I bought a ticket for Bangkok at the end of September, I will need to move to January 2022 if the government doesn’t lift the quarantine and restricted areas. Lucky mentions Australia and New Zealand. There is a small, somber memorial park to honor those who died in the tragedy, but the resort areas are otherwise revived and looking as beautiful as ever. Hopefully that goes through asap, putting to rest this issue. I think even the most conservative approach to reopening only had us living in fear for a temporary period of time, until a vaccine could build up herd immunity with as few casualties along the way as possible. I’d no more go to Pattaya than fly to the moon (…and Phuket isn’t much better). About BenBen Schlappig (aka Lucky) is a travel consultant, blogger, and avid points collector. Everything quoted above is effectively just someone’s hope/proposal. It’s one thing if Thailand wouldn’t settle for anything but zero cases, but that’s not quite the case in Thailand. Featured. The official site of Tourism Authority of Thailand. After quarantine, free to travel around without any further bookings of accommodation needed. I really hope they open up sooner than planned. in early July. I get Thailand not wanting to throw their doors open to Americans and Europeans until their own population is vaccinated. We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). About Ko Lanta. For the ultimate experience, however, nothing beats the chance to see elephants in their natural environment—and Khao Yai National Park provides a great opportunity to do just that. Die folgenden Hotels in Thailand haben uns mit Stand 8. and then get chaperones on buses straight to Pattaya? I’m really glad this is happening. Would they fly into Chiang Mai and security forces would control every road in and out of the city? About Thailand. A favorite destination of devout Buddhist followers and travelers from all over the world, Doi Suthep is a marvel of intricate religious carvings—a visit here means seeing monks praying, witnessing worship rituals, and a chance to gaze out over the ever-growing sprawl of Chiang Mai city. As you can see, Thailand plans to make Phuket the first place to open to vaccinated travelers. The island can be reached by boat from Krabi town and Ao Nang—and the trip on a long-tail traditional boat is just as magical as what you'll encounter when you reach the shores. At the base of the stairs, vendors hawk everything from tasty local treats to goods handmade by villagers from the surrounding mountains. But it's the waterfalls here—and especially the seven-tiered Erawan Falls—that attract the bulk of the visitors. However, the country doesn’t plan to open on a more widespread basis until 2022. There's also the tourist-friendly Diamond Cave, reached via a beautiful trail with stunning views and ready to accommodate curious visitors looking to do some exploring between stretches of sunbathing. The park is also famous for its eco-luxury camps, where tents come with en-suite bathrooms, deluxe bedding, their own kayak, and some of the best meals you'll try in Thailand. As of today, Moderna has not yet been approved for use in Thailand, so, according to data from the Thai Embassy in LA, those who have received the Moderna vaccine are still under a 10-day quarantine. There are plenty of things to see and do in the capital, but the Grand Palace should definitely be at the top of your list. My first big trip I booked for this fall was Bali and Thailand for the end of September. Less tourists means panic, and panic means opening up sooner. Thai tourism operators slam government’s inefficient vaccine rollout. Go back to see more maps of Thailand  A few tested +ve for covid after they arrived but they had no opportunities to mix freely with locals. Built as the summer residence of King Rama VI, who reigned until 1925, this unique teak palace is stunning in many ways. FOOD & DRINK An ideal destination for food lovers, restaurants, hotels and street-side eateries are known to serve some of the most spectacular cuisines. Phuket’s governor has this week stated that he hopes to vaccinate as many as 50,000 people with the first dose within seven days of vaccines arriving on the island. Otherwise, seal your borders and Thais live happily without any threat of infection spreading especially from Chinese tourists….. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. approved hotel (you get a variety) + 2 negative PCR tests ($40 each). Seriously can’t even visit Bangkok? Thailand’s National Tourism Policy Committee has approved the proposed guidelines for the collection of a 300-baht tourism fee from each international visitor for the management of local tourist destinations. I probably will have to cancel (AGAIN) but I’m keeping it on the books for now. Yes it’s much less likely that a vaccinated person will come in and spread the virus (new variants permitting). You can reach Phi Phi Don—the largest of the islands and the only one permanently inhabited—on a rented kayak or by hiring a small wooden boat to take you here. Südthailand Visa-Free Travel and the Travelers it Effects. Thailand has a low COVID rate, for the same reason that the USA has a higher rate. Why should they subject their population the virus like that? Glorious beaches attract all kinds of travelers and vacationers. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bangkok: Best Areas & Hotels. I’m still not sure why we’re so polarized on one extreme or the other. Ayutthaya is located only a short bus trip or train ride from Bangkok, making it convenient for a day trip if you're pressed for time. Australia & Pacific. One word of caution: “vaccinated” means those who have received vaccines approved by WHO and/or Thailand. I booked ANA award tickets from Seattle-Taipei-Bali-Bangkok-Tokyo-Seattle in business for 272,000 miles. Children under the age of 16 aren’t included in the vaccine rollout plan. Elephants are revered in Thailand, and statues and paintings of them can be seen everywhere you go, including the royal palaces and many temples. I need to split some cheeks in Pattaya and get a soapy massage. Don’t forget that tourists can visit the rest of Thailand after spending 7 days without restrictions and a negative test in Phuket. As long as quarantine is required, tourists will not return in large numbers. Countries like Thailand have the aim of achieving zero cases that is why they are so robust in their measures for tourists. Tourism is an economic contributor to the Kingdom of Thailand.Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing to the GDP of 12 trillion baht range from one trillion baht (2013) 2.53 trillion baht (2016), the equivalent of 9% to 17.7% of GDP. They go by the book only, and change rules as it suites them. Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai are bustling hives of activity and commerce, but you haven't really seen the country until you've trekked in the mountains or enjoyed some face-time with elephants or the bold monkeys always ready to steal your lunch (or your camera, if you're not careful). Would tourists fly to Bangkok (which would not be open to tourists yet?) And when that happens, traveller’s individual vaccination status will be irrelevant. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. The restrictions make sense if you consider that the goal is not simply to allow vaccinated travelers in, but to let them in *when the population has been sufficiently vaccinated to prevent further spread*. You are free to move around. I personally have never bought into the Covid narrative. Nordostthailand/ Isaan 4. With long periods of Thailand’s History, according to evidences and studies, Sukhothai was the first kingdom of Thailand. With this, as of July 1, vaccinated travelers will be allowed to visit Phuket quarantine-free, and as of October 1, vaccinated travelers will be allowed in select other destinations as well. Is it known weather one will have to first land in Phuket, or transfer in Bangkok will be possible without quarantine? They desperately need to find a solution as they don’t have other resources. Folks here in BKK are pretty skeptical that this is going to work out well in terms of restarting the economic engine…the understanding here is that visitors will have to fly directly to HKT or fly into BKK only to transfer: one will not be let out of the airport/through immigration to spend the night in the city. This site is for entertainment purposes only. Khao Sok National Park is a unique mix of very diverse ecosystems. It makes a *huge* difference if the population isn’t vaccinated. Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Why do they care about people traveling from abroad being vaccinated? Thailand’s plans seem too restrictive to me at this point. About 130 kilometers of the original 415-kilometer railway route are in use today, a grave historical reminder of the horrific events that took place here. Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and for a reason. Thailand's reputation as a country of beautiful landscapes and friendly people is due largely to the world-renowned southern beaches. © Copyright 2021 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Seven days is probably not that bad if you plan to stay for some time. has to be an opening to vaccinated travelers without restrictions in light of the mounting evidence that infectiousness after full vaccination is unlikely. This is a good transition period to evaluate someone from Country-X who got 2 shots of Pfizer and waited 15 days b4 traveling vs. another from Country-Y who hopped on the plane 2 days after a shot of Russia’s Sputnik V. I was fully vaccinated and still put in my 15 days in quarantine to get back into Thailand. The grounds are a maze of royal halls, temples, and ancient relics, the most important being Wat Phra Kaeo (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), said to hold a fragment of either hair or bone from the enlightened Buddha himself. Since these countries really haven’t experienced the variants that the western countries have, there could be a lot of potential damage if quarantine measures are eased too quickly. There are several floating markets near Bangkok, with Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak being among the most popular. Tourism is a key driver of Thailand’s growth, typically accounting for 11-12% of gross domestic product. Asia. Sri Lanka has introduced a scheme whereby vaccinated travellers are released after one day in quarantine at a govt. Would tracing apps be the solution – but a tourist may just leave the phone in the accommodation for a few days and venture outside the restricted area? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Thai government is focusing vaccination efforts on Phuket, with the hope to vaccinate 70% of Phuket’s population before July. COVID is not going to leave us at least for a few years, hence adopting a sensible and moderate approach will result in supporting the economies of tourism dependent countries like Thailand and Srilanka. 7 day quarantine is completely useless.. no medical benefit and still a barrier for tourism. The big downside of this plan is that vaccination has to be more than 14 and fewer than 90 days after second shot or 1 single shot. Making it more difficult for the remaining and eligible tourists is not a recipe for success. Antarctica. While the Kanchanaburi bridge remained closed for years after the war ended, it is now again in operation and can be crossed by boarding a slow local train. Your email address will not be published. Search Lonely Planet. All of the cities that will “open” have historically had nonstop flights to Southeast Asia and China, thus mitigating the need for a Bangkok transfer. This plan is simply too restrictive, not to mention it’s presumably subject to change, so it’s just not worth the gamble given how often plans change. If you'd like to participate in the discussion, please adhere to our commenting guidelines. Will Masks Be Required On Airplanes Forever? Accommodation: Top-Rated Places to Stay in Chiang Mai. This is one of the must-dos in Chiang Mai, and an essential part of the Thailand experience. @DaKine – the rates of infection have nothing to do with Americans being fatter: Thais (and expats here!) An intricate system of reefs, islets, and underwater caves are teeming with vibrant sea life. Allow several hours to do the Grand Palace justice, but if you're up for more walking afterward, you can easily take in some of the city's other major landmarks nearby. Book a flight and a quarantine hotel and get a covid test before you travel and off you go. This is because visitors were not allowed to enter the island to prevent the virus spreading. Demand will be reduced by government restrictions in source countries already. The Hellfire Pass Museum and the JEATH War Museum both offer insights on the history of the railway and the effect of the war in Thailand. The tourists were taken to restricted tourist attractions like Yala National Park and they were confined to their hotels and adjacent beaches. On the one hand, I commend Thailand for its constant public updates about its tourism plan, even if things aren’t set in stone. Again we aren’t talking about next week here. Of the many wats in Sukhothai, Wat Mahathat is the most impressive. have followed the science, wearing our masks everywhere. Thanks to a thriving tourism industry, Thailand is well-developed and provides all kinds of modern comforts—yet it's also still wild enough to offer off-the-beaten-path adventure and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. as most European airlines don’t fly directly to Phuket. Even if your plans for Thailand mainly involve frolicking on a beach and eating as much Massaman curry and pad Thai as humanly possible, you'll probably spend at least a day or two in Bangkok.