BANGKOK, April 8 — Thailand plans to scrap the mandatory RT-PCR test for international visitors, starting May, to further boost tourist arrivals and revive the tourism industry.
Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said under the proposal, vaccinated travellers arriving in Thailand would no longer require to undergo the RT-PCT test and will also no longer need to reserve a one-night hotel accommodation upon arrival.
However, he said vaccinated tourists would have to perform self-administered antigen tests at the airports.
He said the CCSA “agreed in principle” to the measure, however, pending approval.
“The CCSA will review the proposed relaxations after the Songkran’s holidays next week,” he said after CCSA’s daily briefing here today.
At present, under the quarantine-free ‘Test & Go’ programme, travellers also need to book a designated hotel in advance, as well as perform an RT-PCR test on the first day of arrival and an ATK test on the fifth day.
Taweesin said the CCSA meeting also agreed on the proposal to reduce health insurance coverage to US$20,000 (RM84,365) as well as submitting fewer documents when registering for Thailand Pass.
“The measures are tentatively set for next month however the next CCSA meeting after Songkran will set the date,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha said the government will further ease travel restrictions for tourist arrivals both by land and by air in May.
Meanwhile, Taweesin said tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year stood at 476,674, surpassing last year’s total of 427,869.
Thailand welcomed about 40 million visitors in 2019.
The number of tourist arrivals dived to 6.7 million in 2020.
The National Economic and Social Development Council on Monday projected 5.5 million tourists this year.
Over the last 24 hours, Thailand recorded 25,140 new cases and 89 deaths, bringing the total infections in the kingdom to 3,833,048 and 25,877 fatalities.
— Bernama
