailand, having experienced few or no restrictions in their own country for many months, no longer give Covid a second thought and certainly wouldn't think it necessary to carry proof of vaccination with them to a country which, until today, also had no restrictions. And that's even if they heard of the sudden new restrictions before going to the airport.

 

There are going to be many disappointed and angry passengers being refused boarding, and who will probably decide after losing the money spent on flights and hotels that Thailand simply isn't worth the risk in future. And who could blame them.  

[Robin]

Just whenit looked as if Tourism might be recovering, and travel stating again, Thailand has to come up with new restrictions.  Does Thailand want any Tourists in 2023?

[mikeymike100]

2 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

They've had years to contemplate their personal responsibility.

Whilst i agree that people have personal responsibility, there are a number of reasons why some did not get vaccinated, some medical, some personal?

But changing the rules, giving 2 days notice,  that could potentially affect many potential tourists is dumb. The fact that the vaccination must be be taken 14 days before traveling, but have no expiry date, is also questionable, seeing as the vaccines could only last 6 months and some may have had them 2 years ago?

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-covid-vaccine-protect-you

[ozimoron]

1 minute ago, Robin said:

Just whenit looked as if Tourism might be recovering, and travel stating again, Thailand has to come up with new restrictions.  Does Thailand want any Tourists in 2023?

The vast majority of people are vaccinated. The few who are stopped by this won't be noticed.

[Bangkok Barry]

20 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

So to not discriminate against the Chinese, all foreigners must show proof to the check in staff, wherever they are coming from, that they have at least 2 vaccinations on the approved list?

This goes into affect on Jan 9th, this year?

So any foreigners, not vaccinated and have already booked a non refundable ticket to Thailand in January, are in trouble apparently?

All the other countries have decided only people coming from China need to show proof of vaccination. Now these folks will not have booked yet, as the in country ban has only been lifted very recently, so they can sort their vaccinations out first?

Looks like Thailand bowing to their masters again? They don't care about tourists only Chinese tourists? I'm shocked!

Thailand can't be seen by their masters in Beijing to be targeting the Chinese, as other countries have done, so they do the usual Thai system of using a hammer to crack a nut thing and ban everyone worldwide who hasn't had the needle.

[ozimoron]

4 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Whilst i agree that people have personal responsibility, there are a number of reasons why some did not get vaccinated, some medical, some personal?

But changing the rules, giving 2 days notice,  that could potentially affect many potential tourists is dumb. The fact that the vaccination must be be taken 14 days before traveling, but have no expiry date, is also questionable, seeing as the vaccines could only last 6 months and some may have had them 2 years ago?

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-covid-vaccine-protect-you

Old article. Pre omicron and probably relates to infections.

The government did not have much time to respond to China's sudden decision to open the borders or the fact that the virus exploded in China recently. Many countries have followed suit.

Edited January 8, 2023 by ozimoron

[connda]

Why enact this for essentially three weeks and then stop?

It's very difficult to believe they'll make these rule changes and then drop them on Jan 31st.

[federicoP]

I am going from Thailand to India for a two weeks trip.

When I will be back to Thailand, also If it is  not my intention to go again to India for a while, I will need to have an additional Covid insurance.
Unless, of course, at the check-in I do not find an intelligent person that understands that I will not come back to India, will not need a test and would not need an insurance. Mission impossible !!!!!!

Did anybody find some details about this insurance ? (Covid only ?, maximun amount...)

[Skeptic7]

 Covidiocy Returns: The Sequel 

 

Gimme a <deleted> break❗

Edited January 8, 2023 by Skeptic7

[Skeptic7]

39 minutes ago, connda said:

Why enact this for essentially three weeks and then stop?

It's very difficult to believe they'll make these rule changes and then drop them on Jan 31st.

Great big T I T. Land of...Confusion, Inconsistency, Clueless, Rules, Ideas and schemes-pulled-out-of-ass then cancelled/changed/not enforced/over enforced. All of the above depending on what day of week or direction of wind. 

[mikeymike100]

50 minutes ago, connda said:

Why enact this for essentially three weeks and then stop?

It's very difficult to believe they'll make these rule changes and then drop them on Jan 31st.

Correct, I suppose it  will depend upon how many tourists arrive or cancel because of this absurd rule change? If they think they are losing money they will reverse it very quickly, that's all they care about?

[ThailandRyan]

Just sent this onto my friend who was booking a flight from the US to Phuket. She had just booked a refundable flight and is unvacvinated. She has now canceled.

[Daithi85]

47 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

Correct, I suppose it  will depend upon how many tourists arrive or cancel because of this absurd rule change? If they think they are losing money they will reverse it very quickly, that's all they care about?

This rule won't last long, probably change it within the next 48 hours.

[mania]

Quote

All passengers over the age of 18 must show proof to their air carrier of at least two Covid-19 vaccines,........They could also bring a letter from a doctor certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19 from the past seven days to no more than 6 months

Right off the bat this is problematic for many as J&J a popular Vaccine is single dose

 

Secondly in many countries none go to doctors for covid anymore & the general medical advice is do not go & clog up medical facilities.

 

Instead stay home & monitor this less than severe illness unless showing severe signs then go ahead to ER

 

So none will have a letter from a doctor showing recovered & now immune for XX months as most never went to a doctor after testing positive

 

Last but not least this old story same as last time

Quote

Thai Citizens with a Thai passport are exempt from all vaccination and insurance requirements.

So yeah we "Thailand" need proof your not sick before coming here...BUT.... No problem to make you sit next to possible sick Thai citizens because well they are Thai'er than you????

 

So glad we are leaving this asylum this week ...hopefully by next year this whacked  govt is gone & we return because if not we give it a pass...again

.... same as 2020-2021

Edited January 8, 2023 by mania

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Point is only giving 2 days notice is ludicrous, if they had given a months notice, fair enough?

 

Give every prospective traveler to Thailand 28-days notice so they can go and get double-jabbed.

[BritTim]

17 hours ago, proton said:

Nice of them to give a whole two day warning ????

The warning is not close to a full two days. Remember that people may be checking in for long journeys to Thailand over 24 hours before their arrival. Unless their airline has proactively warned their passengers in advance of the possibility of new rules, it is quite possible for some to arrive at their departure airport to be told that they cannot check in due to new rules at their destination.

[Mavideol]

17 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

555. I have never heard some of the vaccines listed.  One starts with "Shenzen??".  Ah, so pretty much any Covid Vaccine is acceptable. Also, the Sputnick Vaccine is approved as to not upset our friend Vlad and his people.  

 

 

so are the non performing Sinovac for the same reasons, not to upset  "their brother" Xi

[mania]

How about these gems?
 

Quote

 

5. It is the airline’s responsibility to check these requirements at check-in. It is unknown if it will be random screening or if everyone will be required to show their proof of documentation.

6. Airlines should ask passengers to Thailand to mask during their journey except during meal time or an emergency.

 

I think if I was an airline I would just say no thanks & cut flights to Thailand same as British Airways did previously

British Airways Defers Bangkok But Goes Double Daily Into Singapore

[Will B Good]

If Western tourists pose a much greater threat than the Chinese.........why were the rules not in place before now?

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

So to not discriminate against the Chinese, all foreigners must show proof to the check in staff, wherever they are coming from, that they have at least 2 vaccinations on the approved list?

This goes into affect on Jan 9th, this year?

So any foreigners, not vaccinated and have already booked a non refundable ticket to Thailand in January, are in trouble apparently?

All the other countries have decided only people coming from China need to show proof of vaccination. Now these folks will not have booked yet, as the in country ban has only been lifted very recently, so they can sort their vaccinations out first?

Looks like Thailand bowing to their masters again? They don't care about tourists only Chinese tourists? I'm shocked!

The Chinese will have started booking flights as soon as the changed Covid-19 restrictions were announced. You can be quite sure that flights into Thailand tomorrow are booked solid. Vaccine coverage among the Chinese is low. Further, a two-dose regime of one of the main Chinese vaccines administered 18 months ago is pretty worthless.

 

It is worth mentioning that reactions to Chinese arrivals at this time represent hysteria. Yes, there are big outbreaks in China right now, but there is a huge amount of asymptomatic Covid present globally, and the Chinese, unlike Westerners, will typically strictly comply with mask requirements.