Pandemic surge idles STV plan - Bangkok Post

Pandemic surge idles STV plan

Thailand faces an obstacle in reopening to tourists as coronavirus cases in Europe are rising, causing some targeted countries to shift from low-risk to medium-risk classification, preventing their inclusion in the special tourist visa (STV) scheme.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, deputy governor of tourism products and business for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said although more than 1,000 foreign tourists have expressed intent to visit Thailand through requests to travel agencies and TAT offices overseas, the STV is limited to those from low-risk countries. Some of these potential tourists will have to apply for another type of visa with a shorter length of stay to travel here, she said.

As of yesterday, the number of STV tourists to Thailand stands at 331, with the majority arriving from China.

The options available have expanded as the cabinet last month approved applications for non-immigrant visa categories O-A and O-X for those aged 50 years and above. This scheme already attracted 501 applicants.

Holidaymakers with short-term plans can also apply for a tourist visa, with 86 requests already approved.

Prior to the recent surges in Europe, TAT's Scandinavian offices reported 163 tourists from the bloc have been granted permission to enter Thailand in November.

Of that number, 15 tourists applied for STV visas and 15 tourists applied to enter via the Thailand Elite Card scheme. Non-immigrant visas were granted to 94 and another 39 opted for tourist visas.

Mrs Thapanee said tourist visas are the most viable option at this point as there is no risk rating based on country of origin for these applicants. The maximum length of stay is 90 days.

"The Foreign Ministry has to update the low-risk country list every 15 days based on the ongoing situation in each areas. Given the spike of new cases in Europe, none are considered low-risk countries anymore, prompting the TAT to encourage visitors from this area to apply for tourist visas instead," she said.

Tourist visa applicants are required to show bank statements with at least 500,000 baht and display health certificates, as well as undergo a 14-day quarantine, said Mrs Thapanee.

To maintain confidence among locals, she said it is necessary to keep the mandatory quarantine in place through the end of this year before entering the next phase in 2021. The travel bubble scheme proposes no quarantines for tourists from low-risk countries.