Thailand and its dream beaches are again attracting international tourists, including Chinese. stock.adobe.
The authorities’ U-turn is multiplying: vaccination certificates were not restored this Monday morning as Chinese tourists make their comeback. But the situation could still change.
Has Thailand returned to the health restrictions at the borders it scrapped last October? Ultimately, while the country welcomed tourists from China, where the Covid-19 epidemic is raging, this Monday morning and for the first time in 3 years, it will not. At least not immediately and with no guarantee for the coming days or even hours, as the country’s authorities have multiplied the about-faces and contradictory declarations in recent days.
In summary: The country, which is aiming for a mass return of tourists, has stopped requiring health documents since October 2022. But the return of the Chinese could change the situation. And several official sources (Civil Aviation, Ministry of Health) indicated at the end of the week that for international tourists from this Monday 9 the end of the month. The very official France Diplomacy website has been sharing this information since Monday morning.
The Site France Diplomatie confirmed this Monday the first information of the weekend, namely the recovery of the vaccination certificate. France Diplomacy / Screenshot
Finally, on the same Monday, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters at an airport in the country that the project had been abandoned. Definitive? Maybe not until the measure comes into effect. Thailand, which has often changed course on the issue of health restrictions, would not be the only country to restore or maintain some health commitments, even if the entire planet is now reopened to tourists. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) added that travel insurance against Covid is still required for travelers whose country of origin requires a negative PCR test on arrival.
In 2022, the kingdom welcomed 10 million international visitors, a significant jump from 430,000 in 2021 but still far from pre-pandemic levels. Thailand hopes to attract 20 to 25 million visitors this year, including five million Chinese.
Also readTravel requirements in Thailand: What you need to know to get there
The US is keeping vaccinations compulsory
The expected return of Chinese tourists is prompting some destinations to maintain restrictions, sometimes extended to all foreign visitors. This is the case in the United States, which requires all travelers to provide full proof of vaccinations by April 10th.
This article will be updated.
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