You’ll no longer have to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test before entering Thailand if you are arriving in the country from April 1, 2022, as long as you are “fully vaccinated” by an ‘approved’ big-pharma brand. No changes for the unjabbed, who are still being herded into quarantine hotels for at least two weeks after arrival.
PCR tests after arrival are still required though, regardless of your jab status, and you’ll still have to do quarantine and buy health insurance to cover any hospital costs if you do test positive after arrival.
Phuket among approved airports for international tourist arrivals
The approved international airports for flying into Thailand include Bangkok’s Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi plus Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao, and Hat Yai airports.
Approved land entry points are: Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Songkhla, and Satun
Water points of entry now include: Phuket, Chon Buri, and Surat Thani.
Dropping the pre-travel PCR test requirement and reducing quarantine period from 7 to 5 days for the injected is part of a gradual process in a four-phase plan to eventually classify coronavirus as ‘endemic’ some time around June – to essentially accept that coronavirus is just another variant of the common cold.
The latest announcement was made by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) based on announcements in the Royal Thai Government Gazette.
However, there are no clues in the plan as to whether corona-flu being endemic means the unjabbed will be allowed to travel unrestricted.
Thailand’s highly cautious approach to opening up to international travellers seems to be founded on a desire to be seen as a safe destination and will likely be one of the last countries to abandon all restrictions, if ever. Thailand was one of the first countries to completely close its borders in early 2020. I was in the UK at that time and couldn’t get back to my family in Thailand for nine long months. I was eventually able to return to Thailand in October 202. As I was not prepared to participate in the medical trial just to travel, I had to spend 16 days in an approved quarantine hotel after arrival.
Thailand’s cautious approach to reopening has left the country trailing behind some of her tourist-friendly neighbours, prompting prominent hoteliers and other hospitality influencers to chivvy the authorities onto relaxing the entry rules a little faster
Meanwhile, more than 20 popular tourist destinations are already fully open to all visitors, including the unjabbed, according to Conde Nast Traveller. These countries include sunny climes such as the Bahamas, Cyprus, Egypt, Maldives, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates and the United Kindom, which has dropped all testing and quarantine requirements. Most of the countries listed still demand pre-travel negative PDR tests in place of vaccine proof.
One positive sign that Thailand is finally ready to revert to the old normal is a recent announcement that Thais can officially enjoy the water throwing celebrations of the Thai New Year (Songkran) this April.
