The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

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The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Gaybutton »

I removed several of the topics that had been on "Announcements" and changed them to standard topics. With so much going on and rule changes every two minutes, it was getting too confusing - as if there isn't enough confusion already.

I think it is better to just post the latest information on one topic and keep it under "Announcements" so that readers don't have to wade through multiple topics to see what's going on.
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I think everyone already knows the curfew will end for Pattaya, Bangkok, and other provinces as of October 31.

While they're at it, I wouldn't mind if they also do away with that 11:00am-2:00pm alcohol sales ban. I still have yet to understand the logic behind that one. That has been on my "I Don't Get It" list ever since they came up with it, long before anyone ever heard of Covid.
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Govt ramps up reopening plan

Night entertainment venues to stay shut

23 October, 2021

Night entertainment venues will remain closed in 17 provinces during the initial stage of the country's reopening to vaccinated foreign visitors from 46 countries next month.

Meanwhile, the nighttime curfew imposed to help curb the spread of Covid-19 will be lifted in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, on Oct 31.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the government spokesman, said that Thailand is ready to welcome back fully vaccinated foreign visitors from 46 countries from Nov 1, but it remains to be seen how many of them will arrive.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is waiting for information from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Mr Thanakorn said.

"We have announced an initial list of 46 countries. When and whether any of them will arrive remains to be seen. We are waiting for information," Mr Thanakorn said.

On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha posted on Facebook that Thailand will reopen the country to visitors from 46 countries instead of only 10 Covid-19 low-risk countries announced earlier, starting from Nov 1.

He did not name the countries in the post but wrote it was now necessary to speed up the opening.

Visitors from the 46 countries (see graphic), described as the first low-risk group, may enter Thailand by air without quarantine, provided they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of pre-flight negative test results. They must also agree to take another test upon arrival.

The prime minister also ordered an end to the curfew in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, from Oct 31 to support the reopening of the country. The order was published in the Royal Gazette late on Thursday night.

It said the Covid-19 situation in the country was improving with stable new caseloads and faster patient recovery, and it was necessary to revive the national economy.

The curfew will therefore end at 11pm on Oct 31 in the 17 "Sandbox" provinces that had been declared maximum and strict control zones but which have tourism significance and are designated for reopening.

The number of people at public gatherings in the tourist reopening zones will be capped at 500.

Entertainment venues in the 17 provinces will remain closed, including pubs, bars and karaoke shops, but operators and officials could begin preparing for their reopening.

Apisamai Srirangson, a spokeswoman for the CCSA, said on Friday that on Nov 1 Thailand would end quarantine for vaccinated arrivals from the 46 countries.

Visitors from any of these countries must have also stayed in that country for at least 21 days prior to departure and received their second jab dose at least 14 days before their flight to Thailand.

They must have an RT-PCR test that comes back negative no more than 72 hours before their flight and have health insurance of at least US$50,000.

Upon arrival, visitors will be given another RT-PCR test and can travel on without quarantine if the test returns negative.

They will also be required to download a phone app that will track their whereabouts.

People who had earlier left Thailand to visit any of the 46 countries but stayed there less than 21 days will not be quarantined and will not be required to have health insurance cover of US$50,000, Dr Apisamai said.

These no-quarantine measures apply to arrivals by chartered flights at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, U-Tapao and Buri Ram airports.

Arrivals on other kinds of flights must enter "sandbox" programmes in, for example, Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangnga and Krabi, under the same initial post-arrival conditions but with further tests six or seven days later.

However, Thanet Supornsahasrangsi, president of the Tourism Council of Chonburi, said that some foreign visitors may still be reluctant to visit due to other limitations.

For example, if tourists from China visit Thailand, when they return to their country, they will have to be quarantined for 14 days or 21 days in some cities, he said.

Another unanswered question that may deter tourists is whether the Thailand Plus tracing app will replace the certificate of entry, he said, adding that the list of the 46 low-risk countries does not include Russia, whose citizens make up the majority of tourists in Pattaya, Mr Thanet said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ening-plan
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TAT offers guidelines for people wanting to visit Thailand

by The Nation

October 22, 2021

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) earlier this week issued guidelines for people heading to Thailand from low-risk countries once it partially reopens on November 1.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said though people from low-risk countries do not have to undergo the 14-day quarantine, they are required to:

• Stay in Thailand for at least 21 days.

• Provide proof of having received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine that has been approved by either the World Health Organisation (WHO) or Thailand’s Public Health Ministry.

• Provide a negative Covid-19 result taken no more than 72 hours ago. If they test positive, they must provide evidence proving they had contracted the virus over the past three months and provide proof of US$50,000 insurance coverage.

• Provide evidence of reservation in a SHA-plus hotel on the first night.

• Download the MorChana application as soon as they land in Thailand.

The authorities have also released guidelines for travellers from other countries as well as those who have not been fully vaccinated.

Yuthasak said travellers from countries outside the low-risk list can stay in any of the “blue zone” areas for seven days before they can travel to other parts of Thailand.

As for those who have not been fully vaccinated, Yuthasak said those arriving by air will be quarantined for 10 days and those arriving by land for 14 days.

The blue zone comprises areas that are considered safe based on the number of local residents vaccinated and the number of Covid-19 patients currently in hospital.

The blue zone at present covers:

• Phuket

• Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao)

• Phang Nga (Khao Lak area and Ko Yao)

• Krabi (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai and Railay Beach)

Blue zones that will open on November 1:

• Bangkok

• Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport)

• Phang Nga province

• Krabi province

• Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Khae)

• Chiang Mai (Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao districts)

• Ranong (Koh Phayam)

• Nong Khai (Muang, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo and Sangkhom districts)

• Loei (Chiang Khan district)

• Buri Ram (Muang)

• Udon Thani (Muang, Na Yung, Nong Han, Prachaksinlapakhom, Kumphawapi and Ban Dung districts)

• Rayong (Koh Samet)

• Trat (Koh Chang)

Blue zones to open in December:

• Chiang Rai

• Mae Hong Son

• Lamphun

• Phrae

• Sukhothai

• Phetchabun

• Pathum Thani

• Ayutthaya

• Khon Kaen

• Nakhon Ratchasima

• Nakhon Si Thammarat

• Trang

• Phatthalung

• Songkhla

• Yala

• Narathiwat

Blue zone provinces that will open in January are:

• Surin

• Sa Kaew

• Chanthaburi

• Tak

• Nakhon Phanom

• Mukdahan

• Bueng Kan

• Ubon Ratchathani

• Nan

• Kanchanaburi

• Ratchaburi

• Satun

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007838
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Thailand’s Tourism Minister to officially propose the reopening of entertainment venues in most “Blue” zones for incoming tourists traveling in November

By Nop Meechukhun

22 October 2021

Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is planning to officially propose the reopening of entertainment venues, such as bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, etc. for foreign tourists in most areas in so-called “Blue Zones”(Business, Leisure, Ultimate Experience) destinations, except Bangkok, at the next CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) general meeting next week.

The Minister stated during an interview on the “Inside Thailand” television program today, October 22nd, that he was planning to introduce to the CCSA general meeting an official reopening of pubs, bars, nightclubs, and similar entertainment venues for incoming tourists in line with the country reopening in November. However, the proposal would only be for certain Blue zones (Including Pattaya) that rely heavily on entertainment venues for tourism.

He said that he was going to mention the reopening in some blue-zone destinations, such as Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga, primarily the zones where entertainment venues was a significant part of the tourism economy, especially Pattaya and Phuket. When being asked if Bangkok would be included, Phiphat stated that the capital would probably take a while as it was more difficult to control and there were more concerns, especially around Thai-oriented venues and not so much tourism-related establishments.

The Minister stated: “I will mention and discuss the matter during the CCSA meeting next week. The reopening might be initially only for foreign tourists to attract them to visit the country. Much of the concern from the CCSA about entertainment venues has nothing to do with tourism-related establishments but rather large Thai discos and places. But we still have to discuss if it would work or not. The entertainment venues might be able to open until 1:00 AM. or 2:00 AM. according to the opening hours in the past. Currently, all entertainment venues of all types, sizes, shapes, inside or outside, etc. are closed. There is a lot of room to work with here and develop working policies and procedures.”

“I will not mention Bangkok at the CCSA meeting because it is more difficult when it comes to crowd control in each establishment. For other provinces, they should have tourist zones to make it easier to control.”

Phiphat further stated that dining in and serving wine in hotels of all 17 blue-zone areas/provinces will “nearly certainly” be officially allowed on November 1st. But the provincial authorities must issue an official announcement prior to the reopening to create a mutual understanding of which areas in each province are allowed or not. Phiphat noted that if governors chose not to reopen entertainment venues or allow alcohol, even if it was allowed by the CCSA, that would be at their discretion.

Entertainment venues have been closed nationwide since April, almost seven months, notes TPN media. Phuket, Samui, and Khao Lak have allowed alcohol at restaurants, but legally, bars, pubs, and nightlife remain closed. Koh Tao has also proposed allowing alcohol at restaurants, primarily for tourists. The CCSA has stated they will “consider” the reopening of the venues by December 1st, but have given no promises, as they continue to claim these establishments are the biggest spreaders of Covid-19.

TPN media notes that the Tourism Minister’s proposal is not a guarantee that these venues will be allowed to open.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/10/22/thai ... -november/
Jun

Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Jun »

Bangkok Post wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:07 am Visitors from any of these countries must have also stayed in that country for at least 21 days prior to departure
I wonder why this rule is in place ?
People are allowed to enter Thailand from almost any country under sandbox or quarantine rules. Maximum internment is 10 days, so from a covid prevention perspective, surely a traveler should only need to be in one of the 46 countries for 10 days.

Bangkok Post wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:07 am People who had earlier left Thailand to visit any of the 46 countries but stayed there less than 21 days will not be quarantined and will not be required to have health insurance cover of US$50,000, Dr Apisamai said.
Why is this exclusion in place ?
21 days is ample time to contract covid whilst abroad.
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Gaybutton »

Jun wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 3:48 pm I wonder why this rule is in place ?
Don't worry. I don't give it more than a week before we're reading about rule changes yet again. Maybe by that time they'll figure out some of their rules make no sense. If there are any changes, I expect the new rules to make even less sense . . .
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by bkkguy »

Gaybutton wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 9:07 am While they're at it, I wouldn't mind if they also do away with that 11:00am-2:00pm alcohol sales ban. I still have yet to understand the logic behind that one. That has been on my "I Don't Get It" list ever since they came up with it, long before anyone ever heard of Covid.
do you mean 2:00pm-5:00pm? or is this a local Pattaya rule?

certainly in Bangkok there is currently no problem buying alcohol between 11:00am-2:00pm in convenience stores and supermarkets as has been the case "long before anyone ever heard of Covid".
I can’t even be bothered to be apathetic these days!
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Gaybutton »

bkkguy wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 7:40 pm do you mean 2:00pm-5:00pm? or is this a local Pattaya rule?
I don't know about all of Pattaya, but 11:00am-2:00pm is what Makro has been doing. I see that for myself if I'm shopping there.

I don't remember the exact mandate and I'm not bothering to look it up. I'm not a drinker. The last time I actually bought any liquor at all, other than an occasional gin&tonic at a bar, is probably a good ten years ago by now, maybe more, so I don't pay much attention to it.

Whatever the times are, the point is that it is an absurd rule that ought to be abolished - right now. I didn't know what it was supposed to accomplish when it was first put in place and I still don't know.
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Gaybutton »

Moderna shots to arrive in 2 weeks

First 560,000 doses to reach Thailand on Nov 5, says Zuellig unit

23 October, 2021

The first lot of half a million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine will arrive in Thailand in two weeks, raising the question of how they will be allocated between the two buyers.

ZP Therapeutics Co, an affiliate of the distributor Zuellig Pharma, issued a statement on Saturday on the update. The first shipment of 560,000 doses would arrive "no later than Nov 5", read the statement.

This was the first time a specific date had been given regarding the long-awaited delivery. Previously, the company broadly estimated its deliveries by quarter.

The firm also confirmed a total of 1.9 million doses would be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year. Another 6.8 million doses would arrive in the first quarter of next year, it said.

US-based Moderna also said it had applied to register a US-based manufacturing facility with Thailand's Food and Drug Administration on Oct 20 to ensure uninterrupted deliveries of the vaccine to the country.

The news raised the question of how the first batch would be allocated to the two purchasers — private hospitals and the Thai Red Cross Society. Both placed their orders through the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) although the Red Cross is one of the few agencies authorised to buy the vaccine by itself.

The private hospitals took orders for the mRNA vaccine from people in June, charging them 3,300 baht for two doses.

Since the vaccine will come in batches, the Private Hospitals Association said earlier that it would allocate the quota it gets from each lot to member hospitals — 10,000 shots each for all 227 hospitals in the first round and then proportionally based on their demand in the second round.

It is then up to each hospital to decide which customers get vaccinated first, but most use the first-payee system.

According to Zuellig statements and publicly available reports, Thailand has to date placed five orders for the Moderna vaccine.

The first was by the GPO for 5 million doses. Of the total, 4 million were bought on behalf of the private hospitals and 1 million for the Red Cross. The GPO charged them 1,100 baht per dose for this order.

The Thai Red Cross Society said it would resell the vaccine to provincial organisations at cost (1,100 baht each) provided they administer them for free to vulnerable groups.

The second Moderna order was also placed by the GPO for 3.7 million doses on behalf of private hospitals. Not much detail is available for this order but it was believed to be for the second generation of the vaccine.

Of these two contracts, 1.9 million doses will gradually arrive by the end of this year. The remaining 6.8 million will be delivered by the end of the first quarter of next year.

The third contract for 1 million doses was placed directly by the Red Cross without going through the GPO. It cost 940 million baht and was paid for by the government's central fund. Deliveries are to begin early next year.

The fourth contract for 8 million half-doses (50mg) was placed directly by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy for use as a booster shot. The academy does not sell them directly to the public but charges interested companies and organisations 555 baht each.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... in-2-weeks
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by 2lz2p »

Hello GB, your previous post said
While they're at it, I wouldn't mind if they also do away with that 11:00am-2:00pm alcohol sales ban.
If you drop the "ban" at the end of the sentence, then it would be correct as alcohol sales are permitted during those hours and again from 5pm to midnight. I agree it doesn't make any sense to ban the sales from 2pm to 5pm, but as we all know, in Thailand it doesn't need to make sense.
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Gaybutton »

2lz2p wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 11:05 am as we all know, in Thailand it doesn't need to make sense.
That is precisely the point. The idea itself is utter nonsense, as are many of the ideas they come up with. It didn't take a pandemic for Thailand to impose, shall we say, strange rules.

Meanwhile were getting off topic. Stick to the topic please. I'll be deleting posts that don't.
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Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Gaybutton »

Despite the fact that Thailand will soon reopen, I'm seeing news reports that only a very few flights to Thailand have so far been booked.

What about you folks? Tell us what your own plans are about traveling to Thailand. That ranges from as soon as possible to you have no idea yet.
Jun

Re: The Latest - restrictions, visas, entry requirements, etc.

Post by Jun »

Gaybutton wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:36 am What about you folks? Tell us what your own plans are about traveling to Thailand.
Flights are booked, with arrival within 1 month.
However, I wouldn't want to increase the risk by arriving early in November with the new rules untested.
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