22 Nov, 2020
The hefty income requirement for Thailand’s Special Tourist Visa look like they’re being wound back following online backlash and low uptake. The STV was offering hope to potential travellers wanting to visit the kingdom but came with a long list of restrictions and costs. Previously, travellers were excited to learn they could visit a “Covid-free” Thailand, but their moods dipped after learning of the steep financial proof they needed in order to be granted the STV.
Now, some embassies and consulates worldwide have have dropped the stipulation on their websites that had once listed a 500,000 baht bank account balance as a requirement for obtaining the visas. Such consulates as Los Angeles now list the requirements as being US$ 700 per person and US$ 1,500.
The London and Berlin embassies show no requirement on the websites which has signaled the news of a reversal. Such a change is expected to see more applicants for the visa, with Thailand set to see more tourists over the next few months, just in time for high season. So far the STV has been a failure.
The income requirements are not uniform at this stage with different embassies listing different requirements around the world.
However, despite the perceived reversal of the bank account required balance, tourists must still obtain a US$ 100,000 Covid travel insurance policy, a Certificate of Entry, and a confirmed booking at one of Thailand’s quarantine hotels. Furthermore, such a stay at an approved hotel can start at 40,000 baht with the price only increasing from there.
In response, Thailand has been considering reducing the 14 day quarantine requirement to 10 days, citing that most Covid cases are detected within the first 5 days. But that change has yet to be announced. Another option that officials are mulling, is offering a special visa that would allow travellers from low-risk countries to stay in the country for 90 days. Again, that has yet to become official as of now. Those from medium-risk countriesare reportedly now allowed to apply for the visa, which should help the kingdom’s tourism count in the near future as long as the applicants have met the other requirements.
