quarantine

  • Thailand News“Sandbox” stay shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers from overseas

    “Sandbox” stay shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers from overseas

    The mandatory stay under the “sandbox” re-entry scheme has been shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand. At its general meeting on Friday chaired by the prime minister, the CCSA to cut the stay under “sandbox” regulations from 7 days down to 5. “Happy Quarantine,” as tourism officials call it, has also been cut to 5 days for…

  • World NewsAirAsia to resume Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights following Cambodia’s reopening

    AirAsia to resume Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights following Cambodia’s reopening

    AirAsia is resuming flights from Bangkok to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh starting December 22. The Southeast Asian country recently lifted restrictions to allow fully vaccinated foreign travellers to enter without undergoing quarantine. Next month, flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Phnom Penh will take off on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Travellers who are considered fully vaccinated under the…

  • Tourism NewsGovernment considers easing entry rules, antigen testing may replace PCR test

    Government considers easing entry rules, antigen testing may replace PCR test

    In anticipation of more international arrivals in the coming months, the Thai government is reviewing current entry requirements. According to a Bangkok Post report, officials may replace the PCR test with antigen test kits and rules could be relaxed for people unfortunate enough to have sat near an infected passenger during their flight. Any amendment of the current rules would…

  • Business NewsAir Asia boss: Recovery in 3 months if countries ditch quarantine, testing

    Air Asia boss: Recovery in 3 months if countries ditch quarantine, testing

    The chief executive of the Air Asia Group says the aviation sector could return to normal in about 3 months, if governments ditch quarantine and PCR testing. Tony Fernandes says if countries can re-open without such requirements, demand will rise significantly. According to a Bangkok Post report, Air Asia has sold over 300,000 tickets to Langkawi since the island re-opened.…

  • World NewsIndonesian president proposes travel lane for vaccinated visitors from Australia

    Indonesian president proposes travel lane for vaccinated visitors from Australia

    A so-called travel lane between Indonesia and Australia for those who are vaccinated against Covid-19 is being proposed by the Southeast Asian country’s president Joko Widodo. A report from Bloomberg says the route is intended to boost tourism and economic ties between the two countries. Indonesia’s popular tourist island Bali reopened last month to foreign visitors from 19 countries, but…

  • Thailand NewsPM says cooperation needed as Thailand prepares for reopening

    PM says cooperation needed as Thailand prepares for reopening

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has stressed the importance of public and business cooperation ahead of next week’s reopening of Thailand’s borders and the relaxing of quarantine requirements for international visitors. The Bangkok Post has reported Prayut has asked for strict compliance with disease controls, and that protesters do not damage the national image, paving the way for a successful reopening. Prayut,…

  • Tourism NewsThailand reopening roundup: What happens November 1

    Thailand reopening roundup: What happens November 1

    Things are moving fast towards the November 1 reopening which in the last few days swelled from 10 countries being allowed entry to Thailand to 46 countries, 3 entry plans, replacing the Certificate of Entry, and even an attempt to reopen nightlife. Below is a round-up of the plans as they stand now. “TEST & GO”: COUNTRIES THAT CAN ENTER…

  • Tourism NewsFull details on the 3 ways to travel to Thailand from November 1

    Full details on the 3 ways to travel to Thailand from November 1

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand has released a summary of the new plans to reopen Thailand to allow international tourists to travel on November 1. Thailand will reopen without quarantine for fully vaccinated people travelling from 46 approved countries, who will only have to take a Covid-19 test on arrival and wait in an approved hotel for the results. Those…

  • Thailand video newsThailand Top Stories | Quarantine like to be waived for vaccinated travellers on November 1 | October 12

    Thailand Top Stories | Quarantine like to be waived for vaccinated travellers on November 1 | October 12

    Natty gives us a quick update on the national Covid-19 situation as well as the top headlines in Thailand and Southeast Asia: Quarantine like to be waived for vaccinated travellers from 10 countries, Alcohol ban likely to be lifted by December, Tham Luang cave complex will reopen on Friday, Indonesia to reopen borders to travellers from 18 countries, Vietnam workers…

  • Bangkok NewsQuarantine hotel near Suvarnabhumi airport evacuated after fire

    Quarantine hotel near Suvarnabhumi airport evacuated after fire

    A fire erupted at an alternative quarantine hotel in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok. Yesterday night, around 80 people evacuated the building when they noticed black smoke. The hotel provides accommodation for the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those entering Thailand from overseas. No injures were reported. The fire took place at the Siam Mandarina Hotel Suvarnabhumi on King Kaew…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket Sandbox revised to 7 days, more excursion freedom

    Phuket Sandbox revised to 7 days, more excursion freedom

    As restrictions are widely eased for entry into Thailand and the various Sandbox programs, the Phuket Sandbox has simplified, shortened, and streamlined as well. Beginning yesterday, Phuket Sandbox travellers arriving internationally will only be required to stay 7 days before being allowed to travel on to the rest of Thailand. An RT-PCR test will be given upon arrival and a…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Samui Plus simplified: 7 days on Samui, Phangan or Tao

    Koh Samui Plus simplified: 7 days on Samui, Phangan or Tao

    As part of the widely expanded Sandbox programmes launched or revised yesterday, the Samui Plus Sandbox has simplified and diversified its rules as well. While previously the entry to Koh Samui and the nearby islands was a 14-day programme with the first few days in full quarantine and the first week staying only on Koh Samui, the new rules allow…

  • Covid-19 NewsNew eased rules for travellers entering Thailand enacted

    New eased rules for travellers entering Thailand enacted

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand released a slew of press releases yesterday declaring a broad revision to Sandbox and entry programs and making it easier for international travellers to enter Thailand. The two biggest revisions that just went into effect are the abolishment of an approved country list for travellers to arrive from, and shortening arrival quarantine times from 14…

  • Thailand NewsUpdated regulations on Thailand’s quarantine period for international arrivals

    Updated regulations on Thailand’s quarantine period for international arrivals

    Starting tomorrow, the mandatory quarantine period for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand will be reduced from 14 days to seven. Those who are either unvaccinated, or who cannot show proof of their vaccination status, face a longer quarantine period of between 10 to 14 days. The mandatory isolation period is waived for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand through the pilot reopening projects…

  • Phuket News“Sandbox” period in Phuket shortened to 7 days for vaccinated travellers

    “Sandbox” period in Phuket shortened to 7 days for vaccinated travellers

    With the recently relaxed rules on the quarantine period for overseas arrivals, those who enter Thailand under the “Phuket Sandbox” will only be required to stay in the province for seven days instead of the previous 14. The “Sandbox” pilot reopening project allows vaccinated travellers from abroad to roam freely on the island rather than isolate in a hotel. The…

  • Crime NewsGroup of 39 teenagers arrested in Rayong for allegedly partying in celebration of getting out of quarantine

    Group of 39 teenagers arrested in Rayong for allegedly partying in celebration of getting out of quarantine

    A group of nearly 40 teenagers was arrested at a pool villa in Rayong, a province on the Gulf of Thailand, yesterday. They were allegedly gathering in a group, taking illicit drugs, and possibly drinking alcohol to celebrate getting out of quarantine. Police from the Klaeng Police Station went to the villa, which was situated in the middle of a…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya tourism focusing on Russian and Indian travellers

    Pattaya tourism focusing on Russian and Indian travellers

    Chinese travellers have been the bread-and-butter for Pattaya tourism, but with Covid-19 restrictions, The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association is focusing on Indian and Russian tourists instead for the planned reopening on October 1. The president of the PBTA had announced that while other cities and provinces have postponed reopening plans, Pattaya stands ready to reopen to international travellers in…

  • Business NewsOccupancy at alternative quarantine hotels takes a nosedive

    Occupancy at alternative quarantine hotels takes a nosedive

    Bookings at alternative quarantine hotels have plummeted, with Prin Pathanatham from AQ Club Thailand saying average occupancy is currently around 25 – 30%. It’s believed rumours the quarantine period may be reduced from next month have led to the drop in bookings, coupled with signs that infections may have peaked. And Prin says the resumption of domestic flights from dark…

  • Koh Samui NewsSamui relaxes re-opening rules following low tourist demand

    Samui relaxes re-opening rules following low tourist demand

    The rules are being somewhat relaxed when it comes to the Samui Plus re-opening model, following disappointing figures. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee from the Tourism Association of Koh Samui says that from October 1, vaccinated tourists only need to spend the first night in a SHA Plus hotel, until they get the result of their PCR test. Prior to this, international tourists…

  • Covid-19 NewsMalaysian leader forced to quarantine after close contact with Covid-19 patient

    Malaysian leader forced to quarantine after close contact with Covid-19 patient

    The prime minister of Malaysia is in quarantine after coming into close contact with someone infected with Covid-19. Thai PBS World reports that the office of Ismail Sabri Yaakob has issued a statement to confirm the development, but did not say how long the PM would have to quarantine or if he had been tested for the virus. The Malaysian…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Policeman confessions, UK puts Thailand on red list | August 27

    Thailand News Today | Policeman confessions, UK puts Thailand on red list | August 27

    Thitisan Utthanaphon, aka… Joe Ferrari, the policeman who allegedly tortured and killed a drug suspect in Nakhon Sawan, surrendered late yesterday afternoon in Chon Buri late. Bad news for British sandboxers on Phuket, or elsewhere in Thailand, as well as anyone else planning to travel from Thailand to the UK. Packages containing around 1.2 million methamphetamine pills were found floating…

  • Koh Samui News2 Samui partygoers have Covid-19, raiding police quarantine

    2 Samui partygoers have Covid-19, raiding police quarantine

    Following the raid and breakup of a party at a luxury villa in Koh Samui 2 nights ago, it was revealed that 5 of the people in attendance at the party had previously had Covid-19, likely from the Black Bamboo Club cluster resulting from another illegal party. Now at least 2 of the party attendees have tested positive for Covid-19,…

  • Covid-19 NewsVillage under Covid-19 lockdown after old woman lies

    Village under Covid-19 lockdown after old woman lies

    The dishonesty of an old woman led to an entire village in Buriram being sealed off on lockdown due to a Covid-19 outbreak she created. The woman lied about her visiting daughter and son-in-law to avoid the 14-day quarantine set in place to allow enough time to avoid a Covid-19 outbreak. The 75 year old woman lives in the village…

  • Covid-19 NewsSandbox tourist forced to stay in ASQ hotel after fellow passenger on her flight tests positive

    Sandbox tourist forced to stay in ASQ hotel after fellow passenger on her flight tests positive

    Stefanie came to Phuket as a kick start to a new adventure and a long term stay in Thailand. The Phuket Sandbox option would allow her to visit around the island for 14 days before heading off to other destinations in Thailand. But it didn’t work out as planned. Now, she’s stuck in a small room for up to 14…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket “Sandbox” traveller infected with Covid-19, tour group now in quarantine

    Phuket “Sandbox” traveller infected with Covid-19, tour group now in quarantine

    A man who arrived in Thailand under the Phuket “Sandbox” reopening scheme has tested positive for Covid-19. The man is the first so-called “Sandboxer” to test positive for the virus since the island’s reopening last week under the scheme which allows travellers from overseas, who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, to enter the island province without undergoing quarantine. A Covid-19…

  • World NewsSouth Korea lifts quarantine for some travellers who are vaccinated

    South Korea lifts quarantine for some travellers who are vaccinated

    Today, South Korea is lifting its 14-day quarantine for some foreign arrivals who have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Those from countries classified as a high risk for infection must still undergo quarantine. Foreigners who are vaccinated against the coronavirus can enter South Korea under the new policy, but only if they are entering the country for business, for academic or…

  • Thailand NewsKrabi man allegedly fires gun at quarantine hotel, flees with wife and son

    Krabi man allegedly fires gun at quarantine hotel, flees with wife and son

    A man in Krabi was arrested after he allegedly fired a gun, shooting through a window of an alternative state quarantine, or ASQ, hotel and ran off with his wife and 9 year old son who were staying at the hotel after coming in close contact with those infected with Covid-19. 45 year old Somyos Khongsiri’s wife and son were…

  • World NewsHong Kong may reduce quarantine for vaccinated residents returning from Singapore, UK

    Hong Kong may reduce quarantine for vaccinated residents returning from Singapore, UK

    Hong Kong residents returning home from Singapore or the UK may have quarantine requirements reduced if they are fully vaccinated. TTR Weekly reports that officials in Hong Kong are considering reducing quarantine for Singapore and UK arrivals who test positive for Covid-19 antibodies. Hong Kong currently has one of the longest mandatory quarantine requirements in the world, at 21 days.…

  • Thailand NewsRenowned Thai doctor cautions against letting tourists avoid 14 day quarantine

    Renowned Thai doctor cautions against letting tourists avoid 14 day quarantine

    Yesterday, a renowned Thai doctor, told media that he and his colleagues strongly opposed any program designed to admit foreign tourists, even the vaccinated, if the tourists aren’t required to do a strict 14 day quarantine. Further, Dr Prasit thinks that the quarantine should be even longer, depending on the variant. The doctor, and Dean of Faculty of Medicine at…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s Golf Quarantine on hold until Covid situation improves

    Thailand’s Golf Quarantine on hold until Covid situation improves

    Thailand’s “Golf Quarantine” is on hold until the Covid-19 situation improves, an alternative quarantine option at a certified golf resort. The postponement was first announced last month. Travellers who made arrangements prior to the announcement and have been granted a Certificate of Entry, or COE, can still enjoy the Thailand’s Golf Quarantine. The programme allows foreign golfers to undergo the…