Gradually, countries around the world are easing strict COVID rules and regulations, and Thailand is the latest. The Asian country has decided to scrap mandatory pre-travel registration for international travelers. Meanwhile, Thai bars and pubs will now be able to stay open long as tourism-reliant Thailand tries to woo back travelers to aid its flailing economy. Read on to find out the differences the country is making on July 1, 2022.

Thailand Pass to be scrapped

Thailand’s main COVID-19 task force made the announcement on Friday to scrap the so-called Thailand Pass for international travelers. Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the task force also backs the easing of outdoor mask-wearing from next month due to the decline in COVID cases. He added:

It’s a key step to unlock restrictions for major restoration of our tourism.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s government anticipates welcoming around 1.5 million international travelers a month for the rest of this year. In fact, Phiphat said that is up from their previous target of 1 million.

Current COVID regulations

Currently, international travelers are required to upload vaccination details. According to Bloomberg, proof of medical insurance covering at least $10,000 is also required to secure the Thailand Pass for their flight boarding and entry.

However, leaders in the Thai travel and leisure industry have been calling for the cancellation of the registration program. According to them, this tends to deter prospective vacationers. Now Thailand plans to drop the last of its Pandemic-era rules and regulations in order to lure travelers.

Wuthichai Luangamornlert, is the managing director of Siam Park City Co., the operator of an amusement park in Bangkok.  He applauded the news, saying, “It’s much-needed good news for Thai tourism, which has been on life-support for so long.”

Still, the tourism recovery may take much longer with the absence of visitors from China and Russia, two of Thailand’s main tourist sources.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall tourism-related sector in Thailand accounted for around a fifth of the country’s economy and jobs. In 2019, the country saw almost 40 million international travelers, according to the central bank.

Other regulations eased in Thailand

Besides scrapping the requirement for an entry pass, the Thai government will also allow bars, karaoke clubs and pubs to extend their service hours. Currently, each has a midnight curfew, with maximum service times dependent on varying rules in different municipalities.

COVID-19 status in Thailand

Moreover, the Thai government is set to classify all 77 provinces as “low risk” for COVID-19 outbreaks (so-called green zones). This will allow local authorities to ease some travel and business restrictions in each province. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said in a statement that it has also downgraded the coronavirus alert level to 2, in order to reflect a decline in group infections.

Meanwhile, local COVID cases have now dropped to around 2,000 a day from almost 30,000 in early April. This allows the government to ease the current strict measures.

Meanwhile, the mask requirement for outdoor public spaces will be lifted in July. However, Phiphat said they are still recommended “when other people are around or in crowded places such as markets, sports arenas and concerts.”