“Thailand has lifted all Covid border restrictions and now makes long stays easier”, reports Gordon Fernandes of Asia Pacific Superyachts, adding, “We are thrilled to welcome back luxury vessels to cruise the beautiful islands of the Andaman Seas and the Gulf of Thailand.
The Thai government has announced vaccination proof/ATK test results are no longer needed, while the period of stay in the kingdom is extended to 45 days for tourists entitled to visa exemption and to 30 days for Visa on Arrival.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to advise that international travellers to Thailand will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results, and a longer length of stay will be on offer, signalling the completion of the kingdom’s full reopening to international yacht visitors and tourism.
Effective from Oct 1st through 31 March, 2023, the period of stay in Thailand will be extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories entitled for visa exemption, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). (See below image: “Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand”)
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “Thailand has fully reopened to the world’s tourists with the message, through the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, that our fascinating destination offers something for everyone under the ‘From A-Z: Amazing Thailand Has It All’ concept.”
Thailand began a carefully planned gradual reopening to international tourism from 1 July, 2021, with the Phuket Sandbox, Samui Plus, and 7+7 Extension programmes. This was followed by a four-phase reopening timeline from October 2021 to January 2022 in which destinations throughout the country reopened to tourists. On 1 July, 2022, came the removal of the Thailand Pass registration scheme, and foreign nationals as of then only had to show proof of vaccination or a negative ATK test result within 72 hours of travel.
Now, with the kingdom fully reopened, international visitor and yachts arrivals are on the rise, international events and local festivals are being held, and major international and regional airlines are resuming flights from countries around the world. Furthering Thailand’s standing as a world-class gastronomy destination, the sixth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand is due for release at the end of 2022. It will feature for the first time Northeast Thailand or Isan in addition to Bangkok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Phang-Nga.