The Thai authorities have once again replayed the rules for entering the country. At a meeting of the COVID-19 Management Center (CCSA), chaired by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prayut Chan-Och, it was decided that after December 16, vaccinated foreign tourists arriving under the SandBox program will have to stay at SHA + hotels for the first time. 7 days, not 5, as previously stated. This was announced by a representative of the CCSA at a briefing on December 13.
SHA + hotel stays are shortened by the COVID-19 Management Center confirmed less than 2 weeks ago on December 2. Numerous messages from tourists appeared in social networks, who, based on this information, have already managed to book hotels for travel dates to Thailand after December 16 for exactly 5 days. At the same time, having sent such data to the Thailand Pass electronic system, they successfully received the QR codes necessary to enter the kingdom. CCSA did not give any explanations on how to act now for travelers in such a situation. Meanwhile, some of them will have to leave for rest in the coming days. “The plane on December 17, there is simply no time left for the registration of the new Thailand Pass,” one of the tourists shares the problem. “The only option is to urgently book and pay for an additional 2 days at the SHA + hotel and travel at your own risk in the hope that with such confirmation and the previously received QR code, they will be allowed to pass at the border,” one of the discussion participants suggests.
Taking into account the inconsistent and frequently changing decisions of the Thai authorities, experts recommend that tourists focus on the updated entry conditions only after their official publication in the Royal Thai Gazette – “Royal Gazette”. Only then do the orders of the Thai government come into force.
For those who are planning to spend New Year’s holidays at Thai resorts, there is good news: on the night of December 31 to January 1, restaurants serving guests on open terraces are allowed to serve alcohol until 01:00, and not until 23:00, as established the rules in force during the period of pandemic restrictions.