Traditionally, now would be the start of Thailand ’s highly profitable high season for the tourism industry. But not this year. Minister for Sports and Tourism, Pipat Ratchakitprakan, has announced that Thailand’s tourism is close until the second quarter of next year.
This means that tourist visas, such as e-Visa and visa-on-arrival, apart from the new TR and STV visa will still be on hold.
In a speech this week Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke clearly that only when a vaccine is approved, produced, and implemented, would the country open to substantial tourism.
Currently, Thailand’s borders are open and tourists can gain access to the country through the new TR and STV visas. STV visa will allow them to stay in Thailand for 90 days. It can be renewed twice, for 90 days each time. The special tourist visa will cost 2,000 baht.
The tourists will undergo a mandatory 14-day state quarantine on arrival at partner hotels or hospitals. All foreigners entering the country will need to buy Covid-19 insurance. In addition to having insurance cover, travellers need to provide the nearest Thai embassy with a Fit to Fly Health Certificate and a negative swab test valid within 72 hours of the flight departing for Thailand.
