How is Bangkok—and the rest of Thailand—doing?
Updated January 20
Just when we thought the situation would get better, sh*t has once again hit the fan.
Things were looking up for the pandemic situation in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand in the last quarter of 2021. The number of COVID-19 cases were going down and vaccination rates were on a steady rise. Life was almost back to normal just in time for the holiday season.
Then Omicron broke out. The new COVID-19 variant brought about a new wave of infections in many countries, taking no prisoners. After the first few Omicron cases were detected elsewhere, the government quickly imposed entry bans from several African countries to prevent a breakout in Thailand back in early December.
But it was no use. By mid-December, Omicron had already infiltrated Thailand’s shores, supposedly spreading from international tourists to the locals, many of whom were traveling across the country during the holiday season. Come the new year, Bangkok and other big cities in Thailand were once again posting record highs of infections.
How is life in Bangkok at the moment?
Updated January 20
Despite the ongoing Omicron outbreak, authorities haven’t imposed strict preventive measures, such as a lockdown or curfews, aside from mandating the wearing of face masks. People are still out and about, engaging in social activities at their own risk.
The government has put Bangkok and seven provinces in the Sandbox program (namely Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Chonburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket) in the Blue Zone category, and Thailand’s 69 other provinces in the Orange Zone category.
Here’s what you can and can’t do in Bangkok and other ‘Blue Zone’ provinces:
Updated January 21
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Entertainment venues, such as nightclubs, bars and karaoke lounges, can return to business as usual under the consideration by the authorities in each district. However, the venue must immediately close if a positive case is traced from there.
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Alcoholic beverages can be served in bars and dining establishments (with a restaurant license) until 23:00 (in effort from January 24 onwards).
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Some venues in Bangkok, such as bars in Chinatown’s Soi Nana and Khao San Road, are now requesting customers to show proof of vaccination or get an ATK test prior to entering their premises. Read more here.
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The general public is encouraged to work from home until at least January 31.
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Mass gatherings are permitted under strict supervision, providing participants are limited to a minimum (a number has not been specified). Alcoholic beverages can’t be consumed, eating and drinking should be minimized, and wearing face masks and social distancing are strictly imposed.
How is the vaccine rollout going?
Updated January 10
Things are looking up on Thailand’s vaccine front. As of January 10, about 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given, with 51 million individuals receiving the first dose and 46 million completing two doses.
With the concern over the new variants, the government has finally focused on providing mRna (Pfizer and Moderna) vaccines, which have been proven to be more efficient in combating the mutated forms of COVID-19. Individuals who previously received vector (AstraZeneca and Sinovac) vaccines are encouraged to get a booster shot of either Pfizer or Moderna.
Read the news about the US government’s donation of Pfizer here.
What about the travel policy?
Updated January 21
Despite the current outbreak of the Omicron variant, the Thai government has brought back the quarantine exemption program "Test & Go" after putting it on hold in the late December and early January. International tourists who aspire to travel in Thailand can start applying for the quarantine-free entry from February 1 onwards. Read more here.
Other Sandbox programs also continue in popular destinations like Phuket and Surat Thani, and the authorities have agreed to push forward the returning of tourism in more provinces including Pattaya, Si Racha, Koh Chang, and Koh Sichang.
You can find more information about the latest updates on Test & Go and the Sandbox schemes here.
Furthermore, the Thai government has recently comfirmed the initiative to charge international tourists B300 for the fund for reviving Thailand's tourism. Read more here.
More details on regulations for aspiring visitors will be released later.
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