Thailand-
The following is our weekly feature in which we take a look at the top developing stories and things to follow over the next week. We are focusing on what is happening for the fourth week of April 2022, ending April 30th, 2022.
As we publish dozens of stories a week, this allows our readers to get a quick glimpse of the most important stories taking place in Thailand and Pattaya and to monitor and follow for the week ahead, as chosen by our editorial team. Let’s get right into it with the biggest news of the week and what important stories to follow and look for this week that are likely to see further developments:
1. Test and Go going away from May 1st, tourism operators hope this will see a significant boost in visitors
After over two years, Thailand is “almost” fully open, although paperwork with Thailand Pass and mandatory insurance remains, as well as proof of vaccination. (Unvaccinated have some additional requirements.) As of May 1st, Test and Go will “go away” ending the biggest concern from most international visitors-the fear of testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival to Thailand and being sent to 7-10 days of quarantine, ending most holidays that average 1-2 weeks.
This is massive news and recent informal polls from our readers show that although Thailand Pass is still an annoyance, it isn’t the deterrent Test and Go was.
Furthermore, there are signs that within 1-2 months, Thailand may also drop Thailand Pass entirely, which the travel and tourism industry says is critical for people from nearby countries, like India or Malaysia, to travel. This is because people from close countries tend to come for only a few days and waiting up to a week for Thailand Pass approval is unacceptable for many of them and also stops short spur-of-the-moment weekend trips. India especially is critical to Thailand’s plan to recover tourism.
Thai government cancels Test and Go, eases legal drinking hours, and more-Covid meeting recap
2. With Songkran over, its time to look forward to the Pattaya elections
Expect to see significantly more campaigning and canvassing from the four mayoral candidates in Pattaya, as well as more coverage from us and our teams on this important election. We understand many foreign readers may not care, however, we do have many Thai readers who read English as well. The election is May 22nd, which will also be an alcohol ban day from the evening before until polls close.
3. Walking Street to close to vehicle traffic daily from 5:00 P.M., tourist police and foreign tourist police volunteers to return from May 1st
Not much needs to be said here except that this is a change many have wanted as more and more venues reopen on Walking Street and more tourists return. This is also seen as a major step in restoring the street.
That is all for this week! See you again next week!
