Backtracking, Thailand cuts quarantine time for only 6 nationalities

Chinese tourists arrive Oct. 2 on the Special Tourist Visa at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Chinese tourists arrive Oct. 2 on the Special Tourist Visa at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo: Suvarnabhumi Airport

Update Nov. 10: Proposal to cut quarantine time for some nationalities shelved for now by health officials spooked by imported COVID.

Six lucky nations will soon be able to slash four days off Thai quarantine, a top health official announced Friday.

Arrivals from countries deemed low risk – China, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand – will only have to quarantine 10 days after the plan wins approval, Kiattiphum Wongrajit of the Public Health Ministry said.

The original plan was to reduce quarantine for all arrivals, but it went over poorly with the public. For now, everyone else will still have to do the full 14 days.  

Kiattiphum added that visitors who have completed quarantine will be required to use a tracking device and check in by phone.

The permanent secretary said tourists would only be allowed to travel to approved provinces based on how effective they are in disease control – and how willing their residents. Ten provinces are loosely planned for now, including Chonburi and Buriram. All will be proposed for later approval by the COVID-19 task force. 

Related

Thailand to cut quarantine to 10 days – but add more rules




BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on