BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Beginning May 1, visitors to Thailand who are completely vaccinated against the coronavirus will not be required to undergo any tests or quarantine upon arrival, a move that officials hope would help the country's valuable tourism industry recover.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Friday that "several countries have already reduced travel restrictions." "We are a country that is heavily reliant on tourism, especially in these difficult times." This will assist in the advancement of the economy."
Unvaccinated tourists will still need to show verification of negative findings from an RT-PCR test done no more than 72 hours before arrival, according to new restrictions released by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
All tourists must still register for a "Thailand Pass" online system and show proof of health insurance with at least $10,000 in coverage for COVID-19 therapy.
Even fully vaccinated passengers have been compelled to take RT-PCR tests upon arrival and then stay in a government-approved hotel for one night until the findings are known under the current arrival method known as "Test and Go." A self-administered quick antigen test was required on the fifth day of their stay.
The Public Health Ministry revealed 21,808 additional confirmed coronavirus cases and 128 associated deaths on Friday, bringing the total number of cases and deaths to 4,128,038 since the epidemic began in 2020.
The official data are based on RT-PCR tests, and the number of new cases does not include 20,635 positive antigen test findings, which would bring the total to 42,443. Many more positive self-administered antigen test findings may have gone unnoticed by authorities.
