Bangkok，January11，2023（AseanAll）- Thailand has rescinded an entry policy announced at the weekend requiring visitors to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, citing sufficient immunization levels in China and globally.
According to National News Bureau of Thailand（NNT） on November 10，Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said checking evidence of vaccinations was inconvenient and a panel of health experts had agreed to withdraw the new rule. The new policy had been announced on Saturday by aviation authorities ahead of an expected influx of visitors from China, where COVID cases have surged.
The health minister said those not vaccinated would also be granted entry without restrictions. He explained to reporters that showing proof of vaccination would be cumbersome and inconvenient, and so the health experts panel decided it was unnecessary.
The health minister noted, however, that Thailand will still require international travelers to show evidence of health insurance coverage for COVID-19 if their next destination requires a pre-entry test.
Thailand, one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations, is enjoying massive numbers of visitors during its first peak season since the removal of tight entry restrictions last year.
In November,2022, the country recorded 1.75 million visitors -- quadruple the number for the whole of last year before that month when flights and foreign arrivals were limited.
Before the pandemic, tourists from China had been crucial for Thailand, accounting for about a quarter of annual visitors. Minister Anutin said the government was now expecting 7 million to 10 million Chinese visitors for 2023, compared to an earlier 5 million estimate.
