Transcript of the above video

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing unvaccinated travellers to Thailand and recent announcements regarding further easing of quarantine measures for those folks. This is coming from the Thailand Tourism Authority, TAT, so tatnews.org, the announcement is titled: Thailand lifts RT-PCR testing requirement for international arrivals from May 1, 2022. Quoting directly: "Thailand Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today approved the lifting of the RT-PCR testing requirement for international arrivals beginning 1 May, 2022 and introduced two new entry schemes specifically customized for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers." For purposes of this video we are discussing the unvaccinated. Quoting further: 

"New entry rules for unvaccinated travelers:

International Travelers who are unvaccinated or are not fully vaccinated will also no longer be required to show proof of pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test nor undergo an arrival test." So that is good news. No RT-PCR test before coming and you don't have to do one on arrival. "They are required to register for a Thailand Pass with a 5-day hotel booking and an insurance policy with coverage no less than US$10,000. Once arriving in Thailand, they must proceed to undergo the quarantine for 5 days and undergo an RT-PCR test on day 5." Quoting further: "Exception is made for unvaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system, they - like those fully vaccinated- will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the Kingdom."

So interesting. Unvaccinated travellers, if you can prove COVID negative test, you will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the Kingdom. Quoting further:

"While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers are advised to strictly follow health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID like symptoms should get tested; if testing positive they must get the appropriate medical treatment."

I just want to go back and quote this one more time because I think it is noteworthy for the unvaccinated. "Exception is made for unvaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system. They, like those fully vaccinated, will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the Kingdom." So if you undertake an RT-PCR test within 72 hours and you abide by the protocols, it is possible to enter Thailand as an unvaccinated individual and basically in a relatively unfettered manner; you don't need to go through the five days. If you can't get an RT-PCR test you are going to have to do the five days in quarantine with a test at the end of that quarantine period. So I definitely think that this is an overall step in very much in the right direction with respect to policy. 

As I have noted in other videos, we are still dealing with Thailand Pass and I don't think that is great. I think especially for the Thailand Tourism Sector when looking at this from a market comparative standpoint, the Tourism Sector is going to have a very hard time fully recovering as long as Thailand Pass is still out there but up until that time, we are still dealing with this. So this is where things stand presently. Hopefully things will keep moving in a good direction in upcoming days, weeks and months. We will certainly keep you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.