Thailand Pass Might End By June 1

The Tourism and Sports Ministry said that the cancellation of Thailand Pass registration will take effect as early as June 1. Without the Thailand Pass, travelers are required to use TM6 immigration arrival forms for vaccine declaration. The earlier scheduled date of July 1 for ending Thailand Pass could happen in June if the CCSA or Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration approved the proposal from the Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

While the Test & Go and Sandbox programs will conclude at the end of April, the Thailand Pass will continue in effect, with travelers still needing to submit their passport information, vaccination documents, and proof of payment for their health insurance with a minimum  US$10,000 coverage. Once submitted, they need to wait for approval to secure their Thailand Pass QR code.

While the step to eliminate most of the paperwork has been welcomed by tourist and hotel companies in Thailand, many tourists continue to see the Thailand Pass as a bureaucratic impediment and they support the discontinuation of the online pre-registration entry process.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has already reached an agreement with Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, to discontinue the Thailand Pass. However, any such change would need permission from the CCSA.

“If the Omicron variant infection rate declines by June 1, the remaining travel restrictions must be lifted as Thailand prepares to declare Covid-19 endemic.”

Phiphat added that after the Thailand Pass has been discontinued, arrivals from overseas are required to provide their vaccination information on the TM6 immigration form. Immigration authorities would subsequently be responsible for screening incoming travelers.

On the other hand, the 300-baht tourism charge will return and is expected to be submitted to the Thai cabinet in the next few weeks. The charge is likely to take effect within 3 months. According to Phiphat, if the mandatory Covid-19 insurance is scrapped, the fee will be utilized as a type of travel insurance, covering treatment expenses for Covid patients with asymptomatic conditions.

Source: Bangkok Post

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