Thailand to reopen to vaccinated travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers from 10 countries will be able to visit without quarantining from November 

The Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has announced that fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries and regions will be able to visit the country without having to quarantine from 1 November 2021.

Commenting on the announcement, Chan-o-cha said: “I have instructed the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Ministry of Public Health to urgently consider within this week to allow, as of 1 November, international visitors to enter Thailand without any requirement for quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and arrive by air from low-risk countries.” 

The list of low risk destinations will initially include the UK, Singapore, Germany, China and the US. The other five countries have not yet been named but the list is expected to be finalised later this week, with hope arising that GCC markets will soon be welcomed in time for festive travel.

It has also been announced that the list will be extended on 1 December and again on 1 January, 2022.

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Chan-o-cha conceded that the decision might come with risk of rising infections, saying: “I do not think the many millions who depend on the income generated by the travel, leisure and entertainment sector can possibly afford the devastating blow of a second lost New Year holiday period. The time has come for us to live with it.” 

Travellers coming from these low-risk destinations will need a negative Covid-19 test before flying, and another after arrival. If the results from the second test are negative, then travellers will be able to travel freely around Thailand.