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Travelling To Thailand? Here Are New COVID-19 Measures All M'sians Need To Know From 9 Jan

The new rule will be in effect until at least the end of January 2023.

Cover image via China Daily & Reuters

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Thailand will require international travellers to show proof they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before flying to Thailand, according to the country's aviation regulator, as it prepares for more tourists after China reopened its border on Sunday, 8 January

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) said in a statement on Saturday, 7 January, that starting early today, 9 January, all foreign arrivals must prove they are vaccinated or provide a letter certifying that they have recovered from COVID-19 within six months.

Unvaccinated travellers must show a medical certificate explaining why they have not received the vaccine.

CAAT said airlines would be responsible for checking documents before passengers board and has released a list of how many doses are required for various types of COVID-19 vaccines on its website.

The new measure will remain in effect at least until the end of January, CAAT said.

Tourists wait to check in for flights, ahead of an influx of Chinese tourists as COVID-19 restrictions are dismantled, at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, Thailand.

Image via Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

The vaccination requirement was scrapped by Thailand last October but has been revived as China reopens its border following the easing of its zero-COVID policy

The first commercial flight from China to Thailand, Xiamen Airlines flight MF833, will arrive to Bangkok from Xiamen today, carrying 286 passengers, government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Sunday.

Foreigners travelling to Thailand from a country where a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result is a condition for entry are required to show proof of health insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment, the Health Ministry said.

The new entry requirements do not apply to Thai passport holders or passengers transiting through Thailand.

Besides Thailand, Malaysia is also one of the top 10 countries in the world that Chinese tourists would like to visit this year:

The Malaysian government has also put in place tighter surveillance in response to China's border reopening:

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