TAT announces a roadmap to reopen Thailand to vaccinated tourist - TAT



 



TAT announces a roadmap to reopen Thailand to vaccinated tourists

Three-stage reopening plans lead to no quarantine requirements for foreign tourist arrivals in five pilot destinations from October, with Phuket being the first to lift quarantine from July onwards

 TAT Newsroom Send an email11 hours ago

 1,471 4 minutes read

Bangkok, 03 April, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), chaired by Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has approved the TAT's three-stage roadmap to reopen six major tourist provinces – Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani (Ko Samui), Chon Buri (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai – to vaccinated foreign tourists.

This development follows the Royal Thai Government's latest announcement: Thailand reduces quarantine for international arrivals from 1 April 2021, which includes the reduction of quarantine from 14 days to 7 days for vaccinated international arrivals involving the *11 groups of people currently permitted to enter Thailand.

The TAT's reopening roadmap will take place in stages in the second, third and fourth quarters of this year, specifically for vaccinated foreign tourists arriving in the six specified provinces, which are Thailand's major tourist destinations.

Stage One (Q2), from April to June, vaccinated foreign tourists will be allowed to undergo quarantine in government-approved hotels or other facilities under a '0+7 nights + designated routes' model. After completing the first 7 nights, they will be allowed to visit other destinations in Thailand.

The '0+7 nights + designated routes' model means that during quarantine, vaccinated foreign tourists will be allowed to engage in leisure activities within the premises of their hotels or other accommodation establishments. They will also be allowed to engage in outside travel activities within designated areas in their selected destination of arrival.

State Two (Q3), from July to September, Phuket will be the first destination to lift quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreign tourists under the 'Phuket Sandbox' programme. However, they will be restricted to travel activities within designated areas in Phuket for 7 days and will then be allowed to visit other Thai destinations.

Vaccinated foreign tourist arrivals to five other major tourist destinations – Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani (Ko Samui), Chon Buri (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai – will still be required to undergo quarantine under a '0+7 nights + designated routes' model.

Stage Three (Q4), from October to December, all five other major tourist destinations will join Phuket in lifting quarantine requirements for vaccinated foreign tourists. Same as Phuket, tourists will be restricted to travel activities within designated areas in these destinations for 7 days before they are allowed to visit other Thai destinations.

Upon arrival in all stages, vaccinated foreign tourists will be required to undergo a COVID-19 screening, including RT-PCR tests, and download the specified track and trace application.

In order to be eligible to enter in Thailand, vaccinated foreign tourists still need to have all of their advance arrangements in good order for arrival and entry.

These include a valid visa or re-entry permit, a Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate; a COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000; confirmation of Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel booking, and a medical certificate with a RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure. Interested vaccinated foreign tourists are recommended to enquire at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in their home country for more details.

In addition, in line with the Royal Thai Government's announcement, vaccinated international arrivals must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine, approved, and registered with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), no less than 14 days before the travelling date. They must also be from countries with no mutated strain of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the MoPH.

The following vaccines are accepted (as of 31 March, 2021): ARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (CoronaVac) by Sinovac (2 doses needed); AZD1222 by AstraZeneca/Oxford (2 doses needed); AZD1222 by SK BIOSCIENCE – AstraZeneca/Oxford (2 doses needed); BNT162b2/CORMIRNATY – Tozinameran (INN) by Pfizer/BioNTech (2 doses needed); Covishield (ChAdOx1_nCoV19) by the Serum Institute of India (2 doses needed); Ad26.COV2.S by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (1 dose needed), and mRNA-1273 by Moderna (2 doses needed).

TAT is constantly providing updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (www.tatnews.org); Facebook (tatnews.org); and Twitter (Tatnews_Org).

For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand's tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.

*The 11 groups of people currently permitted to enter Thailand.

(1) Thai nationals.

(2) Persons with exemption or persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, pertaining to necessity. Such consideration, permission, or invitation may be subject to specific conditions and time limits.

(3) Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under International organisations, or representatives of foreign governments performing their duties in the Kingdom, or persons of other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children.

(4) Carriers of necessary goods, subject to immediate return after completion.

(5) Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission, and have a specific date and time for return.

(6) Non-Thai nationals who are spouses, parents, or children of Thai nationals.

(7) Non-Thai nationals who hold a Certificate of Residence, including their spouses and children.

(8) Non-Thai nationals who have a work permit or have been granted permission to work in the Kingdom in accordance with the Thai laws, including their spouses and children, or foreign workers who have been granted exemption from the government to temporarily stay in the Kingdom and permitted to work through their employers or licensees who are permitted to bring in foreign workers to work in the Kingdom.

(9) Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including their parents or guardians, excluding students of non-formal educational institutions in accordance with the law on private schools, and of other similar private educational institutions.

(10) Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their accompanying persons. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19.

(11) Non-Thai nationals who have been granted permission to enter into the Kingdom under special arrangements between Thai government agencies and other countries, or persons or groups of persons who have been granted permission by the Prime Minister upon the submission for consider after the examination and review by the Ad Hoc Committee for the Consideration of the Relaxation of the Enforcement of Measures to Present and Suppress the Spread of the Communicable Disease Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and shall comply with disease prevention measures determined by the Ad Hoc Committee.

Songkran: Hua Hin and Pattaya hotels at 70 percent occupancy - Chiang Mai still desperate, THA. Thai Visa



File photo: Hua Hin

 

The chief of the Thai Hoteliers' Association has said that there are good signs for hotel occupancy in Hua Hin and Pattaya at Songkran thanks to their proximity to Bangkok.

 

Occupancy rates at Songkran among Thai tourists will be 50-70% in the two coastal cities though beachfront locations will get the most visitors, said Marisa Sukosonnunphakdee. 

 

Regarding foreign tourists she refused to be drawn on making predictions to the Thai media saying that the demand for 7 and ten day quarantine packages for vaccinated and non-vaccinated tourists in the coming months will be a "wait and see" for the THA.

 

Much will depend on what the government does, she said, apearing to reference local vaccine rollouts. 

 

But one place that was of particular concern for the THA now was Chiang Mai where she said there were no positive signs at all. 

 

Bangkokians and other Thais did not want to go there as not only was it very hot and obviously not on the coast but the city was suffering from well publicized pollution after severe fires.

 

She said that future strategies about how to help Chiang Mai recover would be just that - dealt with in the future. 

 

For now Chiang Mai was suffering and there was no immediate end in sight. 

 

 

3/4



Bilden påminner mig om vaccinsamordnaren Richard Bergströms återkommande ”devis” om att inte lägga alla ägg i samma korg. GLAD PÅSK !!



Pattaya begins vaccinations in preparation to welcome tourists - NNT



Posted 56 minutes ago

 

By Paphamon Arayasukawat

   

CHONBURI (NNT) - Pattaya city has begun administering a second batch of vaccinations to frontline workers and medical personnel with plans to inoculate all 100 percent of its population as one of five destinations marked by the government to receive foreign tourists.

 

Pattaya Hospital administered 285 doses shared with it from Chonburi's 20,000 doses on April 2.

 

A total of 175 doses were given to medical personne, while 47 were provided to immigration authorities and 63 to frontline workers. A second dose will be given to the individuals on April 23.

 

Once all frontline workers are vaccinated, Pattaya aims to provide inoculations to 100 percent of its population so that it can become one of five destinations chosen by the government to welcome international visitors.

 

Mayor of Pattaya Sonthaya Khunpleum, has indicated the city is ready to be one of the five destinations, noting it hasn't recorded any strong reaction among those receiving a vaccination so far.

 



Pattaya checkpoints are back! Police report widespread law breaking on the roads - Thai Visa



Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Sophon Cable TV reported that the Pattaya police were setting up checkpoints on the roads after stopping this activity for more than a year because of the pandemic.

 

They didn't want there to be gatherings of people potentially spreading the virus. But now they are back after the moratorium was lifted on April 1st.

 

These are the new "transparent" checkpoints ordered by RTP chief Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk, notes Thaivisa.

 

Officers must have CCTV bodycams and there must be CCTV in the area of the checkpoints recording everything. These will apply at traffic stops for minor infringements, alcohol checkpoints, vehicle emission checks and crime stops.

 

Sophon went to one yesterday in Chalermprakiat Soi 18, Pattaya Sai 3, where Pol Captain Dusadee Janphitak was in charge of ten officers. 

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

The captain reported widespread lawbreaking on the roads with many people having no licences, no helmets, no third party insurance extension and also no face masks - he noted that was very bad too. 

 

He said that checkpoints will be set up in the late morning looking out for ten misdemeanours and then late at night for DUI violations. 

 

He called for people to start following the traffic laws. Just because there is a clear road it was no excuse to go speeding, and not wear helmets and seatbelts.

 

And not having the tax and "phor ror bor" (insurance) updated would cause problems if you had an accident.

 

The ten things they are looking out for are:

 

1. Speeding

2. Going the wrong way

3. Not obeying traffic signals

4. Not wearing seatbelts

5. Not having a licence

6. Illegal overtaking in narrow areas

7. DUI

8. Not wearing helmets

9. Riding unsafe motorcycles and

10. Using phones while driving.

 

People can call 1599 if they have any questions. 

 

 

 

Thailand braces for heaviest rainfall in 30 years -Thai Visa (Ja, man kan ju alltid hoppas)



 

Thailand is bracing for its heaviest rainfall in more than three decades, with the country set for an early start to this year's wet season.

 

The Meteorological Department has warned that from early May, the average rainfall would be the highest in more than 30 years.

 

Officials at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) have instructed relevant agencies to be prepared for the rainfall, and ensure that reservoirs and irrigation systems are working properly.

 

As of March 31, large and medium reservoirs throughout the country were at 50 percent capacity.

 

The four main dams on the Chao Phraya River (Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam, Khwae Noi Bamrung Dan Dam, and PaSak Choalasit Dam) have a total water volume of approximately 9,417 million cubic metres, or 38 per cent of the reservoir capacity, with approximately 2,748 million cubic metres of usable water.

 

Water management for 2020-21 is currently operating as expected, Manager reported, with enough to supply the remainder of the dry season.

 

 

2/4



Vaccin etc - Bangkok Post



Thai baht is worst performing currency in Southeast Asia - Nikkei Asia

Thai baht is worst performing currency in Southeast Asia

Lack of tourist spending erodes fundamentals during first quarter

BANGKOK -- The Thai baht was the worst performer among commonly traded Southeast Asian currencies during the first quarter, as its fundamentals were eroded due to lack of tourist spending.

The baht depreciated 4% against the U.S. dollar to 31.24, according to Refinitiv data. The fall stood out from regional peers, which also were in decline.

On Wednesday, the baht reached the cheapest level in roughly half a year.

The kingdom's weakening fundamentals led to the drop. Thailand's current account turned to a deficit of $1.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020 from a surplus of $6.6 billion in the third quarter and $11.5 billion in the same period in the previous year. It was the first time Southeast Asia's second largest economy has recorded a deficit since the third quarter of 2014, according to the Bank of Thailand.

Service receipts from tourists plunged to $742 million, only 5% of the same period a year ago, because of border closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Previously, Thailand's stable current account surplus, backed by steady tourist inflow, supported the currency.

Starting April, Thailand will shorten its mandatory quarantine from 14 days to 10 days to revive tourist inflow and spending. The government also will conduct a "sandbox experiment" at Phuket island to welcome tourists without any isolation period.

However, uncertainties remain. "Exporters and importers, as well as investors, are still unsure if the government's effort will salvage the economy," said a sales trader from a commercial bank.

The fall was also magnified by a seasonal factor. Local affiliates of large Japanese companies repatriated some of their cash before Japan's fiscal year closed in March. The seasonal trading habit has become less active as corporate management became more globalized, but still affects the market.

The depreciation at the current pace may not cause a headache for the government. When the baht hit a seven-year high in December, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet was concerned about the adverse impact on industrial exports.

In November, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the central bank has the necessary policy tools to handle the strengthening of the baht. The central bank had liberalized foreign currency deposits, and increased the investment limit for Thai retail investors to buy into foreign securities to $5 million from $200,000. "The recent fall is not as fast nor large enough for the government to reverse such measures," said the trader.

Among other regional peers, the Indonesian rupiah and Malaysian ringgit fell 3.4% and 3.1% respectively in the first quarter. The Singaporean dollar and Philippine peso also fell over 1%, while the Vietnamese dong remained virtually flat.

The Myanmar kyat, a rarely traded currency in the region, recorded a 5.6% drop during the quarter after the Feb. 1 military coup plunged the country's economy and financial sector into uncertainty.

The Refinitiv data showed that the Myanmar kyat has not changed hands in the currency spot market since Feb. 11.



State mulls free flights in sandbox - Bangkok Post

State mulls free flights in sandbox

Cabin crew walk past a statue wearing a face mask at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok during the pandemic. Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering offering free cross-provincial flights for foreign tourists after airline workers are approved for Covid-19 inoculation this week.

"From July 1, inoculated tourists exempt from quarantine might be tempted to extend their stay here after spending 10 days in Phuket if we can provide them free or discounted air tickets to other provinces," said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

He said the ministry already discussed the plan with Bangkok Airways, the owner and operator of Samui airport, as that island has the potential to accommodate tourists.

This effort is meant to attract 100,000 foreign tourists during the first three months of Phuket's sandbox initiative, said Mr Phiphat.

As Phuket is scheduled to reopen from July, which is the monsoon season for the Andaman Sea, this offer could appeal to tourists who complete the entry procedure in Phuket, he said.

Speaking at a Thai Hotels Association meeting on Thursday, Mr Phiphat asked hoteliers to join this scheme by offering special packages to tourists who want to spend longer than 10 days in Thailand.

He said if the pairing with Samui generates revenue for nearby communities such as Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, other destinations can follow suit, such as Pattaya, close to U-tapao airport, and Chiang Mai.

Thailand set an ambitious goal to bring in another 6.4 million tourists in the final quarter this year when five more areas -- Krabi, Samui, Pattaya, Phangnga and Chiang Mai -- join the tourism sandbox, but Mr Phiphat said the plan won't be complete if Bangkok is not included.

"The six tourism provinces in the planned sandbox plus Bangkok generate 80% of tourism revenue. Bangkok should be the next destination added, with a goal to administer 20 million doses by September to ensure a safe reopening for both tourists and local communities," he said.

The plan to let inoculated tourists fly across provinces is in tandem with the vaccination programme for airline employees, which the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announced on Tuesday.

Woranate Laprabang, chief executive of Thai Vietjet (TVJ), said the Covid-19 vaccine allotment for airlines will strengthen tourism confidence among foreign and Thai travellers.

In addition to vaccines, TVJ is engaging in the International Air Transport Association travel pass project, a travel certificate system. It expects to try the application on semi-commercial flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok in June.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, chief executive of Thai AirAsia, said the airline is ready to offer discounted prices on cross-provincial routes for guests in the tourism sandbox, if they are confident enough to visit provinces that haven't achieved herd immunity.

"We may offer free or discounted tickets, but we have to ensure tourists are confident to travel," he said. 

Phuket mass vaccinations begin - Phuket News

 Phuket mass vaccinations begin

PHUKET: Mass vaccinations against COVID-19 have begun in Phuket, with some 3,000 people expected to have received their first injection of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine "CoronaVac" at the Indoor Sports Stadium at Saphan Hin today (Apr 1).

The mass-vaccination launch today came less than 24 hours after 50,000 doses of the CoronaVac vaccine arrived on the islandyesterday.

Present at Saphan Hin this morning to oversee the launch of the mass-vaccination campaign were Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, along with Vice Governors Pichet Panapong and Piyapong Choowong, and Phuket Tourist Association President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam.

All people arriving to receive their first vaccination injection were required to wear face masks and had their body temperatures checked before being allowed into the main area of the facility.

Those vaccinated today were from five main target groups: medical personnel, risk group staff, people who work with direct interaction with the public, chronic disease patients and rescue workers.

Governor Narong repeated that the goal was to administer the first vaccine injection to 50,000 people within the next seven days, "before Songkran".

"I expect that today we will be able to vaccinate about 3,000 people in the key target groups at the stadium. If we combined the numbers of vaccinated people from the other four venues, the total number will be about 7,000 people per day," he said.

The second injection will be provided after the next mass delivery of vaccine doses arrive, he added.

This was required "because if you are going to vaccinate to build a group immunity, Phuket Province must vaccinate 70% of the population, or about 460,000 people, which requires approximately 920,000 to 930,000 doses of the vaccine, before we can open to receive fully vaccinated tourists," he said.

"It is a very big challenge, but the government is ready to support Phuket as a pilot province," he added.

To roll out the mass-vaccination campaign, five "vaccination service centres" have been set up across the island. The five locations are located at:

• Phuket International Airport, the new extension building
• Jungceylon shopping center, Patong
• Angsana Laguna Phuket resort in Bang Tao, Cherng Talay
• The Indoor Sports Centre at Saphan Hin
• Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa Hotel in Karon

The vaccination centres are open each day from 8:30am to 4pm.

People arriving to be vaccinated must proceed through eight steps:

1. Weight, height and blood pressure is measured
2. Confirmation that the person is eligible for vaccination.
3. Registration, screening
4. Recording of medical history
5. Waiting for the vaccination injection
6. Receiving the vaccination injection
7. Update the recipient's hospital records
8. Wait 30 minutes to observe for any reaction to the vaccine. 

If no adverse reactions are found, the recipient will be allowed to go home by permission of a doctor and an appointment will be made to receive the second "booster" injection.

Those who received injections today will be required to receive their second injection some time from April 22-30, officials at the centre explained.

Governor Narong urged people to register to receive vaccinations through the online form posted here.

Despite the explanation yesterday that no walk-in registrations are being accepted at this time, Governor Narong today clearly said, "Or do not have [access to the] internet, you can walk in to register at the district health promotion hospital near you, or contact the village headman in your area."

Phuket Airport prepares for international visitors - Phuket News

 Phuket Airport prepares for international visitors

PHUKET: Phuket International Airport has begun preparations to receive overseas visitors as the island strives to reinvigorate its tourism industry following the government's confirmation of relaxed quarantine conditions, effective today (Apr 1).

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew and Vice Governor Pichet Pananpong visited the X terminal today to oversee the extensive vaccination process of all staff, mandatory to install confidence to all overseas visitors.

Additionally, it was confirmed yesterday (Mar 31) that two flights from Germany will be arriving on the island this and next month as part of the international terminal's "reopening".

Non Klintha, Executive Vice President of Thai Airways International, revealed that the airline is opening two direct flights from Frankfurt to Phuket in April and May.

The flights are TG921 which will depart Frankfurt at 2:45pm local time on April 2 and arrive in Phuket at 7:10am the following day. The other flight, with identical timings, will be on May 7, arriving in Phuket on May 8. No details were released about the return flights from Phuket to Frankfurt at the time of the announcement.

It is hoped this will see the start of many other international flights coming into Phuket after the government officially reduced and modified the requirements for foreign visitors coming into the Kingdom.

"The CCSA has now approved relaxed quarantine conditions for tourists who have been vaccinated and test negative for COVID-19 to visit Thailand from April 1," Phuket Airport General Manager Thanee Chuangchoo said yesterday.

"We hope this will signal the start of tourists starting to return to Phuket and we are delighted to announce the international terminal at Phuket International Airport is now open as of 00:01am on April 1," he added.

The Thai government has released its latest guidelines and requirements for foreign tourists wanting to enter the country. The Thai government has also released a list of accepted vaccines - Thai Visa / TAT



Image: Reuters file photo

 

The Thai government has released its latest guidelines and requirements for foreign tourists wanting to enter the country.

 

From 1 April, foreign tourists who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are only required to undergo 7 days of quarantine. 

 

Travellers who have not yet been vaccinated are required to undergo 10 days of quarantine, while travellers from some African countries are still required to undergo 14 days of mandatory quarantine, such as Botswana; Cameroon; Congo; Ghana; Kenya; Mozambique; Rwanda; South Africa; Tanzania; Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

 

According to a post in the Royal Thai Government Gazette, vaccinated tourists need to be able to prove they have been vaccinated with "a vaccine, approved, and registered with the MoPH or approved by the WHO, no less than 14 days before the travelling date". 

 

"However, they must be from countries with no mutated strain of SAR-CoV-2 virus as announced and constantly updated by the MoPH".

 

The Thai government has also released a list of accepted vaccines, which are:

 

• RS-CoV-2 Vaccine (CoronaVac) by Sinovac (2 doses needed); 
• AZD1222 by AstraZeneca/Oxford (2 doses needed);
• AZD1222 by SK BIOSCIENCE – AstraZeneca/Oxford (2 doses needed)
• BNT162b2/CORMIRNATY – Tozinameran (INN) by Pfizer/BioNTech (2 doses needed)
• Covishield (ChAdOx1_nCoV19) by the Serum Institute of India (2 doses needed)
• Ad26.COV2.S by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson (1 dose needed)
• mRNA-1273 by Moderna (2 doses needed).

 

Anyone who is unable to provide a valid vaccine certificate, an original paper or a print-out of an online vaccine certificate, to the International Port Health Control at the port of arrival will be required to undergo 10 days of quarantine.

 

Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand

 

* All information correct at time of posting.



1/4



Thailand’s 4-phase reopening, starting today. As always, this a currently a PLAN and has not been confirmed by the Thai government at this stage. The Thaiger

Thailand's 4-phase reopening, starting today

By 

Neill Fronde

Thursday, April 1, 2021

This is not an April fool's joke. Thailand has set a tentative 4-phase plan starting April 1 for reopening the borders, lifting restrictions, and relaxing quarantine periods, allowing international travel to recommence in a safe manner. As always, this a currently a PLAN and has not been confirmed by the Thai government at this stage.

The planned rollout has a metered approach and aims to allow tourism to rebuild without opening the floodgates to a potential new wave of Covid-19 clusters. The PM's spokesman outlined the 4 phases, starting today, and completing the transition at the start of next year.

The first phase of Thailand's reopening scheme, will begin the gradual reduction of the quarantine period for foreign travellers who have already received a Covid-19 vaccination and can present a vaccine certificate. For those who qualify and travel to one of the earmarked tourist destinations of Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phang Nga, the mandatory 14 day quarantine length will be reduced.

Tentatively scheduled for July 1, the second phase of the plan focuses on Phuket's massive tourism market, as chartered flights from China are expected to begin arriving in July (despite the Chinese government's current restrictions on external travel). International travellers arriving to Phuket after this date will no longer need to quarantine at all, according to the proposal, provided they carry paperwork certifying their vaccination. 

The next step in reopening Thailand would see the 4 other tourist destinations in the 'sandbox' scheme to join Phuket in waiving all quarantine restrictions. Phase 3 is planned to launch October 1, and would allow vaccinated foreign tourists to holiday in Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phang Nga without any quarantine. Bangkok has also been discussed as part of this proposal.

The final fourth phase would start on New Year's Day, 2022, and would be the final step to reopening Thailand's borders. After January 1, all foreign travellers that have received a Covid-19 vaccination and a vaccine passport will be allowed to enter anywhere in the kingdom without any quarantine period. 

Barring any new outbreaks or negative developments in the pandemic, hopefully Thailand will be safely reopened to the world by the new year. 

These are just proposals at this stage and you should check with the embassy in your country before making any flight or hotel bookings.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World 

Govt lures wealthy foreigners - Bangkok Post

Govt lures wealthy foreigners

Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow

The government has set a "proactive economic plan" aimed at drawing at least 1 million high-income foreign tourists and foreign investors in the new S-Curve industries as part of efforts to free the country from the middle income trap.

Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said that a meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, approved last Friday in principle a plan to promote investment and tourism for a post-pandemic economic recovery.Concerned agencies have been given one month to present details of the plan before the next meeting of the CESA, he said.

"When the meeting endorses the details, state agencies will step up efforts to attract a first investor by June, with an aim of promoting investment, tourism and stimulate domestic consumption," he said, adding the government has set the target of achieving 4% economic growth for this year and next year.

In terms of tourism, a proposal will be put forward to amend regulations governing foreign property owners to allow them to buy houses in Thailand more easily. This is intended to draw high-income retirees from Europe, Scandinavia, Japan and South Korea to live in Thailand, said ML Chayotid Kridakon, adviser to Mr Supattanapong.

Under a short-term plan, the government will attract foreign tourists with high incomes from around the world, particularly retirees, to visit and settle in Thailand. "There are about 200 million of them around the world and we have set a target of drawing one million to Thailand each year," said ML Chayotid, a former managing director for JP Morgan Thailand.

"These people earn about 300,000-400,000 baht a month. If one million of them are here in Thailand and spend about 100,000 a month each, Thailand will get about 1.2 trillion baht a year from them."

Mr Supattanapong said the plan aims to achieve continuous economic growth by 4-5%, and a study by the Bank of Thailand shows that if such growth continues for six to seven years, Thailand will be able to free itself from the middle income trap. Plans are to improve regulations on immigration and applications for visas and work permits for foreign experts to work in Thailand, such as improving the requirements for foreign expats to report their whereabouts every 90 days to authorities, he said.

Tax structures will also be tweaked to attract foreign investors to set up their regional offices in Thailand such as reducing corporate income tax for them, as well as improving privileges and benefits for regional hubs, retirees, self-employed people and start-ups, he said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith insisted on Wednesday the government would not consider raising the 7% value-added tax (VAT) at least for the next couple of years. The government now looks set to keep the 7% VAT intact for another year from Sept 30 when the extended period of maintaining the same 7% VAT expires.

As the ministry is in the process of revising the country's tax rates, one important requirement is the new tax rates will have to support the government's development of the new S-curve industries, he said. Asked how badly the government will miss its tax revenue target this year, he said the outcome of tax collections by end-June will tell.