Thailand opens for visitors from 63 countries - Thailand Pass operational from 1st November

On his Facebook page Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha announced on 21 October, that Thailand opens the country for fully vaccinated visitors from 46 countries, who arrive by airplanes. The Ministry of Forein Affairs announced the 46 countries shortly after his announcement. On 30 October 17 more countries have been added. The countries, from where the residents can enter with Thailand Pass Test and Go system (exemption from quarantine):

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Children under the age of 18 who are not eligible for vaccination, and are travelling with parents, only need to do a RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. Also adult people have to do this test.
See from which countries you can enter Thailand without a Visa for tourism purposes here.



An article by Thaiger shows how Bangkok is preparing for the entry of fully vaccinated international tourists from first of November. On Thaiger we read, that the tourists, who have arrived at Bangkoks airports Suvarnabumi and Don Muang, will be tested outside of the airport in swab hubs. Approved limousines will bring these guests to SHA plus hotels, where they will have to stay in the hotel room until they get the negative test result. They will be tested at these hotels or in nearby test hubs. According to this report over 300 hotels are waiting to receive the SHA plus certificate. See list of SHA plus hotels in Bangkok. See Bangkok SHA plus Hotels Google Map

As Richard Barrow tweets, the arriving guests will have to book a SHA+ hotel for the first night within a two hour drive from the international airport. For example, if you land at Suvarnbhumi, you can go straight to Pattaya, but for Hua Hin, must stay in Bangkok.

How to get Thailand Pass and who still has to register for COE

The CCSA (Centre for Covid-19 situation administration) has announced that the new Thailand Pass system will be operational on 1st November. The process then can take 7 working days. Therefore Thailand Pass registration is for people who travel after 8 November. Until then travellers have to do the COE (Certificate of Entry) registration process at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ and COE registrations will be valid after 1st of November. But the mentioned 7 days of staying in a SHA plus hotel are not definite. At the immigration Public Health officers will that reduce to 1 day. From 1 November 2021, the Certificate of Entry (COE) registration website will be closed for new registrations. But it will allow travellers, whose application has been pre-approved, to continue their application process to obtain COE until 7 November 2021.

Travellers who are in the process of requesting a COE and travel before 12 November can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.

Travellers, who will travel before 12 November must still request a COE around two weeks before travelling. You can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.

The registration for Thailand Pass will be possible at thailandpass.go.th/ from 1st November. Thailand Pass will require travelers to upload a vaccine certificate. Travelers can then download the Thailand Pass QR Code immediately after receiving the approval.

By doing Thailand Pass registration, you may get an error at the end. If this happens, do, what thaiger.com recommends: Thailand Pass workaround for API error.



The Regulations for Entry in Thailand

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published formal regulations for entry to Thailand as follows:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the following FAQs. The Ministry says:
If your COE has been pre-approved, you will need to submit the rest of the required documents by 7 November 2021. Otherwise, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.

If your COE has not been pre-approved by 1 November 2021, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.

Exemption from Quarantine scheme: You can travel to any destinations in Thailand once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative.


Entry to Thailand with Sandbox scheme

Travellers from any country of the world can use the Sandbox scheme: You can travel freely in the sandbox area for the duration of 7 days once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative. Once you have completed your 7-day mandatory stay within the Sandbox area, you can travel freely to other parts of Thailand. There are 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations:

Bangkok, Krabi, Chon Buri (Banlamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, Sattahip - Na Jomtien, Bang Sarey), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng), Trat (Ko Chang), Buri Ram (Mueang), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae), Phang Nga, Phetchaburi (Cha Am), Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam), Rayong (Ko Samet), Loei (Chiang Khan), Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport), Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao), Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo), Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban, Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han and Prachaksinlapakham).

Read this checklist.


Updated informations about Thailand Pass can be found here.


Read more about COE registration:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao

After the Military Coup in Thailand: Informations you can trust

13.6.2014

Thailands Curfew has been lifted countrywide: The National Council for Peace and Order announced the lifting of curfew nationwide Friday night with immediate effect. The military junta said there were no more signs of violece in the areas still concerned. (The Nation).

Thailands rice farmers are paid until June 22: Coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said in his Friday night televison adress that debts owed to all farmers under the rice-pledging program of the former government of Yingluck Shinawatra would be cleared on June 22 as promised, and that 80% of 600,000 farmers had received money already. (Bangkok Post). Prayuth has announced also, that the rice-pledging program will not be continued. This means: The government will not garantee rice prices above the market prices anymore. (Thai PBS)


7.6.2014

Junta-Leader as Songwriter: "Return Happiness to Thailand" (listen) is a song composed by no one other than General Prayuth Chan-ocha. The four-minute tune debuted on an army radio station on Friday,as Bangkok Post reports. "Gen Prayuth composed the lyrics to send his message to Thais and encourage them to be united again," said Col Kritsada Sarika, commander of the army band. There are comments about this: ploydonut writes: When I listen to this song, it make me smile and be happy and I do hope that he make one song every week for us or sing the song for us on the TV. (Bangkok Post)


Anti-coup leader Sombat Boonngam-anong has been catched: A test for Thailands military junta: How will she treat Sombat Boonngam-anong after he has been nabbed by police and soldiers in Chon Buri? (The Nation)

Curfew lifted in tourist areas in Thailand, but not in Bangkok and Chiang Mai: Thailands National Council for Peace and Order on Friday lifted curfew in Phetchburi’s Cha-am district, Prachuab Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district, Krabi and Phang Nga provinces. Earlier id had been lifted in Pattaya, in Phuket and on Koh Samui.(The Nation) The June 12 full-moon party on Koh Phangan will go ahead as planned after the army gave the operator the green light.(Bangkok Post)

Moves against corruption: The National Anti-Corruption Commission set up a committee to investigate assets of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and former minister who were involved in the rice-pledging scheme. Junta chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Friday night that invesigations into alleged frauds in the rice-pledging scheme are pending and wrongdoers would be punished in line with the justice system. (The Nation).
Thai consumer confidence increasing after coup: Thai consumer confidence index increased for the first time in 14 months, reaching the highest score in four months in May on hope that the coup would bring about political stability, according to a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. (The Nation)


1.6.2014

Thai forces descend on central Bangkok to stifle coup protests: Thailand's military government sent thousands of troops and police into central Bangkok on Sunday to stop any demonstrations against its seizure of power, and some shopping malls and train stations closed to avoid trouble.(Reuters) Police reopen roads around the Democracy Monument at 11:30 Sunday after no protesters showed up. (The Nation). About 100 anti-coup protesters have gathered in front of Terminal 21 department store at the Asoke intersection. (Bangkok Post)

In junta-ruled Thailand, reading is now resistance: On Saturday evening in Bangkok about a dozen people gathered in the middle of a busy, elevated walkway connecting several of the capital’s most luxurious shopping malls. As pedestrians trundled past, the protesters sat down, pulled out book titles such as George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four” — a dystopian novel about life in a totalitarian surveillance state — and began to read. Read more. (Associated Press)


29.5.2014

Police shake-up cuts ties to Thaksin: Since the military took over administrative power last week, scores of high-ranking police have been removed from their posts for their alleged links with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The Junta moves in officers it can trust. (Bangkok Post)

On Koh Tao one would not know there was a coup or curfew in operation: "All businesses are operating normally and there has been no effect on night life or restaurants", writes Goodtime Adventures on tripadvisor.com.

About 1,300 soldiers and police were dispatched to the Victory Monument on Thursday to prevent another demonstration against the coup: After several rallies the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Thursday closed all roads to the Victory monument for about three hours from 3.30pm with troops and police in anti-riot gear. (Bangkok Post). From 6.20 pm the roads were reopened.


28.5.2014

Thai military rulers appoint anti-Thaksin advisers: Thailand's junta has appointed two retired generals with palace connections as advisers, the former defense minister, General Prawit Wongsuwan, and former army chief General Anupong Paochinda. A Reuters report in December revealed that Prawit and Anupong had secretly backed the anti-government protests that undermined the government of Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. (Reuters)


Facebook shortly blocked: Thai Facebook users were alarmed on Wednesday when the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry blocked access to the site at the request of the military, but the junta blamed the brief shutdown on a technical problem. (Reuters)


NCPO holding 76, freezes assets of four more: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is still detaining 76 people who have turned themselves in, and has frozen the assets of four other people who defied its order to report to the junta leaders: Charupong Ruangsuwan, former interior minister and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Chaturon Chaisaeng, former education minister and key figure of Pheu Thai, Prasit Chaisrisa, former Pheu Thai MP for Surin, and red-shirt activist Sombat Boonngam-anong. (Bangkok Post)


Despite its Red Shirt reputation, Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai, has remained calm since the coup: A week into the coup, army troops continue to be a highly visible presence on Chiang Mai's streets with bases set up at two of the main gates that ring the old city. (Al Jazeera)


27.5.2014

Curfew reduced: Now from midnight to 4am: Thailands military junta announced the reduction of curfew time. New time from Wednesday: From midnight to 4am. Shopping Centres reacted quickly: On Wednesday back to normal: Open from 10am to 10 pm (The Nation)


26.5.2014

Rice farmers are getting paid: Rice farmers across Thailand were delighted as payments under the rice-pledging scheme resumed Monday under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). (The Nation). 90 billion baht are going be paid out in the next month according to Bangkok Post.

Suthep Thaugsuban free on bail, appears at court: The leader of the anti-government protests, Suthep Thaugsuban, on Monday was released on bail after appearing in court for his involvement in the political violence in 2010. He was indicted in the Criminal Court on charges of murder and attempted murders for allegedly ordering the military crackdown on red-shirt protesters in 2010, causing 98 deaths and hundreds of injuries. (Bangkok Post). He had been kept in military detention. (The Nation)

Royal endorsement for Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO):  The coup leader said Thailands King had formally endorsed his position as head of the NCPO. . (Bangkok Post) The annoiuncement by King Bhumibol Adulyadej was published on en.khaosod.co.th.

Thai "Red Shirts" cornered: With leaders rounded up and soldiers deployed in their rural heartlands, Thailand's "Red Shirts" have gone to ground but experts say they will regroup. Read more by AFP.


25.5.2014 

Yingluck Shinawatra: The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) released the former prime minister from an army camp on Sunday night, an army source said. (Bangkok Post). But the junta continued actions against the political clan of her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra. His only son, Panthongtae,  was taken into custody at Chiang Mai international airport. (Thai PBS). And Chiang Mai police boss Krit Kittilue was transferred to another post on Sunday. (Bangkok Post). Later it was reported, that this transfer was cancelled. (Bangkok Post) Chiang Mai is a stronghold of the Shinawatra family and the Redshirts. Therefore the situation here is delicate, as Reuters describes. 
 

24.5.2014

Yingluck Shinawatra: The former Prime Minister, her elder sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and husband Somchai are in military custody at a safehouse in Saraburi, the centre of the Army Calvary force. This was confirmed by Channel 3 reporter Thapanee Ietsrichai according to Thai PBS TV. Yingluck’s close aide Mrs Supakarn Suprakarn, a member of Chiang Mai provincial administration said all were safe and still living comfortably. Thapanee tweets on her Twitter that Ms Yingluck was escorted to the Adisorn barrack of the Cavalry Centre. Read also Chiangrai Times.

Senate dissvolved, Police chief sacked: National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has ordered the dissolution of Thailands Senate. Police General Adul Saengsingkaew had been moved to an inactive post in the Prime Minister's Office. He has been seen as loyal Thaksin Shinawatra. (Bangkok Post)

Money for the rice farmers: Coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has announced he plans to use a national budget to pay for the rice that farmers. They have been waiting for the money for months without receiving it from the Shinawatra government. The state rice-buying scheme was one of the key policies in the populist electoral platform that brought ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra to power in 2011. It was criticized by opponents who played a role in driving her from office for running up huge losses and being riddled with corruption. The scheme boosted rural incomes but made it impossible for the government to sell the rice on the export market without incurring big losses.(Bangkok Post, Reuters)

Anti-Coup-Protests: For 8pm a protest against the #ThaiCoup was announced on Facebook. People are asked to take pics of themselves holding candles. Anti-coup protesters demonstrated at Chang Puak Gate (North Side of moat). See pictures on Twitter. Protests as well on Pahonyothin Road, at Victory Monument and on MBK Skywalk in Bangkok, see pictures on Twitter.


23.5.2014

TV: CNN, BBC and the normal program of Thai TV Stations have been shut down by the military. But internet ist not shut down. Thai TV CH. 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 will go back on air Friday afternoon but not ThaiPBS.

Border crossings: There are no problems for internationaltourists entering and leaving Thailand by airports. On land borders Military is preventing Thai persons from leaving Thailand. Read more on The Nation. But it seams, that holders of passports can cross borders (The Cambodia Herald). No problems are reported in Twiutter by tourists.

Border Thailand/Laos:
Nong Khai border crossing restricted. Massive traffic jams atThai-Lao Friendship Bridge
Border Thailand/Myanmar:
Myawaddy-Mae Sot Border Crossing was briefly closed and reopened, development unclear.
Border Thailand/Cambodia:
Chong Chom Border crossing closed

Chong Sa Ngom Border Crossing closed
Aranyaprathet/Poipet border crossing: Restrictions



Read more:

Soldiers, selfies and a military coup: The unusual state of tourism in Thailand (CNN).

Thailand coup: Military leader summons politicians.Ousted leader Yingluck Shinawatra, the acting PM and his government, and protest leaders were among those told to report in to the army.(BBC) Later in the day a military-spokesman said, that Yingluck Shinawatra is beeing detained for some days, with her her sister and brother-in-law.(Reuters) On her Facebook-Page until now no notice about this.

Richard Barrow, a blogger in Bangkok, is reporting on twitter.com/RichardBarrow. Former PM Yingluck reports to NPOMC at Royal Thai Army auditorium in Thewes area. Taxi Services at Suvarnabhumi Airport are available for 24 hours. Tourist are allowed to travel to and from airports also d uring curfew from 22pm to 5am. Friends report that land borders in Nong Khai and Pailin (Cambodia) are closed.

Thai journalist is protesting against censorship on picture.

Ousted prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan has reported to the junta's new National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC), (Bangkok Post).

Nine roads in Bangkok which were earlier occupied by either pro- or anti-government protesters remained closed or partially closed on Friday morning. (Bangkok Post)
NPOMC prohibits 155 persons from travelling abroad, among them Yingluck Shinawatra. (The Nation)

UDD, PDRC leaders remain detained, others released (The Nation)

Thailands Junta, the "National Peace and Order Maintaing Council", has quickly opened a Facebook-Page.


Background:
"Everyone sit still" - Thai general calmly declares his coup How Thailand's army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha gathered the leaders of pro- and anti-government protests for a closed-door meeting and how they saw themselves suddenly trapped.(Reuters)

Thailand militarisation is symptom of accelerating global system failure. Crippling fossil fuel dependency, climate volatility, rocketing debt levels are propelling protests, radicalising the state. This writes Nafeez Ahmed.

Big Protests in Bangkok - Areas to avoid -How you can travel

November 29:
Many Countries now warn their citizens to avoid some areas in Bangkok, where big anti government protests are held. Among these Countries are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom according to Thai PBS. The protests are held in the government area around Democracy Monument. Some important tourist attractions as The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Phra Athit and Kao San Road have so far not been affected. A Google Map by Richard Barrow shows the protest areas.

Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport have so far not been affected by the protest and are operating normally. Due to the closure of important roads it might be difficult to reach some areas of Bangkok. There could also be a taxi shortage. Suvarnabhumi Airport advised travellers to be there three hours before departure. It's advisable to use the Airport Rail Link to reach Bangkoks city center. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are easily to be reached by Skytrain and Chao Phraya Express Boats (change from Skytrain Saphan Taksin station, walk to Central Pier Sathorn). Like this you avoid traffic jams.

Fore more informations about the protests follow Bangkok Post and The Nation. Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes daily updates with maps, where the demonstrations are taking place.