Tell your friends & family - it’s now much easier to visit Thailand…p

from Hua Hin Today Newspaper May 2022

ISSUE 238 • MAY 2022

Happening TELL YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY – IT’S NOW MUCH EASIER TO VISIT THAILAND

Visitors to Thailand who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer need to undergo any testing or quarantine from May 1.

Unvaccinated travelers will also be exempt from mandatory 5 day hotel quarantine if they can show a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours of their departure to Thailand.

All visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, are still required to register online with the ‘Thailand Pass’ system (https://tp.consular. go.th/), and provide proof of health insurance with COVID-19 coverage not less than $10,000.

Authorities hope the move will help to rejuvenate Thailand’s tourism industry, which like many countries, has been left decimated because of the pandemic.

Since February, Thailand had operated the ‘Test & Go’ program which enabled people who were fully vaccinated to enter the country with limited quarantine, of typically less than 24 hours. People had also been required to undergo an RTPCR test on arrival.

However, from May 1, no testing of any form will be required for fully vaccinated travelers.

“Test & Go will be scrapped and there will be a shift to antigen testing on May 1. This will be more convenient and faster for visitors. Tourism is also starting to recover,’’ Prime Minister Prayut Chano-cha said during the announcement.

“Many countries have already eased their restrictions”, the PM added.

“We are a country that relies on the tourism industry, especially during these times. This will help move the economy forward.”

Tourism is a key driver for Thailand’s economy, with the kingdom one of the most popular holiday destinations, not only in Asia, but anywhere in the world.

In the year before COVID-19, more than 40 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, which in terms of revenue accounted for approximately 12 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Travel rules for vaccinated travelers

From May 1, fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival.

They also no longer need to pre-book a hotel room for their first night’s stay in the country, a move which ends the Test & Go scheme which has been in place since Feb 1.

However, they are still required to register with Thailand Pass in order to submit a copy of their vaccination certificate, as well as proof of COVID-19 insurance with at least $10,000 coverage, which has been reduced from $20,000.

Travelers are only recommended to take a self-ATK test if they show symptoms for COVID-19.

Upon arriving in Thailand, fully vaccinated travelers are free to go anywhere in the kingdom.

Travel rules for non-vaccinated travelers

Non vaccinated travelers to Thailand can avoid a mandatory 5 day hotel quarantine if they are able to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of their departure.

Proof of the negative test result must be uploaded to the Thailand Pass system, along with proof of insurance coverage for COVID-19 of up to $10,000.

They also no longer need to show a negative RT-PCR test result either on arrival in Thailand.

Alternatively, if they are unable to show a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of their departure they must undergo 5 day quarantine in a hotel and take an RT-PCR test on day 5 of their stay.

If the test is negative they are free to travel anywhere in Thailand.

Proof of the 5 day hotel booking must be submitted to Thailand Pass prior to departure.

Thailand has seen an upturn in arrivals during the first quarter of 2022.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, 444,039 foreign tourists visited the country between January-March 2022.

While this was an increase of 2,101 percent compared to the same period a year previously, it is a drop in the ocean compared to its pre-pandemic levels, where Thailand would average over 100,000 tourist arrivals per day.

The decision to scrap Test & Go and RT-PCR testing on arrival has been welcomed by the country’s tourism and business sectors.

Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said in making its decision, the government had responded to calls from business operators.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also said the government will consider launching the “Two Countries, One Destination” in a bid to facilitate travel and promote tourism between Thailand and other countries.

BEACH POLO RETURNS TO HUA HIN

Hua Hin recently played host to Asia’s largest beach polo event.

The Asian Beach Polo Championship was organised in partnership with the B.Grimm Group, the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort, the Proud Group, Bluport Hua Hin and the Equestrian Association of Thailand.

The event took place on Saturday April 9 on the beachfront of the Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort and featured teams from Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia who were competing for the illustrious HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha trophy.

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, this year’s event was the 11th occasion the Asian Beach Polo Championship has been held in Hua Hin and also marked B.Grimm’s 144th anniversary in Thailand.

As always, the Asian Beach Polo Championship had a charitable aspect with all proceeds from the event donated to the Nabha Foundation, a royal initiative under HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati.

The Foundation helps to provide training, assistance and social welfare to the underprivileged throughout Thailand.

Besides the excitement of the polo tournament,

© Patrick Jacobs © Patrick Jacobs spectators were able to enjoy a variety of activities including a beach themed fashion show on horseback, and a live performance of “Broadway Under Hua Hin Sky” from the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

Despite the scorching temperatures, some spectators were dressed to the nines with a varied assortment of glamorous hats and dresses on show.

Presiding over the event was Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, former deputy prime minister to Thailand, Dr. Harald Link, president B. Grimm and president of the Equestrian Association of Thailand President of the competition and Mr. Sathien Charoenruen, governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The tournament was won by Thailand who took 1st place for the sixth consecutive year. In 2nd place was Hong Kong, followed by Singapore in 3rd .

Hua Hin was chosen as a suitable location because much of the sand on the beach is fine and dense, meaning that when the horses run they do not fall over.

As well as helping to raise money for a worthy cause, the event helped to raise the profile of polo in Thailand and promote tourism in Hua Hin.

Justin Bieber to perform in Bangkok - tickets sell out within hours

tickets.

Further details regarding the concert including any COVID-19 guidelines were not available at the time of going to press.

“We’ve been working hard to create the best show we’ve ever done, and we can’t wait to share it with fans around the world. I’ll see you soon,” Bieber said

You better Beliebe it - pop superstar Justin Bieber will perform in Bangkok in November.

The 28 year old heartthrob will bring his Justice World Tour to the Thai capital on November 6.

The show will take place at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Tickets were priced between 2,500 and 16,500 baht per seat but sold out within hours of going on sale on April 29.

In Hua Hin, fans queued at Major Cineplex in both BluPort and Market Village to secure their in a statement.

Bieber released his latest and sixth album, Justice, in 2021. The album contained global hits such as Peaches and Ghost, and went to No. 1 in countries such as the United States and Britain.

Over the course of his career, Bieber has amassed over 50 billion streams and over 60 million album equivalent sales worldwide.

Justin Bieber’s performance in Bangkok will form the Southeast Asian leg of his world tour which kicks off in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 22, followed by a show in Singapore on Oct 25 and two shows in Jakarta on Nov 2 and 3.

The date in Bangkok is the latest large-scale event to be announced in Thailand so far this year. Dance music festival Creamfields will make its Thailand debut at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya in May, while Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Ros will perform at the Maho Rasop Festival in Bangkok in August.

In March it was announced that Liverpool and Manchester United would also play at the Rajamangala National Stadium in July.

ISSUE 238 • MAY 2022 Happening

Leisure travelers are starting to return to Hua Hin

Hua Hin Today recently spoke to Joseph Della Gatta, InterContinental Hua Hin General Manager to discuss a variety of topics including the return of leisure travelers to the resort and Jaras Hua Hin, which was recently named one of the best new restaurants in Asia The loosening of restrictions in Thailand is starting to show signs that leisure travel is returning to Hua Hin, according to the general manager of one of the resort’s leading hotels. While the people visiting Hua Hin are still predominantly domestic travelers, the resumption of the Test & Go program and subsequent relaxing of entry requirements has seen more tourists visiting Hua Hin. “We are definitely starting to see people traveling for leisure now”, Joseph Della Gatta, General Manager of the InterContinental Hua Hin told Hua Hin Today. Joseph believes that one of the first areas of the travel industry to bounce back post pandemic will be the leisure market. “For two years, people have been dreaming about wanting to travel after being stuck at home, they are itching to travel”.

A pet friendly hotel

With the pandemic putting the brakes on international travel, Joseph revealed how the InterContinental Hua Hin has adapted and innovated to provide new offerings to domestic tourists.

“The BluPort wing of the hotel is dog friendly and we recently started dog training sessions every Saturday, which is free for guests”.

Joseph explains that increasingly domestic travelers were wanting to travel with their dogs, with the hotel becoming pet friendly as a way of attracting new guests.

In addition, the InterContinental Hua Hin also continues to grow its food and beverage offerings.

The newly launched Cafe De Khoi located at the InterContinental’s BluPort wing is a pet friendly, French bistro style venue. It offers a stylish, yet cozy interior with a large outdoor seating area under the shade of an old khoi tree.

For coffee lovers, Cafe De Khoi’s advanced coffee menu comprises four distinct preparation methods : nitro, espresso, slow-bar pour over and ice drip.

Cafe De Khoi also offers a wide range of menu in Asian and Western style from savory bites, all day-breakfast or premium dishes along with fresh- baked patisserie and delectable desserts.

And for your four legged friend, there is a special dog menu which even includes doggie ice cream, while puppy bowls ensure that your dog will be properly pampered.

Meanwhile, over on the beach side of the hotel is the InterContinental’s Art Deco-influenced CoCco Bar, which features Thai-inspired food and drink complete with fireside and cabana settings.

At CoCco Bar, watch the master mixologist at work, try an artisan G&T or sip on a craft beer or refreshing cider. This is the perfect venue to toast another heavenly evening in Hua Hin.

InterContinental Hua Hin is home to ‘Asia’s Best New Restaurant’

Meanwhile, the InterContinental’s signature fine dining restaurant, Jaras Hua Hin, was recently named as one of Asia’s Best New Restaurant 2021 at World Culinary Awards.

Jaras brings a contemporary twist on Thai cuisine and pairs it with time-honoured service traditions.

Commenting on the award, Joseph said: “We are absolutely delighted that Jaras has been awarded as Asia’s Best New Restaurant.”

He added that, “To achieve an award like this at such an early stage is testament to all the hard work and effort that has been put into developing the restaurant by the whole team. We are focused on constantly raising the level of our experience and look forward to sharing that with our customers.”