This is just a quick update about the ever-changing dates concerning Thailand travel which has been a rather popular topic among LoyaltyLobby readers as many were seeking to travel to the kingdom again.
After the Health Minister initially proposed a January 10th deadline for existing, approved Thailand Pass Test&Go travelers he has now changed his tune and the new date is said to be January 15, 2022.
Things are still not set in stone however as a big cabinet and health official meeting on Friday where further policy changes are to be discussed and a final decision made.
Travelers are anxious as they were relying on Thai officials’ words (bad idea) that their previously approved applications would be honored but now there seems to be a time cap on their approvals without any option to move the travel date forward – classic bait and switch.
Here is a new article from the website Daily News (Thai).
… Asked if the level 4 warning level would not have a lockdown, Mr Anutin said he had tried his best. Still can’t say anything clearly. But the Department of Disease Control would propose to consider elevating the area to orange and will cause limitations in activities especially the ban on drinking alcohol which is the most contagious point. Another issue is entering the country through the Test & Go system that will expand the reception of tourists. From the original deadline that had to come in by January 10, it will be extended to January 15th, where we have to limit Test & Go is another story. …
The translation of this article is horrible in many cases but this is the essential part of it.
We have already covered this matter twice this week (and will likely do so again after tomorrow reveal):
Should You Still Consider Traveling To Thailand Given Their Permanent Flip-Flop On Entry Rules?
Preceded by John’s article about their initial plans:
Thailand May Extend Test & Go Suspension And Require Approved Visitors To Enter By January 10, 2022
As it turned out the Test&Go has already been suspended for new applications for the remainder of the month and I can’t see it being restarted anytime soon.
Even if the deadline is extended to the 15th it doesn’t solve the issue as a whole. There will still be thousands of travelers who got shafted by the bait & switch operation if any kind of deadline is being imposed, directly contradicting what was said in December when the Thai government announced that all existing, approved Test&Go passes would be honored.
What’s super annoying is that there isn’t a clear voice and communication from the Thai Government but that these news are “distributed” through Thai language media. Great way to communicate during a public health crisis. NOT!
Conclusion
Another day, another deadline. Nothing new in that regard only that there’s now a new date with a little bit more time (roughly a week after tomorrow’s big cabinet meeting).
One can hope that tomorrow there will finally be some sort of clarity and a firm policy in place so at least travelers then know what they’re dealing with. The only thing worse than knowing the bad news is not knowing them but be certain they’re coming eventually.