46 Countries Including Han Allow Quarantine-Free Entry to Thailand for Fully Vaccinated Travelers Starting Next Month

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Thai government will allow quarantine-free entry from next month for fully vaccinated travelers from 46 countries, including South Korea.

According to major foreign media on the 22nd, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced this the day before. The 46 countries include South Korea, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Singapore, Germany, and Australia.

Travelers arriving by air from these countries who submit proof of vaccination and a negative test result will be exempt from quarantine.

This large-scale easing of entry restrictions follows Prime Minister Prayut's announcement on the 11th that "quarantine-free entry will be allowed for fully vaccinated travelers coming from 10 countries where COVID-19 is relatively well controlled."

The Royal Thai Government Gazette reported that famous tourist destinations such as the capital Bangkok, Hua Hin, and Pattaya will also be reopened to foreign travelers.

Thailand, where tourism is a major source of income, has been struggling due to COVID-19 prevention policies such as entry restrictions. Last year, tourism revenue sharply declined by about $50 billion (58 trillion won) compared to the previous year.

Even this year, when the global vaccination campaign has fully begun, the situation has not improved significantly. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasts that the number of foreign arrivals, which reached 40 million before the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, will drop to 100,000 this year.