The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Israel announced this morning (Sunday) the plan to reopen the country to tourists without the need for long-term isolation.
Starting February 1, vaccinated tourists can apply to enter Thailand and travel the country freely, with only a short quarantine at the hotel until their negative PCR results come in.
The Test & Go quarantine waiver scheme was suspended a month ago due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Now, as infection rates are slowing down, Thai authorities have decided to resume the Test & Go quarantine waiver indefinitely, and Israeli tourists can once again vacation in Thailand freely.
Entry into Thailand will be granted to fully vaccinated tourists (with at least two doses), recovered passengers immunized with at least one dose, and unvaccinated children (below 18) accompanied by their vaccinated parents.
When planning a trip to Thailand, tourists should apply electronically for an entry permit (Thailand Pass), upload their certificate of vaccination (or confirmation of recovery), and present their Test & Go Package reservation – the first-night stay at a hotel, airport shuttle, and COVID testing upon arrival. On top of that, tourists must attach proof of their hotel stay and COVID testing booked on the fifth day of arrival – anywhere in Thailand – as well as travel insurance with full corona coverage. Before boarding the plane, Israeli tourists must present a negative PCR obtained less than 72 hours before takeoff. Children up to 6 years old are exempt from this requirement and will be given saliva-only testing upon landing.
It should be noted that the first night in Thailand must be spent at the landing destination only. For Israelis, this usually means an overnight stay in Bangkok or Phuket (if traveling directly). Test & Go packages can be booked at many hotels in these two destinations or by travel agents.
For full details on applying for entry and visiting Thailand, visit the TAT News website. You can apply here for an entry into Thailand.
Those wishing to visit Thailand before the expected opening in February, or to stay at a one-holiday destination in the country, will be able to do so as part of the Sandbox scheme, allowing tourists to travel directly to a selected province and stay there for seven nights, after which they can travel freely. Among the provinces to choose from are Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani (for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao), Phang Nga, and starting February 1: Pattaya and Koh Chang.
Dov Kalmann, TAT representative in Israel: “The reopening of Thailand to tourism is great news indeed, and will allow many Israelis to vacation anywhere in the country they love so much, either now, at the height of the season, or in the coming spring and summer. Areas that have been closed for a long time are now inviting tourists to experience Thailand as they have never experienced before – with natural treasures that have flourished in the past two years, alongside businesses looking forward to hosting tourists at amazing prices on flights, hotels, and various attractions.”
