5 no-quarantine countries named, 17 Thai provinces reopening

As restrictions are easing and Thailand moves towards a more streamlined and accessible reopening, 5 countries have been named in the plan to waive arrival quarantine for 10 countries. Though true to Thai style, nothing has been officially confirmed just 2 weeks before the grand reopening, the US, UK, Germany, China, and Singapore are more than likely candidates to be among the first 10 countries to be allowed to enter without quarantine, according to the spokesperson for the CCSA.

The plan was decided yesterday but details such as which countries and the full procedure are still being hashed out and the information released so far is technically in principle only. The waiver of quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers from these countries will be implemented on a 2-month trial basis first from November 1 to December 31.

In a statement kicking off the CCSA meeting yesterday, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha declared that the country is ready to reopen and that many people around the world are waiting to visit Thailand, so it is time to let people in the tourism sector get back to work again.

To that end, the reopened arrival destinations that currently only include Phuket, Koh Samui, and select areas of Krabi and Phang Nga will expand to 17 economically significant provinces across the country. Bangkok is at the top of the list for the reopening in 2 weeks. Further, all of Krabi and Phang Nga will be reopened, as well as Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Samut Prakan, with access limited to arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport only.

On December 1, another 16 provinces would be reopened for international travel, including Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Phrae, and Sukhothai. The CCSA spokesperson said that the list of which provinces will be reopening in 2 weeks and in December have yet to be fully finalised by the operations committee of the CCSA.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post