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Thailand again requires vaccinations for entry

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Thailand’s mandatory vaccination requirement for all foreign tourists arriving in the country in 2023 will go into effect by the end of the week

All visitors to Thailand must show proof of at least two vaccinations against Covid-19 under the revised regulations, which coincide with the resumption of travel from China, Thai authorities said Thursday, Jan. 5.

In addition, visitors who will be traveling from Thailand to countries that require a negative PCR test must provide proof of health insurance, the Bangkok Post reported. This ensures that they can cover the cost of treatment if they test positive in Thailand, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters.

China still requires all arriving travelers to have a negative PCR test done at least 48 hours before arrival. This week, India introduced a similar requirement for visitors from five countries: Thailand, China (including Hong Kong), South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

Last October, Thailand eliminated the requirement for proof of vaccination and antigen test results, as well as the requirement for mandatory health insurance. However, officials believe that as mass travel from China resumes, the likelihood of people in many countries becoming infected with the Covid-19 virus will increase.

The new measures are necessary because Thailand is a major destination for travelers from many countries, including China, but the measures must be non-discriminatory, Anutin said.

“The principle is that there will be no discrimination against a particular country because Covid-19 is spread in all countries and the strains are similar. Thus, covid should not be a matter of discrimination against any country,” the health minister explained.

Anyutin commented on the renewed requirements after meeting with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Transportation, Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Sports. They were joined by representatives from the Office of the Insurance Commission and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The minister did not say when the new measures would take effect, but officials said they should begin before Chinese visitors arrive.

On Sunday, Jan. 8, China will lift quarantine requirements for inbound visitors, which is expected to open the floodgates to overseas travel for millions of its residents. In the first few days and weeks, however, limited flights are expected to reduce the number of tourists.

The first scheduled flight from China to Thailand will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Jan. 12. Fifteen Chinese airlines will operate 15 flights a day to Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai and Phuket airports in the first three months of this year, said Suttipong Kongpul, director general of Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority.

China was the country’s largest source of tourists before the pandemic, accounting for more than 11 million of the 40 million international arrivals in 2019.

People with respiratory illnesses should consider postponing their travels until they are fully recovered to reduce the chance of transmitting the disease, Anutin said. The minister added that tourists who will be traveling to countries that require confirmation of a negative PCR test should stay in hotels with standard disease control measures and Covid-19 testing services.

Thailand’s health authorities will continue to monitor the local covid situation and may adjust measures according to changing risks, Anutin said. Authorities in tourist provinces should prepare their hospitals and hospitals, and travel and transportation workers should receive at least four vaccinations of the Covid-19 vaccine, the health minister added.

From December 25 to December 31, 2022, 529 coronavirus cases were identified in Thailand, 352 people recovered and 75 died (an average of 10 cases per day).

Updated: Thailand’s aviation regulator has officially notified of changes in arrival rules for foreign travelers age 18 and older. The new requirements will take effect for flights landing in Thailand starting at 1 a.m. local time on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. For updated entry requirements and a list of vaccines recognized in Thailand.

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