Towards a gradual reopening of Thailand on November 1

[UPDATE see insert below]

I didn't think I'd write an article about it at first, but since the news is quite big and there are important details to be added, I think a message on the Facebook page would have been too much of a mess.

46 countries without quarantine

Three scenarios for returning to Thailand

To give a little more detail on what will change from November 1st, there will be three scenarios depending on the type of traveler.

1. No quarantine if eligible country
2. Came as part of a sandbox program
3. Mandatory quarantine

1. No quarantine if eligible country

If you are on this list of 46 countries (which may change depending on the situation), you will therefore be able to travel to Thailand without quarantine, nor without a minimum overnight stay, apart from the single night at your place of arrival to await the result of the PCR test carried out on your arrival.

Despite the latter, note that it is necessary to take a test with a negative result in advance to be able to board the plane.

This is obviously valid if you are vaccinated, with both doses (for a minimum of 14 days). In addition to booking a night in an approved hotel (SHA+ or AQ), compulsory medical insurance is still required, although the amount of coverage, previously $100, has been reduced to $000.

2. Coming as part of a sandbox program

2nd case, if your country is not on the list, it is still possible to come to Thailand via sandbox programs, such as Phuket, the precursor, but also Samui and soon also other destinations such as Chiang Mai.

In this case, if you do not have a quarantine as such, it is necessary to go through a minimum of 7 days and 7 nights before being able to move elsewhere.

Still imperative in this case, be vaccinated of course and have medical insurance. Finally, there will be two tests to be carried out, one upon arrival, the 2nd upon completing your 7 days.

3. Mandatory quarantine

Finally, last scenario, if you are reluctant to get vaccinated, it is still possible to come to Thailand. In this case, a 10 day quarantine in an AQ (Alternate Quarantine) hotel is required.

Medical insurance remains mandatory and there will also be two PCR tests on site (compared to 3 previously).

A return without constraints?

Let's put it simply. Among the current major drawbacks, the famous COE (Certificate Of Entry) to be obtained in advance and essential sesame to travel to the country at present, even if vaccinated. This document can only be obtained by booking a suitable hotel (SHA+ category) and only one week before departure, a stressful process that even earned Thailand the title of the most complicated country in terms of rules for welcoming motivated tourists.

The good news is that this reopening should be accompanied by the removal of, for the countries concerned, of this famous COE, replaced by an application, Thailand Pass, allowing you to complete procedures online, including pre-filling the famous TM6 immigration form, as well as a health form to complete, the TM8.

More information should arrive by November 1st regarding the removal of this COE and what this will imply in terms of simplifying the procedures for a hassle-free return to Thailand.

And what about sandboxes?

Until now, the "sandbox" system set up in July for Phuket and then shortly after for Samui, offered a semblance of a vacation accessible to vaccinated people without quarantine locked in a hotel.

At first, you only had to spend 14 nights on site before you could hope to visit another part of the country, or then, in a second phase, spend 7 days in Phuket and then 7 days in another accessible area like Samui. This duration has since been reduced to just 7 days before you can move freely around the country.

This reopening goes beyond these famous 7 days. Concretely, if you have the nationality of one of the countries that will be accepted, you will only have one night to spend in the city of your arrival, the time to confirm that the PCR test that will be mandatory upon your arrival (in addition to presenting a negative one from your point of departure!) is indeed negative. Once done, the country will be within your reach… or almost.

More provinces accessible

From what I understand, tourists, with or without quarantine, will not be able to move around the country completely freely because only the so-called "open" provinces will be accessible.

Initially, 17 of the most touristic ones will be open, and, unless otherwise specified, the entire province will not be accessible, but only some parts:

1. Phuket (whole island)
2. Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao)
3. Bangkok
4. Samut Prakan (this is where Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located)
5. Krabi (whole province)
6. Phang Nga (and its famous bay but also the popular beaches of Khao Lak)
7. Prachuap Khiri Khan (to access the Hua Hin beach resort)
8. Phetchaburi (where Cha-am Beach is located, another resort north of Hua Hin)
9. Chonburi (Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Jomtien, Bang Sare, Koh Sichang, Si Racha)
10. Ranong (Koh Phayam)
11. Chiang Mai (the city and districts of Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao)
12. Loei (to visit the small town of Chiang Khan)
13. Buriram (city only)
14. Nong Khai (the town, Si Chiang Mai, Tha Bo and Sangkhom districts)
15. Udon Thani (the town, Na Yoong, Nong Han, Khumphawapi and Ban Dung districts)
16. Rayong (Koh Samet)
17. Trat (Koh Chang uniquely)

As of December 1, 16 other provinces are also expected to be added, including Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Phrae and Sukhothai (with its famous historical park).

Source BangkokPost.com

There remains a gray area regarding the management of tourists… Do these openings of provinces concern all foreign tourists, or only those who arrive via quarantine, or via a sandbox? How to verify who comes from where? Does this mean that when arriving in a “non-open” province, there will be roadblocks and checks?

Another point to raise, as the graph above states, while restrictions are starting to ease for some provinces, a curfew is still in place for provinces in bright red (which includes Bangkok, Samui for example), the sale of alcohol remains prohibited in restaurants and gatherings of people are generally limited, not to mention bars remaining closed, restricting party-goers.

There is improvement but I unfortunately remain convinced that these conditions will easily create confusion and therefore reluctance... The restart will therefore take place slowly but little by little, we should get there!