Thailand To Open And Drop Quarantine For Tourists from 45 Countries on November 1
Some islands of Thailand are open to tourists from all countries. Travelers must be fully vaccinated and be able to provide a negative COVID-19 test.
The country also plans to drop quarantine restrictions for visitors from 45 countries on Nov. 1.
All non-Thai arrivals need to buy health insurance that covers COVID-19.
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Thailand Reopening – Latest Updates
October 27 – Business owners urge the Thai government to lift the alcohol ban ahead of the reopening on Nov. 1
According to the Chiang Mai Restaurant and Bistro Association, half of the restaurants and bistros in Chiang Mai were closed following an increase in COVID cases that also prompted the government to ban selling alcohol to keep people out of the streets.
But with the reopening around the corner, bars, clubs, and restaurants owners are urging the government to lift the ban so they can stop struggling to survive.
They mostly demand the government to clarify the rules so they have time to recruit staff and prepare for the resumption of operations.
“It’s not going to be a successful campaign at all for the reopening of the country. It will further damage our reputation [when tourists learn most nightlife is close],” said Taopiphop Limjittakorn, a member of the Move Forward party.
October 17 – Thailand to drop quarantine restrictions for low-risk countries on Nov. 1
In a bit to increase the number of international arrivals, the Thailand government has decided to drop its mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors from low-risk countries.
In the first phase, travelers from the U.K, Singapore, Germany, China, and the U.S. will no longer need to serve quarantine. More countries would be added on Dec.1.
“Today, I ordered the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Ministry of Public Health to jointly consider [lifting the quarantine mandate] within this week,” said the PM.
The full list of countries will be updated on a weekly basis.
Read our full post: Thailand To Drop Quarantine For Vaccinated Travelers From 10 Low-Risk Countries
COVID-19 situation in Thailand
As of October 27, the country has reported 1,875,315 and 18,922 deaths.
Entry requirements
As of today, in order to be granted access to the country travelers must,
- Present proof of vaccination (only WHO-approved vaccines are valid)
- Purchase health insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment up until USD $100.000
- Show proof of a negative PCR test result taken no longer than 72 hour prior to departure.
- Arrive from one of the countries approved by the CCSA where they should have stayed for more than 21 days.
Notice that different conditions apply depending on the travelers’ destination. Consult with the local government about the specific restrictions.
Is Thailand open for American tourists?
Thailand is indeed open to all American business visa holders. For further information on requirements for U.S. citizens to enter the country, visitors should consult the Royal Thai Embassy’s website or go to the Thai embassy in Washington D.C.
Impact of COVID-19 in Thailand
While Thailand is a success story when it comes to battling the virus, its economy has greatly suffered due to the pandemic.
Prior to Covid-19, Bangkok was the world’s top tourist destination among cities. In April, all incoming flights were banned. With tourism halted, it is estimated that up to 60% of hospitality-related businesses would close by year-end.
The IMF estimated that the economy as a whole will shrink by about 8.5% and over 8 million Thais would lose their livelihood.
Why visit Thailand?
For those not into crowds, Thailand offers beautiful natural spaces. With 1,500 miles of coastline, there are beautiful beaches and great diving to be found here.
For those who come for its history and culture. There are ruins dating to the ancient Siamese kingdom, and over 40,000 temples to explore.
One main attraction is the nightlife in places like Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya, ranked as the best places for LGBTQ tourists.
Be sure to check some luxury resorts for reopening deals!
Thailand is a top tourist destination. The country offers so much, from a bustling nightlife to serene beaches and flavorful foods rich with spices.
Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.
Thailand reopening tourism: Update Archives
September 24 – Thailand delays plans to reopen 5 new destinations until November
Thanet Phetsuwan, deputy director for communications and marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the plan to reopen more destinations in Thailand this October may be put off until Nov, 1.
The reason behind this delay seems to be the insufficient vaccination rates each local government needs to achieve in order to get a reopening approved.
The five affected provinces that were scheduled to reopen next week are Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Bangkok.
Source: TravelOffPath
September 10 – Thailand to reopen Bangkok and other “key” tourist cities in October
Thailand officials have told Reuters the government will partially reopen the most visited areas of Bangkok as well as other “key” cities in mid-October.
Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai would be part of the scheme in which fully vaccinated travelers will need to agree to a series of tests in order to be allowed entry, said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchan.
The new program would copy-cat the “Phuket Sandbox” scheme.
More details about the plan are expected to be released soon.
Source: Reuters
August 29 – Chiang Mai and Hua Hin, Thailand working to reopen in October
Hua Hin is a few weeks away from vaccinating 100% of its healthcare and hospitality workers as well as 70% of its general population.
Applying the same rules established on the “Phuket Sandbox” scheme, visitors will no longer need to be subject to the 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Also, the “Charming Chiang Mai” program set to start in September has been postponed to October as long as the local government complies with the 20% needed to complete all protocols, announced the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) through Deputy Governor Thanet Phetsuwan, last week.
Source: TDMedia
July 29 – Phuket-Sandbox visitors can now “hop” to other 9 Thailand islands from August 1.
Thailand unveiled an “island hopping” tourism program, allowing Phuket-Sandbox visitors to “hop” to other 9 Thailand islands after staying in Phuket for 7 days.
As of today, the islands included in the program are Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai, Railay, Khao Lak, Koh Yao Yai, and Koh Yao Noi in Phangnga.
The move only applies to fully vaccinated visitors who received their last shot at least 14 days before entering Phuket.
July 12 – Thailand to reopen Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands for fully vaccinated travelers on July 15
Only two weeks after Thailand reopened its resort island Phuket, the government has decided to go ahead with the reopening of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands under a similar but not equal scheme.
Unlike the Phuket Sandbox, in “the Samui Plus model” travelers must stay in an alternative local quarantine (ALQ) for the 7 days prior to arrival.
Restrictions are tough. To be granted entry, visitors must spend the last 21 days in an approved safe country, obtain a certificate of entry (COE), submit a negative COVID-19 test, purchase insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses and be fully vaccinated.
Check full requirements on our entry requirements section.
August 13 – Borders closed, low vaccination rates, and social unrest in Thailand.
While thousands of travelers around the world dream about the day that Thailand fully re-opens for tourism, the internal situation does not seem to improve.
A new law, which forbids visitors and locals to post any news that “causes public fear”, meaning people would not be allowed to share any COVID-19 related information even if it was true, was the last straw for the public.
This restriction as well as the impossibility of having gatherings of more than 5 people, plus the very low vaccination rates have put the population against the police.
For the time being, the government has not expressed intentions to ease some of these restrictions of reopening the rest of the country.
Source: The Guardian
July 1 – Thailand’s resort island Phuket reopened for fully vaccinated travelers on July 1
Thai authorities have reopened Phuket, one of their most famous resort islands, for fully vaccinated travelers who also come from low and medium-risk countries.
These visitors still need to present a negative COVID test but instead of spending 14 days in mandatory quarantine now, they are allowed to roam the island as they please.
The scheme, known as “Phuket sandbox,” hopes to boost tourism a sector that accounted for 20% of Thailand’s economy before the pandemic began.
If this reopening turns out to be as successful as expected, the government will consider opening the rest of the country in mid-October.
(Source: CNN)
June 18 – Thailand to reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in mid-October, says government.
Forget about Phuket and its countless entry restrictions. The entire country will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers from all over the world in mid-October, said Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha at a press conference.
While Chanocha acknowledges that his bold decision can cause problems associated to COVID-19 outbreaks, he also said that the government needs to “take into consideration the economic needs of the people.”
Thailand will also go ahead with a pilot program that will allow fully vaccinated travelers to enter Phuket from July 1. It is expected that this initiative helps them to fine-tune the total reopening in October.
(Source: Nikkei Asia)
June 5 – Thailand is ready to reopen on July 1, with -possible- USD $1 hotel stays.
Thailand still plans to reopen its resort Island Phuket on July 1 when 70% of its population is vaccinated. This is intended to be a pilot scheme for the rest of promised reopenings.
But that’s not all. A plan to offer $1 hotel stays has been submitted to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for approval.
The idea is to encourage visitors to choose Phuket as their next traveling destination.
The TTG Asia believes that if this program works as expected it could be expanded to other cities in the country.
The government is reportedly considering it but it has not been approved yet.
(Source: Reuters)
April 9 – Thailand reduces its quarantine period to 7 days
On April 3, the country welcomed the first 130 travelers eligible for a 7-day quarantine trial. These visitors arrived at Phuket International Airport, via a Thai Airways direct flight from Frankfurt, Germany.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), reduced quarantines for 11 groups of currently allowed travelers were approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on March 31. This is considered on the steps the country is taking to fully reopen to international visitors in July.
Official information on how to be eligible has not been released.
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