Thailand suspends ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’

 Thailand has suspended its ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’ schemes due to fears over the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha has ordered the immediate suspension of new registrations for Thailand Pass and at the same reinstated mandatory quarantine effective immediately.

The PM announced on Tuesday afternoon that Test & Go will be put on hold until at least January 4, 2022.

The so-called ‘Sandbox’ programs will also be suspended.

"After Dec. 21, there will be no new registrations for 'Test and Go', only quarantine or Phuket sandbox," said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhanadirek.

However, those who had already registered and are due to travel will still be able to enter the country, but they will be required to take a second RT-PCR test. When the test is required was not clear at the time of posting.

The PM took the decision following a meeting with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Tuesday morning.

This is a developing story. This post will be updated without warning.

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

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Thailand entry rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists

On Monday (Nov 1), Thailand will reopen to international foreign tourists for the first time in almost two years.

With the reopening just days away, the Thai government has provided a little more clarity on the entry process and requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated foreign tourists.

Anyone arriving in Thailand from November 1 will essentially be grouped into three categories:

1. Fully vaccinated arriving from a ‘low risk’ country

Anyone who is fully vaccinated and arriving from one of the 46 countries deemed to be low risk must stay one night in an SHA+ certified hotel or alternative quarantine hotel for one night while they await the result of a RT-PCR test.

If the test is negative, they are free to travel anywhere in Thailand without restrictions. Thailand is calling this process ‘Test & Go’.

 2. Fully vaccinated from a non low risk country

People who are fully vaccinated but arrive from a country not listed among the 46 low risk countries are required to stay at an SHA+ hotel in a Blue Zone ‘sandbox’ area for seven nights.

If they test negative on day 6 or 7 of their stay, they are free to travel elsewhere in Thailand.

All of Thailand’s main tourist destinations are ‘sandbox’ areas, such as Bangkok and Phuket. However, some provinces are only opening certain districts to tourists.

For example, in Chonburi, tourists are only allowed to visit Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Sri Racha, Ko Si Chang and Bang Saray. In Prachuap Khiri Khan, tourists from non low risk countries can visit Hua Hin and Nong Khae districts.

Thailand is calling this process ‘Living in the Blue Zone’.

 3. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated

Regardless of which country they are travelling from, anyone who is unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated are required to stay in an alternative quarantine hotel for 10 nights. If they test negative on day 9 or 10 of their stay they can travel to other areas of Thailand.

Before departure to Thailand

Before departing for Thailand, foreign tourists need to make sure they have the required documentation listed below and have applied for a Thailand Pass, which replaces the Certificate of Entry needed previously to enter Thailand.

 The required documents are:

- A Certificate of Vaccination (fully vaccinated) with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.

- Those previously infected within 3 months must have received 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.

- Travellers under 12 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians, are exempt from the vaccination requirement.

- A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before  travelling (all travellers).

- A confirmed payment for a 1-night stay at SHA+, AQ, OQ, or AHQ accommodation, and 1 RT-PCR test.

- An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.


How to register for Thailand Pass:

Source - Asian Now

 

 VISA AGENT  /  How to register for: THAI PASS

94% of Thais still concerned about country reopening

Some 94 per cent of Thais are still concerned about the Covid-19 situation once the country reopens from November 1, according to a survey conducted by the Department of Health from October 14 to 20.
The survey showed only 28 per cent are confident in disease control measures and the prevention of further infections.

Meanwhile, 72 per cent said the measures should be increased or intensified to ensure health safety.

This includes accelerating vaccinations for everyone across the country to meet the criteria of covering 70 per cent of the population in each province.

Some 60 per cent of the respondents said they would like to see tighter controls on illegal entry along the border, and 55 per cent said they would favour strict monitoring and compliance with Covid-19 preventive measures at workplaces and for the general public.

There was no mention of how many people took part in the survey.

Source - The Nation / BangkokJack

VISA AGENT --- THAI PASS

Nov 1st: Quarantine free countries named - one night must be in SHA+ or AQ hotel - curfew lifted, bars stay shut

The prime minister has ordered an end to the curfew in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, from Oct 31 to support the reopening of the country to fully vaccinated foreign tourists on Nov 1.

The order, signed by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, was published in the Royal Gazette late on Thursday night.

It said the Covid-19 situation in the country was improving with stable new caseloads and faster patient recovery, and it was necessary to revive the national economy.

The curfew will therefore end at 11pm on Oct 31 in the "Sandbox" provinces that were declared maximum and strict control zones but have tourism significance and are designated for reopening.

From Oct 16, the curfew has been from 11pm to 3am in maximum and strict control  provinces.

The 17 provinces where the curfew will end are:

- Bangkok

- Krabi

- Chon Buri (only in Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Koh Si Chang and tambon Na Jomtien and tambon Bang Sare of Sattahip district)

- Chiang Mai (in Muang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts)

- Trat (on Koh Chang only)

- Buri Ram (in Muang district only)

- Prachuap Khiri Khan (in tambon Hua Hin and tambon Nong Kae only)

- Phangnga

- Phetchaburi (in Cha-am municipality only)

- Phuket

- Ranong (on Koh Phayam only)

- Rayong (on Koh Samet only)

- Loei (in Chiang Khan district only)

- Samut Prakan (only at Suvarnabhumi airport)

- Surat Thani (on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and on Koh Tao only)

- Nong Khai (in Muang, Sangkhom, Sri Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts)

- Udon Thani (in Muang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yoong, Nong Han and Prachak Silapakhom districts)

The number of people at public gatherings in the tourist reopening zones will be capped at 500.

Entertainment venues in the tourism reopening provinces will remain closed, including pubs, bars and karaoke shops, but operators and officials could begin preparing for their reopening, which would be permitted later.

Source - Bangkok Post

VISA AGENT

CCSA operations director say detailed announcements on Thailand’s reopening plan to vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine will come this week

A clear and actual plan for Thailand’s reopening to welcome fully vaccinated foreigners will be discussed and finalized within 1-2 days, the director of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) operations center stated today, October 18th.

General Supot Malaniyom from the CCSA’s operations center revealed today to the press that the details of the plan to open the country to fully vaccinated tourists without mandatory quarantine, according to the Prime Minister’s policy, will be announced at a major CCSA meeting within 1-2 days from today, October 18th, 2021.

Additionally, details on what should be prioritized and considered in terms of how and if the plan will be able to be implemented next month will be available this week and will not be “held off until the last moment”, according to the director. This statement appeared to be directed at many people commenting on social media who had been afraid that any “official” announcements about the plan would be held off until possibly the last several days of October, like the Phuket Sandbox previously, leaving people with little time to plan potential trips in November.

Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/10/18/ccsa-operations-director-say-detailed-announcements-on-thailands-reopening-plan-to-vaccinated-foreign-tourists-without-quarantine-will-come-this-week/

Source - ASIAN NOW

VISA AGENT

No direct international flights to Bali yet even though island has ‘officially’ reopened

The day has finally come for Bali’s long-awaited international reopening, but tourists might have to wait a little longer to actually get on a flight and holiday on the island, as officials appear to still be working on the nuts and bolts even today.

Indonesia announced only last night which source countries are eligible for entry into Bali, identifying 19 in total that include China, India, Japan, South Korea, and a number of countries in Europe and the Gulf.

With things being so last-minute, there are no scheduled international flights for today, as confirmed by the Bali Tourism Agency Chief I Putu Astawa.

“There is no information [yet] on plane arrival from abroad or foreign visitors coming to Bali [today],” Astawa said.

“Of course they need time to arrange visas or their flights.”

Even today, a spokesman for the Ngurah Rai International Airport told local media outlets that the facility is not welcoming international flights just yet, citing what appears to be bureaucratic hiccups. Though Indonesia’s COVID-19 Task Force has issued a regulation and identified Bali as among the points of entry for international flights, the airport is still waiting for official instructions from the Transportation Ministry to actually make that a reality.

“We have yet to receive a letter from the Transportation Ministry with regards to [welcoming] international flights,” Taufan Yudhistira said.

Only fully vaccinated tourists from the 19 eligible countries are allowed to visit Bali, and they must also get on direct flights, according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan. It might be worth mentioning that not all the countries listed have direct flights to Denpasar, even before the pandemic.

Other specific requirements include, but are not limited to, a five-day mandatory quarantine period upon arrival at the travelers’ expense, health insurance with coverage of at least US$100,000, and proof of booking for accommodation during their time in Indonesia.

So tell us Coconauts, are you among those making arrangements to visit Bali anytime soon? Let us know in the comments or via social media!

Source - Coconuts

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PM can't wait any longer: 27 countries could be granted no quarantine access to Thailand

Daily News reported that nationals of up to 27 countries could be allowed to enter Thailand without having to quarantine.

ASEAN NOW has also been told that 20 countries could be on the list.

PM Prayuth Chan-ocha said Monday that the CCSA was expected to confirm 10 countries including the US, UK, Germany, Singapore and China were on the list to be announced today.

But now the Thai media is saying this could be wider than expected come November 1st. A second stage is January 1st.

They reported that the PM no longer wants to wait for virus numbers in Thailand top come down or for enough people in the country to be vaccinated.

Three stipulations for visitors will be having had two jabs of vaccine, RT-PCR tests before and after arrival and it only applies to air passengers (no road or sea passengers included).

The list is made up by analysing data and information from the last two weeks of Covid-19 stats, International Health Regulations 2005 and the GCI Global Advisory Council or Global Covid-19 Index.

Twenty seven countries satisfy these criteria:

Andorra, Australia, Bahrain, Czech Republic, Dominica, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malta, Moldova, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Uruguay, Barbados, China and Croatia.

Germany qualifies as a medium risk country because of the number of vaccinations done there.

The UK and the US are high risk but also qualify because of the number of vaccinations done in those nations.

At a meeting held in Hua Hin yesterday about that resort's reopening ASEAN NOW was told that 20 countries would be on the non-quarantine list.

Source - ASIAN NOW

Our - VISA AGENT

Thailand Nov 1 reopening to go ahead providing COVID-19 situation remains stable

The proposed reopening of Bangkok and other major tourist destinations in Thailand will go ahead on November 1, providing the COVID-19 situation does not worsen.

Speaking on Saturday (Oct 10) government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the reopening of Bangkok, Chiang Mai (Mueang district, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Khae), Phetchaburi (Cha Am) and Chonburi (Pattaya, Bang Lamung and Sattahip) will go ahead as long as there is not a sudden spike in cases or no large clusters are discovered between now and the end of October.

Following the reopening, the government expects to earn 1.5 trillion baht from tourism in 2022, Mr Thanakorn said.

Domestic tourists will account for 850 million baht with Thais expected to make 160 million trips next year.

Meanwhile, the government expects 15 million foreign tourists to visit Thailand in 2022, generating 650 billion baht in revenue.

Mr Thanakorn said the 1.5 trillion baht revenue target is approximately half the amount the country's tourism industry earned in 2019 before the start of the pandemic.

Mr Thanakorn also gave an update on the Phuket Sandbox, which has been hailed a success.

As of Thursday (Oct 7) 43,026 foreign tourists had visited Phuket via the Sandbox program.

Most tourists came from the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Source - ASIAN NOW

Our VISA AGENT

Vaccines not lockdowns helping to reduce COVID-19 cases in Thailand

 Statements from the Ministry of Public Health yesterday reported by Daily News indicated that Thailand's vaccine rollout was continuing to gather pace.

Dr Kiatphoom said that the country was on the way to having perhaps 5,000 daily infections by the New Year though he cautioned that four main measures were needed as the country reopened its activities or this could spike again to 30,000.

He said that lockdown measures were now losing their effectiveness.

He cited the UK with a roughly similar population as an example of having a large number of daily infections though the daily death toll there was a manageable 143.

This was because of their advanced vaccination program.

Thailand ranked 26th for Covid severity at the moment, he said, announcing 11,200 infections and 113 deaths.

57 million does of vaccine had been administered that was 33.7 million first doses, 22 million second and 1.6 million third.

59.3% of the elderly had been vaccinated with a first jab and 62% of those with seven underlying health conditions.

There is a target of 4 million 12 - 17 year old high school students to get jabbed to allow schools to open - so far just 74,000 have been vaccinated or 1.7%.

By the end of October it is expected that 61% of the Thai population will have got a first jab, 37% a second.

With vaccinations picking up pace this would be 75% first and 55% second at the end of November and by the end of the year 85% of the population would have got a first dose and 70% a second.

He noted that Bangkok and surrounding areas were seeing a good drop in infections and this was generally being seen in the provinces except in four far southern provinces where greater measures were needed.

He described Thailand as being at a crossroads now with four main areas needed - the progress of the vaccine rollout, universal protection measures, testing and strict protocols in places like movie theaters and restaurants and other settings where many people would gather.

The gist of the Daily News report was that Thailand was finally on track with its vaccine rollout and there were positive signs but experience in other countries should drive the country's next phase of responses.

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Source - ASIAN NOW

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