The lockdown year of 2020 has made the world work and live from indoors but now seems ready to open its doors to traveling again. While people have already started traveling domestically, international traveling has also started to come into effect. Amongst the first countries to open its door to all tourists from around the world is Thailand.
Preparing itself to welcome people, Thailand has laid down certain rules to help them plan a safe trip.
- They have made it compulsory for the visitors to undergo a PCR test and a mandatory quarantine on arrival in-country.
- Thailand had earlier reopened its border for people with work permits, residents, or those who had their family living in Thailand.
- The tourist visa would now last up to 60 days (about 2 months), but this would also include the 14 days (about 2 weeks) in which they would have to self-isolate at a state quarantine hotel.
- They have also introduced a concept of a ‘Special Tourist Visa’ available to people coming from low-risk countries like Australia and China. This visa will be valid until a period of 90 days (about 3 months) with the capacity to be extended for up to nine months.
- Tourists would also have to provide a negative test done not more than 72 hours (about 3 days) before their arrival and do a test when they land in Thailand. In case of testing positive, one must quarantine in a state hospital for 14 days instead of isolating in a state hotel.
- Tourists are also expected to carry with them medical insurance that would at least last them until their stay in Thailand.
The government has taken these steps to revive the tourism sector of Thailand, which contributes to approximately 20 percent of the country’s GDP and would also help their residents stay safe.