Day 5 PCR test dropped?

[Guest]

Agreed.

Thailand already has Omicron and there are more and more announcements stating that people in Thailand may now isolate at home.

Therefore, it's totally irrational to require tourists to take 2 PCR tests and a LFT, with a risk of incarceration if they fail.  Where is the consistency ?  Although I suspect someone is profiting from this.

Also, if we look at the tourist market, China is effectively closed due to Chinese restrictions, Russian demand is likely to drop due to exchange rates and possibly other actions.  I suspect Japan, Korea and Taiwan still have some kind of restrictions.

Therefore, to have any kind of recovery in the tourist market, Thailand needs every tourist it can get from the rest of the world.  Abolishing ALL restrictions would make sense.   

Revert to pre-covid rules, but with increased visa durations.

 

[reader]

Insurance requirement of $20,000 raises questions

From Pattaya Mail

By Barry Kenyon

he latest medical insurance rule for foreign visitors requires cover of only US$20,000 (640,000 baht), reduced from US$50,000 from the beginning of March 2022. The health ministry stated that the lower rate was to encourage international visitors, although it did caution the sum might not be enough.

Meanwhile Tourist of Authority of Thailand website recommended that the detail on the insurance document should be checked carefully as inpatient and quarantine provision can vary a great deal. TAT also stressed that the policy could be from Thai or foreign-based companies. The latest rules apply to all Test and Go applicants except Thai nationals or work permit foreigners covered by Thai social security regulations.

But ambiguity still surrounds the whole matter. A popular Thai-based option is the multi-company Thai General Insurance Association website https://covid19.tgia.org, popular because costs are reasonable and the age of the applicant is immaterial up to 99 years. The cost is based only on the country of departure. For example, 30 days cover for Covid-only illness from UK is 3,700 baht or about 85 pounds. However, the website’s drop-down box currently restricts applications to 30 days only and still specifies US$50,000, not US$20,000.

Some other Thai and foreign-based insurers are advertising policies based on the newly-specified US$20,000. But some have an age limit below 70 or 75 years, whilst others charge extra for compulsory cover for loss of baggage, delayed flights and so on. The important thing is for entrants to Thailand to read policy offers in detail before committing themselves to payment. The better policies allow for cover up to 12 months ahead.

Once in Thailand, most visas and permissions of stay do not require either Covid-specific or comprehensive health insurance to obtain an extension of stay at an immigration office. The exceptions currently appear to be O/A annual retirement, nine months Special Tourist Visa and O/X ten years. Foreigners holding these particular options or extensions of stay should contact their local immigration office as each has considerable discretion.