All the countries of Asia were delighted with the reopening of borders for Chinese travellerswhich means the return of a definite financial windfall. But the meteoric rise in Covid cases in China has had the effect of a cold shower. While European countries should be able to better manage the flow of travellers with a limited number of flights (6 direct flights between France and China this January, for example), the countries of South-East Asia are hesitating between the economic benefits and the risk of covid infection.
So the Thailand expects to welcome more than 300,000 Chinese visitors over the first three months. At the same time...
All the countries of Asia were delighted with the reopening of borders for Chinese travellerswhich means the return of a definite financial windfall. But the meteoric rise in Covid cases in China has had the effect of a cold shower. While European countries should be able to better manage the flow of travellers with a limited number of flights (6 direct flights between France and China this January, for example), the countries of South-East Asia are hesitating between the economic benefits and the risk of covid infection.
So the Thailand expects to welcome more than 300,000 Chinese visitors over the first three months. At the same time, the government has to juggle the fears of the population if nothing is done to control arrivals with a Chinese government that is quick to vilify countries that take more restrictive measures towards its citizens.
Also, since 9 january, the government has required ALL travellers to have two doses of covid vaccine. This is the new sesame for being authorised to enter the country. For travellers from countries that require a negative PCR test for entry into their territory (such as China, Japan or India), Thailand is once again demanding a covid insurance of up to $10,000. This insurance is compulsory regardless of the nationality of the traveller. "It's a question of reciprocity", explains the website of Thailand's tourist office, TAT.
If travellers fail to comply with these conditions, they will have to undergo a Covid test on site. And quarantine themselves if the test is positive.
For the time being, this measure is temporary, running until 31 January.
