More easing of travel restrictions might be coming soon
These might include completely withdrawing the RT-PCR tests, Thailand Pass and Test-and-Go scheme
When will that happen? Find out next
A quadruple punch for Thailand's tourism revival is Russia's war in Ukraine
China's COVID policies restricting Chinese travel abroad
Rising inflation in the US and Thailand's tough COVID entry policies
Russian tourists who visit Thailand in January and February outnumber any other countries
It was a godsend to the country's struggling tourist economy
which had been struggling to get back on its feet
but western sanctions and cooperative actions meant Russian credit cards didn't work
Sending Russian tourists scrambling for cash to pay for food and accommodation
As the ruble crashed, Russian vacationers cut their trips short to avoid being stranded when Russia's largest airline
Aeroflot suspended almost all international flights in March
then the Chinese tourists, who were Thailand's biggest customers in the tourism industry before the outbreak in 2019
No longer visit the country's temples and beaches because of covet restrictions in China
The pandemic has taken a two-year toll on the global tourist business
and now the senseless war in Ukraine is taking an even greater toll on the economy
As result, Thailand and Vietnam can expect minimal business from Russia in 2022
the effect of the Russian war extends beyond these locations
oil costs have risen, making travel more expensive worldwide
because western planes are prohibited from flying in Russian airspace
some flights are taking substantially longer
a Finland Airline has resurrected a cold war era route to japan via the North Pole
adding three hours to the journey from Helsinki
The US inflation rate keeps heading higher
At the time of this upload, it is up to 8.5%
Inflation in the us is rising at its fastest rate in more than 40 years
putting pressure on consumers and wiping out recent salary raises for many
prices have risen as a result of constrained supply chains, increased consumer demand and disruptions in global food
and energy markets exacerbated by Russia's war with Ukraine
Along with the tough entry requirements to the kingdom
As a result, many people in the United States will have to put off their vacations
to places like Thailand and go somewhere closer to home instead
With a goal of 7 million visitor arrivals this year
The Thai government and the tourism industry must work together to propose further relaxations of travel restrictions
Give this video a thumbs up if you want to end all PCR testing, Thailand Pass and the Test-and-Go scheme
Right now, you're seeing Bangkok international airport on April 14th
two weeks after they removed the pre-travel RT-PCR test for air travelers
This is on the top floor for travelers departing
I'm going to tell you what I see and compare it to what I saw back in last November
When the country first reopens to international tourists
What I see now is that there are a lot more Asians or Thais departing
They could be Chinese but most likely not
Since the Chinese are not allowed to travel abroad
There are some Europeans or North Americans
I don't notice seeing any Indians or Arabs at all
it seems many thais are here leaving for other parts of the country or traveling abroad
As reported by Bangkokpost on May 1st
Antigen testing for foreign visitors is likely to replace RT-PCR tests
in an attempt to attract more tourists and revive a weakening tourist industry
Instead of RT-PCR tests, travelers arriving by air would be subjected to antigen testing upon arrival
and extra airport officials would be on hand to ensure the process works smoothly and quickly
if the antigen testing is approved, travelers don't have to book a SHA Extra+ or
alternative quarantine hotel to stay overnight waiting for the results of RT-PCR testing
The anagen testing should take no longer than 15 to 30 minutes to complete on site
Before the authorities approve the plan
They are looking at the number of new infections from visitors that arrived in Thailand at the beginning of this month
The prime minister wants to assess infection rates following a long weekend during Songkran
then he will determine if further relaxation of travel restrictions is warranted
To boost the tourism industry
Travel restrictions have been loosened steadily since November of last year
Last week, the Thai government withdrew the requirement for a pre-travel RT-PCR test
for air travelers arriving in the kingdom under its Test-and-Go, Sandbox and Alternative Quarantine schemes
Effective April 1, although they are still subject to a RT-PCR test upon arrival
This is on another floor where the restaurants and coffee shops are located
As of now, almost all or about 90% of the shops on this floor are open for business and there are plenty of customers
Compared to last year, all of these shops were closed
It appears that more people are traveling now but it is still a fraction of what it was before all the lockdowns in 2019
This is the arrival area, this part is closed off
Anyone unauthorized cannot enter
There are multiple tables at the last checkpoint
I believe this is where travelers wait to be picked up by their hotel and wait a night for their test
It appears to be quite busy
The next Songkran or the Thai new year's holiday
from April 13th to 15th, will determine if the authorities will further relax the travel restriction rules or not
The infection rate in April during Songkran, one of the biggest holiday events in the country
Might result in the withdrawal of the test and go scheme and the Thailand Pass on June 1st
If the authorities decide to withdraw the Test-and-Go, and the Thailand Pass
Thailand will almost be back to pre-pandemic
but international travelers flying into the country will still be required to have an antigen test upon arrival
Mainly to keep the trust of the locals
The end of RT-PCR tests, Thailand Pass and the Test-and-Go scheme are in the proposal stage
They still require approval from the public health ministry based on the coveted caseload during the Songkran holiday
Please Like and Subscribe to keep up to date and we'll let you know the final decision in the next few weeks
What do you think?
Do you think the Thai authorities will end all three requirements or not?
Leave your comments below
I think this will happen soon
as long as the death rate from COVID among Thais remain low relative to the number of infections
Wanna see what happened when Thailand banned all international visitors for almost two years?
Watch this video on the left
if you want to know the three methods to enter Thailand now
watch this video on the right