Thailand is welcoming international tourists back following the announcement that fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries can travel quarantine-free to the Kingdom from Nov 1, after border closures for almost 18 months.
The country has allowed vaccinated tourists from more than 60 low-risk nations including Singapore, Germany, China, UK and the US to visit any part of the country after meeting health and safety requirements.
Arriving tourists must show that they are Covid-free at the time of travel with an RT-PCR test undertaken prior to departure, followed by another test in Thailand. The reopening is implemented on the back of a situation where much of country still faces restrictions, with only around 42% of the population fully vaccinated. The business sector is aware of the risk but insists the economy needs a booster, with clearer travel regulations.
REOPENING CAUTIOUSLY The business sector agrees with the government’s plans to reopen the country on a step-by-step basis as the reopening would help expedite the economic recovery and facilitate domestic and international travel not only for tourism but also for trade and investment.
“This will be an important mechanism for the Thai economy to move forward,” says Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. “Although there are still many infected people, the number of new cases has begun to decline thanks to more vaccine coverage and various strict measures still in place to contain the spread of the Covid-19 outbreaks.”
There, however, remains a concern about communications between Thai citizens and entrepreneurs, especially regarding measures for travelers from their countries of origin to enter and exit the country.
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