Phuket officials briefed on Nov 1 arrival rules, TAT sums up changes. Phuket officials have received direct instructions and guidelines on how the country in general and the island in particular are to welcome tourists from next month. Phuket News

Phuket officials briefed on Nov 1 arrival rules, TAT sums up changes

PHUKET: Phuket officials have received direct instructions and guidelines on how the country in general and the island in particular are to welcome tourists from next month.

The Governor of Phuket, Narong Woonciew, and top ranking officials from various government agencies joined an online meeting with the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to be briefed on what terms and conditions the country will be accepting foreign tourists from Nov 1onwards. 

The online meeting was held last Friday (Oct 29) just two days before the new rules were to come into force. Yet The Phuket News reported the new policy on Thursday (Oct 28) citing the announcement by the Department of Consular Affairs.

At the meeting, it was concluded that the readiness of Phuket is considered to be very high, because Phuket was the first province to open its doors for foreigners in July with the Phuket Sandbox project. So for the island the next relaxation of entry restrictions is just another logical step along the known route.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) presented its own summary of the new rules highlighting three vectors of the scheme and providing tourists with what they call user-"friendly checklists of points covering before, during, and after travelling to Thailand" under the three programmes: Text & Go (Exemption from quarantine), Living in the Blue Zone (Sandbox), and Happy quarantine nationwide

TEST & GO: Exemption from quarantine

Requirements

• Travel by air from the approved countries/territories (see list here*) where travellers must have stayed for 21 days or more.
• Returning Thais and foreign residents, who previously travelled from Thailand, are exempt from this requirement.

Applying for a Thailand Pass

(1) Register for a Thailand Pass at https://tp.consular.go.th (available from 1 November, 2021). Until then, apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th.

(2) Upload the required document (along with the valid visa/re-entry permit, if required), and allow 3-5 working days for the approval process. Wait for the approval of the Vaccine Certification and paid accommodation, including the RT-PCR test.

(3) Confirm the approval, and receive a Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE).

Arrival in Thailand

(4) Present the Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE) to the Health Control to carry out checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
(5) Undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 test at the reserved accommodation, or the pre-arranged test centre.
(Children aged under 6 years have a saliva test.)
(6) Proceed to the hotel by the pre-arranged airport transfer. (Distance from the airport within 2 hours.)
(7) Download and install the MorChana application at the hotel.

During Your Stay

(8) Wait for the test result within the hotel room.
(9) If testing negative for COVID-19, you will receive an Antigen Test Kit (ATK) for COVID-19 self-testing on Day 6-7.
(10) Get an alert for the self ATK testing on Day 6-7, and to record the result in the MorChana application.
(11) Practice the D-M-H-T-T-A precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.

When You Are Leaving

(12) Free to go anywhere in Thailand or leave Thailand to other countries. However, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province/country of their destination.

*The original list has been expanded from 46 to 63 countries and territories 

SANDBOX DESTINATIONS: Living in the Blue Zone

Before You Arrive

Requirements

• Travel by air from any country around the world.
• Stay the first 7 nights within one of the 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand.

Required Documents

• 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 18 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 SHA+ accommodation, and RT-PCR test.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.

Applying for a Thailand Pass

(1) Register for a Thailand Pass at https://tp.consular.go.th (available from 1 November, 2021). Until then, apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th.

(2) Upload the required document (along with the valid visa/re-entry permit, if required), and allow 3-5 working days for the approval process. Wait for the approval of the Vaccine Certification and paid accommodation, including the RT-PCR test.

(3) Confirm the approval, and receive a Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE).

Arrival in Thailand

1. Present the Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE) to the Health Control to carry out checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
   (5) Undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 test at the reserved accommodation, or the pre-arranged test centre. (Children aged under 6 years have a saliva test.)
   (6) Proceed to the hotel by the pre-arranged airport transfer. (Distance from the airport within 5 hours.)
   (7) Download and install the MorChana application at the hotel.
   (8) Wait for the test result within the hotel room.

During Your Stay

(9) Stay at least the first 7 nights within one of the 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand.
(10) If staying less than 7 nights, you must leave Thailand immediately on a direct flight to another country. *All travellers are subject to 2 required COVID-19 tests: the first test upon arrival by an RT-PCR method, and the second test on Day 6-7 by self-testing ATK. (Effective on 1 November, 2021onwards)
(11) Practice the D-M-H-T-T-A precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.

When You Are Leaving

(12) After having completed a 7-night stay in one of the 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations, you are free to go anywhere in Thailand or leave Thailand to other countries. However, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province/country of their destination.

ALTERNATIVE QUARANTINE: Happy quarantine nationwide

Before You Arrive

Requirements

• Travel from any country around the world.
• If fully vaccinated, 7-day quarantine.
• If unvaccinated or partially vaccinated,
• 10-day quarantine for air and sea arrivals.
• 14-day quarantine for land arrivals.

Required documents

• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling (except Thai nationals).
• A confirmed payment for AQ accommodation.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.

Applying for a Thailand Pass

(1) Register for a Thailand Pass at https://tp.consular.go.th (available from 1 November, 2021). Until then, apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th.

(2) Upload the required document (along with the valid visa/re-entry permit, if required), and allow 3-5 working days for the approval process. Wait for the approval of the Vaccine Certification and paid accommodation, including the RT-PCR test.

(3) Confirm the approval, and receive a Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE).

Arrival in Thailand

(4) Present the Thailand Pass QR Code (or COE) to the Health Control to carry out checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
(5) Undergo the RT-PCR COVID-19 test at the reserved accommodation, or the pre-arranged test centre.
(Children aged under 6 have a saliva test.)
(6) Proceed to the hotel by the pre-arranged airport transfer. (Distance from the airport within 2 hours.)
(7) Download and install an alert application.
(8) Wait for the test result within the hotel room. If testing negative for COVID-19, travellers can enjoy activities within the designated areas of the accommodation.

During Your Stay

(9) Must complete the required quarantine period if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand.

• If fully vaccinated, 7-day quarantine (RT-PCR test on the first day and Day 6-7).
• If unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, 10-day quarantine for air and sea arrivals (RT-PCR test on the first day and Day 8-9), and 14-day quarantine for land arrivals (RT-PCR test on the first day and Day 12-13).

(10) Practice the D-M-H-T-T-A precautions: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, T – Testing for COVID-19, and A – alert application.

When You Are Leaving

(11) After having completed the required quarantine period, you are free to go anywhere in Thailand or leave Thailand to other countries. However, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective province/country of their destination.

Winter in Thailand officially begins on Tuesday October 31, 2021. Pattaya Mail

Winter in Thailand officially begins on Tuesday

October 31, 2021

The Meteorological Department announced that winter in Thailand will officially start on 2 November 2021.

As Thailand is moving away from the rainy season, the Meteorological Department has announced that this year's winter season will officially begin next week, with the early-winter climate expected to be similar to last year.

The Meteorological Department said winter will officially start on 2 November 2021. Some weather events are expected in the upper region of the country, as the country transitions from the rainy season to winter. Some rainfalls are expected in the upper region, while the southern region will continue to face heavy downpours.



In lower northern and upper central regions, the volume of water flowing into water bodies and rivers is showing a decreasing trend.

To speed up the mitigation of flooding in provinces downstream of the Chao Phraya River, the Office of National Water Resources will be holding an urgent meeting with related agencies to revise water discharge plans from dams, including Pa Sak Jolasid, Tub Sela, Khwae Noi, and Chao Phraya. (NNT)

The Tourism Council of Thailand believes Thailand’s tourism industry will not recover until China allows its citizens to travel abroad. Beijing said this week that it probably will end the ban on overseas group tours at the end of 2022. Until then, individual travelers will have to endure weeks of quarantine upon return. Pattaya Mail

No Chinese, no recovery, Thailand Tourism Council chief says

Pattaya MailOctober 31, 2021

Chamnan Srisawad chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand said that the tourism industry will begin the road to recovery in 3-6 months.

The Tourism Council of Thailand believes Thailand's tourism industry will not recover until China allows its citizens to travel abroad.

Beijing said this week that it probably will end the ban on overseas group tours at the end of 2022. Until then, individual travelers will have to endure weeks of quarantine upon return.



That effectively means no Chinese will travel for leisure, said council President Chamnan Srisawad. And with Chinese tourists accounting for one in three international arrivals in 2019, that means Thailand's industry will not recover.

While Thailand will reopen to fully vaccinated foreign tourists Monday, Chamnan doesn't believe the industry will begin to recover for at least three months, most likely six.

Pattaya restauranteurs incensed, demand equal rights to sell alcohol Pattaya MailOctober 31, 2021

Pattaya restauranteurs incensed, demand equal rights to sell alcohol

Pattaya MailOctober 31, 2021

Boonanan Pattanasin, President of the PBTA calls for equal treatment by the government and allow Pattaya restaurants to serve alcoholic drinks as of Nov 1.

The President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association appealed to the government to be fair when making decisions regarding tourism opportunities after they announced that only Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Panga will be allowed serve alcohol in their restaurants as of Nov 1.

This decision was made at a meeting of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), which was chaired by PM Prayut Chan-ocha.



Boonanan Pattanasin, president of the PBTA said that Pattaya should be put in the same zone as the other blue provinces as the COVID-19 figures in Pattaya are not higher than those in Bangkok. He stressed that most of the infections were in factories and other districts which are not near Pattaya and are not part of the 'Pattaya Move On' development projects.

Boonanan called on the government to reconsider and allow Pattaya restaurants to sell and serve alcohol in their restaurants just like the other four major tourism provinces.

He said that Pattaya has been preparing for this day for a very long time and all the safety precautions are in place. Pattaya is one of the top destinations in Thailand for Thai tourists and from around the world and is a major income earner for the country. "We should be given that consideration" he said.

"By not allowing us to sell alcohol as of Nov 1, we are losing our golden opportunity to get back on our feet and will lose the confidence of tourists who are planning to come here to spend their holidays" he said.

The PBTA president called upon the government to be fair and allow alcohol to be served in Pattaya restaurants as of Nov 1, just as he allowed the other four tourist destinations to do so.

No booze, no patrons at Pattaya restaurants. Drinking water with a meal doesn't cut it when you're used to sipping wine or drinking beer.

Regulations for local flights issued as Thailand gets ready to reopen The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Saturday issued guidelines that will govern domestic passenger flights from Monday. The Nation

Regulations for local flights issued as Thailand gets ready to reopen

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Saturday issued guidelines that will govern domestic passenger flights from Monday.

• Passengers must undergo all entry and departure regulations set by provincial authorities and present documents showing they are free of Covid-19, such as negative test results or self-isolation certificates.

• Flights can operate in dark red zones marked as tourism pilot areas.

• Aircraft seating must be arranged in line with the Public Health Ministry's measures.

• Airlines must inform passengers in advance about the entry and departure regulations specified by each province.

• Airlines cannot serve food or drink inside the aircraft. In case of emergency or necessity, they can serve water to passengers away from others.

• Airports must manage the flow of passengers and facilitate the work of public health officers on duty.

• Airlines and airports must ensure that their frontline staff have been fully vaccinated and free from Covid-19 by conducting tests every week.

• Airport authorities must ensure all passengers wear facemasks and have a body temperature lower than 37.3 degrees Celsius checked using a non-contact infrared thermometer before entry.

• Airports and airlines must comply with the Public Health Ministry's measures, such as maintaining social distancing, setting up hand-sanitising checkpoints and conducting cleaning operations regularly.

• Airlines must hold passenger data for at least 30 days in case any of them test positive for Covid-19 later.

• Airports must ensure all retailers on the premises strictly follow CCSA measures.

• Airlines must inform passengers in advance of possible cancellation or rescheduling. If passengers find themselves stranded, they must be taken care of under the Transport Ministry's regulations on the protection of passengers' rights.

• Airports and airlines must advise passengers at risk of Covid-19 infection to cancel travel plans as infected travellers can face prosecution under the Communicable Disease Act.

• Airports and airlines must ensure each passenger observes CAAT prevention measures.

Related stories:

• CAAT issues regulations for airlines to follow from Nov 1
• MorPhrom app upgraded for use in air travel
• Aviation authority gives the green light for air travel between dark red provinces

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 344 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 3 new deaths, October 31st. Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 344 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 5 new deaths

Sunday, 31 October 2021, 11:33

Highlights:

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

• 350 people recovered and were released from medical care

• 5 new deaths

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 344 new and confirmedcases of Covid-19 today with 3 new deaths, October 31st.

This makes a total of 101,224 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 5,653 people still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 718 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 350 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 94,853 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 five new deaths yesterday, four of them were elders with an average age of 76 years old. They were close contacts from previously confirmed cases in their family according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health. They all had chronic health problems. None of them were vaccinated.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 129, Si Racha 77, Banglamung (Pattaya) 39, Panat Nikhom 10, Sattahip 7, Ban Bueang 13, Phan Thong 11, Bor Thong 4, Soldiers in Sattahip 32, and 18 people transferred from other provinces for medical care

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. Work and stayed in Rayong, transferred from other provinces for medical care, 22 cases
2. Cluster, soldiers in Sattahip, 32 cases
3. Cluster, workers camp of Nam Heng Concrete (1992) Co., Ltd. in Mueang Chonburi, 8 cases
4. Cluster, AAPICO Forging Public Company Limited in Muang Chonburi, 6 cases
5. Cluster, BT Auto Parts Co., Ltd. in Mueang Chonburi, 5 cases
6. Risky occupation, meeting a lot of people, 10 cases
7. 2 medical personal
8. Back from risky areas in Nakhon Si Thammarat, 1 case; Roi Et, 1 case; and Rayong, 1 case
9. Close contacts of confirmed patients in 103 families, in 53 workplaces, 5 from close friends, and 4 from joined parties
10. Close contact of a confirmed patient (under investigation), 25 cases
11. 66 cases in general are under investigation as to how they contracted Covid-19

Bangkok Post highlights 31/10



🔴 #COVID19 on Sunday: ⬇️ 8,859 new cases ⬇️ 47 deaths ⬆️ 100,691 in care, 3,285 probable cases (ATK), Out of 100,691 patients ⬆️, 45,634 are in hospital, 46,794 in hospitel and 6,199 in home/community isolation. There are 2,225 in a serious condition (+8) with 500 on ventilators (+4). Richard Barrow



















The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just announced that the number of approved countries and territories, where vaccinated people can enter from without having to do quarantine, has now been increased to 63. Richard Barrow



Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed state agencies to closely monitor the outbreak situation and give a fresh evaluation every two weeks after the Nov 1 reopening. This is to maintain a balance between economic stimulation through tourism and ensuring public health safety while having to live with Covid-19, he said. Bangkok Post

Firms must assess their 'Covid-free' measures

Prayut: Briefings every two weeks

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed state agencies to closely monitor the outbreak situation and give a fresh evaluation every two weeks after the Nov 1 reopening.

This is to maintain a balance between economic stimulation through tourism and ensuring public health safety while having to live with Covid-19, he said.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said state agencies will have to monitor the Covid-19 situation under guidelines developed by the Department of Health.

Every business is required to self-assess its so-called "Covid-free" setting in a Covid-control system called Thai Stop Covid Plus and display an e-certificate in an area easily seen by customers, he said.

Customers, meanwhile, can give feedback by scanning the QR code on the e-certificate or via the website of the Thai Stop Covid Plus programme or through the Facebook page called Covid Watch, run by the department, he said.

A number of central committees will also be set up to inspect the Covid-free Area/Zone policy every two weeks, he said.

The committees will be granted this authority under the powers of Public Health, Communicable Disease and Healthcare Institution Acts and the emergency decree, he said. Healthcare units including field hospitals must respond quickly to any public health emergencies that erupt.

As for progress in the Covid-19 vaccination drive, about 74.6 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been given as of Thursday, a day on which more than a million doses of the vaccine were given.

So far, 58.2% of the population has received their first shot, while 42.2% have been injected with both shots of the vaccine and some 3.3% of them have received a booster shot already, said the CCSA.

The government is confident of achieving its goal of getting at least 70% of the population, or about 50 million people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of this year, said the CCSA.

Meanwhile, Gen Prayut has backed state and private agencies organising the Loy Krathong festival under Covid-19 prevention and public safety measures, said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.

She said the festival, which falls on Nov 19, must proceed under the Covid-free setting and universal prevention scheme, and public safety protocols strictly observed.

Fireworks and flying lanterns, as well as the sale of alcoholic beverages will be banned, she said.

Each venue must be inspected for its readiness to ensure a Covid-19-safe environment one week before the festival and if it fails the inspection the event will be scrapped, said Ms Rachada.

Covid-19 in ASEAN October 30th @ 10pm.



The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) has officially allowed drinking alcohol in restaurants as of Monday, November 1st. However, many rules apply, according to officials. First, alcohol may only be served until 9:00 P.M. Secondly, the venue must be a proper restaurant/eatery with a proper license and must be SHA certified, be a “Covid-free” setting (whether this means patrons will need to show proof of a vaccine or if it will be enforced remains questionable, TPN media notes) and meet TAT requirements/properly registered. Pattaya News

Bangkok officially allows alcohol in restaurants as of November 1st, many rules apply

Saturday, 30 October 2021, 18:10

Bangkok-

  The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) has officially allowed drinking alcohol in restaurants as of Monday, November 1st.

However, many rules apply, according to officials.

First, alcohol may only be served until 9:00 P.M.

Secondly, the venue must be a proper restaurant/eatery with a proper license and must be SHA certified, be a "Covid-free" setting (whether this means patrons will need to show proof of a vaccine or if it will be enforced remains questionable, TPN media notes) and meet TAT requirements/properly registered.

The SHA website is here.

Third, the BMA hinted that overall SHA standards would be "increased" for venues approved to sell alcohol.

Venues that are bars, nightclubs, lounges, entertainment venues, gogos, karaoke lounges, pubs, etc. may still not open and sell alcohol. Indeed, these venues are not even available to be SHA certified at this time.

Unfortunately, as of press time, no similar announcements have been made for Pattaya, which despite rising complaints and anger from tourism associations and business owners remains, for now, dry, although subject to change.

A DOCTOR at Siriraj Hospital,Mahidol University, warned in a Facebook post today (Oct. 30) that the big jump in turning Bangkok from deep red maximum and strict control zone to the blue tourism pilot scheme category thus allowing alcohol to be served in hotels and restaurants will certainly trigger superspreading events, Siam Rath newspaper said. Thai Newsroom

Doctor warns of superspreader risk from turning Bangkok into a blue zone

October 30, 2021 TNR Staff

A DOCTOR at Siriraj Hospital,Mahidol University, warned in a Facebook post today (Oct. 30) that the big jump in turning Bangkok from deep red maximum and strict control zone to the blue tourism pilot scheme category thus allowing alcohol to be served in hotels and restaurants will certainly trigger superspreading events, Siam Rath newspaper said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nithipat Jearakul, head of the Department of Respiratory Diseases and Tuberculosis, Internal Medicine Faculty, said the medical sector and local people are concerned about this big switch in Bangkok's Covid category.

Although the number of patients in the metropolis continues to slowly decline, there are still a number of severely/critically ill patients in the system, he said, adding that large hospitals have now adjusted their capacity to accept more non-Covid patients with this leaving limited capacity for severely ill Covid patients. 

This then means the capacity could not be expanded to cope with additional Covid patients as occurred earlier this year.

Dr. Nithipat pointed out that in turning Bangkok into a blue zone there will no longer be curfew from Nov. 1 and any number of people could go to public places.

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Read earlier report: Curfew only remains in 7 provinces; Bangkok a 'blue zone' to receive tourists

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What is being heavily discussed is allowing alcohol to be served in hotels and restaurants because this could be the source of new waves of infection to go by lessons from the past both here and overseas.

This activity puts both service providers and service recipients at risk of violating disease control measures through removing face masks and having unprotected contact with various objects plus more dangerously so talking loudly and singing which leads to droplets spreading all around.

He guaranteed that if just one infected person joined such a gathering it would turn into a superspreading event.

The doctor urged that in the first phase Bangkok should be reopened gradually with public alcohol consumption being limited to places where disease control measures are in place and limiting the opening hours and the number of people who could go in at one time.

An article at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ina.12946 shows that if the ventilation system in a room is not good the diffusion of aerosols to those around them is farther than previously believed, reaching  two metres.  Even in an open area outside the building where the air is either still or there is a weak wind the dispersion of aerosols could be at the same level as in a room, he warned.

Meanwhile the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said there were 9,224 new Covid cases and 88 deaths in the 24 hours to this morning taking the cumulative confirmed total to 1,903,165.

Of the new batch of patients 9,217 were among the general public, 126 fell sick in prison or detention centres while seven foreign arrivals tested positive.

The additional 88 fatalities raised the death toll to 19,158.

Another 8,305 patients were cured taking total recoveries to 1,783,875 while 100,132 are still undergoing treatment, up from less than 100,000 yesterday  Of this total 45,354 were in hospital and 54,598 in field hospitals and other facilities with 2,217 being critically ill and 496 using ventilators.



3 scenarios of daily Covid-19 cases after reopening to international visitors on Nov 1. www.bangkokpost.com/topics/1844044/coronavirus-outbreak

Thailand Pass FAQs . Registration and Documentation



Vaccination update October 30th



The latest notice from the Department of Consular Affairs and the Tourist Authority of Thailand specifies that the medical cover required of all foreigners entering the country must be widely based: it mustn’t relate only to coronavirus illness. The text in English reads, “Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000 should be a broad policy, not specific to Covid-19 only, and cover hospitalization expenses.”Previously, government announcements had restricted future cover to Covid-related sickness or had simply stated “medical insurance” without amplification. The announcement has caught the Thai and foreign insurance companies off-guard. For example, the website of the Thai General Insurance for Foreigners website, 72 hours before the new rules take effect, was still offering Covid-only insurance and cover for a minimum of US$100,000 (not half that). Yes people are confused. Pattaya Mail

Thailand appears to change policy on medical insurance for visitors

Barry KenyonOctober 30, 2021

The latest insurance regulation for international visitors poses a lot of new questions.

The latest notice from the Department of Consular Affairs and the Tourist Authority of Thailand specifies that the medical cover required of all foreigners entering the country must be widely based: it mustn't relate only to coronavirus illness.  The text in English reads, "Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000 should be a broad policy, not specific to Covid-19 only, and cover hospitalization expenses."



Previously, government announcements had restricted future cover to Covid-related sickness or had simply stated "medical insurance" without amplification.  The announcement has caught the Thai and foreign insurance companies off-guard.  For example, the website of the Thai General Insurance for Foreigners website, 72 hours before the new rules take effect, was still offering Covid-only insurance and cover for a minimum of US$100,000 (not half that).  Yes people are confused.

If confirmed, the latest "clarification" means that Covid-only insurance will no longer be valid for entry to the kingdom via the Thailand Pass portal.  People already here, who take a short trip abroad and fly back, may find their former insurance cover does not allow them to return.  The elderly may find that they cannot get medical insurance which is "general" rather than "Covid-specific", or must buy worthless policies.  To add to the confusion, some immigration offices are already informing customers that annual extensions of stay for "non-immigrant O/A" holders will require cover of US$100,000 to qualify.

Foreigners who have work permits have been told that they may not need any extra insurance because they are already payees into the Thai social security system which covers hospitalization.  However, their exemption apparently requires approval at the highest level of government.

It seems that the latest US$50,000 bombshell requires general medical cover for the period of the visa, or permission of stay, actually granted which can vary between 15 days (visa on arrival) to one year (0/A annual visa) with multiple alternatives in-between.  There is no indication yet whether the insurance cover requirement will carry forward for extensions at immigration bureaux.  In the past, most foreigners have not needed to show insurance documentation for extensions.

Many social media bloggers are already arguing that the new rule is acceptable as travelling without medical insurance these days is ridiculous.  But the point here is that the rules could simply create a vast, boiling cauldron of confusion and dissuade many international travellers from even thinking of applying for a visa.  Additionally, general medical insurance is expensive and Thailand could price herself out of the market unless she keeps in step with competitors.  Much ordinary travel insurance for vacationers does not cover high amounts and certainly does not guarantee to cover hospitalization willy-nilly.  There are lots of insurers' conditions, exceptions and loopholes.



As regards the elderly, Thailand has a formal policy of encouraging "rich" pensioners to come and live in Thailand.  They will be offered long-term visas in return for buying new condo units or investing lavishly in Thai bonds.  Not to mention being excused from 90 days reporting.  But it looks like an 80 year old billionaire arriving in a private jet may be barred from the program because he or she cannot buy limited medical insurance.  Whatever happened to the concept of self-insurance for the well-to-do?  Surely a rethink is required.