The Thai government has a strategy in place to welcome international travelers. This article covers the new process of immigration in Thailand which is good news for tourists.
There were restrictions on the entry of foreign tourists in Thailand for a long time. No one had the expectation that the COVID-19 pandemic would persist for so long. Moreover, the impact of the pandemic on the worldwide travel and tourism business is terrible. However, it looks like things are starting to change today.
Thailand is currently open to tourists. However, the lengthy and onerous paperwork requirements are mandatory. Moreover, 7, 10, or 15-night quarantine upon arrival, are deterring the vast majority of visitors. As a result of the Thailand travel restrictions, normally bustling hotspots like Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui are no more effective.
Apparently, it appears that the first step in reopening the country will be a reduction in the quarantine period. It will be for those who can prove they have been vaccinated against the virus. This will cut the quarantine time in half, from 15 to 7 days. However, for many tourists, even a 7-day quarantine will be too long, discouraging them from traveling.
Furthermore, there are a substantial number of persons who are unable to receive the vaccine. It can be due to medical reasons or who object to it for personal reasons. In such cases, these individuals will still have to quarantine for 15 nights/16 days.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) indicates that the country will be gradually reopened. The CCSA’s plan comprises four phases, each of which takes into account tourism revenue, geography, and Covid prevention efforts.
Pilot Phase (1-31 October 2021)
This will continue with the four popular beach resorts that were the first to reopen. It starts with Phuket on July 1st, henceforth, Surat Thani’s Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao on July 15th. Krabi and Phang-Nga will reopen on August 16th. All of these places have links to Phuket under the 7+7 Extension arrangement. In addition, the new sites in Krabi – Khlong Muang and Thap Khaek – will reopen during this phase.
First Phase (1-30 November 2021)
The reopening will have an extension of ten more tourist-driven destinations. All of Bangkok, Krabi, and Phang-Nga provinces, as well as selected regions 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 (Ko Phayam).
Second Phase (1-31 December 2021)
The reopening will be expanded to 20 more provinces that are tourist-oriented, noted for their art and culture, or serve as border crossing points. Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phrae, Rayong, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, and Yala are among them.
Third Phase (1 January 2022, onwards)
Bueng Kan, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Surin, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani are among the 13 border provinces that will reopen.
Vaccinated tourists are expected to be able to enter the nation and roam around freely without being quarantined starting January 1, 2022. However, any problems in any of the earlier steps, which appear to be very likely, might push the deadline back dramatically.
Additional impacts for Thailand’s immigration status include:
- Authorities will lower the quarantine period for tourists arriving from October 1st to seven (7) days for those who have been vaccinated and ten (10) days for those who have not done vaccination.
- The Royal Thai Consulate-General has announced that certain categories of non-Thais coming from India to Thailand will be re-issued COEs and Visas, with an alternate quarantine period of 14 days for each application.
- Foreigners who are still stuck in Thailand because of COVID-19 can apply for a 60-day temporary visa under COVID considerations. The deadline for submissions is by November 26, 2021.
COVID-19’s third wave is causing delays in the overall immigration process. Thai borders, on the other hand, are mostly open, but with few restrictions. Job searchers in a variety of areas can move forward with their visa applications.
We recommend all travelers continue to follow hygiene and safety precautions as COVID-19 continues to disrupt global travel. Please contact us if you have any queries about Thailand immigration or how to enter Thailand during COVID-19, and we would be happy to help. Mail us at [email protected].
