The wait is over, to visit the ‘Land of Smiles’
Thailand is now welcoming fully vaccinated foreign visitors, together with returning Thais and foreign residents, from more than 60 approved countries and territories to enter the Kingdom by air with no quarantine requirements, which started from November 1, 2021. As India has been included in the list, TTJ interacts with Cholada Siddhivarn, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mumbai office, to get more clarity and insights on the current tourism matters prevailing in the country.
With India recently included in Thailand’s quarantine-free entry for vaccinated travellers, how hopeful you are in bringing numbers from India as tourism resumes?
Indians have always been fond of Thailand. While international travel was restricted, we received a lot of queries for Thailand. Now that travellers from India face no quarantine restrictions on entry into Thailand as long as they can provide evidence of having been vaccinated against COVID-19 under WHO guidelines. As a result, we expect even more Indians to travel to Thailand and consider Thailand as their primary destination of choice.
What do you have to say about the air connectivity issue? Will it hamper your forecast and targets set for the year 2022 since India still has an international flight ban in place?
Yes, I agree international flights travel ban is a concern but, we at TAT India are putting in all our efforts to woo Indians to the land of smiles. We have had communications in the past with our partners and consumers, and we understand that despite the restrictions, the growth and demand for Thailand is still very encouraging. People want to holiday, and with borders opening, I am sure there will be a slow but steady inflow of tourists from India.
Besides sandbox programs, Thailand has other schemes such as the ‘Test and Go’ exemption for vaccinated travellers and or the ‘Happy Quarantine’ program for partially or unvaccinated travellers. What has led your Government to ease out the earlier strict COVID curbs?
As we work towards mitigating risks around outbound travel and to enhance the quality of our travel health programmes,
we will continue to ease up on existing COVID requirements like the Safety & Health Administration (SHA)which has been recognised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), RT-PCR tests, etc. We aim to keep these measures progressive and in accordance with best practices that meet both global standards and our travel needs.
Has the sandbox programme been successful after Thailand strategised it? Do you have the numbers for international travellers visiting Thailand since inception?
According to the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, there were a total of 30,538 visitor arrivals to Thailand at all international airports during November 1-10, 2021. The top 10 countries were: USA – 3,864 arrivals, Germany – 3,274 arrivals, UK – 1,785 arrivals, Japan – 1,713 arrivals, South
Korea – 1,296 arrivals, Russia – 1,140 arrivals, Switzerland – 1,116 arrivals, Sweden – 1,041 arrivals, France – 923 arrivals and UAE – 810 arrivals.
The 30,538 arrivals included 19,949 visitors under the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme, 9,072 under the Living in the Blue Zone (17 Sandbox destinations) programme, and 1,517 under the Happy Quarantine requirement (comprising 453 arrivals with a seven-day quarantine and 1,064 arrivals with a 10-day quarantine).
According to you, which factors should the Indian traveller keep in mind before making travel plans to Thailand?
Before making plans to Thailand, you should take care of the following factors for a comfortable journey:
• Apply for your Visa beforehand and have approved the ‘Thailand Pass’ QR code handy.
• A Certificate of Vaccination (fully vaccinated) with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.
• Those previously infected within 3 months must have received 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling.
• Travellers under 12 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians, are exempt from the vaccination requirement.
• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling (all travellers).
• A confirmed payment for stay at SHA+, AQ, OQ, or AHQ accommodation, and 1 RT-PCR test. (1 N for Test & GO/7N for Sandbox/10N for Happy Quarantine) • An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
• Download the ‘MOR CHANA’ App when in Thailand.
What can the traveller expect now in Thailand after almost two years of travel lull and break?
Thailand has geared up with all safety protocols and necessary restrictions to ensure safe travel. However, restaurants, parks, and other such touristic places will have new rules and procedures that one may need to follow.
Which segments of tourism you are banking on now and targeting from the Indian market?
At this moment we feel Weddings, Golf, Luxury, DINK segments will be the pillars to drive in traffic.
What will be your current initiatives and strategies with travel partners in India, now that Thailand has reopened for them to get back into action?
TAT has announced the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022’ which will offer 3 ‘Amazing New Chapters’ in which the world’s travellers are welcome to experience in Thailand.
Chapter 1, or The First Chapter, will see TAT highlight tourism products and services that will awaken travellers’ five senses; such as delicious Thai cuisine and the picturesque natural scenery that can be discovered all throughout the kingdom.
In Chapter 2, titled The One You Love, TAT will focus on specific segments like families, couples, and friends and invite them to create wonderful memories together in Thailand. Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai in particular will be promoted as popular destinations for weddings and honeymooners, with their beautiful beaches, mountain resorts, and vibrant city appeals.
Chapter 3, The Earth We Care, will highlight how nature’s chance to revitalise due to the COVID-19 situation has increased ecotourism awareness among the world’s travellers and how their behaviour has impacted the environment. The emergence of travel segments like Wilderness tourism (Escapers) and Cult-Vacation (Conscious) will also show that travellers’ behaviour has changed towards spending more time in nature and being increasingly conscious of their impact on natural resources.