Thailand announces quarantine-free travel from 46 countries
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that starting from November 1, 2021, Thailand will open the country to visitors from 46 low-risk countries without the need for quarantine instead of only 10 Covid-19 low-risk countries as announced earlier.
He said it was now necessary to speed up the opening. “If we wait until everything is fully ready, we’ll be too late. Besides, tourists may choose to go elsewhere,” read the post on his Facebook page.
He further added that he was aware the acceleration brought with it the risk of more local infections.
“But this is a risk we must take. I think, like other countries, Thailand is now better equipped to deal with the risk. And we need to learn to live with it.”
Visitors from the 46 countries, described as the first low-risk group, may enter Thailand by air without quarantine, provided they have been fully vaccinated and have evidence of pre-flight negative test results. They must also agree to take another test upon arrival.
Gen Prayut added that in the meantime the Public Health Ministry would speed up vaccinations locally.
He urged people to adhere to the prescribed Covid-19 health measures — wearing masks, cleaning hands frequently and observing social distancing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the names of the 45 countries and a territory shortly after the prime minister’s announcement. India is not featured in this list.
Countries/Territories according to the Notification of the Operation Centre for Measures on the Entry into and Departure from the Kingdom, and Protection of Thai Nationals Abroad dated October 21, 2021, are Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Hong Kong.
