Thailand announced on June 17 that it would lift its much-anticipated pre-registration process for foreign visitors from July 1.
The “Thailand Pass” system, in which foreign tourists had to obtain prior approval from the Thai authorities.
Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakashtan told reporters that the Thailand pass system would be phased out from July 1, removing one of the country’s last remaining travel restrictions.
In addition, all travelers will no longer need to purchase travel insurance to enter Thailand, The CNA, citing the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), has said,
It added that masks would still be recommended for the general public, but would not be mandatory to go out unless the area was crowded or well ventilated.
However, visitors will now only have to carry a vaccine certificate or give a COVID test on arrival.
For social gatherings, CCSA spokesman Taweesin Wisanuyothin said rapid antigen tests would only be necessary for individuals showing respiratory symptoms.
“Antigen testing will be done only in suspected cases showing respiratory symptoms. In case of gathering of more than 2,000 people, please notify the infectious disease committee in the provinces or Bangkok to monitor and prevent transmission,” he said. Told.
On Friday, the CCSA also said there were 348,699 international arrivals in Thailand between June 1 and June 15, most of which were travelers from Malaysia, India, Singapore, Vietnam and the US.
In 2019, nearly 40 million people visited Thailand, but after being hit by COVID, the world’s most popular travel destinations came to a standstill.
But as the pandemic subsided, the tourism-dependent state gradually eased restrictions to increase the number of visitors. Last year, the country saw less than 1 percent of tourists compared to 2019, despite easing its quarantine requirements.
According to government data, there were over 1.6 million foreign tourist arrivals during the first six months of 2022, with foreign tourist receipts recorded at 99.7 billion baht.
Thailand suffered more than 30,000 COVID-19 deaths overall but has largely controlled its outbreaks, helped by a vaccination rate of more than 80 percent.
(with inputs from agencies)