Thailand tourism situation

[buksida]

The vaccination record is not required. Whisper it softly, but BP was wrong. According to Bloomberg and Richard Barrow.

All Foreign Travellers to Thailand Please Read!
The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a COVID-19-related order on Friday detailing new regulation for all foreign travellers from all nationalities flying into Thailand from tomorrow (Jan 8 to Jan 31 in anticipation of the influx of Chinese tourists and concerns about the possible spread of COVID-19.

1) Traveler over the age of 18 must show a proof of having been vaccinated with two doses. If having been infected, the person must show a medical certificate that he or she has recovered no more than 180 days ago. For those not vaccinated, they must produce a letter from a physician justifying it.

2) Those arriving from a country where they would be required to prove that they are not infected upon returning must have COVID-19 insurance for the duration of their stays in Thailand plus seven additional days (in case the person becomes infected).

3) Holders of Thai passport are exempted from all requirements.

4) Those making a connecting flight to a destination outside Thailand are exempted.

5) Airlines must check the required documents and have the duty to refuse foreign passengers who failed to meet the new requirements.

6) Airlines must request its passengers to wear sanitary mask while on board except during meal time.

7) Passengers with suspect COVID-19 symptoms will be advised to get tested upon landing.

Source: Khaosod English

[Gregjam]

Am flying tonight from Perth via Singapore. Have checked in at a regional airport and bags are routed all the way. Will post once in Thailand of how it goes. Have posted in this thread as it directly relates to the previous post but suspect both will be moved to the other thread on flying into Thailand.

[Big Boy]

If flying tonight, I doubt the new rules will affect you. They don't come into effect until the early hours of Monday morning.

[Edit] I've just had a re-read of the above post, and I see it says from tomorrow.
Other stuff I've read says 01:00 9th January. As usual, confusion everywhere.

[hhinner]

But, but, Dr Yong (the famous Thai virologist) said that visitors from China should be less concerning than westerners because the west has all those omicron substitutes and China doesn't (how he knows this when China isn't telling anyone is anybody's guess).

Saw a YouTube video claiming China is keeping up with the west in omicron variants anyway, though they were all imported of course.

I wonder when someone in government will countermand the new regulations.

[hhinner]

If flying tonight, I doubt the new rules will affect you. They don't come into effect until the early hours of Monday morning.

[Edit] I've just had a re-read of the above post, and I see it says from tomorrow.
Other stuff I've read says 01:00 9th January. As usual, confusion everywhere.

Richard Barrow (is he reliable this time?) tweeted the original That language CAAT document.

The times and dates for the new rules are from 08.00 on 9th Jan to 00.59 31st Jan.

08.00 Thai is 01.00 GMT.

[hhinner]

Buksida's list of regulations includes:

6) Airlines must request its passengers to wear sanitary mask while on board except during meal time.

It's only a request, but maybe meal times will be of extended duration?

[handdrummer]

Buksida's list of regulations includes:

6) Airlines must request its passengers to wear sanitary mask while on board except during meal time.

It's only a request, but maybe meal times will be of extended duration?

Can they substitute sanitary napkins?

[buksida]

And so it begins again ... mask obsession ... bets on another lockdown in '23?

New Thai Travel Requirements Could Dampen GDP Forecast Growth
Thailand’s vital tourism industry, just emerging from months of coronavirus stagnation looks likely to be crippled by an announcement by deputy prime minister and health minister Anutin Charnuirakul, likely driven by fear of Covid-bearing Chinese arrivals, that all visitors at some point will be required to show proof of at least two vaccinations and have health coverage that includes Covid-19 treatment upon arrival.

In addition, incoming tourists at an as-yet-unannounced date will be required to wear a mask in public places and transport, and take a rapid antigen test if they develop Covid-19 like symptoms during their stay. There has been no date set for the requirements become mandatory.

Some expatriates claim their vaccine certificates are no longer be retrievable in their phone apps, and many are wondering how authorities will enforce the mask mandate selectively upon incoming foreigners, with those already in Thailand not mandated to do so, as all mandates were lifted last October when Covid-19 was declared endemic. There is a possibility that this requirement will raise the level of local xenophobia towards foreigners.

https://www.eurasiareview.com/08012023- ... -analysis/

[hhinner]

They only care about the Chinese. All their eggs in one basket.

I think the following possibilities.

1. Upcoming PR 'problem' regarding non-Chinese tourism.
2. Upcoming public health disaster.
3. Election soon and a health 'situation' will not go down well.
4. U-turn on entry requirements.

There are also posts on Twitter (especially from R. Barrow, so not authoritative, no matter what sources he gives) suggesting that the vax requirement may be dropped quite quickly.

What will Thailand do if the world's airlines don't check things like vax status? There are now too many arrivals to check everyone on arrival, especially when the Chinese start arriving en masse.

[HHTel]

Anutin should be forced to wear a 'gag'. Things that come out of his mouth are ridiculous, inflammatory, xenophobic and a few other adjectives. He's worse than his boss who hopefully will cancel what he says (live in hope)
My daughter who has already booked her flight in a couple of months, is now considering whether to cancel. I'm sure she's not the only one.

Incidentally, can the average Chinese tourist afford covid insurance?

[hhinner]

Seems that Phuket Tourist Association isn't too happy.

R. Barrow again. Apologies if inaccurate.

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/statu ... Z_ksA&s=19

[hhinner]

Anutin should be forced to wear a 'gag'. Things that come out of his mouth are ridiculous, inflammatory, xenophobic and a few other adjectives. He's worse than his boss who hopefully will cancel what he says (live in hope)
My daughter who has already booked her flight in a couple of months, is now considering whether to cancel. I'm sure she's not the only one.

Incidentally, can the average Chinese tourist afford covid insurance?

I believe they can afford to have a policy printed by a 'reputable' provider in China.

[HHTel]

[hhinner]

Vaccinations not required anymore. Travellers not providing vax proof to airline will(?) be tested on arrival in Thailand.

What then?

[hhinner]

Vaccinations not required anymore. Travellers not providing vax proof to airline will(?) be tested on arrival in Thailand.

What then?

This is fun! Wonder what the next update will bring.