Arrivals double as Thailand eases COVID restrictions

Arrivals have almost doubled, reaching approximately 12,000 passengers daily

It was confirmed on Thursday that starting 1 April, visitors arriving in Thailand will no longer be required to submit pre-travel COVID-19 tests, according to the Bangkok Post. 

The Thaiger reported that since the announcement, travellers seem to have flooded Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as arrivals have almost doubled, reaching approximately 12,000 passengers daily.

Apart from air travel, entering Thailand will now be also possible via land in Nong Khai, Satun, Songkhla, and Udon Thani provinces, as well as by ports in Chonburi, Phuket, and Surat Thani provinces.

Pre-travel RT-PCR tests will no longer be necessary for travellers arriving under the Test & Go, Sandbox, or quarantine programs, according to spokeswoman Sumanee Wacharasint, but visitors will be led to PRC testing sites upon arrival.

After taking an RT-PCR test, they will be required to wait at an SHA plus hotel until they get a negative test result. They will also need to take a self-administered rapid antigen test on day five and report it via the Thailand Pass app.

Airport staff told Thai PBS World that RT-PCR results will now be available in three to four hours, meaning it will not be necessary for tourists to stay overnight at a hotel to wait for the results. This is a way to encourage people to travel to Thailand.

More: Thailand to experience post-COVID boom in real estate and tourism sectors

Thailand could have new entrance requirements starting 1 May if the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approves it. The Ministry of Public Health intends to request new entry requirements that will have a substantial influence on its efforts to restore the country’s tourism sector.

The country’s Tourism and Sports Minister further announced that his ministry will request that the CCSA consider further reducing entry restrictions, such as the replacement of on-arrival RT-PCR tests with quicker antigen tests.

COVID restrictions have eased just in time for Songkran, which will be held from 13 April to 15 April.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].