Many official details on Thailand “reopening” in November to low-risk vaccinated foreign tourists published overnight Friday, 22 October 2021, 9:33. Although not every detail was released and there will likely still be MANY questions, especially around children and the specifics of the Thailand Pass program which will be replacing the COE (Certificate of Entry), some details were made much more clear. First, a recap of the proposal to open the country to low-risk tourists in November for those who wish to get caught up can be found by clicking here. TPN

Many official details on Thailand "reopening" in November to low-risk vaccinated foreign tourists published overnight

Friday, 22 October 2021, 9:33

Thailand-

  Just before 11:00 P.M. last night, October 21st, 2021, following an announcement by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O'Cha on his Facebook that the list of eligible countries for low-risk arrival for vaccinated foreign tourists to Thailand starting from November 1st had increased to 46, official details were released by the Thai Government and published in the Royal Gazette.

Although not every detail was released and there will likely still be MANY questions, especially around children and the specifics of the Thailand Pass program which will be replacing the COE (Certificate of Entry), some details were made much more clear.

First, a recap of the proposal to open the country to low-risk tourists in November for those who wish to get caught up can be found by clicking here.

Next, the three programs for entering the country from November 1st. 

From left to right: The left green column is for those from low-risk countries. The middle column is "Sandbox" areas that have been expanded. The red area is for those who are not fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All this is effective as of NOVEMBER FIRST.

The list of low-risk countries and additional sandbox areas, which includes Pattaya, is below the chart. A few points we want to be clear on:

1. You do not have to be a resident of a country to apply, only have to be in a low-risk country for 21 consecutive days for low-risk arrival. It is based on the country you are COMING FROM not your passport.

2.  For those who are not from a low-risk country, you need to stay in a Sandbox zone for seven days. (It is not clear if you will be able to travel between all the zones yet, that information should come "soon". Low-risk country arrivals can travel where they wish following a negative Covid-19 test result, see 5.)

2a. For those in the Sandbox zones, you will need a SHA+ hotel for seven days booked in advance and two Covid-19 tests. The same rules as current Phuket sandboxes apply but have been expanded to other zones, including Pattaya.

3.  List of countries will be "continually evaluated" for low-risk, likely at the start of each month.

4.  Required medical insurance minimum has been lowered from USD 100,000 to 50,000.

5. Strictly technically speaking, it is not "true" no quarantine for the green group from low-risk countries. You must still have at least one night in a SHA+ or quarantine hotel until you get your Covid-19 test results from your first test. Then you are free to go if you are not positive. It does NOT appear you can wait at your own home if you have your own residence. 

6. Hotels must be booked in advance, Thailand Pass should be booked in advance.

7. This was literally announced late at night and it will likely take some time to get to embassies and consulates around the world. Thailand Pass details are not yet concrete and as a result, many embassies may not yet have a plan for booking, Thailand Pass, etc. Give them a few days 🙂

8. Exact details of "transit" arrival at airports are not yet entirely clear, including popular questions if you will finally be able to transit through Bangkok airports to go to Phuket, etc. It is LIKELY but not yet crystal clear. They do note about airports at the bottom of the below chart.

Now, for the expanded "Sandbox" zones. 

As stated previously, if you do not fall into a low-risk country but are fully vaccinated at least fourteen days prior to traveling you may stay in one of seventeen Sandbox zones for at least seven days before being able to freely travel the country.

This has been greatly expanded from Phuket and parts of Surat Thani.

All Sandbox zones will have curfew lifted on the night of October 31st, 2021 as part of being a Sandbox "BLUE" province. (They may very well dump the curfew overall on November 1st, we will see.)

However, according to the Royal Gazette notice (In Thai at the bottom of this article),bars and nightlife will remain closed. BUT, provinces can apply for special permission for exceptions from rules and exemptions, such as legally selling alcohol in restaurants like Phuket did. It is unclear if Chonburi (Pattaya) will do so and will be based on the governor. The moment we get more information about this, we will post it.

The additional Sandbox/BLUE (Business, Lesuire, Ultimate Experience) zones, on top of Phuket and Surat Thani, are from November 1st:

-Bangkok, Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi airport area only), Krabi, Phang Nga, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae only), Phetchaburi (Cha-am only), Chonburi (Pattaya, Banglamung, Na Jomtien, Bang Saray, Koh Si Chang, Si Racha only), Ranong (Koh Phayam only), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Doi Tao only), Loe (Chiang Khan only), Buriram (Mueang only), Nong Khai (Mueang, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo, Sangkhom only), Udon Thani (Mueang, Na Yung, Nong Han, Prajak Silpa, Komphawapi, Ban Dong only), Rayong (Koh Samet only), Trat (Koh Chang only)

We expect more specific details in the near future and the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) announced they will be covering some of the fine details at today's press conference around lunchtime. Keep in mind, this is a developing story and although some details now appear "final" there are many things that could change and many small points (like policies for children) to still be made crystal clear.

We will continue to update our readers on the official, final, details as they are released. We will attempt to answer questions as we get them, however, keep in mind not every single detail has been released in order to do so.

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 299 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 2 new deaths, October 22nd. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 299 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 2 new deaths

Friday, 22 October 2021, 11:31

Highlights:

• 299 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Chonburi today

• 686 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 2 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 299 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 2 new deaths, October 22nd.

This makes a total of 98,284 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 6,454 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 691 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 686 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 91,139 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave of Covid-19 began.

As for the two new deaths yesterday, they were close contacts from previous confirmed cases in families according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health. They are elders and had chronic health problems. Neither of them was vaccinated.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 59, Si Racha 83, Banglamung (Pattaya) 61, Panat Nikhom 15, Sattahip 35, Ban Bueang 3, Phan Thong 9, Bor Thong 6, Ko Chan 2, Nong Yai 3, soldiers in Sattahip 1, and 22 people transferred from other provinces for medical care

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Cluster, Mitsubishi Motor company in Si Racha, 7 cases
2. Cluster, Sung Il company in Si Racha, 6 cases
3.  Cluster, LLIT company in Si Racha, 5 cases
4. Cluster, IJTT company in Mueang Chonburi, 7 cases
5. Many enterprises in Rayong and other provinces, 12 cases
6. Risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 11 cases
7. 3 medical staff
8. Back from risky areas in Bangkok – 1 case and Phetchaburi – 1 case
9. Close contacts of confirmed patients in 99 families, in 58 workplaces, 11 from close friends and joined parties 4 cases
10. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 14 cases
11. 60 cases in general are under investigation as to how they contracted Covid-19

🔴 Curfew will be cancelled from the evening of 31st October in tourist areas in the 17 provinces taking part in the extended Sandbox program. Richard Barrow

 🔴 Curfew will be cancelled from the evening of 31st October in tourist areas in the 17 provinces taking part in the extended Sandbox program.

📍 NORTH: Chiang Mai Province (Only Mueang District, Doi Tao District, Mae Rim District and Mae Taeng District)

📍NORTHEAST: Buriram (only Mueang), Loei (only Chiang Khan), Nong Khai (only Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai District and Tha Bo District), Udon Thani (only Mueang, Ban Dung District, Kumphawapi District, Na Yung District, Nong Han District, and Prachaksinlapakhom District)

📍CENTRAL: Bangkok, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Only Hua Hin Subdistrict and Nong Kae Subdistrict), Phetchaburi (only Cha-am Municipality), Samut Prakan (only in the area of ​​Suvarnabhumi International Airport).

📍EAST: Chonburi (only Bang Lamung District, Pattaya City, Sriracha District, Koh Sichang District, and Sattahip District (Only Na Chom Thian Subdistrict and Bang Saray Sub-district)), Trat (Only Koh Chang District), and Rayong (Only Koh Samet)

📍SOUTH: Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong (only Koh Phayam), and Surat Thani (Only Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao) #Thailand

46 Countries, 1 Night Hotel, $50K Insurance: Thailand Releases Nov. 1 Reopening Details Thailand will reopen for fully vaccinated tourists from 45 countries and Hong Kong Nov. 1, although not, as promised, “without quarantine”, as a single night at a certified hotel still will be required. The Foreign Affairs Ministry late Thursday released the long-awaited list of coronavirus “low-risk” countries whose citizens can qualify for the “quarantine-exempt” entry that is not technically quarantine-exempt.” Bangkok Herald

46 Countries, 1 Night Hotel, $50K Insurance: Thailand Releases Nov. 1 Reopening Details

22 October 2021

Photo: Ploy Phutpheng / UN Women

Thailand will reopen for fully vaccinated tourists from 45 countries and Hong Kong Nov. 1, although not, as promised, "without quarantine", as a single night at a certified hotel still will be required.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry late Thursday released the long-awaited list of coronavirus "low-risk" countries whose citizens can qualify for the "quarantine-exempt" entry that is not technically quarantine-exempt."

Eligible are fully vaccinated arrivals from Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong.

Travelers must have been in those countries for at least three weeks before departing.

While the Foreign Affairs Ministry says that it November will also see the end of the hated Certificate of Entry process for most travelers, the "Thailand Pass" website that will replace the CoE will still require travelers to provide much of the same paperwork.

Thailand Pass is not available yet, although the MFA said previously it planned to have it available on Nov. 1 although website crashes, data leaks and delays are more the rule than the exception when it comes to Thailand government IT.

According to the information table released with the list of countries, tourists, before flying, must provide proof of a booking at an "SHA+" or "Alternative Quarantine" hotel for at least one night. Such hotels have fully vaccinated staffs and are partnered with hospitals to allow them to administer coronavirus tests and transport passengers in "sealed routes" with employees in full personal-protective equipment.

Still, one night in an overpriced hotel is better than seven or 14 nights, which will still be the norm for the unvaccinated or those wanting to come to Thailand from countries and territories not on the "low-risk" list, which strangely excludes Taiwan – which hasn't had more than 20 cases in a day for two months.

For regional travelers, Cambodia and Malaysia are on the approved list, although travelers will need to arrive by air, not land border. Laos and Vietnam are not on the list, nor is the Philippines.

Also still required for submission to Thailand Pass will be proof of Covid-19 insurance coverage, although, as foreshadowed by the Public Health Ministry, the coverage required has been halved to $US50,000.

Other requirements for entry are as expected: A RT-PCR coronavirus test 72 hours before flying and a single RT-PCR test within 24 hours of arriving. It's notable that the price of the test is now included in the SHA+/AQ hotel rate.

The information released after 9:30 p.m. Thursday doesn't answer all questions, however. The biggest of those is what those traveling with unvaccinated children have to do, and whether any hotel exemption is allowed for expats, although that seems increasingly unlikely.

More details will be released after a major Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration meeting expected later today.

Bangkok Post highlights 22/10



🔴 #COVID19 on Friday: ⬆️ 9,810 new cases ⬆️ 2,898 probable cases (ATK) ⬇️ 66 deaths. Richard Barrow



Covid19 impact in ASEAN October 21st @ 10pm.



🔴 Full information just sent to me by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the three schemes for entering #Thailand from 1st November 2021. Also included the full list of “low-risk” countries. Richard Barrow



Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha, as the director of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Committee, is preparing to consider full details of the country reopening plan as proposed by the CCSA sub-panel committee by tomorrow, October 22nd. TPN

Thai Prime Minister to consider full details of country reopening plan at CCSA general meeting on Friday

Thursday, 21 October 2021, 19:26

PHOTO: Siamrath

National –

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O'Cha, as the director of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) Committee, is preparing to consider full details of the country reopening plan as proposed by the CCSA sub-panel committee by tomorrow, October 22nd.

According to local media, the details will include the full list of at least 10 low-risk countries that would be allowed to visit the country without mandatory quarantine. Previously, the government only mentioned five countries, namely the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Germany, and China.

The Prime Minister will also consider screening and preventive procedures of incoming tourists. Dr. Sumanee Watcharasin, a health official from the Department of Disease Control, previously stated to the press that the current proposals, not yet finalized, for incoming Thai and foreign nationals will be three groups as follows:

1. Vaccinated travelers from all countries apart from the low-risk countries must enter mandatory quarantine/Sandbox areas as provided by the Thai government.
2. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must enter mandatory quarantine as provided by the Thai government.
3. Travelers from low-risk countries as listed by the government who wish to travel in 17 pilot provinces, also called Blue-zone provinces, must:
   1. receive two doses of vaccination
   2. present negative result of RT-PCR Covid-19 test which must be tested no less than 72 hours before traveling.
   3. agree to have a Covid-19 test by the Thai medical personnel upon arrival. They will be allowed to travel to the designated areas only when the result is negative.
   4. apply for least $50,000 in health insurance beforehand
   5. present a receipt or booking information of accommodations

TPN media must stress that none of this is yet "finalized" or official and are proposals. The PM is set to review these proposals tomorrow, October 22nd, at which point more concrete information may be available.

According to the latest announcement, the blue zoned provinces/areas are Bangkok, Samut Prakan (Suvannabhumi International Airport), Krabi, Phang Nga, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), Phetchaburi (Cha-am), Chonburi (Pattaya, Banglamung, Na Jom Tien, Bang Saray, Koh Sichang, Si Racha), Ranong (Koh Payam), Chiang Mai (Meung, Mae Rim, Mae Tang, Doi Tao), Loei (Chiang Kan), Buriram (Mueang), Nong Khai (Mueang District, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo, Sang Kom), Udon Thani (Mueang District, Na Yung, Nong Han, Prajaksilpakom, Kumphawapi, Ban Dung), Rayong (Koh Samet), and Trat (Koh Chang). This could, of course, change before the final announcement and before it is made official.

However, the full details will not be officially revealed until it has been finalized and approved by the Prime Minister at the general CCSA meeting, currently scheduled for tomorrow morning.

🔴 BREAKING: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just released the list of “low-risk” countries and territories that can take part in the re-opening of #Thailand on 1st November. More information soon. Richard Barrow



CHIANG MAI: A jump in the number of Covid-19 cases has set alarm bells ringing ahead of a plan to reopen the northern province for fully vaccinated foreign tourists. The provincial public health office on Thursday reported 412 new infections, the highest in a week. The new infections in the northern city have climbed steadily since Tuesday from 199. The latest number will be included in the report of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to be announced on Friday. Bangkok Post

Covid surge threatens 'Charming Chiang Mai' campaign

Officials talk to vendors on Wednesday outside Ton Lamyai Market, one of the three markets in Chiang Mai city which are closed until Saturday due to Covid-19 infections. (Photo from Chiang Mai public health office Facebook account)

CHIANG MAI: A jump in the number of Covid-19 cases has set alarm bells ringing ahead of a plan to reopen the northern province for fully vaccinated foreign tourists.

The provincial public health office on Thursday reported 412 new infections, the highest in a week. The new infections in the northern city have climbed steadily since Tuesday from 199.

The latest number will be included in the report of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to be announced on Friday.

Chiang Mai governor Prachon Pratsakul called a meeting on Thursday to map out measures to curb the virus spread. He admitted the spike of new cases this week could affect a plan to reopen the province on Nov 1.

Chiang Mai promotes the "Charming Chiang Mai" plan to draw tourists from low-risk countries as the high season of tourism is drawing near.

The province will open only four districts — Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao — to visitors.

The CCSA on Wednesday also raised concern about the Covid-19 surge in Chiang Mai. The virus is suspected to be spreading to nearby Mae Hong Son through residents who had been to markets in Chiang Mai.

The governor on Wednesday ordered three famous markets, including Waroros market or the central market, to close until Saturday for disinfection after 37 new cases were linked to the markets. The areas around the markets would be strictly screened for two weeks, he added.

Chiang Mai aims to fully vaccinate 1.26 million people but has to date achieved only half, or 640,000.

The province registered 13,012 infections since the outbreak in April.

Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Muaeng international airports have adapted Phuket’s “sandbox’ model in the management and processing of arriving foreign tourists. Disembarkation to leaving the airports will take roughly 25 minutes, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. PBS World

Phuket "sandbox" model adapted for Bangkok's international airports

views  264

Thailand's Suvarnabhumi and Don Muaeng international airports have adapted Phuket's "sandbox' model in the management and processing of arriving foreign tourists. Disembarkation to leaving the airports will take roughly 25 minutes, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

Today, the transport minister assured that the two international airports, Thailand's main air gateways, will be 100% ready to welcome the first passengers on November 1st, when the country is reopened to tourists from low-risk countries, such as the UK, Germany, Singapore and China, who are fully inoculated with recognised COVID-19 vaccines and who have tested negative for the virus within 72 hours prior to arrival.

Four other airports are also open for foreign arrivals.

For the safety of the tourists, fare based cars (taxis, Grab etc.) must be equipped with a transparent plastic partition between the passengers and the driver before they will be allowed to pick customers at the two airports.

The post-arrival screening requirement must be completed within 72 hour of arrival.

Initially, it is expected that Don Muaeng will handle about 10,000 arrivals a day, compared to about 50,000 pre COVID-19.

Sinovac is running out and there will only be AstraZeneca and Pfizer left, DDC's Director-General Opas Karnkawinpong said on Thursday. Thai Enquirer

Sinovac is running out and there will only be AstraZeneca and Pfizer left, DDC's Director-General Opas Karnkawinpong said on Thursday.

The current main vaccination strategy is the Sinovac first and AstraZeneca second model which will be switched to the AstraZeneca first and Pfizer second after Sinovac runs out.

Sinovac is running out and there will only be AstraZeneca and Pfizer left, DDC's Director-General Opas Karnkawinpong said on Thursday. Thai Enquirer



Vaccination report October 21st



Local travelers may need proof for inter-provincial trips in Thailand October 21, 2021. Pattaya Mail

Local travelers may need proof for inter-provincial trips in Thailand

October 21, 2021

Saksayam cited that the same strict health measures should be imposed upon both local residents and foreign tourists to ensure safety and prevent the spread of the disease when the country reopens.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said the ministry will discuss with the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) whether to impose the same travel requirements that are being used for foreign tourists on domestictravelers.



Under the measures, all domestictravelers may require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result of no more than 72 hours before departure and two shots of COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr. Saksayam cited that the same strict health measures should be imposed upon both local residents and foreign tourists to ensure safety and prevent the spread of the disease when the country reopens.



Initially, these measures may be enforced only for long-distance interprovincial trips via planes, trains or buses. (NNT)

Thailand’s confusing insurance rules for visitors continue Barry KenyonOctober 21, 2021. Pattaya Mail. Today’s announcements by the Ministry of Health about new entry rules leave vital insurance questions up in the air.

Thailand's confusing insurance rules for visitors continue

Barry KenyonOctober 21, 2021

Thailand really has to decide whether it wants foreign visitors or not.

Today's announcements by the Ministry of Health about new entry rules leave vital insurance questions up in the air. A new condition specifies that all entrants should have US$50,000 insurance, either from Thai or foreign-based companies, but does not specify whether such a policy should be Covid-specific, or for general medical cover, or for both.

Meanwhile, the same ministry confirms it is expanding its health insurance ceiling to US$100,000 for non-immigrant 0/A visa holderswho formerly were subject to a policy worth only 400,000 baht inpatient and 40,000 baht outpatient cover. Again, there appears to be no clarification whether such a new policy is Covid-specific or must cover other medical emergencies. But the policy can be Thai or foreign.



0/A annual visas for retirees, issued by Thai embassies, cover less than 4,000 elderly individuals. It is a mystery why they have been singled out for harsher treatment.  Most retirees in fact hold other visas, including "0", marriage visas or Elite. Some are even permanent residents who don't need a visa in any case (although they do require a re-entry permit if they leave Thailand).

It is also unclear whether the new insurance rules will be in force only at Thai embassies abroad, or will additionally apply at Thai immigration when applicants seek extensions of stay which can vary from one week to 12 months according to the specific visa. Traditionally, Thai immigration offices (which do not report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which supervises embassies) have operated semi-independently.

Insurance for foreign tourists is understandably and rapidly becoming standard in the new-normal of a Covid-infected world. Thailand is one of the countries most dependenton tourist income. New rules such as PCR testing, paying for hotel accommodation whilst test results are known and a separate 500 baht arrival tax are all extras on top of insurance costs. Air faresare rising too in line with hiked oil prices. The confusion over insurance just adds to the muddle about whether Thailand really wants the tourists back.

Awaiting CCSA , MoPH Releases Own, Unofficial, ‘Conditions’ for Nov. Tourist Arrivals 21 October 2021. The ministry’s guidelines mean nothing other than a recommendation. No mater how much Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul would like to be the arbiter of reopening rules, it’s up to the CCSA to write the rules and Anutin doesn’t get a vote there. They then must be rubber-stamped by the Cabinet and published in the Royal Gazette before they become official. Bangkok Herald

Awaiting CCSA , MoPH Releases Own, Unofficial, 'Conditions' for Nov. Tourist Arrivals

21 October 2021

As nearly everyone in the country and many outside of it wait for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration to finally lay-out the details of what fully vaccinated tourists need to have and do in order to enter a "reopened" Thailand Nov. 1, the Public Health Ministry released its own, unofficial, "conditions".

The ministry's guidelines mean nothing other than a recommendation. No mater how much Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul would like to be the arbiter of reopening rules, it's up to the CCSA to write the rules and Anutin doesn't get a vote there. They then must be rubber-stamped by the Cabinet and published in the Royal Gazette before they become official.

Thailand has only 11 days to pull its head out and get the rules published.

The ministry's conditions, outlined Wednesday by the Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion in the ministry's Disease Control Department, says that tourists arriving starting Nov. 1 must be from countries specified ministry as being "low risk" for coronavirus transmission, and arrive by air.

That list has not been released yet by the CCSA.

As outlined by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier, tourists also must be fully vaccinated and have negative Covid-19 results from an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Thailand. No surprises there.

The next items on the list are notable, however. Instead of the current requirement of having US$100,000 in Covid-19 insurance, the MoPH's conditions require only $50,000.

The ministry says a visitor must have "written or electronic confirmation of hotel bookings in Thailand" before arrival. The ministry did not specify, however, how many days must be booked or if it must be in a pricey "SHA+ certified" hotel.

Also of note, the conditions require another RT-PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in Thailand. That leaves open the possibility a test need not be done at the airport or a "swab hub" off of airport grounds but run by hotels.

Visitors also will be required to download and install a tracking app upon arrival. How long that app must be kept installed was not specified.

Because the MoPH's conditions are not enforceable, everyone counting down the days until November continue to await anxiously the CCSA's detailed plan. Widespread speculation had it that the agency would hold a meeting and briefing on Oct. 20, but Wednesday came and went without a hint of any confab or presser.

CCSA operations director Gen. Supot Malaniyom told the media on Sunday that details of the plan to reopen the country would be announced within one or two days. He obviously was not in the know.

He had assured the public that the plan will not be "left until the last minute" as all CCSA plan changes have been, even for the start of the Phuket "sandbox". Tourism groups and companies have been very vocal in the past week that they need time to plan and won't appreciate another last-minute unveiling. 

Government outlines 7 conditions of quarantine-free re-opening By Maya TaylorThursday, October 21, 2021 10:46. As the grand re-opening date of November 1 approaches, with little clarity as to what that will look like, here’s some of what we know – and what we don’t. The Thaiger

Government outlines 7 conditions of quarantine-free re-opening

By 

Maya Taylor

Thursday, October 21, 2021 10:46

As the grand re-opening date of November 1 approaches, with little clarity as to what that will look like, here's some of what we know – and what we don't. According to a Thai PBS World report, the government has outlined 7 conditions that will determine if someone can enter the kingdom quarantine-free. The following conditions have been communicated by the Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion, part of the Disease Control Department.

1. Foreign visitors must arrive by air and come from a list of "low-risk" countries approved by the Public Health Ministry

2. Have proof of vaccination with 2 doses of a recognised Covid-19 vaccine

3. Have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of landing in Thailand

4. Have at least US$50,000 in Covid-19 insurance coverage

5. Have proof of a hotel booking

6. Travellers must download the Mor Chana app and take a second PCR test on arrival or within 24 hours of arrival

7. If the second test is negative, visitors can continue their journey without any further quarantine

However, with just over 10 days to go, a number of things remain unknown. Chief among them is the list of "low-risk" countries, as well as the rules for vaccinated adults travelling with unvaccinated children. Clarity is also needed on whether travellers need proof of a hotel booking beyond their first night in the kingdom and if this applies to expats with homes here. Furthermore, Thai embassies continue to advise people to book quarantine hotels, insisting they've received no communication about the re-opening process.

Thai PBS World reports that the government is moving to a 3-model approach for admitting foreign arrivals. The first – and original – model is that unvaccinated visitors will be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine for between 7 and 14 days. The second model is the sandbox model currently in operation in Phuket, Samui and other tourist destinations, which is being extended to several other provinces. The third model will be the quarantine-free model discussed above.

For more information on how to get into Thailand during the pandemic, CLICK HERE.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World





Trucks to halt 10% of operations until govt reduces diesel price Trucks will halt 10 per cent of their operations in protest against the high price of diesel at THB30 per litre, the Land Transport Association of Thailand announced. The Nation



Trucks to halt 10% of operations until govt reduces diesel price

Trucks will halt 10 per cent of their operations in protest against the high price of diesel at THB30 per litre, the Land Transport Association of Thailand announced.

On Tuesday, more than 200 truck operators and drivers – the association members – in Chonburi, Sisaket, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani had gathered at the main roads in the north, south, and northeastern regions of Thailand to protest the government on the diesel price.

They demand the government to freeze the price at 25 baht per litre, reduce the excise tax by 5 baht per litre, and cancel the energy fund collection for a period of one year.

On Wednesday, the association said an official committee resolved that the diesel price should remain at THB30 per litre and not THB25 as was demanded.

In response to this, the association said that it, along with other transport networks, are stopping 10 per cent of truck operations in order to pressure the government to reduce the diesel price.

This decision would affect goods stocks, the association warned.