On 1 February 2022, Thailand resumed quarantine-free entry for fully vaccinated foreign arrivals under the Test & Go entry scheme. Travellers from every country in the world can now enter Thailand – not just the 63 countries previously on the approved list.
Visitors will need to take a total of three PCR tests in order to participate in the scheme: the first should be taken no more than 72 hours before departure from their home country; the second, upon arrival in Thailand; and the third on day 5 of the holiday.
Other entry requirements include registration for a Thailand Pass, which requires proof of paid bookings at AQ or SHA Extra+ hotels for days 1 and 5, including pre-paid PCR tests on both days. Applicants must also upload proof of vaccination (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik, Covaxin are accepted), completed at least 14 days before entry. Minimum health insurance cover of US$50,000 is also mandatory.
Thailand’s hugely successful Sandbox scheme is still running in Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Phang Nga, Koh Tao). On 1 February, this was also expanded to Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, Na Jomtien and Bang Saray) and Trat (Koh Chang). A new ‘Wellness Sandbox’ from Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to be created in Hua Hin and Cha-am on the south coast, as part of the government’s Thai Riviera campaign.
TAT predicts that international travellers coming for the new Hua Hin Wellness Sandbox will spend on average twice as much as other tourists coming to the country. They believe the scheme will attract higher-spending tourists, who will spend an average of 109,400 baht per person per trip.
Thanks to each of the above entry programmes, Thailand’s tourism sector is gradually bouncing back and the number of returning travellers is steadily rising. In March, the number of arrivals in Phuket is expected to remain at 9,000 arrivals per day, of which 2,000-3,000 will be foreigners, predominantly from markets like Russia, Germany, the US and Israel.
Around 1,000 hotels have already reopened on Phuket, where occupancy rates hovered around 50% during January 2022. Over in Samui, these numbers are expected to reach up towards 70% over the high season, which usually lasts until May. Last month, a series of booster shots were administered in tourism hotspots nationwide, in preparation for the return of international travellers from February onwards.
On 12 January, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the launch of a new tourism campaign, entitled “Amazing Thailand New Chapter.” According to government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the campaign aims to facilitate tourism sustainability and safety. According to Thanakorn, the government also plans to introduce a flat entry fee of 300 Baht (about US$9) per person for incoming tourists, starting from April 2022. Incorporated in the initial airfare, proceeds from this fee will be used to develop tourist attractions and support insurance programmes for the travellers themselves.
Panorama Destination is working to ensure the safety of our clients returning to Thailand, and has introduced a set of health and safety protocols based on a dedicated Covid-19 policy. The business has also achieved safety certification from a range of internationally recognised organizations, including the following:
– Thailand Hygiene Plus Initiative (THPI)
– World Travel & Tourism Council ‘Safe Travels’ campaign
– “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration” certification (SHA) by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
We continue to work alongside the Government and with other DMCs in Thailand, to ensure safe and standardised services for all returning visitors; and will continue to provide the latest breaking news regarding Covid-19 and its impact on tourism via our social media channels:
