Green light! Here comes the announcement from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on September 28, 2020, approved to be effective on October 1, 2020. More groups of foreigners have finally been allowed to visit Thailand: athletes, businessmen, long-stay travelers, etc.
COVID-19 has made a severe impact on people’s well-being, and this is indeed the government’s main concern. Loosening the lockdown procedures might cause some risks, yet it is said that the announcement is carrying significant purpose of determinedly raising the country from economic downturn.
CCSA has confirmed to welcome 6 groups of foreigners as follows:
1. Foreign Cyclists In The Royal Cup Tour
Foreign cyclists are allowed to participate in the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup Tour of Thailand. The event is held on October 6-16, 2020. The starting point is at Samut Songkhram, passing Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, and the destination of this route is Suratthani. The 14-day state quarantine is provided readily at Royal Rattanakosin Hotel.
2. Thai Airways’s Staff On Repatriation Flights
There will be over 340 pilots and cabin crew of Thai Airways International flying to the kingdom on repatriation flights. They have requested to be in State Quarantine due to involvement in United States routes. The government states to support Thai personnels who provide service in these returning flights in order to facilitate government officials for pandemic control.
3. Businessman Without Work Permit
It is permission for Non-Immigrant visa holders who aim to do business in Thailand, and this group of businessmen must not hold a work permit. Numerous people are currently having and associating with Thailand’s commerce. The government believes that this permission will be a good point of overall economic stimulus. However, they are required to present 6-month bank statement with deposit of more than 500,000 Thai Baht.
4. Long-Stay Visitors On STV
Long-stay foreign tourists under a Special Tourist Visa (STV) are now welcome to the kingdom. Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to work on determination and approval for these visa requests. Most importantly, their arrival must somehow distribute benefits across the whole economy.
5. APEC Card Holders From Low-Risk Countries
This group consists of businessmen who are specially selected and undertaken by ASIA-PACIFIC Economic Cooperation: APEC and over hundred thousands of them wish to enter Thailand. The government also greatly agrees to embrace their entries which are expected to be approximately 100,000 people. This target group’s approval mainly focuses on these 8 low-infection countries: New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, China, and Hong Kong.
6. Foreigners On At Least 60-Day Stay
Foreigners who wish to stay in Thailand for short term and long term can request a 60-day visa, and 30-day extension is later to be approved. They must provide bank statement 6 months backward with minimum deposit of or equivalent to 500,000 Thai Baht. The allowance of their visas anyways depends on Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A 14-day state quarantine is strictly applied for all groups, as the government, howsoever, mainly focuses on pandemic control. Over and above, this entry permission aims to play an important role in economic restoration. We all hope so. Hail Thailand!
For more information please see: https://movetravelthailand.com/move/5-steps-to-get-in-thailand
