31 Mar, 2021
The Thai cabinet yesterday, March 30th, has officially approved a proposal from the Center for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) to reduce the quarantine period to seven to ten days and to welcome selected vaccinated foreign tourists and businessmen in six pilot tourist destinations, namely in Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai, starting as soon as this April.
Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri revealed to the press this afternoon that the plan was proposed to a large cabinet committee following the CESA meeting last week.
The proposal will allow vaccinated foreigners to visit the six provinces from Thailand next month and they will only be required to perform quarantine for seven to ten days. The Pattaya News notes that not every country can apply for the plan and some may still be required to do fourteen-day quarantine. As the information can change rapidly it is suggested to check with your local embassy or consulate. Proof of vaccination can also differ depending on country and one should pursue this with their local embassy.
In July, selected vaccinated tourists will be, according to the plan, allowed to visit Phuket island without mandatory quarantine, if they are proved to have negative Covid19 results upon arrival. If the plan is successful, the other five areas will be implemented with the same proposal by October 2021. It is worth noting this plan for Phuket still needs final approval from the Thai Cabinet.
“Additionally, in the year of 2022, if everything goes according to the plan, every vaccinated tourist who wanted to come to Thailand will not have to be quarantined anymore,” Anucha concluded.
The plan will need to be published in the Royal Gazette to be finalized but that is mostly a formality at this point.
The Pattaya News also notes it will likely take some time for embassies and quarantine hotels to “get on the same page” with the changes as well as potential roadblocks like some countries, primarily in Africa, that are exempt from the plan. There have already been reports of some people having difficulty with quarantine hotels not accepting bookings less than fourteen days and it may take a while for all the different divisions to speak to each other.
This information was correct as of press time but can change rapidly for further questions one should contact their Thai embassy or consulate.
