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

[Gaybutton]

Over 2,400 visitors entered Thailand via Suvarnabhumi on first day of reopening

by The Nation

November 2, 2021

Suvarnabhumi Airport has welcomed 2,424 incoming passengers travelling on 40 international flights on Monday (November 1), the first day of the government’s plan to reopen selected provinces to revive the country’s tourism industry.

Under the plan, visitors travelling by air from 63 countries that have a low level of Covid-19 infections will not have to quarantine, but they must prove they have received both jabs of an approved Covid-19 vaccine for at least 14 days as well as produce a negative RT-PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before flying.

“About 20,000 passengers were recorded using the airport on Monday,” said airport director Kittiphong Kittikhajorn. “6,613 people were travelling on international flights, 2,424 of whom were incoming passengers while 4,189 were outgoing passengers. Of the incoming passengers, 1,534 were foreigners and 890 were Thais.”

On Monday Suvarnabhumi Airport operated a total of 260 flights, 91 were international and 169 were domestic flights. Of the international flights, 40 were incoming flights and 51 were outgoing.

Kittiphong added that upon arrival, all foreign visitors must present the certificate of entry (COE) to International Communicable Disease Control officers or scan the QR Code of Thailand Pass system. “We have deployed 10-15 officers at the checkpoints to facilitate the visitors. This process will take approximately one minute per passenger,” he said.

After passing immigration procedures at the airport, foreign tourists will be transported to a hotel to receive Covid-19 testing via RT-PCR method, and will spend the night there to wait for the result. If the result is negative, they can proceed to travel to selected destinations in Thailand.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008287

[thewayhelooks]

I'd be interested to know how many of these incoming passengers were actual tourists.

[Jun]

“About 20,000 passengers were recorded using the airport on Monday,” said airport director Kittiphong Kittikhajorn. “6,613 people were travelling on international flights, 2,424 of whom were incoming passengers while 4,189 were outgoing passengers. Of the incoming passengers, 1,534 were foreigners and 890 were Thais.”

On Monday Suvarnabhumi Airport operated a total of 260 flights, 91 were international and 169 were domestic flights. Of the international flights, 40 were incoming flights and 51 were outgoing.

2424/40= 60.6 passengers per flight. Plenty of space on those flights.

I'd be interested to know how many of these incoming passengers were actual tourists.

As it's below 1534, we're already into very low numbers.

The most striking statistic is more outgoing passengers than inbound, even on the day when Thailand cuts quarantine to just one day.

[gerefan]

Thailand received 39,800,000 international tourists in 2019. Thats an average of 109,041 per day.

I know not everyone travels through BKK, but 1,534 foreigners represents 1.4% of the average throughput...and that’s with the abolishment of quarantine!

As goji says the good news is plenty of empty space to relax on these flights!

[Gaybutton]

1,534 foreigners represents 1.4% of the average throughput...and that’s with the abolishment of quarantine!

I wasn't expecting a mass influx of tourists right away. My prediction is we're not going to see significant numbers of tourists until at least December, if then, depending on if the bars and entertainment venues really do reopen and what the restrictions will be.

At least Thailand is getting some tourists, but only a drop in the bucket compared to the numbers needed to be of significant benefit to the tourist industry.

According to the Bangkok Post, regarding the tourists that so far did go to Thailand, not even one planned to go to Pattaya or Chiang Mai. I think both Pattaya and Chiang Mai truly do need the powers-that-be to relent on the liquor rules. Another month is an awfully long time for the hotels, restaurants, and bars to have to continue waiting.

[Gaybutton]

If Pattaya restaurants manage to talk the powers-that-be into letting them serve alcohol, I'm sure the locals living in Pattaya will be delighted, but would that alone be enough to start attracting international tourists?
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Pattaya business owners continue to ask why the city remains “dry” with no booze sales, meeting scheduled with officials for later this week

By Goong Nang(GN)

2 November, 2021

Pattaya was still fairly quiet on the first few nights of the ‘reopening’ for foreign vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries that started from November 1st this month.

Meanwhile, Pattaya tourism and business operators continue to ask the Thai government to at the very least allow drinking alcohol in restaurants in Pattaya with rules as a step towards opening the cities famous entertainment and nightlife industry.

According to local business owners, Pattaya Walking Street, LK Metro, and other popular bar and nightlife areas remain quiet, unaffected by the opening to tourism, primarily due to a Covid-19 related provincial mandate that bans alcohol sales at restaurants and keeps bars and nightlife shuttered.

In addition, local hotel, tourism, retail, and restaurant associations are complaining that even if the ban doesn’t directly affect them, indirectly it is deterring visitors and tourists to Pattaya and costing everyone business and profits. Hotel association officials stated to TPN media earlier this week that they have seen some cancellations for Pattaya specifically once tourists and visitors learned that the city remains “dry” with alcohol sales banned and nightlife shuttered, with many choosing to go to Phuket instead. However, overall bookings on weekends, sparked by upcoming music festivals and fireworks festivals, remained solid, mostly from domestic tourists.

The owner of Sea Space Seafood Mr. Annop Panya told the associated local press, “I am wondering why only tourism cities as Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga are allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants currently but we are still forbidden from doing so. Even Bangkok now allows limited selling of alcohol, although the rules are stricter than Phuket or Krabi.”

“Pattaya is one of the most famous tourism cities in Thailand and is known around the world for its nightlife and entertainment but we are not even allowed to sell alcohol in restaurants,” Annop added.

“Tourists, including domestic, who have visited Pattaya keep asking why we are not allowed to sell alcohol at all. In Western culture especially they like to drink alcohol with their dinner and so do many Thais.” Annop stated.

“This is not fair to us. We need more income to feed our staffers and to continue our businesses. According to the Ministry of Public Health, Chonburi/Pattaya is the third most vaccinated place in Thailand, and barely behind Phuket. (Bangkok is first). Yet it remains illegal to sell alcohol here despite over 80% vaccination rates according to officials. However, areas like Krabi and Phang-nga, with less vaccination rates, can sell alcohol. Why? Curfew was recently lifted, but there is absolutely nothing to do at night except go to a convenience store. This isn’t what tourists want.” Annop asked.

“Yes, Chonburi still has a decent number of Covid-19 cases daily, although this has severely been reduced. Almost all of them seem connected to factories and migrant worker communities and not directly in Pattaya. Bangkok has more cases than Pattaya, yet can sell alcohol in SHA restaurants until at least 9:00. Again, it makes no sense why Pattaya remains closed yet other places can open and officials have not given a single solid reason why. We have gigantic music festivals and fireworks festivals and Loy Krathong scheduled for later this month that will bring tens of thousands of people to the city, many of who will want a drink with their meal. What sense does it make to hold these massive events but ban even small venues from opening or selling alcohol?” Annop concluded.

Meanwhile, in signs of hopefully preparing for the future, Pattaya City has improved the Pattaya Walking Street sign and added more lights to decorate the area for an opening to welcome foreign tourists.

TPN media notes that Chonburi Provincial Police and Pattaya City leaders have invited owners of various venues, including service-related establishments that sell alcohol, to a meeting on Thursday afternoon at Pattaya City Hall to discuss the current situation. We will provide any updates given after the meeting.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/11/02/p ... this-week/

[Gaybutton]

Only six international travelers found with Covid-19 infections so far since the reopening, CAAT to issue more preventive announcements

By Nop Meechukhun

3 November, 2021

Only six Covid-19 infections out of 4,510 tourists, a low 0.13 percent, were found in the past three days since the launch of the country reopening, Thailand’s Public Health Ministry reported today, November 3rd.

Dr. Sumanee Watcharasin, Director of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Development Bureau of the Ministry of Public Health, revealed to the Associated Press that a total of 4,510 people have entered the country on international flights since November 1st. TPN media notes that different Thai officials have given different numbers in terms of arrivals of international foreign tourists, as well as different departments, over the past few days but this appears to be the most realistic estimate so far.

Most arrivals are from Japan at number one, followed by Singapore, Germany, Qatar, and China respectively. Only six passengers were found infected with the Covid-19 Coronavirus, or 0.13 percent of arrivals.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is planning to issue announcements for all arrivals and departures not to wear facial masks with exhalation valves while onboard and entering the airports to prevent the spread of the disease.

The restriction would be issued in accordance with the recommendation of The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the exhalation valves would allow the unfiltered breath to escape the mask.

Surgical masks are highly recommended throughout the journey. Cloth masks are still acceptable for now but the CAAT will soon announce its prohibition as well due to a lack of confidence in the standards for preventing the disease.

“The valve will only do its job when a wearer is breathing in but not during the exhalation. So, if the wearer is infected, there may be a risk of spreading the virus to nearby people when exhaling,” the officials said.

Local media also reported that the CAAT would also consider issuing additional announcements regarding the food served on flights that only sealed and reheated food is allowed. Serving cold food and ice is still strongly prohibited.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/11/03/only ... uncements/
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Six travellers tested positive for Covid-19 after Thailand reopening: DDC

by The Nation

November 3, 2021

Six of 4,510 travellers have tested positive for Covid-19 after Thailand reopening on November 1, the Department of Disease Controls Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion said on Wednesday.

The bureau director Dr Sumanee Watcharasin said 2,013 travellers entered Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan on Tuesday.

"Of them, 1,769 were exempt from quarantine, 79 were eligible to enter the country under the sandbox programme, 64 have undergone seven days quarantine and 101 have undergone ten days quarantine," she explained.

"Top five foreign travellers visiting Thailand are Japan, Singapore, Germany, Qatar and China."

She said more than half of citizens in 17 tourism pilot areas have received their first jab, except Nong Khai where 47.3 per cent of citizens have received the first jab.

She added that Chiang Mai is the most worrisome area as many Covid-19 clusters have emerged, such as markets, working places, families and immigrants.

"The province has conducted vaccination drives and proactive tests, as well as tightening measures related to alcohol drinking," she added.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008357

[Jun]

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is planning to issue announcements for all arrivals and departures not to wear facial masks with exhalation valves while onboard and entering the airports to prevent the spread of the disease.

Last year I used Swiss air and they had already banned masks with valves.

Surgical masks are highly recommended throughout the journey. Cloth masks are still acceptable for now but the CAAT will soon announce its prohibition as well due to a lack of confidence in the standards for preventing the disease.

I'm not going to wear anything as poor as a surgical mask.
It's going to be a full FFP3 mask from the time I leave home until the time I've taken that covid test on arrival.
After that, probably FFP2 indoors and perhaps a surgical mask when outside. The latter because Thai law requires it, but it's not really critical outside.

[Gaybutton]

Apparently no explanation was given as to why the alcohol ban remains in effect in Pattaya, but not in other provinces including Bangkok. As far as I can tell from reading this article, all the business owners got from this meeting was the powers-that-be passing the buck and the police telling them their hands are tied and they have no choice but to enforce the law. Unfortunately they got nothing that actually helps them in any way.
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No change to alcohol ban at restaurants, bar closures for now in Pattaya-Chonburi Provincial Police hold meeting with Pattaya business owners

By Adam Judd

4 November, 2021

The Chonburi Provincial Police held a meeting this afternoon, November 4th, 2021, with Pattaya business owners in the hotel, restaurant, bar, service, and entertainment industry to address concerns about a continued ban on alcohol sales at restaurants and the closure of bars and entertainment venues.

Entertainment venues have been closed for almost seven months straight in Pattaya due to “Covid-19” concerns, according to Chonburi Provincial Police. Prior to this, venues were closed for 4 months straight in 2020 and a month earlier this year in January, giving a grand total of a year of mandated closures. According to multiple Pattaya business owners, little to no financial aid or support has been given for these closures.

Business owners in Pattaya have been growing increasingly frustrated over the closure, even as other areas in the country like Phuket or Krabi have been given exceptions to allow alcohol sales in restaurants. Police have continued regular raids in Pattaya, normally well known for its nightlife, to any business daring to attempt to break the rules.

The meeting was prompted by Pattaya business owners continuing to ask why the city remained dry and their businesses closed.

This is despite Pattaya, according to Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume, being over 80% vaccinated currently against Covid-19 and recently “reopening” to foreign vaccinated tourists without a strict quarantine.

Unfortunately, for now, the decision to ban alcohol sales at restaurants in Chonburi and Pattaya stands, according to the Chonburi Provincial Police.

The police stated that all venues, however, will be allowed to open “soon” and venues should prepare for being allowed to reopen. In the meantime, Chonburi Police warned that businesses should not break the law and the rules and asked for patience. They also stated that the rules came from the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, and were centrally administered by the government. The police stated that the decision was not theirs and they were only enforcing the law, not creating the rules.

TPN media notes that no specific timeline was given for allowing Pattaya’s popular nightlife industry to resume and there was no specific explanation of what “prepare” meant in terms of businesses getting ready.

Meanwhile, as a point of contention amongst those attending, Pattaya will host a music festival that is set to welcome thousands of visitors starting tomorrow, November 5th, 2021. Unfortunately, business owners who sell alcohol and entertainment will not be allowed to welcome potentially interested customers and restaurants cannot legally sell alcohol at their venues.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/11/04/n ... ss-owners/

[Gaybutton]

Thai government announces 4 additional public holidays in 2022 to potentially spur domestic tourism

By Nop Meechukhun

4 November, 2021

The Thai Cabinet Committee has approved four additional public holidays in 2022, going up from 19 to 23 days in order to have consecutive holidays to boost domestic tourism, deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisornkul stated this afternoon, November 4th.

The new holidays in 2022 are the Fridays of July 15th, July 29th, October 14th, and December 30th, resulting in about 4-5 consecutive days off each week.

The Deputy spokeswoman further stated that the decision was made by the government as they believed that the long holidays would potentially boost domestic tourism.

She stated to the press: “The consecutive long holidays, connected with the weekly holidays, can become a factor that stimulates domestic travel and the overall economy in Thailand, especially among business and tourism sectors that have been previously affected by the pandemic.

“It is also to support the country’s policy of opening up to and welcoming foreign tourists into the country,” Traisulee concluded.

In addition, the Cabinet also agreed to designate Tuesday, December 28th, 2021, as a public holiday for eastern provinces, including Chonburi, to honor King Taksin the Great.

https://tpnnational.com/2021/11/04/thai ... c-tourism/