Covid travel news for Thailand

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Updates for Thailand

Thailand relaxes visa restrictions

In an effort to revive the tourism industry after a quiet 7 months without foreign tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Tuesday said that Thailand had eased several entry restrictions for holidaymakers wishing to visit the country. "For foreigners wishing to enter Thailand, they can check the latest visa rules and regulations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website or contact the Thai charge d'affaires of their respective countries," TAT Executive Director for Tourism Products Thapanee Kiatphaibool told a press conference.

Thailand will start allowing some foreigners to enter on a 60 day tourist visa which can be extended to a 90 day stay, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand executive director for tourism products, Thapanee Kitaphaibool.

Thailand has not experienced a second wave of infections, hence tourists entering Thailand must provide medical certificates, take a COVID-19 test 72 hours before travel, acquire health insurance cover of 100,000 U.S. dollars as well as go through a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, DC lists requirements for a single entry tourist visa on its website. First, travellers need money. Applicants need a bank account balance of at least $17,000 USD (500,000 baht) each month for the last 6 months. Applicants also need a medical certificate issued 72 hours before departure and health insurance coverage of at least $100,000 USD. The traveller must still go through a 14 day quarantine upon entering Thailand and must arrange and pay for the alternative state quarantine (ASQ) hotel at their own expense.

Thailand initially launched the new Special Tourist Visa for travellers from countries considered at “low risk” for spreading the coronavirus. The visa allows a 90 day stay that can be renewed twice, adding up to about 9 months. Since target countries like Europe and Scandinavia are categorized as “medium risk” countries, Thai consulates have relaxed regulations for applicants from those countries.

Source: xinhuanet.com & thethaiger.com

Updated on November 12, 2020.

Disclaimer the information is correct to the best of Weather & Climate's knowledge at the time of publication. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the international response to the COVID-19 outbreak Weather and Climate cannot guarantee its accuracy and can accept no liability for any errors or omissions

First tourists back in Thailand

Thailand has reopened its borders to tourists. A flight carrying 39 Chinese from Shanghai arrived on Tuesday.

Their luggage was extensively disinfected after arrival. The tourists themselves were 'wrapped' in plastic.

They must first spend a fortnight in quarantine in a hotel. Seven days in their hotel room and then seven days on the grounds of the hotel, says the Minister of Tourism. After that, they are allowed to go to other destinations in the country.

Updated on October 21, 2020.

Thailand reopens borders for long stay tourists

Thailand’s new 90-day visa for long-stay tourists has just been announced by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, during a cabinet meeting on September 15.

This new visa will be the first stage of general tourism reopening in Thailand, by first allowing long-stay tourists who agree to spend at least 90 days in the nation, jump-starting the shattered industry.

Updated on September 17, 2020.

Phuket reopens for tourism

The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn, made a statement on August 21st confirming the government’s plan to open Phuket for international tourism on October 1st. Visitors must stay 30 days.

Reopening Phuket for foreign visitors will act as a sort of pilot program for the rest of the country, testing how successful restarting the tourism sector in this current environment can be. Read more here.

Updated on August 25, 2020.

Thailand relax rules

Thailand has begun a fifth phase of winding back COVID-19 restrictions, allowing the reopening of schools and high-risk entertainment venues such as pubs and massage parlours that had been shut since mid-March.

It is also allowing in foreign visitors on a controlled basis, limiting entry to those with existing family or work ties to the country, students, technical experts for businesses and investors. The number of foreign visitors allowed into the country each day is limited to 200.

Updated on July 01, 2020.

Thailand expects tourists to return fourth quarter of this year

"It is still dependent on the outbreak situation, but I think at the earliest, we may see the return of tourists could be the fourth quarter of this year," Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tells CNN Travel.

And even then, he says, there will likely be restrictions on who can visit and where they can go.

We recommend to always check if there are any latest travel restrictions before you book an accommodation. Travel may only be permitted for certain purposes and recreational travel may not be specifically permitted. Government measures are constantly changing, so we recommend that you regularly check for updates. Click here for travel restrictions and guidelines for Thailand.

Updated on June 29, 2020.

Weather and climate in Thailand