travel restrictions

  • World NewsDespite China risk, Malaysia will not change Covid rules

    Despite China risk, Malaysia will not change Covid rules

    Thailand has implemented new blanket Covid-19 restrictions from today in an effort to fight an infection spike without offending China, which just opened to international travel despite a massive coronavirus outbreak. Malaysia went in another direction, declaring that they would make no changes to their entry procedures despite the increased risk of Covid in travellers from China. The Minister of…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid travel restrictions return tomorrow

    Covid travel restrictions return tomorrow

    It’s probably just a coincidence, but just as China is easing their travel blocks and allowing its citizens to travel abroad, Covid-19 travel restrictions are officially back. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has recently announced a set of rules that will apply to all non-Thai arrivals between January 9 and 31. These rules come as the country anticipates…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s public health minister says Chinese tourists won’t be discriminated against

    Thailand’s public health minister says Chinese tourists won’t be discriminated against

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, says the country’s plans to re-introduce Covid-19 related measures won’t discriminate against Chinese travellers. He then went on to say that the measures won’t discriminate against any particular country. But, the government is expected to finalise measures that would apply to visitors arriving from Covid-plagued countries, which include China. “Relevant officials agree to give…

  • Covid-19 NewsVIDEO: The WHO accuses China of massaging Covid data

    VIDEO: The WHO accuses China of massaging Covid data

    The World Health Organization (WHO) accused China of not being transparent about the true impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the Chinese mainland or about its death toll. The WHO believes Beijing is massaging data since it removed its strict restrictions and mass-testing last month. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies director, said… “We believe that the current numbers being published…

  • World NewsTourists not keen on travelling to Hong Kong under current restrictions

    Tourists not keen on travelling to Hong Kong under current restrictions

    It was thought that the relaxation of pre-pandemic measures in Hong Kong would see tourists flocking back but that’s not the case. Travel agents in Hong Kong revealed there is still a dearth of visitors to the special administrative region of China despite the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. Hong Kong travel agencies made known that tourists are coming back in…

  • Covid-19 NewsUnvaccinated tourist turned away at check-in desk en route to Thailand

    Unvaccinated tourist turned away at check-in desk en route to Thailand

    An unvaccinated tourist en route to Thailand was turned away at the check-in desk at Manchester Airport in England on Saturday after an airline didn’t get the memo about Thailand’s updated entry restrictions. If you are unvaccinated and plan to travel to Thailand, The Thaiger has advice about how to avoid this happening to you. Thailand Pass was scrapped on…

  • Tourism NewsCivil Aviation Authority of Thailand advises airlines of new entry rules effective today

    Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand advises airlines of new entry rules effective today

    International airlines have been issued with a notice from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, advising them of revised rules for entry to the kingdom from today. CAAT chief, Suttipong Kongpool, says all international airlines serving Thailand are required to screen and categorise passengers into 3 groups. The first group is the fully vaccinated passengers, who, if suspected of having…

  • Phuket NewsOfficials inspect Phuket airport ahead of entry restriction ease

    Officials inspect Phuket airport ahead of entry restriction ease

    Ahead of Thailand’s plan to ease entry restrictions starting May 1, officials have inspected a Phuket airport yesterday to inspect how ready it was for an expected rise in tourist numbers. The secretary-general of Thailand’s National Security Council went to make sure Phuket International Airport was ready to welcome tourists back to the island province. Among the officials joining the…

  • Thailand TravelThailand’s tourism council hopes to see more Chinese arrivals in October

    Thailand’s tourism council hopes to see more Chinese arrivals in October

    The vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand says that if the country fully reopens within the second quarter of the year, it just might attract at least five million international tourists during the second half of 2022. He added that if China lifts international travel restrictions on its citizens, there could be seven to eight million international tourists…

  • World NewsCambodia reduces quarantine for unvaccinated visitors from 2 weeks to 1

    Cambodia reduces quarantine for unvaccinated visitors from 2 weeks to 1

    Starting yesterday, visitors to Cambodia, who are not fully vaccinated, will only have to quarantine for one week, and not two. Cambodia’s health ministry said air travellers not fully vaccinated must take antigen tests on their last day of quarantine. The country has eased Covid-19 restrictions in the past month, and officially stopped requiring Covid-19 tests upon entry for vaccinated…

  • World NewsEuropean airlines assess mask rules for flights to United States

    European airlines assess mask rules for flights to United States

    After US airlines stopped requiring people to wear masks on domestic flights last week, European airlines are assessing their mask rules for flights to the US. European carriers are now divided over policies on trans-Atlantic flights. British Airways told customers that the requirement to wear masks onboard depends on restrictions in the arrival destination. KLM, a Dutch airline, told passengers…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai health officials call for PCR on arrival to be replaced with antigen test

    Thai health officials call for PCR on arrival to be replaced with antigen test

    Thailand’s Department of Disease Control wants to see PCR tests for foreign arrivals replaced with antigen testing. DDC boss Dr Opas Kankawinpong says his department is submitting the proposal to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. “The department will have a meeting on Thursday to finalise the details of the proposal before presenting it to a CCSA meeting on Friday…

  • Thailand NewsStarting in May, foreign arrivals to Thailand may only have to take ATK tests

    Starting in May, foreign arrivals to Thailand may only have to take ATK tests

    Starting in May, foreign arrivals to Thailand may take antigen tests on arrival, instead of PCR tests. Thailand’s CCSA announced yesterday that it will hold off on adjusting the current entry restrictions for foreign travellers to Thailand until it can evaluate the effects of next week’s Songkran festival, as it continues monitoring the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Thailand’s…

  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA delays easing entry restrictions to Thailand… until after Songkran festival

    CCSA delays easing entry restrictions to Thailand… until after Songkran festival

    The CCSA has announced today that they will hold off on adjusting the current entry restrictions for foreign travellers to Thailand until after next week’s Songkran festival, as they continue monitoring the spread of Covid-19 in the country. After today’s meeting, CCSA officials said they plan to adjust their measures in May, depending on the Covid situation after Thai New…

  • Thailand TravelThailand’s Public Health Ministry plans to request new entry rules

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry plans to request new entry rules

    If the CCSA approves it, Thailand could have new entry rules starting on May 1. The new rules the Public Health Ministry plans to request are intended to revive the country’s crippled tourism economy,. The country’s Tourism and Sports Minister has also stated that his ministry will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to consider further easing entry rules,…

  • World NewsSatun border between Thailand and Malaysia to reopen in April

    Satun border between Thailand and Malaysia to reopen in April

    The Satun border between Thailand and Malaysia will reopen on April 1 to all cross-border traffic. Thailand’s CCSA announced yesterday that more entry points will also be opened under the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes. These entry points include the sea port in Surat Thani for registered Thai vessels and Thai crews, as well as the airports in Hat…

  • Thailand TravelThailand to scrap pre-arrival Covid-19 tests from April

    Thailand to scrap pre-arrival Covid-19 tests from April

    The CCSA has announced that starting April 1, travellers arriving in Thailand from abroad won’t have to take pre-arrival Covid-19 tests (before they travel to Thailand). The scrapping of pre-arrival tests will also apply to Hat Yai airport, in addition to the current Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai and U-tapao airports. A CCSA spokesman said the CCSA…

  • World NewsForeigners wanting to study in Japan likely can by end of May

    Foreigners wanting to study in Japan likely can by end of May

    After about 150,000 foreign students have been kept from studying in Japan, they will likely be allowed to finally enter the country by the end of May. A Japanese government spokesman said yesterday that in March, a new priority entry program will start before the new school year. The spokesman said it’s unclear how many of the 150,000 students who…

  • World NewsMalaysian minister announces vaccinated travel lane with Thailand, Cambodia

    Malaysian minister announces vaccinated travel lane with Thailand, Cambodia

    Malaysia’s Transport Minister announced today that the country’s government is preparing to start a Vaccinated Travel Lane with Thailand and Cambodia as early as the middle of this month. The minister said the VTL will follow the same model as the VTL between Singapore’s Changi International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In the VTL, travellers who enter Malaysia take…

  • Thailand NewsThai officials talk of replacing second PCR test for Test & Go entry with ATK

    Thai officials talk of replacing second PCR test for Test & Go entry with ATK

    Day 5 requirements of Thailand’s Test & Go entry scheme has been discouraging some potential tourists from travelling to Thailand. Not only is a second RT-PCT test needed on the fifth day of their stay (the first test on arrival), but travellers are required to book a night at a hotel approved by the Safety and Health Administration while the…

  • World NewsTaiwan to ease entry restrictions, cut quarantine to 10 days in March

    Taiwan to ease entry restrictions, cut quarantine to 10 days in March

    Taiwan plans to relax its strict COVID-19 quarantine policy beginning in March, in order to reopen to the world and gradually resume normal life, the government said on Tuesday. Since the start of the pandemic, Taiwan has enforced a blanket two-week quarantine on everyone arriving to the island, even while its neighbours in Asia began implementing reopening strategies last year,…

  • World NewsUPDATE: Indonesia welcomes fully vaxxed travellers with 5 day quarantine from today

    UPDATE: Indonesia welcomes fully vaxxed travellers with 5 day quarantine from today

    Fully vaxxed and dreaming of white beaches? Starting from today, Indonesia welcomes you with a reduced quarantine of 5 days. You might even be able to book a direct flight to Bali this month, if you’re traveling from select countries. For those with a single jab, the duration of quarantine is reduced from 10 to 7 days. Ministry of Coordinating…

  • Tourism NewsTomorrow, Thailand opens its borders to the world (terms & conditions apply)

    Tomorrow, Thailand opens its borders to the world (terms & conditions apply)

    Thailand’s Test & Go entry scheme returns tomorrow after a short hiatus, during which it’s had a makeover. The scheme is now open to travellers from every country in the world and not just the previous 63 approved countries. Great news! However, travellers will now have to take not 1, not 2, but 3 PCR tests in order to participate…

  • Covid-19 NewsUK and the EU brace for more Omicron-induced closures and restrictions

    UK and the EU brace for more Omicron-induced closures and restrictions

    The UK and EU are going into a mild travel panic as borders start to close again and restrictions re-imposed. Last night France imposed a ban on travel to and from the country, except for “travel for compelling reasons”. The only “compelling” exemptions are for French and European travellers returning to France, or UK passengers heading in the other direction. Back…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | More Dark red zones, ‘coup rumour’ quashed | August 2

    Thailand News Today | More Dark red zones, ‘coup rumour’ quashed | August 2

    You can donate to our “I Am Strong Campaign” here…. https://gogetfunding.com/the-thaigers-i-am-strong-campaign/ Starting off with an extended report on the new restrictions in Dark Red Zones, and exactly how the new zonings may affect you. Down south, and Phuket has been re-categorised, going from a “yellow” zone to an “orange” zone. Following a rumour that a military coup to remove PM…

  • Tourism NewsThai tourism likely to hit rock bottom this year

    Thai tourism likely to hit rock bottom this year

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand says both international and domestic tourism are likely to drop to an all-time low this year. The Bangkok Post reports that the TAT predicts international arrivals may only number 1 million, with domestic tourism dropping to just 50 – 60 million trips. Yuthasak Supasorn from the TAT says the target of 3 million foreign arrivals…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment meeting to address rising Covid-19, action to take

    Government meeting to address rising Covid-19, action to take

    With Covid-19 growing and record numbers being reported, the government is on edge and considering stricter measures to try to contain the spiralling pandemic. Yesterday saw 2 morbid benchmarks surpassed as daily infection numbers crept past 10,000 for the first time and daily Covid-19 deaths were over 100 for the first time. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will be…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | More travel restrictions, cocktail vaccines, gold price surges | July 15

    Thailand News Today | More travel restrictions, cocktail vaccines, gold price surges | July 15

    Those who aren’t vaccinated against Covid-19, and are travelling from a “dark red” or “red” province, won’t be allowed to enter Phuket. Meanwhile, 3 more visitors to Phuket have turned in positive Covid tests in the past 24 hours. The Chon Buri Governor has announced that 2 more factories and a construction worker camp will be closed after Covid clusters…

  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA to consider travel restrictions, other disease control measures

    CCSA to consider travel restrictions, other disease control measures

    Travel restrictions are likely to be imposed over the next few days. The Public Health Ministry is proposing stricter measures, including limits on interprovincial travel, to control the spread of the Covid-19 following the emergence of the highly transmissible Delta variant. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is set to meet tomorrow morning and discuss disease control measures. Along with limits…

  • Phuket NewsLocal carriers lack confidence in sandbox scheme, hold off resuming Phuket flights

    Local carriers lack confidence in sandbox scheme, hold off resuming Phuket flights

    Local airlines are in no rush to be part of Phuket’s much-anticipated July 1 re-opening, due to uncertain demand and the strict rules governing the sandbox model. Tassapon Bijleveld from Asia Aviation, the largest shareholder in Thai AirAsia, says strict domestic travel restrictions implemented on red zone provinces as a result of the third wave, have led to plummeting load…