What do you need to travel to Thailand? There is currently only one Covid document
Tourists wondering what it’s like to visit Thailand now may want to know the country is “allowing almost everything” once again.
That’s according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the government agency responsible for promoting tourism to the country.
According to the TAT, masks are no longer required and the country’s color-coding system – which sets limits that vary by province on dining, gatherings and tourism – has also become a thing of the past. according to TAT.
Now, it’s also a lot easier to come to Thailand.
What is needed?
Masks, which were once required at the beach, are no longer mandatory in Thailand.
Lillian Suwanrumpha | Afp | beautiful pictures
According to the TAT, unvaccinated travelers who show up in Thailand without a negative test, taken within 72 hours of travel, will have to pay and take a Covid-19 test. in place. According to a TAT representative, travelers who test positive must also pay for medical expenses.
Foreign visitors are still required to present a passport and visa, if required, to enter.
‘Thailand card’ is no longer needed
Visitors do not need to apply for a “Thai Pass” to enter. Introduced in May, it requires travelers to submit proof of vaccinations, health insurance and other documents prior to departure.
We expect the momentum to continue… [now that] The Thai government has lifted its final restrictions on international visitors.
Michael Marshall
CCO of small hotels
Fewer rules, more tourists
It didn’t take long for tourists to react to Thailand’s lax travel rules.
The day after the “Thailand Pass” was scrapped, tourist arrivals at Phuket International Airport jumped 20%, with an estimated 9,000 arriving on Friday, according to a report. a report published by the Public Broadcasting Authority of Thailand.
That same day, the number of people entering Thailand at various checkpoints along the border with Malaysia and Laos also increased, according to the article.
Indian nationals led the increase in visitors flying to Phuket last weekend, according to the Thai Public Communications Service.
Mladen Antonov | Afp | beautiful pictures
Number of online searches Michael Marshall, chief commercial officer of Thailand-based hotel operator Minor Hotels, said hotel bookings also increased starting July 1.
“Although it is only the first days since all restrictions have been lifted, we have seen almost 10,000 new searches on our website for Thai destinations from various markets since then. from July 1, it’s a very encouraging sign for things to come.”
Even before the rules changed, Thailand’s tourism industry was growing fast.
According to the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the number of international visitors nearly quadrupled from January to May this year. More than 1.3 million foreigners arrived during this period, compared with less than 35,000 in the same period in 2021, according to ministry statistics.
Between January and May 2022, 43% of Thai visitors came from Asia, followed by 38% from Europe, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism & Sports.
Alex Ogle | Afp | beautiful pictures
“We expect the momentum to continue… [now that] Marshall said.
He said the number of tourists to Phuket, Koh Samui and the northern regions of Thailand increased the most this year.
The road to recovery
Thailand’s tourism recovery may be on track, but the road to recovery is expected to be long as inflation, rising travel costs and rising Covid rates weigh on global travelers. The loss of tourists from the largest source market, China, has not helped this year either.
Given these difficulties, Thai officials predict between 5 and 15 million international arrivals this year – a big increase from last year’s 428,000 foreign arrivals, but a far cry from nearly 40 million tourists arrived in 2019, according to Reuters.