Thailand’s opening to all tourists will be gradual
The government has presented another plan to open up tourism.
From November 1 to November 30: Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, Prachuap Khiri Khan, including Hua Hin and Nong Kae districts are planned to open. Phetchaburi, including Cha-am district. Chonburi, including Pattaya, Jomtien and Bang Saray districts. Ranong, including Ko Phayam. Chiang Mai, including Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao districts. Loei, including Chiang Khan district. Buriram, including Muang district.
from 1 to 31 December: Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Phrae, Nong Khai, Sukhothai, Phetchabun, Pathumthani, Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Trat, Rayong, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phat Khla, Yahla and Narathiwat.
Surin, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Nan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Satun are expected to start receiving tourists by January 2022 .
Tourists from Kazakhstan can now also visit resorts in Thailand
Kazakhstan has been included in the list of countries whose residents can obtain a visa upon arrival and come on holiday under the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus programs . The Sputnik V and Vero Cell vaccines, currently available to Kazakhstanis, have been certified by the Ministry of Health of Thailand. Kazakhstanis can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival. Its cost will be $70, the duration of stay on this visa is up to 15 days.
Tourists from other countries with a visa on arrival (VoA) can fly to Thailand under the Phuket Sandbox program:
- Before flying to Thailand, make sure you have been approved for a Certificate of Entry (COE). A paper version is required. You can apply for a COE for a visa on arrival here .
- Upon arrival, download the mobile app.
- Be prepared for document checks at the Health and Quarantine Centre at Phuket International Airport.
- To apply for a visa on arrival, you will need:
– A completed application form, which will be issued on site;
– A passport with at least 30 days of validity;
– A confirmed return ticket;
– A SHABA confirmation of a SHA Plus hotel reservation for at least seven days;
– A showing of 10,000 baht per person (20,000 baht per family) in any currency;
– 2,000 baht for the visa fee. - Go through passport control.
- Collect your luggage at the baggage claim area.
- Go through customs control.
- Leave the terminal and take the mandatory PCR test for coronavirus at the station located outside.
- Travel to your SHA Plus hotel by taxi with a similar certificate (transfer must be booked in advance, no stops along the route are allowed).
Separately, in red, the notification indicates that a visa on arrival is issued only for 15 days without the possibility of extension.
Long-term visa extended for another year
We are talking about a special tourist visa STV, which was launched a year ago to attract wealthy travelers. The visa allows you to stay in the country for 90 days and can be extended twice – this means that you can stay in Thailand on a tourist visa for up to 9 months. To obtain it, you need an impressive amount in the account and other conditions .
The visa was introduced for a year, but it has now been extended until September 30, 2022.
Source: bangkokpost.com
Crypto tourism in Thailand
What programs have not been developed during the pandemic. The new idea is that the Thai authorities will issue a tourist token and NFT. Crypto nomads will be offered bitcoin cards.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, or TAT, will be developing the new industry direction. The Kingdom hopes to create a comfortable environment for cryptocurrency holders. Bitcoin payments will become more accessible, and a new TAT Coin will appear in circulation.
The initiative is still in its early stages, with officials studying its viability and compliance with the law. At the same time, the agency is negotiating with the Stock Exchange of Thailand about distributing the coin.
The agency’s short-term goal is to capitalize on travelers’ interest. In the long term, the agency hopes to modernize the leisure and business travel industry.
Other ideas that could be implemented soon include offering bitcoin cards at the country’s airports. Crypto nomads – users who actively travel the world and own digital assets – will be able to use these cards while traveling to make purchases without high fees.
Source: bitok.blog
Tourist life in Phuket at the moment
In Phuket, all beaches are currently open, restaurants and cafes are working, shopping centers and shops are also open, but safety measures are observed in public places (masks, distance).
From October 1, you can again buy alcohol in cafes and restaurants until 10 p.m. Billiards, computer and gaming clubs will also open, and events with no more than 200 participants will be allowed.
To visit excursions with departure to another province, you will need (provided that you spent 7 days in a quarantine hotel in Phuket):
- a certificate from the hotel stating that you spent 7 days after arrival;
- vaccination certificate in English;
- Morchana app on your phone to track location;
- copy of passport;
- a Covid test for a period of no more than 72 hours (the test requirement is planned to be lifted from October 16).
Entertainment options available:
- diving;
- yacht rental;
- Hanuman World Park;
- Tarzan Park;
- Safari programs A, C, D, Lovers;
- programs to the islands (dates and availability of groups on request).
It is worth considering that not all the islands are in Phuket Province and you can go there only after 7 days have passed according to the new rules. The islands in Phuket Province are: Racha, Coral.
