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Thailand Coronavirus Updates – Live Post

This a live post that will be updated regularly to report the latest news on the Coronavirus in Thailand.

The global COVID-19 outbreak may affect your travel to Thailand, so check back regularly if you have a holiday booked.

coronavirus-thailand

Latest Thailand Coronavirus updates:

  • Thursday 20th August:

Any foreigner holding a Thai Elite visa is eligible to return to Thailand.

As with all approved categories, the requirements for a certificate of entry are:

– Medical insurance worth a minimum of $100,000
– A fit-to-fly certificate
– A pre-flight coronavirus test
– Registration with a hotel in Thailand under the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) arrangements

In addition, the following groups can also return to Thailand (subject to the same restrictions):

– Non-Thai nationals with a certificate of permanent residency, including their spouses and children
– Non-Thai nationals with work permits, including their spouses and children
– Non-Thai nationals permitted to enter under a special arrangement
– Migrant workers whose employers are allowed to bring in workers

  • Monday 27th July: Thailand extends visa relief for foreign nationals. See here. 
  • Wednesday 15th July: Please see the latest advice for foreign nationals in this Facebook post. 
  • Thursday 25th June: lockdown committee to ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to extend lockdown for another month to prevent a “second wave”. Under proposed rules, certain groups of people will be allowed into the country:

Those groups are as follows:

  1. 700 business persons
  2. 2,000 teachers and students
  3. 2,000 persons with Thai spouses or residence visas
  4. 15,400 skilled workers
  5. 30,000 medical tourists

Proposed “travel bubbles” for regular tourists will take another couple of months to organise. The “bubbles” will allow travel between Thailand and countries at low risk for Covid-19, without the need for quarantine.

  • Tuesday 23rd June: Entertainment venues will open in July but with limitations such as temperature checks, social distancing, limits on customer numbers and midnight closing.
  • Friday 19th June: Phuket airport has resumed operations for domestic flights. Major bus and train routes begin to reopen.
  • Friday 29th May: Thailand plans to fully reopen on July 1. The intention is that all lockdown restrictions will be lifted. This includes interprovincial travel and international travel, as well as the end of emergency decree and curfew. (As yet, no specific details have been announced regarding international arrivals and the quarantine rules post July 1).
  • Sunday 17th May: Malls and department stores to re-open. Nighttime curfew shortened by one hour, from 10pm to 4am to 11pm to 4am.
  • Saturday 16th May: Thailand extends inbound flight ban until 30th June.
  • Thursday 14th May: Bangkok Airways resumes domestic flights with limited routes. Read here.
  • Wednesday 6th May: WHO release Thailand coronavirus situation report. Read here.
  • Tuesday 28th April: State of emergency extended for another month to May 31. Inbound traffic by land, water and air will remain heavily restricted. Inbound flights will be banned for another month. Curfew will remain from 10pm to 4am. Unnecessary interprovincial travel must be cancelled or postponed. Provincial governors will set their own restrictions regarding gatherings in public places. Plans to reopen business and public spaces have started to be formed. See the proposed easing of restrictions here.
  • Thursday 23rd April: No major changes to report. Travel restrictions remain the same. However, infection rates are falling, as seen here. 
  • Wednesday 15th April: Travel restrictions remain in place until April 30, when they will be reviewed. The official list of restrictions can be found here.
  • Thursday 9th April: Updates from immigration on visa extensions during the pandemic: The person whose visas has expired from 26th of March 2020 will be automatically extended to 30th of April 2020. There is no need to apply for a visa extension at Immigration Office for this period and will not be fined THB 500 per day for this case. Aliens who are due for 90 days reports between 26th of March 2020 and 30th of April 2020 are temporarily exempted from reporting in this period until further notice. Aliens who are holding Border Passes will be allowed to stay in Thailand for now. However, Aliens with Border Passes must depart Thailand within 7 days of the border crossing points opening date. Aliens are advised to follow announcements regarding Immigration measures closely for updates. (Currently measures announced until 30 April 2020 or further updates)
  • Monday 6th April: Immigration Bureau announces 9 documents now required for foreign nationals to extend their stay for up to 30 days. New requirements include land deeds, rental contracts, and selfies taken at place of residence. Not all documents will apply to everyone. Immigration is defending this measure on the grounds of national security.
  • Wednesday 1st April: Phuket International Airport will close from April 10-30, 2020.  Travelers should expect flights in or out of Phuket to cease beginning at 12:01 a.m. April 10
  • Wednesday 1st April: All foreigners are barred from entering Mae Hong Son province and there will be a daily curfew prohibiting anyone from leaving their residence from 10 pm to 4 am.
  • Wednesday 1st April: The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that foreign nationals are required to pay for any treatment for the COVID-19 virus received after the March 22 requirement for non-Thai citizens entering Thailand to present virus-free medical certificate and health insurance.  Payment is required for treatment at both public and private hospitals.  
  • Saturday 28th March: Thai AirAsia announces the suspension of operations on all domestic routes from April 1-30.
  • Thursday 26th March: 90-day in-person reporting restricted. Foreigners living in Thailand are being asked to process their 90-day reports at home via an online platform or, more traditionally, by post.
  • Wednesday 25th March: As of Wednesday at midnight, foreigners are banned from entering the country under an emergency decree. This will remain in force until 30th April.
  • Tuesday 24th March: Thailand will be in an emergency mode from March 26 for a month to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told a news conference on Tuesday. The emergency decree will mean the prime minister will have the executive power to declare further measures to contain the virus, including giving extra authority to officials and allowing the setting up of checkpoints to reduce people movements.
  • Sunday 22nd March: Royal Thai Army soldiers sanitizing streets with industrial spraying equipment. 188 new cases.
  • Saturday 21st March: 89 new cases confirmed. Death toll remains at 1.
  • Friday 20th March:  Most border provinces closed, leaving only one international checkpoint open. The exception will be Chiang Rai as it borders on Myanmar and Laos and will be allowed to maintain one checkpoint for each country.
  • Wednesday 17th March: Schools and universities across the country will be closed for two weeks. In the greater Bangkok area, entertainment venues, including massage parlours, will also close for 14 days. The order did not cover seaside resorts like Pattaya and Phuket, or the northern city of Chiang Mai. Other places including boxing rings, sports fields, horse races, will be closed in the greater Bangkok area until the situation improves.
  • Tuesday 16th March: Thailand reports 30 new coronavirus cases, including three foreigners.
  • Monday 16th March: The Songkran party on Khao San Road has been cancelled to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus.
  • On Wednesday Thailand cancelled the grant of visa on arrival for 18 countries and visa exemption for three others to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The 18 countries are: Bulgaria, Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu. Visa exemption will be cancelled for South Korea, Italy and Hong Kong.
  • 11th March: 6 new cases announced. Number of deaths remains at 1.
  • 10th March: 3 new cases announced. Number of deaths remains at 1.
  • Kasikorn Bank has announced it is stopping the foreign exchange service,  both at branches and foreign exchange offices (FX Booth) all over the country indefinitely from 17:00 on Sunday March 8, 2020 onwards until the epidemic situation has changed significantly for the better as determined by the Ministry of Public Health.
    The bank employees who operate at all foreign exchange offices (FX Booth) have been ordered to close.  They will Self-quarantine at home for 14 days according to the Department of Disease Control's guidelines by order of the  Ministry of Public Health. Currently, no bank employees have been infected with COVID-19 in any way. Customers are able to use the foreign exchange service via electronic banking as usual.
  • 8th March: The Ministry of Public Health of Thailand (MoPH) announced that of a group of 133 Thai nationals returning to Thailand from South Korea, 6 are PUIs and are now under treatment/investigation, and 60 Thai nationals (33 female, 27 male) who had traveled from Daegu or North Gyeongsang are now quarantined at the Thai Navy Base at Sattahip. The rest of the group, 67 persons, will be sent to designated government sites for 14-day quarantine in their hometowns.
  • 7th March: The MoPH announced two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Thailand to 50. Both new cases are Thai nationals who visited Italy along with a previously reported confirmed case. All three returned to Thailand on 2 March

Does Thailand have Coronavirus?

Yes. COVID-19 is active in Thailand.

How many people are affected?

Currently 3,146 people in Thailand have contracted Coronavirus. 3,008 have recovered, 80 are under treatment.

There are currently 45 cases for every 1 million people.

How many people have died?

58 people have died so far.

What measures is Thailand taking to prevent the spread?

Thailand has active screening at all airports for people from countries that have active cases of Coronavirus.

Thailand is increasing surveillance and testing to determine the extent of the epidemic. It is detecting cases as quickly as possible and isolating cases to prevent spread of the virus, and identifying contacts  of the infected.

People coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Iran and Italy will be subject to mandatory 14-day self-quarantine, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said in a statement. They must apply for visas and present health forms at check-in certifying they are at no risk of developing the disease known as Covid-19, or they will be denied boarding.

Arrivals from another group of 11 countries with ongoing local transmission have to report symptoms to officials for at least 14 days as well as the places they visit. The nations are Japan, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the U.K. and the U.S.

Is it safe to travel to Thailand?

The FCO has not issued a warning against travel to Thailand, but has stated the following:

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to areas within the provinces on the Thailand-Malaysia border, including Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Southern Songkhla province. This does not include areas north of and including the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and areas north-west of and including the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Pedang Besar.

Should I still go on my holiday?

This is a personal decision that you should make based on your intuition and the condition of your health. You also need to check with your flight operator as to whether they are operating flights.

The risk of infection in Thailand is small but still possible. Consider the following:

  • Age: Those over 60 are at greater risk of serious complications if infected.
  • Pre-existing health conditions: those with respiratory problems, heart disease, and those who are undergoing or have recently undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy are at greater risk of complications through infection.
  • Pregnant: traveling to a country with active Coronavirus cases creates a higher health risk for you and your unborn child.

Is there panic buying?

As we saw with the 2011 floods, some people are buying more storable foods than normal, and some super market aisles are looking emptier than usual. However, there is no food shortage and plenty of restaurants to eat at.

What precautions can I take if I travel?

WHO recommends that individuals protect themselves and their families from COVID-19 or any other infectious disease by following four basic steps:

  • Regular, frequent hand-washing with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand-rub
  • Sneezing/coughing into elbow, sleeve or tissue
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth
  • Attempting to maintain at least 1 meter distance from others, especially those who are coughing or sneezing.

It is also wide to wear a mask in malls and other crowded places. Take some with you, as there may be a local shortage.

Will my travel insurance cover me if I catch Coronavirus?

If you travel against government advice then you are likely to invalidate your travel insurance. If unsure, speak to your travel insurer.

Can I cancel my trip and get claim on my insurance?

Travel insurance may cover non-refundable cancellation costs, in specific circumstances. These may include medical advice against you or a member of your group from traveling or government advice against traveling.

Check your travel insurance policy for the scope of cover. Travel insurance is not designed to cover ‘disinclination to travel’ where the FCO advice has not changed to advise against travel.

What are you doing – staying or leaving?

I'm staying for now. I'm enjoying fewer tourists and more space. I'm wearing a mask and being more cautious, but not panicking.

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

    • TheThailandLife says

      This is supposedly for the long-stay tourists they expect to let in in October, I hope it isn't something they are planning for normal tourists once things open up on a bigger scale. Because, the thing is, most travel insurance companies will cover COVID by early next year, and some already do. So requiring people to buy insurance sold specifically by their partners is silly; just like the O-A requirement.
      Reply

  4. James E says

    No risk with this plan... https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1963307/safe-and-sealed-plan-brings-hope-for-inbound-tourism Thailand, among other Asian countries is struggling to prevent the latest version of the virus from getting established in the country. So far they've been successful in plugging the holes (the new strain is the one being imported by the repatriated citizens and workers) but they're going to run out of fingers for the holes if they start drilling new holes. The new strain is (based on evidence from the US and Europe) about 10x more contagious than the original virus that left Wuhan. Here on the west coast of the US the original infection was by the Wuhan strain. It was relatively easily managed. The east coast infection was the new strain via Italy (isn't genetics wonderful?) which was much harder to contain and spread throughout the country - almost completely displacing the original strain - within a couple of months.
    Reply

  5. James E says

    Phase 6: "The relaxation will cover migrant workers in the construction business and food export industry, foreign visitors who co-organise trade exhibitions, foreign visitors in film production crews, and foreign travellers who are members of the Thailand Elite Card scheme, Dr Taweesilp said." https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1954051/foreigners-migrant-staff-influx Gotta figure out how many liquor stores I'll have to rob to get an Elite Visa.
    Reply

      • James E says

        It's official... "Addressing the 7,255 members of the Thailand Elite Card scheme who live in other countries, he said the Tourism and Sports Ministry planned to first welcome about 200 members back into the country. Dr Taweesilp said the influx of people would stimulate the economy." If "200 members" is enough to stimulate the economy things must be *much* worse than they're letting on.
        Reply

  7. raymund codina says

    Thanks for the news Peter! ;)Was quite entertained with Matt above losing his mind on fake news and conspiracy theories. LOL! Anyways, i just hope Thailand can get back to some normalcy to get tourist money back into the economy for the many that depend on it.I've been anxiously awaiting to purchase flights back to the kingdom but i'm sure we'll be last to get into the travel bubble being from the USA. :(Stay safe sir!
    Reply

  8. Matt Owens Rees says

    Yes, that's one definition of News.But News has to be accurate. Plenty of examples where, outside of Thailand as well, it is seen as not being balanced and truthful.The web is full of criticism of the standard of news reports. Look at the fuss the BBC has caused over recent issues.Of course, what you "believe" is up to you.
    Reply

      • Matt Owens Rees says

        The word "news" is appropriate only if it's accurate. If it is not, it's propaganda.Your comment that Thailand's mortality rate for Covid is less than that for influenza rests on an unproven statistic.Far Eastern countries, particularly if totalitarian and not democratic, don't give out true data. North Korea also. Ask yourself why.
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          Lockdown getting to you Matt?"Good news" refers to the re-opening of Thailand on the 1st July.... that is an opinion from the author unrelated to any statistic, so what it has to do with propaganda I really don't see.None of the C19 stats are proven, many countries produce them differently and yes some will deliberately misreport, others will blame C19 unjustifiably but the stats are all we have to go on to make comparisons and decisions at the moment.
          Reply

          • Matt Owens Rees says

            "but the stats are all we have to go on to make comparisons and decisions at the moment."Disagree. If the stats are invalid, there is no basis to make comparisons and decisions.In courts of law, for example, if there is no reliable evidence, cases are dismissed. You don't go on making decisions on unreliable dataLockdown is not getting at me. I note you don't really respond to the topic. Why not respond to the spirit of the thread instead of name-calling?
            Reply

            • Mike Baker says

              Well you can't prove the stats are invalid so I think your argument is invalid......and I think the comparison with a court of law is a poor one as we are not dealing with evidence in a criminal or civil case to decide guilt..... and my response was to counter what I thought was a rather aggressive and negative reaction to a simple opinion by TTL about the re-opening scheduled for 1st July.....as the title of this (Thailand) thread is "Coronovirus updates" I think you are not exactly on topic by defining news v propaganda and criticising half the world for their statistics...... but don't get me wrong Matt.... I actually agree that many decisions in regards to this health situation will be found to be poorly judged in hindsight, especially in the "western" world....
              Reply

      • David says

        Some transit hubs are opening up in early June (Hong Kong and Singapore for example). Tourism is a big chunk of Thailand's GDP so my guess is they will have health measures in place sometime in July/August, not including the need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Maybe travellers will need a health certificate, proof of insurance, report in and so on, not really sure.Interesting that Vietnam has had very few cases of COVID given their northern border with China and population base. They must have shut things down earlier than some other countries. Laos has reported few cases as well, but much smaller population.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          It is interesting how it varies massively between countries in the region. Laos has just 19 cases, which is very few considering the number of Chinese nationals who travel to and from the country. Perhaps, as you say, the smaller population is a key factor. In comparison, Indonesia has had 25k cases.
          Reply

  11. James E says

    Now as long as they can get people to use it... https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1918092/new-anti-covid-phone-app-for-use-when-entering-shops It's a good idea but the raw location data is already being captured and distributed by apps and providers. Research has been shown that it can be de-anonymized easily enough to provide the tracking they say is required with no user intervention. It may be a bit too "1984" for most people to buy into but we crossed that bridge a while ago.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      How does the app know if the shop is vacant enough to enter? Do staff have to manually update it or do you program it with the number of people allowed in at one time and then customers scan again on the way out to let the app know that capacity is available?And who determines how many people can be inside at one time? Is it done on the measurements of the space.Orwellian indeed.
      Reply

    • Bubba says

      The malls are to reopen on May 17. You will be given access only if you have the application installed on your phone and present your passport for scanning. That should scare off the tourists for sure! As for me, I will do my shopping online on Amazon, Ebay and Lazada, and get my wife's spouse visa application processed as soon as possible so we can move to a country that respects individual rights.
      Reply

  12. Bubba says

    I just returned from Up-Country. I departed on March 26 and the following day was met by a "welcoming committee" of 6 locals who visited daily to insure that I self-quarantined for two weeks. (I doubt tourists will come if they have to spend their vacation quarantined! I sure wouldn't!) To return, I had to obtain a "fit-to-unravel" certificate from the local headman, which took 3 tries to get it right. I only encountered one checkpoint on the return on AH-1&2 but it was manned by at least 20 officials. Today I have to deal with Immigration as my visa is in "Limbo". May you live in interesting times...
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Wow. Thanks for the update. Seems the village folk are taking this seriously. Good on them, but as you say it doesn't bode well for tourism. The quarantine will have to end before holidays resume.
      Reply

  13. Mike Baker says

    Thailand seems to have avoided the worst of this health issue. Whether that is due to the quite severe and swift controls imposed, the fear of the people (which I have witnessed and been subject to), the climate or a combination of all three is a matter for debate......With my home country (UK) being in turmoil with a biased, negative, unbalanced press, an NHS with an agenda, scientists that are getting it wrong and don't live in the real world and a government that sadly is losing the plot after being bullied by everyone , I have decided to stay in Thailand UFN.....I am unlikely to be able to leave on my scheduled date anyway and even if I do, re entry restrictions I am expecting to be introduced will probably prevent me from returning when I want (early September). So, I am going to extend on the basis of retirement and sit it out here in relative safety and comfort.....Covid 19 has made me change my lifestyle much earlier than I anticipated. I may enjoy taking only 1 flight to the UK each year instead of 3 and not having that wasted few days each end due to jetlag and the anticipation I get a few days before travelling each time. My decision means the airlines losing 2 bookings a year, the agency losing commission, internal flights lost, 2 taxi bookings in UK lost and spending in the UK for several weeks lost. I doubt, though, that my spending in Thailand will increase substantially......As for recovery of the tourist economy here, the government need to understand that retaining internal restrictions will positively discourage tourists from anywhere and any entry restrictions need to be seen as reasonable and possible and be lifted as soon as they can. Unfortunately the Thai Government have a reputation for demanding the impossible and health certificates and travel insurance specifically covering C19 simply are not going to happen!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Thanks James. I had fun reading the comments. This idea was in the works anyway, apparently, so the virus presents a good excuse to bring it in. I don't want to pay more taxes, anywhere. But I'm pretty neutral about this. I remember paying $25 each for my wife and I to leave Cambodia a few years back - that was a sting. That tax has now been rolled in to the cost of the flight. And I think many people don't realize that taxes like this exist in numerous countries but are wrapped up in ticket prices. What do the next couple of years look like for Thailand? That's the question. I certainly don't think a 100-200 Baht arrival tax is going to help local traders in any way. I think the amount it will raise will barely touch the sides of a big pot that will need to be filled....as well as a few pockets :)
      Reply

  18. Wayne says

    What I find annoying is that foreigners with a work visa, I read, can come in (probably because there is money involved). But people like myself that are seperated from their wife and family cannot. Because I was away at work when the restrictions happened I now cannot get home.
    Reply

    • James E says

      I'm guessing you meant "decision"? Maybe not unless you get fully refundable everything. On one hand travel in Thailand is a bargain right now. On the other hand, everything - everything - is pretty much closed. Plus they're not allowing foreign tourists to enter the country right now anyway. Thailand played the initial stages of its epidemic wisely and with the method it used for SARS. But the new virus isn't playing by SARS' rules and cases are starting to shoot up. My guess - and it's only a guess - is that the lockdown will continue for a number of months, the way China is handling it, and foreigners will be unable to enter until the government thinks it's safe. Given that Thailand is desperate for tourists right now, I think they will declare it safe before it is clinically safe.
      Reply

  22. TheThailandLife says

    To reduce crowding at immigration service centers, the Thai government is considering a temporary, automatic extension of visas for travelers who have been affected by COVID-19 travel obstacles. A Cabinet decision on the issue is expected in the next day or so.
    Reply

  24. James E says

    90-day in-person reporting restricted. "Foreigners living in Thailand are being asked to process their 90-day reports at home via an online platform or, more traditionally, by post, IB deputy spokesman Phakkhaphong Saiubon said on Wednesday." Overflow crowds required queuing in an abandoned market.
    Reply

  26. Brian Garty says

    A good article and positive reviews. I am going to see how the virus pans out over the next 6 months before making any decisions to return to Thailand. I am from Australia. I will also be keeping an eye on Pete’s site for further advice. Keep up the great work and all, take care, Brian.
    Reply

  27. dj jones says

    i think the amount of reported cases for c 19 is to low there is no test procedure in place Thai people if ill do no usually go to the hospital or doctor so i think a lot more Thai people have this virus than the government say Europe people who feel ill go to the doctor so cases are reported and test are and have been carried out so more cases are showing i worry about Thailand and think some time in the future Thailand will have a big problem i hope the government looks at this and does more to help people
    Reply

    • Matt Owens Rees says

      That's absolutely right, DJJI wish more people would communicate with Thais on a one-to-one basis. One gets accurate information that way. Some sources on the internet are unreliable. Personal observation is also key.
      Reply

  28. Mike Baker says

    Thailand has effectively closed its borders to incoming people by imposing unrealistic documentation requirements (health certificates). No country with Covid19 will test a traveller and produce a certificate - they have more important things to do............. . .There is also much talk now amongst the locals of the government not being honest and open about the number and extent of the cases. Phuket is an example........ and when challenged by press over policy inconsistencies we see govt officials react with anger and deflection... ... . . It seems the principle of "saving face" remains an overriding objective. No one should assume Thailand is safer than their home country and we should all take the same measures of avoiding contact with everyone.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Mike, of course more people have it than have been recorded but that goes for every country. UK cases, for example, are thought to be well over 10,000 yet the reported numbers are much lower. We can only go off the data we have.You are right. No one should assume anything. We should all take the best precautions we can for our level of risk, whatever country we are in.
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        The difference is the UK has official figures and has also said they think it likely to be substantially more and use this openness to guide policy. Certain countries in the world refuse to be open and honest...... shame on them.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Absolutely. As we have seen from the start, the large majority of countries have been dishonest to varying degrees. Commercial capitalism comes first. No one wants economic collapse and as such they will either lie or bury their heads in the sand and hope for the best. One example is the current outrage at Trump for his early response and sweeping under the carpet.
          Reply

        • Matt Owens Rees says

          Absolutely agree, Mike Baker. Yes, there are countries which have not been totally transparent but certainly not the majority.The concept of not losing Face is stronger in the Far East , particularly Thailand, than in the WestWe do need more honesty in reporting. And less apologising for China and Thailand
          Reply

          • TheThailandLife says

            Who is apologising? No one has said sorry on behalf of Thailand, and why should they? This is a virus that originated in China due to unethical human behaviour. But it doesn't matter now. We all have to deal with it. Rather than use it as a Thai-bashing opportunity we have to pull together and support each other, and protect the vulnerable in the process.
            Reply

            • Matt Owens Rees says

              I don't see any Thai bashing in the post you are replying to.What I am saying, and others are confirming, is that there are people who are "Thai Apologists", always finding reason not to blame Thailand for its handling of the Coronavirus situation or for its prioritising profit and money over health.
              Reply

  29. alan barry says

    The last time i was in Thailand I managed to get my wife a tourist Visa to come to England ,when I applied for it they said it had to be within 3 months when she would come ,so we agreed on the 5th of May .We decided that because of the coronavirus we should leave it later within the 6 months time on the visa .would this be ok due too the circumstances or would we need to get another visa.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      As long as the visa is still valid when your wife travels and she doesn't stay past its expiry date then she will be okay. If this isn't possible you'll need to phone immigration and ask what they are doing about visas impacted by the pandemic. Are they going to reissue them or expect you to apply again?
      Reply

  31. James E says

    Glad I canceled my flight last week...BKK Post 2020-03-17 22:09 - "Foreigners coming from the six places defined as Covid-19 infected zones — South Korea, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Italy and Iran — regardless of transport modes, must have health certificates issued in previous three days and health insurance coverage. They must also agree to install and use an official monitoring mobile application.The measures also apply to those coming from places with ongoing transmission — France, Spain, United States, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Britain, Japan and Germany.Both groups will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine. No more details are provided at this stage."https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1880635/cabinet-approves-plans-to-close-schools-postpone-songkranIn the US right now it is impossible to get in to see a doctor. A request for a "health certificate" would be laughed at.
    Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          Because they are "saving face" by not closing their borders... officially. Its a cultural thing. Logical or practical arguments don't count for much here..... another thing developing is the need to deal with overstayers.... tourists mostly, who cannot travel home because of restrictions, lack of flights etc. The govt are looking to extend visas by 30 days.... BUT you will need a letter from your embassy or consulate to confirm you cannot travel home....... and it has to be an actual letter... not an email or copy..... how practical is that to get? This is another stupid rule to make it difficult when they can just see what the position is for people and exactly how many flights are leaving thailand....... AND....theres more....... the govt are citing security concerns.... so are they suggesting all overstayers due to the virus situation will suddenly turn into criminals and terrorists?......... I mean you couldn't make this up......
          Reply

          • James E says

            I heard from friends in Thailand yesterday (but I haven't been able to find official corroboration) that overstay penalties are being waived currently. I'll see if I can find out more. My take on the health certificate is that TLOS is trying to limit non-essential travel by shifting the burden (and the cost) to the traveler. Business and government travelers will have no problem getting a certificate from in-house or contracted physicians. The rest of us just have to throw ourselves on the mercy of our airlines cancellation policies.
            Reply

          • Matt Owens Rees says

            Completely agree, Mike BakerI wish more people would see what's actually going on. It's not difficult to observe and talk discretely to Thais and not be influenced by comments from those with rose-coloured glasses when it comes to Thailand.I don't like Thai Bashers or Thai Apologists. I respect those with balanced views and see the good and the not so good here
            Reply

            • TheThailandLife says

              Absolutely. And what is going on is outlined in the post through the daily updates. The borders are shut, social gatherings are banned, domestic travel restricted and all but essential shops shut until the end of April.
              Reply

              • Matt Owens Rees says

                Social gatherings are NOT ENTIRELY banned and social distancing is not being carried out or enforced.Funerals with over 500 mourners are still taking place where I live. Maybe not where you are but I would have thought you would have been aware.Are you aware of the graduation ceremony that Princess Ubonrat attended and was shown on video nationwide? Everyone wearing masks but no social distancing at all. I suspect your readers can give even more examples.Borders are closed? Chinese are still arriving though in much fewer numbers.Domestic travel is NOT restricted. It's advised against and some police at checkpoints are checking temperatures and fining those not wearing masks (even though they're still in the car)I don't think it's helpful, Peter, to just report the "official" line rather than what is going on. Always better, in my view, to report the truth. It's not illegal to do so. Other blogs and media are doing so.I hope you publish this post
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                • TheThailandLife says

                  Domestic travel is being restricted and will be further restricted. Air Asia just announced closures from 1st April.I'm reporting the main announcements to keep those with plans to travel to and from Thailand in the loop. I am not reporting anecdotal accounts of Somchai flouting the rules in Nakhon Nowhere.You're the one who two weeks ago was demanding evidence of everything I wrote, and now you're spouting this line about not using official reporting but rather "truth" from the mouths of locals and things you see.Yes, I see certain businesses breaking the rules, and gatherings where there shouldn't be, but like every country of 60+ million people this is going to happen.Can you provide evidence of these Chinese coming across the borders?You're more than welcome to go and read these "other blogs" if you find them more informative. In the meantime I'll keep helping my readers here and via email support.
                  Reply

  32. David says

    Well, sounds like my own visit to Udon may be off now, although I will monitor this until the end of the month before making a final decision. Even my wife has now advised me not to visit for Songkran; although Canada not as yet on the list of countries requiring quarantine. Which brings up an interesting point, is Thailand considering changing the actual holidays given more cases of COVID-19 are appearing now?Our own govt. here in Canada, likely to act this week in restricting flights to specific countries. It is currently March break so schools are closed, but this may be extended. Libraries, rec. centres, even most ski hills have closed,. Of course, the lemmings are panicking here and buying up various items in bulk, including toilet paper, which I find amusing.Stay healthy folks!
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  33. Graham Illingworth says

    Hi Peter, I wonder if you can help me? My Thai wife is currently in Thailand and is due to return to the UK via Turkish airlines march 26th,she informs me the airport is now closed and will remain so until mid April.I am having difficulty obtaining information in England re. Airport closure, and situation atTurkish airlines.I wonder if you have any information from Thailand.Regards Graham Illingworth.
    Reply

  35. Bob says

    As yet, you can't realistically/ scientifically compare the progress/ spread of Covid-19 with Northern European countries. This may well be due to the seasonal factor, i.e. it's winter in Europe. The geographical spread is, so far, in cold climates. Other coronaviruses all but die out in the milder weather of late Spring/ early Summer and do not survive well in warmer climates. In addition, you need to make more accurate comparisons of the types of traveller. So, I suggest, before making a statement that Thailand is doing a better job than European countries, you need to look at all the possibilities. Maybe, when this all subsides, WHO will praise Thailand, then you can make such a statement (So far, they have praised Singapore and, surprisingly, Italy, for it's tough new measures). Also, do you know how many people have been tested and turned away from other countries on arrival to a Thai airport (I've not seen any figures)? How accurate is their monitoring? I had a thermometer pushed to my forehead at Suvarnabhumi and it read 35C which means I was suffering from Hypothermia. I wasn't and I'm still here a month later (hopefully a lot longer!).
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  37. John says

    The quarantine policy is very confusing. Different departments say different things and different airlines do differently. Some will really stop you getting on board while some let you go still. Good luck to those who still consider continuing their trip.
    Reply

  40. David says

    Be interesting to see what village life is like during Songkran this year. Still scheduled to arrive April 8th, assuming my flights are still operating. Saw a Youtube video recently of someone flying from BKK-UTH; at Suvarnabumi Airport locals and ex-pats alike mostly wearing masks; in Udon hardly anyone doing this. Surprised at how empty the BKK airport looked in the video.Had one death from COVID-19 today here in my city in BC, but this individual was elderly and had pre-existing issues (80+ yrs. old).
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      On one hand I think most will be too drunk to care. I can't see people not celebrating as normal on a local level, though some may fear those returning from BKK may bring a dose with them. I'm pretty certain the big parties in BKK will be cancelled, mainly because they bring together lots of tourists from the surrounding region where the virus is very active.
      Reply

    • James E says

      Chiang Mai and Hat Yai bite the dust... Chiang Mai Municipality on Wednesday announced the cancellation of all major activities for the Thai New Year in the northern city. The southern tourist city of Hat Yai has already called off festivities.
      Reply

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