‘Thailand Pass’ could be scrapped completely on July 1, according to Thailand’s tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan. The fate of Thailand Pass will be decided at the next meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, next Friday on June 17.
Thailand Pass was already dropped for Thai nationals on June 1, but foreigners flying into the kingdom are still required to apply for it. Incoming foreign travellers must go onto the Thailand Pass website, upload their passport information, proof of Covid-19 insurance covering US$10,000 and vaccination history to obtain a QR code which they can use when coming through immigration when they arrive.
Unvaccinated tourists must instead upload proof of a negative PCR test result or professional ATK test kit taken by officials when they arrive at the airport.
The Thailand Pass is considered one of the greatest barriers towards the revitalisation of Thailand’s tourism industry, and the tourism minister is certain Thailand will reach 30,000 incoming travellers per day if the scheme is scrapped.
Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand ,Yuthasak Supasorn, says that on Friday, the TAT will have a meeting with the private sector to exchange ideas on the topic which will then be presented to the CCSA next Friday.
There is no doubt that without the faff and paperwork surrounding the Thailand Pass, prospective foreign tourists will be more inclined to pack their bags and jet off to Thailand. If no new red tape is implemented in place of Thailand Pass, travellers will be allowed to enter Thailand using only their passports, like the good old days.
SOURCE: Prachachat