Thailand reopened to all: stop restrictions and doors open to the unvaccinated

Thailand follows Japan and chooses to reopen its borders after two years of pandemic, or rather loosen restrictions. The first partial tourism recovery and reopening for the country, in fact, was on July 1, 2021 with the "Phuket Sandbox" project.

Since then, vaccinated tourists could fly to Thailand, but a minimum health insurance of 100,000 $ and a negative PCR swab 72h before departure was required. As well as booking confirmation for a 14-day stay in Phuket at a SHA Plus + certified hotel and a receipt with payment for 3 Covid tests to be performed at the facility where one was staying. One could then enter Thailand after receiving the Certificate of Entry COE and filling out several forms for entry.

Subsequently, entry conditions were revised as the pandemic worsened. But as of May 1, 2022, Thailand abolished the Anti-Covid Test and quarantine for vaccinated visitors in a big sign of openness. As of July 1, 2022, the Thailand Pass was also removed.

Thailand reopens to all from October 2022

What is new, however, is that as of October 1, 2022, for entry into Thailand, "it is no longer necessary to show a certificate of vaccination or a negative result of a molecular/antigen test carried out in the 72 hours prior to departure," reads the Travel Safe.

In addition, in order to make it easier for both travelers and digital nomads to stay, the country has extended the duration of the tourist visa as a new measure from October 2022.

The opening to tourism has been gradual, leaving some travelers who thought they could return to the country without too many problems somewhat perplexed. Since October, fortunately, travelers who plan to visit the country or stay as digital nomads will be able to add a new stamp to their passports.

However, we want to remind our readers that it is always good to inquire about Safe Travel because there could always be changes. Pandemic, as we have seen over the years, is really unpredictable, you should always have insurance for your trip.

Thailand reopens to tourism from October 2022, news a free visa extended to 45 days

The reopening is good news, but even more so is the news of the extension of the validity of the free tourist visa for countries like Italy from 30 to 45 days. For countries with the Visa on Arrival agreement, the visa has been extended from 15 to 30 days. Currently, the visa measures are in effect from October 1, 2022 until March 31, 2023.

If you are planning your next trip to Thailand, choose well the time to visit. We've thought of a few small tips that can make a difference in your notebook for your next itinerary. Hold on tight and start dreaming!

What to see in Thailand? Top 5 wonderful places to visit in the country (not just beaches)

People often think that Thailand is only about beaches, attractions and entertainment, but that is not the case. This is a misconception, as there is so much more to do and visit in this country of breathtaking scenery. It is a country that is often underestimated because of prejudices due perhaps to friends and relatives who have been there 30 years ago, it actually has so much to offer!

Our readers regularly ask us what the Top 5 places to visit in Thailand precisely to return to travel and experiences outside the usual offerings. We point out our selection below.

The watchword is: life! Are you ready?

1. Bangkok: the capital city to discover and experience

Wonderful, a combination of Buddhist temples and spectacular palaces, there is no shortage of examples of ancient architecture within fascinating futuristic neighborhoods. The tasty and distinctive street food and native cuisine are truly all to be discovered.

If you're imagining the classic Thai restaurant you can find in Italian metropolises, forget it! The capital is full of magnificent places, where you can enjoy local dishes at really low prices, but of the highest quality. It is a really important part of your trip, you can finally visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace.

A city that knows how to reveal itself to the visitor step by step, perfect for a backpacking or extra-luxury experience, depending of course on taste. What we at TFC feel like telling you is that Bangkok is for everyone, a bit like Rome: you'll always find something that suits you and you'll be happy about it!

2. Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand

A truly "authentic" and vibrant region of the country, where we can find less of the modernity of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, but immerse ourselves in the most striking and unique Thailand.

You can find yourself in the middle of the jungle and delve into the culture of the place that exudes in every experience you go. If you love trekking this is the place for you, we recommend Elephant Nature Park.

The city of Chiang Mai is really very large, a center full of craft markets. Landscapes, glimpses, small streets and vegetation, rice paddies, hills that look like hand-drawn, all this is what you will encounter in the Ping River Valley.

3. The wonder of Koh Tao and Koh Kood

Perhaps we are biased, but really we are talking about two places that infuse a vitality that only those who visit them can understand. We are talking about Koh Tao, the island of turtles, which is located in the Gulf of Thailand an hour's boat ride from Koh Samui. Famous, for its beaches, crystal clear sea and vegetation that you may have only seen in the TV series "Lost." It is the right destination for snorkelers and divers, if you are keen, you can really do all the sea sports in the world and meet the beautiful turtles.

Nonetheless, Koh Kood is a continuum of mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and still tropical vegetation. Toward the sea, you will instead encounter cliffs with granite rocks and volcanic lava, beaches with the whitest sand you've ever seen and crystal clear sea. It really deserves a lot, we are waiting for your comments on your next trip after visiting Koh Kood.

4. The wonderful national parks

Marine parks, standard land parks that really offer a unique opportunity to get to know Thailand. Among the best, we recommend:

• Khao Yai National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Similan Maritime National Park
• Doi Inthanon National Park
• Erawan National Park
• Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park (Ko Samui)
• Khao Sok National Park (Surat Thani province)
• Doi Suthep National Park

NB: It is necessary, always check the rules within these National Parks. For example, it is forbidden to take photos and videos with drones or rip out flowers and other vegetation, as well as take away stones or corals.

5. Koh Samui

Among the wonders, which you absolutely must visit, we propose: Koh Samui with its beautiful beaches. A spectacular island, full of places to get lost to (perhaps) find yourself, including: sacred statues, handicraft markets, water sports opportunities, scenic spots and really much more.

We want to recommend the spectacular Chaweng beach, it is located on the east coast, but it is really busy! What really amazed us the most is the Friday night market in Bophut, here you will find the Fisherman Village, with many stalls and restaurants on the beach where you can sample unique dishes while enjoying performances by dancers.

Thailand reopens to tourism: how to get there from Italy? And how much does a flight cost?

There are several airlines offering their flights to the capital for example. These include Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian. The average price for a flight, usually with a stopover, is 1,200 euros, however, some very good deals can also be found. Our advice is to monitor them through Google Flight.

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Have a good trip!

• goodbye restrictions