Thai Pass

[orson]

I had absolutely no luck with the apps. Hardly find a muscleboy there. 

[macaroni21]

Good article, If I may say so:

After reopening, Thailand’s battered tourism struggles to rebuild

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/5/16/after-reopening-thailands-battered-tourism-struggles-to-rebuild

QUOTE:

“Tourists are going to go to other countries that have clearer COVID measures,” he said, condemning Thailand’s months-long debate over ending quarantine on entry.

“Everyone knows that if the Thai authorities announce one thing in the morning they will change it by the evening. I think it’ll be a while before tourists feel more confident to return.”

ANOTHER QUOTE:

Despite the banner headlines about reopening, tourism is still far below pre-pandemic levels, when it attracted nearly 40 million people and generated more than $60bn of revenue, accounting for up to a fifth of the kingdom’s gross domestic product.

Last month, forward bookings for 2022 showed Thailand had reached 25 percent of normal levels, compared with 72 per cent and 65 percent each for Singapore and the Philippines, respectively.

[vinapu]

But there,s hope, tonight' s flight from New Delhi was full and not only full of Indians

[Guest]

1 hour ago, macaroni21 said:

“Tourists are going to go to other countries that have clearer COVID measures,”

This should be obvious to everyone.  

However, the Junta don't seem to get it and keep fiddling around with daft measures that don't stop any new covid variants, but do discourage tourists.

 

[Guest reader]

Just when you thought it was safe to come in again, The Nation is reporting that one public health official (vice-chairman Chalermchai Boonyaleephan) wants Thailand to begin quarantining visitors from Portugal and South Africa due to an emerging variant.

“Thailand should consider quarantining tourists from Portugal and South Africa or at least having them undergo RT-PCR tests to prevent these subvariants from entering the country,” he said.

“The World Health Organisation, however, has not named BA.4 and BA.5 as variants of concern yet,” he added.

Separately, leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said an mRNA booster for people whose first two jabs are inactivated vaccines helps boost immunity against Covid-19 effectively.

“The immunity provided by a Pfizer booster after receiving two Sinovac or Sinopharm jabs is similar to three Pfizer jabs,” he said, citing a study conducted by Chulalongkorn University's Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, which he heads. He added that this combination should also provide high immunity to children.

[macaroni21]

Hope Indonesia's latest move to drop requirement for pre departure tests effective today will push Thailand to stop dragging its feet.

I put the link to the Reuters story about Indonesia's move inside the Gay Bali forum.

[TMax]

Latest from Richard Barrow, from the latest CCSA meeting.

 

1. Overview: Global situation and relaxation of measures

- Thailand ranks 24th globally for number of new infections, and is on a general downward trend. Fatalities are still concentrated in the elderly and 608 groups and hospital occupancy rates remain low.

- The number of new cases is expected to continue to decline and additional relaxed measures approved at the Meeting chaired by the PM today, will take effect on 1 June 2022.

- As COVID-19 is now entering its endemic phase in Thailand, The Ministry of Public Health has issued a new set of recommendations on public health measures for “high-risk contacts” to self-monitor for 10 days without having to quarantine.

- It should be noted however, that the endemic designation does not mean the disease is no longer dangerous. Top priority remains the healthcare system's capacity to handle emergency situations.

- The General CCSA meeting also approved the reopening of nightclubs, bars and karaoke venues and extended the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations for another two months from 1 June to 31 July.

2. Adjustments on provincial zoning

- The number of provinces designated “yellow” or “High Surveillance” zones will be reduced from 65 to 46.

- The number of provinces designated “green” or “Surveillance” zones will increase to 14.

- The number of provinces designated “blue” or “Pilot Tourism” zones will increase from 12 to 17.

3. Adjusted Entry Requirements/Thailand Pass

- Starting 1 June 2022, foreigners planning to travel to Thailand will have to provide: 1) COVID-19 vaccination certificates or COVID-19 test results (for unvaccinated persons); 2) a minimum of 10,000 USD travel insurance covering COVID-19 medical expenses; and 3) a copy of a valid passport.

- After registering the above on Thailand Pass, the QR code will be auto-generated immediately, which is intended to save time and the worry of waiting for approval. Airlines will then pre-check that QR code prior to issuing boarding passes and once arriving, travelers will go through the usual checks at the airport.

- Another adjustment that should facilitate Thailand Pass for foreign visitors is that Thai nationals will no longer be required to register for it. So in fact, Thailand Pass will function next month as a pre-arrival registration, not an approval system, for foreign travelers.

- Until the revised Thailand Pass measure takes effect on 1 June 2022, Thais and foreign visitors are still required to register with Thailand Pass and seek approval from the system.

- The CCSA has been tracking the measures employed by other countries as well and these adjusted entry requirements/registration process for travelers coming to Thailand are similar to the public health measures and practices of other countries in Southeast Asia.

4. General situation

- New confirmed cases on 20 May 2022 total 6,463, bringing the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 4.4 million. There are 58,910 active cases.

- A total of 7,091 new recoveries are logged today, bringing the number of total recoveries to 4.31 million. Unfortunately, 41 new fatalities have been reported, with accumulated recorded deaths totaling 7,980. The fatality rate is low at 0.15%.

- The top ten provinces with the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are Bangkok (109), Ubon Ratchathani (61), Nakhon Ratchasima (54), Suphan Buri (51), Udon Thani (36), Chanthaburi (34), Chaiyaphum (33), Nakhon Sawan (30), Samut Prakarn (29), Nakhon Si Thammarat (27).

5. Vaccination progress

- The total number of vaccine doses administered currently stands at 136 million. The total number of first vaccine doses administered amounts to 56.5 million, covering 81.3% of the population. The total number of second doses administered stands at 52.1 million, covering 74.9% of the population. The total number of third doses admnistered is 27.3 million, covering 39.4% of the population.

6. Thailand chosen as ASEAN Health Emergency Hub

- Thailand will serve as the new ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), which is expected to strengthen ASEAN’s regional capacity for responding to public health emergencies and emerging diseases.

[spoon]

Immediate approval of thai pass is very welcomed change indeed!!

[PeterRS]

On 5/16/2022 at 1:37 PM, macaroni21 said:

ANOTHER QUOTE:

Despite the banner headlines about reopening, tourism is still far below pre-pandemic levels, when it attracted nearly 40 million people and generated more than $60bn of revenue, accounting for up to a fifth of the kingdom’s gross domestic product.

Last month, forward bookings for 2022 showed Thailand had reached 25 percent of normal levels, compared with 72 per cent and 65 percent each for Singapore and the Philippines, respectively.

GIven that China accounted for around 30% if not more of all arrivals in 2019, it's hardly surprising that arrivals in 2022 are way below pre-pandemic levels. What will be interesting is when China does permit overseas tourism again, will the Chinese still consider Thailand as a first choice?

[macaroni21]

3 hours ago, spoon said:

Immediate approval of thai pass is very welcomed change indeed!!

I would wait at least 2 weeks into June for reports to filter out as to whether what is intended as 'immediate' is in fact immediate. Or would they need to find a Finnish translator to read the Finnish text of the insurance policy to check that it is XXX euros, equivalent to 10,000 $, and that it covers COVID. If so, that is going to take time 😳

[Guest]

Yes.  Allow 7 days plus a safety margin for the Thai Pass, until it's proven to be always instant.  Why create pre-trip stress ?

[PeterRS]

10 hours ago, z909 said:

Yes.  Allow 7 days plus a safety margin for the Thai Pass, until it's proven to be always instant.  Why create pre-trip stress ?

Agreed. When I returned to Bangkok at the end of March, I forgot about the Thai Pass until there were only 5 working days left prior to departure. I panicked a bit but managed to get the form in on a Sunday. I was then very surprised that the QR code was returned on the following Wednesday evening. In future I would certainly not leave it anything like so late.

[Londoner]

A good point....I shall wait a few days in order to allow the system to bed-down. There will  be high demand at first with visitors planning an early June trip leaving their applications later than they may have done before.

 

[Guest]

Brianthainess on "Asean Now" came up with this......

 

 

[somas]

Just applied for my thai pass today. 

Got the QR code after about 4 hours.

[flashbarryallen]

Just confirming the experience of @somas that I applied today and got my QR code in about 3 hours.

[iendo]

13 hours ago, flashbarryallen said:

Just confirming the experience of @somas that I applied today and got my QR code in about 3 hours.

Me too!  It was more or less instantly.  Not different than in Novembar last year.

[Guest reader]

Bangkok Post today reporting that Thai Pass may no longer be required of foreigners as of June 1.

Also, outdoor mask wearing may not be necessary from mid-June except for certain groups, including 60+ (don’t know how that could reasonably be enforced).

[khaolakguy]

However the Bangkok Post are also reporting that International arrivals are being monitored for Monkeypox via the Thai Pass system, without explaining how that is being done.

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2315878/govt-ups-monkeypox-alert-level

[Travellerdave]

Been trying to get my Thai Pass. Assembled all documents, vaccination, insurance. Hit problem with uploading my passport : I’ve tried copying it, scanning it a number of times . It keeps being rejected whereas the other documents were ok. Don’t know what I can do. Any ideas ?

[Travellerdave]

I keep getting unknown error. The photo is jpeg

[vinapu]

Try another web browser

 

[Travellerdave]

Thanks but I use an ipad

[Londoner]

The size is important...make sure (if you haven't already done so) that it is one page - the one with the photo- only.

[lelele]

Just to share, applied thai pass around 7PM today and got the approval around 9PM. just two hours or less.