It's now easier to organize a last-minute trip to Thailand

The change in entry rules on June 1st, including the ability to instantly obtain the Thailand Pass, makes last-minute trips to Thailand more convenient.

There isn't enough ink on the internet to properly document the reopening of travel to Thailand.

It was chaotic and confusing, with brief periods of "What the hell" because it was so complicated, not to mention the various bugs.

To bring you up to speed, it's pretty standard now, with just a little more red tape than in some other countries.

And with the lifting of testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors, it's now easier to enter Thailand than the United States.

See: Traveling to Thailand after June 1, 2022: What you need to know

Since June 1, Thailand has implemented a faster way to obtain permission to enter the country, and this is great news for anyone hoping to book soon and leave even sooner.

Thailand speeds up Thailand Pass process

Thailand Pass checkpoint. Photo: Suvarnabhumi Airport Tourist Police

Two factors prevent most fully vaccinated travelers from flying to Thailand.

The first is proof of medical coverage of at least $10,000 for the trip.

The second is the Thailand Pass .

The Thailand Pass is an entry application system for non-Thai visitors to the country.

Potential visitors upload their proof of insurance and proof of medical coverage (which now has a $10,000 requirement) and wait for approval.

Without approval, there is no entry.

Wait times were completely unpredictable and error messages when submitting forms were the norm.

Since June 1st, all that seems to have changed.

Thailand pass applications are typically returned within minutes, not days or weeks.

If you've been yearning for a last-minute trip, it's entirely possible again, for the first time in years.

Simpler procedures

Tourists take photos in front of the famous Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai. Photo: Dusida Worrachaddejchai

Thailand considered abolishing the Thailand Pass altogether, but these plans did not materialize.

See: Thailand's constant flip-flopping on tourist deterrents is hurting tourism

Similar ideas regarding the removal of travel medical insurance requirements have also been proposed.

If Thailand were to abolish the Thailand Pass and the insurance requirement, entry for fully vaccinated visitors would be as simple as booking a flight.

For unvaccinated visitors, it is sufficient to take a test.

One thing that could eliminate the requirement for medical insurance would be the introduction of Thailand's long-awaited new tourist tax for visitors.

Thailand planned to introduce a tourism tax between August and September 2022, and the fee of 300 baht, approximately 8.13 euros, was intended to cover health issues.

But the project is difficult to implement.

See: Thailand's tourist tax plan derails once again

Traveling to Thailand just got easier

With the removal of testing requirements for vaccinated travelers and fast-track approvals for the Thailand Pass, traveling to Thailand is easier than it's been in years.

Competition is fierce with neighboring Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, which are scaling back entry restrictions daily.

See: Competition to attract tourists between Thailand and Vietnam

If you want to take a last-minute trip, or if you want to give in to the spontaneous urge for a mega getaway, you can do it now.

Thailand is incredible from north to south, and prices for hotels, food, and tours remain incredibly good as the country reopens.

You can't say that in Europe right now!

Source: God Save the Points