Thai public health minister CANCELS Covid vaccine rules

[webfact]

Proof of Covid vaccine Proof of Covid vaccine re-introduced

 

By Peter Roche

UPDATE: Monday 3pm – Thai Public Health minister Anutin Charnvirakul has CANCELLED the need to provide proof of Covid vaccination certificates before entering Thailand on all flights or across borders.

 

The announcement, made around 3pm today, was EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. The announcement follows three changes to the policy in as many days.

 

The announcement is made as confusion persists at airports around the world with passengers and check-in staff still believing that Covid vaccination certificates are still required. It may take a few days for today’s news to filter through to Embassy websites, airlines and check in staff.

 

The public health minister said today… “requiring visitors to show evidence of two vaccine doses was inconvenient and a panel of expert ad resolved that it was unnecessary as enough vaccinations had been administered globally”.

 

UPDATE: Sunday 5pm – There has been another NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) issued in the past 24 hours which changes Item 5, which MAY provide an opportunity for a person without vaccination proof an option to fly to Thailand.

 

“If passenger fails to provide document proving these requirements re met, the passenger is subjected to be tested at the port of arrival.”

 

We will update this story tomorrow morning.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: The Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand have sent orders to airlines flying into Thailand, setting out new travel and arrival procedures which come into effect from 1am on January 9, 2023.

 

The new guidelines are for all non-Thais and will be effective until at least January 31.

 

The proposals were originally outlined by the public health minister on Thursday afternoon. At the time, the lack of details left many questions to be answered regarding the revised travel arrangements that will now come into effect from Monday. The published orders now clarify many details about the new arrival regulations.

 

The orders have been signed off by the Thai transport minister, Saksayam Chidchob.

 

 

• All passengers over the age of 18 must show proof to their airline of at least two Covid-19 vaccines.

 

Alternatively passengers could also present a letter from a doctor certifying that they have recovered from Covid-19 in a period between 7 days and 6 months (180 days), or have a medical certificate from a doctor stating they are unable to get a vaccine. 

 

Vaccines must have been at least fourteen days before departure.

 

(A list of approved vaccines below)

 

• If the country you are returning to after traveling to Thailand requires a Covid-19 test (like India or China), you must have medical insurance that covers Covid for the duration of your stay. 

 

Flight crews can use their company insurance as proof. Ex-pats with Thai social security coverage are exempt.

 

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

 

• Transit-only passengers are exempt from having to present vaccination certificates or proof of insurance.

 

• It is the airline’s responsibility to check these requirements at check-in. If the Passenger is unable to present these documents, the carrier should refuse the passenger to board.

 

• Airlines must adhere to relevant requirements and follow guidelines as appropriate, such as asking passengers to wear masks throughout the journey. Except during the meal or in an emergency.

 

• If a passenger shows signs of having Covid they will be asked to take a Covid test, at their expense, upon arrival in Thailand.

 

The revised travel procedures have been put in place to match the arrival of Chinese visitors from this Monday after the Chinese government removed a number of Covid travel restrictions, including compulsory quarantine on return to China.

 

Flights from China will arrive from Monday morning, January 9, into Suvarnabhumi, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

 

Source: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/update-thai-public-health-minister-cancels-covid-vaccine-rules/

 

-- © Copyright Phuket GO 2023-01-10

 

- Cigna 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.

 

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[webfact]

Reverse course as Minister Anutin confirms all are welcome to Thailand even without a Covid vaccine
by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (right) confirmed the change of course after an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Public Health on Monday morning. It is understood that Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Director-general Yuthasak Supasorn (left) played a part over the weekend in watering down the entry restrictions

 

China’s huge Covid wave continues unabated with more countries requiring testing for Chinese arrivals. Thailand’s Minister of Public Health Anutin however has insisted that all arrivals to Thailand be treated equally.

 

This principle has been upheld despite Monday’s reversal of a vaccine requirement for arrivals which came into effect at 1 am causing panic throughout the world as it emerged that a significant minority of travellers to Thailand are not vaccinated threatening massive disruption and cancellations.

On Monday morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed reports that a controversial entry restriction to Thailand for unvaccinated foreign tourists had been rescinded and that the country was now open without restriction to visitors from all countries on an equal footing including China due to bolstered immunity from Covid globally. The move followed an emergency Monday morning meeting after a weekend of chaos and urgent calls from the foreign tourism industry to avoid disruption to a recovery underway now buoyed by Chinese arrivals.

 

The Thai government on Monday reversed its controversial measures requiring that all arrivals to the country have proof of vaccination just under 24 hours after the requirement took effect on airlines flying into its international airports.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/01/09/reverse-course-as-anutin-says-all-welcome-no-vaccine-required/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-01-10

 

- Cigna 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.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

 

[webfact]

Thailand maintains ‘fully-reopen’ entry rules

Only visitors coming from or going to countries which require a RT-PCR test need to have health insurance covering treatment of COVID-19 in Thailand.

 

 

TAT NewsroomThe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to clarify that Thailand continues to welcome all international tourists under the fully-reopen-to-tourism policy that was introduced on 1 October, 2022.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, said “International travellers arriving in Thailand are not required to show proof of vaccination.”

In addition, foreign tourists  are not required to show ATK or RT-PCR test results.

 

As part of the full reopening to tourism, Thailand is also offering a longer period of stay for visitors. Effective through to 31 March, 2023, the period of stay is extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA).

 

However, while Thailand is welcoming all visitors, a visitor source market may require incoming visitors including their own nationals returning home to have a negative PCR result.

 

Thus, Thailand is aiming to correspond with rules of these countries – among them are China and India. Therefore, passengers from a country that has requirements for RT-PCR test must have health insurance covering treatment of COVID-19 in Thailand.

 

With the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, tourists the world over are invited to experience the kingdom’s myriad of wonderful existing and new tourism experiences, products and services.

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2023/01/thailand-maintains-fully-reopen-entry-rules/

 

-- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2023-01-10

 

- Cigna 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.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

[riclag]

A Happy New Year for sure .

[Enoon]

 

Really funny guy that minister......erm, what's his name?......oh that's it, Mr ****witin.

 

 

[ukrules]

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

The announcement is made as confusion persists at airports around the world with passengers and check-in staff still believing that Covid vaccination certificates are still required. It may take a few days for today’s news to filter through to Embassy websites, airlines and check in staff.

Lol ????

[pegman]

555, never mind.

[HappyExpat57]

Hope no one got whiplash from that speedy 180!

[Purdey]

The inability of ministers to accept advice from underlings is exceptional. Just keep making policy without planning. 

[Bim Smith]

Thailand. The Hub of u-turns. More like the likely backlash from the tourism sector made them see sense as it's still high season. I suggest the government stay off the spliffs for a while. 

[milesinnz]

"The announcement follows three changes to the policy in as many days".  what are the odds that there will not be a fourth change ????

[mjakob007]

wont he make the perfect candidate for national leadership role?

 

NOT

[Homburg]

Flip-flop-flip-flop-flip-flop-flip......

[spidermike007]

Did they not consider the ramifications of these new rule changes, before putting them out there? Did they think, that since Thailand is the COKU (center of the known universe), the rules would simply be accepted, the tourists would not push back, no confusion would occur, and all would be grand? 

 

Or did they not think? Was this just a knee jerk reaction? One they now regret? 

 

I wonder if the Thai people are finally starting to comprehend the stupendous lack of capable leadership here? 

[VinnieK]

I suspect cancellations must have been thru the roof.

I see no other reason for the U-turn.

 

 

[pegman]

5 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Did they not consider the ramifications of these new rule changes, before putting them out there? Did they think, that since Thailand is the COKU (center of the known universe), the rules would simply be accepted, the tourists would not push back, no confusion would occur, and all would be grand? 

 

Or did they not think? Was this just a knee jerk reaction? One they now regret? 

 

I wonder if the Thai people are finally starting to comprehend the stupendous lack of capable leadership here? 

In military culture there is no pushback when an order is made. This is all foreign to the top jaunta leadership. Regular Thais were never in favour of these clowns governing. Did you miss all those guys with guns in the streets when Yingluck was being toppled? It was my first coup so I won't soon forget. 

[Mywayboy]

Confusion reigns once again.

Confuscious say lady who fly plane upside down must have crack up.

Same as Thailand TAT.

[Gknrd]

10-1 I get covid AGAIN trying to get out of Thailand.. My flight was delayed until tomorrow so I will be right in the middle of the most contagious people entering Thailand in the history of man kind.. If I had a hazmat suit I would wear it a the airport. Just my luck.

[riverhigh]

Oh yes he  will !! Oh no he won’t !! As the Thai comedy festival season gets under way. Better get out my flip-flops to enjoy this pantomime. There is no bar of stupidity that the Thai government cannot get under. A real confidence builder!

[Foghorn]

Mr “I will Find Something Else”  to get my name out there, wait and see 

[Shop mak]

4.000 covid arrivals monday, 120.000 per month. Imagine the number of new positive cases after songkran.

#kaptainU-turn have promised no new lockdown. Anyone believe any word from that china puppet?

[Gknrd]

Any Westerners living here, this should be a warning. I hope you guys stay safe.  

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The announcement, made around 3pm today, was EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. The announcement follows three changes to the policy in as many days.

Did they never comprehend the term "think before you speak" at school?

[SiamAndy]

Sigh, another year of flip flop decisions by the Thai government. T.I.T. ????

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The public health minister said today… “requiring visitors to show evidence of two vaccine doses was inconvenient and a panel of expert ad resolved that it was unnecessary as enough vaccinations had been administered globally”

Panel of experts is stretching it a bit...

If there was an expert in the room it would have never got off the ground in the first place...

bunch of idiots making it up as they go along.

[ross163103]

IMO, most of the Chinese they are expecting must not have been vaccinated hence the reversal. More bowing to the Chinese and not giving a s**t about the Thai general population.

[kiteman9]

Its all about$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[BananaStrong]

It's funny UNTIL the 180 change changes your life.

 

Today, 800,000.   Tomorrow, 8,000,000.    

 

There are enough red flags to know anything is possible here.  Yes, you can buy a house!!!  Everyone buys.  Then, nope, just kidding!!!!  

[Shop mak]

#CaptainU-turn.

It's all about the money.

 

Ignoring the health of 66 million people.

[Gknrd]

4 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Panel of experts is stretching it a bit...

If there was an expert in the room it would have never got off the ground in the first place...

bunch of idiots making it up as they go along.

There are some pretty smart people in Thailand, unfortunately they have absolutely no say in the matter.