Thailand approved their 4-phase plan for reopening the country. One of the phases will allow fully vaccinated foreign travellers without quarantine, and we’ll let you know which nationals are permitted to enter under this new plan.
Other good news for the locals and expats in the country, as domestic measures will ease, starting this week.
And Thailand extended the Special Tourist visa.
Thailand Plan For Reopening From October To January
The return of the tourism sector is vital for this country. In the long run, they hope to reopen the country without restrictions and without quarantine everywhere.
October continues to see 4 beach resort destinations welcoming vaccinated foreign tourists, while November will see 10 more destinations reopening to international tourism.
The country is desperate to welcome back foreign tourists after 1.5 years of border closure, strict travel policies for people trying to enter or leave, contributing to the collapse in the hospitality and tourism industry. A critical sector that drew 40 million foreign visitors in 2019, accounted for about 20% of the country’s economy.
CCSA, the agencies that handle and manage the strict Covid-19 measures. Said they will also reduce the mandatory quarantine time nationwide for visitors arriving from October 1. The reduced compulsory quarantine will be 7-days for vaccinated arrivals and 10 days for those not vaccinated.
From our understanding, this will include the sandbox programs in Phuket and Samui.
4-Phase Plan – PILOT PHASE (1-31 October 2021)
Reopening of Phuket, Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, Krabi and Ko Tao.
This will continue with the four popular beach resorts, which were the first destinations to reopen – beginning with Phuket on Jul. 1, then Surat Thani’s Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao on Jul. 15, and most recently Krabi and Phang-Nga on Aug. 16 linking with Phuket under the 7+7 Extension arrangement. This phase will also see the reopening of newly designated areas in Krabi – Khlong Muang and Thap Khaek.
4-Phase Plan – FIRST PHASE (1-30 November 2021)
Include no quarantine to fully vaccinated international tourists.
Reopening of Bangkok, Krabi and Phang-Nga, and designated areas in Buri Ram (Mueang), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Doi Tao), Chon Buri (Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Na Jomtien, and Sattahip), Loei (Chiang Khan), Phetchaburi (Cha-Am), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), and Ranong (Ko Phayam).
Thailand to reopen with no quarantine during its First Phase in November to boost its struggling tourism industry. The mandatory quarantine is plan to be waived for all fully vaccinated international travellers. This will see the reopening extended to 10 other tourism-driven destinations. The new rules will allow fully vaccinated travellers to travel to tourist hotspots including Bangkok, Krabi and Phang-Nga, and designated areas in Buri Ram, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Jomtien, Sattahip, and Hua Hin. The complete list is here.
Please note, some other sources are telling us that quarantine will be lifted to some areas, but you must stay in your zone for 7 days. In other words, the sandbox program will expand to these places, and quarantine will be reduced to 7 days, 3 tests will be 2 tests, and the program will be extending to more provinces rather than in the southern part of Thailand around Phuket.
Again, this is still too early, and as this is the Thai government, things can and probably will change. We’ll keep you updated.
4-Phase Plan – SECOND PHASE (1-31 December 2021)
The reopening will be extended to 20 more tourism-driven provinces, well-known for art and culture, or border destinations. These include:
Reopening of Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Pathum Thani, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phrae, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, and Yala.
4-Phase Plan – THIRD AND FINAL PHASE (Jan. 1 2022, onwards)
This will see the reopening of 13 border provinces, including:
Reopening of Bueng Kan, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Surin, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani.
3 Types Of Categories Of Visitors
Keep in mind, in November, they said they plan not to have the mandate quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers.
Fully vaccinated: Starting on October 1, fully vaccinated travellers will need to stay 7 days mandatory quarantine. After that, they will be allowed to travel freely. The RT-PCR tests will be done twice, on the first day and second on day 6 or 7.
Not vaccinated: If you’re travelling by air or sea, you need to do 10 days mandatory quarantine. The RT-PCR tests will be done twice, on the first day and second on day 8 or 9.
And the last category of visitors.
Not vaccinated and entering by land: You will still have to do the 14-day mandatory quarantine. The RT-PCR tests will be done twice, on the first day and second on day 12 or 13.
All nationals are allowed entry.
Specials Tourist Visa Extended (STV)
Finally, Thailand extended their new Special Tourist Visa, which was created in 2020 to attract foreign tourists. This visa allows tourists to stay up to 270 days or about 9 months. The visa will be extended until the end of September 2022.
According to Thai media, 5,609 Special Tourists Visa holders had already spent 1.243 billion baht in Thailand.
Most had stayed 90 days. About 90% renewed for a second stay of 90 days, and 60% of the original number had extended for the third time.
Once the country finally reopen to fully vaccinated tourists without quarantine in November. Will the nightlife activities in the country, including Pattaya city. Will it reopen too? Check out this article here for more details.
Do you believe they will reopen to international tourists without quarantine by November, or will they have to delay and make some adjustments?
