1. Yesterday, Thailand administered 734,804 doses of vaccines, increasing the accumulated number of vaccinations to over 56.6 million doses.
2. The number of new confirmed cases today 9,866 cases with 108,022 active cases and 10,115 new recoveries 102 new fatalities were registered yesterday, with an accumulated total of 17,211 or 1.04 percent.
3. To recap the Thai briefing by Dr. Apisamai Sriransan, concerning community collaboration that is going on around the country. Community collaboration means all sectors in the society of various provinces that put in their effort to assist with the measures as well as the vaccination effort, in term of all needed facilities and logistics.
4. The southern provinces of Thailand, specifically the four southern border provinces, are the area of concern as we found that the numbers of COVID-19 inflection are increasing. Chularachamontri, the leader of Islamic community in Thailand, has mentioned that inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine is necessary. Muslim community can be more aware that vaccine is inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine does not go against teaching of Islamic and Islamic faith. To get vaccine is important as the protection of ourselves and family from getting inflection, as well as responsibility to the community, society and country.
5. Timeline for the country’s reopening plan
– CCSA has approved a four-phase timeline for the country’s reopening plan to revitalise the nationwide tourism industry.
– Pilot Phase (1-31 October 2021) – This will continue with the four popular beach resorts, which were the first destinations to reopen – beginning with Phuket (1 July), then Surat Thani’s Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao (15 July), and most recently Krabi and Phang-Nga in August linking with Phuket under the 7+7 Extension arrangement. This phase will also see reopening of new designated areas in Krabi – Khlong Muang and Thap Khaek.
– First Phase (1-30 November 2021) The reopening will be extended to 10 other tourism-driven destinations. These include all areas of Bangkok, Krabi and Phang-Nga, and designated areas in Buri Ram (Mueang), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Doi Tao), Chon Buri (Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Na Jomtien, and Sattahip), Loei (Chiang Khan), Phetchaburi (Cha-Am), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), and Ranong (Ko Phayam).
– Second Phase (1-31 December 2021) – The reopening will be extended to 20 more provinces which are tourism-driven, well-known for art and culture, or border destinations. These include Ayutthaya, Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Nong Khai, Pathum Thani, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phrae, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Trang, Trat, and Yala.
– Third Phase (1 January 2022 onwards) – The reopening will be extended to 13 border provinces, including Bueng Kan, Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Surin, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani.
– The CCSA has asked all concerned government agencies to prepare for the Phase 1-3 reopening with the necessary measures in place. Meanwhile, foreign tourists can continue to visit the four pilot beach resort destinations under the existing conditions.
6. Additional update on Visa on Arrival (VOA) and Phuket Sandbox scheme
– Passport holders of the following countries and territories may apply for Visa on Arrival (VOA) to enter Thailand at any international airport in Thailand from 1 October 2021 onwards.
– Those countries and territories include Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) and Phuket Sandbox scheme
– Arrival requirements for “Phuket Sandbox” visitors who wish to apply for a VOA. The visa is valid for 15 days and cannot be extended.
– Ensure that you have an approved COE and choose type of 11 (Exempt) – Visa Exemption;
– Have all documents checked at the “Port Health and Quarantine” at Phuket International Airport;
– Apply for VOA will need to follows significant steps;
1) Ensure that passport is valid for at least 30 days;
3) Have a confirmed flight ticket;
4) Have confirmed “Shaba plus” Hotel for a minimum 7 days;
5) Have 2 passport sized self-portrait photos without caps or sunglasses;
6) Carry 10,000 Baht cash or 20,000 Baht for a family in any currency;
7) Pay 2,000 Baht application fee; and
8) Have the compulsory RT-PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival with negative result.
7. Thailand’s cooperation with international community on vaccine
– The Cabinet has endorsed Thailand’s reception and purchase of vaccine on 5 October from the following countries.
7.1 Thailand and Germany
– Thailand appreciates goodwill donations of 2,000 doses of Casirivimab/ Imdevimab or Monoclonal Antibody from the Government of Germany for the effective treatment of COVID-19 patients and reducing risk for patient from turning into severe cases.
– The Monoclonal Antibody arrived on 13 September and were officially handed over on 4 October. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), Prime Minister of Thailand, presided over the official handing-over ceremony of at the Government House. H.E. Georg Schmidt, Ambassador of Germany to Thailand attended as the representative of the German Government.
– We also appreciate the Government of Germany for donation of 346,100 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine that is expected to arrive around mid-October.
– The in-kind donation of medicinal products is part of Germany’s humanitarian efforts to support Thailand. This warm gesture and contribution reflect the close bonds of friendship of the two countries and peoples that will turn 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
7.2 Thailand and Iceland
– Thailand also appreciated the Government of Iceland for the friendship and goodwill donations of 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine for Thailand, which will increase vaccine number in Thailand. The Pfizer vaccine is expected to arrive in October as well.
7.3 Thailand and Hungary
– The third recent cooperation on vaccine is with Hungary. The cabinet meeting on 5 October approved Thailand to purchase 400,000 doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine from Hungary to help increase Thailand’s ability to combat COVID-19 pandemic. The cooperation on vaccine is based on the two countries close and friendly relations.
8. Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Royal Thai Embassy/ Consulate during COVID-19
– I would like to extend appreciation and support to colleague and all officers at the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates around the world for still working tirelessly since the pandemic started in 2019.
– Not only facilitating travelers from both Thai national and foreign national who are entering Thailand, but the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates also protecting and rending help to our Thai national aboard. Some of the missions that have been done, such as distribution of medicine “Andrographis paniculata” or ฟ้าทลายโจร, masks, alcohol gel, foods, as well as providing information and medical consultation for Thai expat abroad which accounted around 1.6 millions.
Full CCSA English briefing can be viewed here >>> https://fb.watch/8t4des8mzP/
Source: CCSA, Ministry of Public Health, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The question is, if Bangkok opens up for fully vaccinated tourists on Nov. 1. , will the 7 day quarantine, mandatory COVID-test and CoE be scrapped, as currently you need to apply for CoE and book ASQ-hotel with testing (otherwiese you will not get the CoE)?