Thailand Travel Restrictions Updates

Thailand Travel Advice

Is it safe to travel to Bangkok and Phuket?

Latest advice as Thailand updates coronavirus quarantine rules

THAILAND has updated its travel advice for tourists because cases of coronavirus have reached 48 following the positive result of a British traveler.

Here's everything you need to know, from travel tips to flight disruptions, if you're traveling around the country, including Bangkok and Phuket.

What's the latest travel advice for Thailand?

There is currently no travel ban in place for Thailand.

The British government has warned: "There is a continuing epidemic of coronavirus.

"The virus is from Wuhan city, Hubei province, but cases have been confirmed in other parts of China and the region, including Thailand.

"The Thai authorities have introduced a number of measures to limit the spread of the virus, and additional measures may be introduced. You must comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities."

Tourists entering the country who have visited South Korea, China, Macau, Hong Kong, Italy and Iran, even in transit, will be forced to self-quarantine for 14 days at their home or in their hotel room.

They will also have to register with the authorities every day or face a fine of 200.00 baht (£ 489), according to local media.

The British are also invited to self-quarantine on their return to the United Kingdom from Thailand in case of symptoms.

The United States Department of State has not issued new warnings for Americans traveling around the country, and there are no current warnings for coronaviruses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Is travel to Thailand affected?

Travel to and from the United Kingdom remains uninterrupted in Thailand, with flights and public transport.

However, Israeli airline El Al has suspended all flights to and from Thailand to reduce the spread, while Thai Airways, Jetstar and airlines in South Korea and Kuwait are also reducing flights.

Airports such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi will be screened for signs of illness and tourists will also receive health advice upon arrival.

Thailand was the first country to confirm a case of coronavirus on January 12, as cases continue to climb.

A number of events have been canceled in the country due to a coronavirus, including MotoGP, while the Irish women's cricket tour in Thailand has been canceled.

The annual full moon party at Koh Phangan was also canceled due to fears, despite the lack of reported cases on the island.

Tourism Thailand has insisted that the country is still open and welcoming tourists, although popular resorts in destinations like Phuket have been deserted with reports of a 40% drop in the number of tourists.

Can I cancel my holiday to Thailand?

Britons traveling to Thailand are unlikely to get their money back if they cancel their vacation or flights.

The only time tour operators are required to reimburse vacation packages is if the Department of Foreign Affairs changes their travel tips for a region and turns them into a no-go zone, which they did not do in this case.

Independent hotels are not even required to refund money in this case, so if you paid in advance and choose not to show up, you will lose your money.

If the hotel is a large chain, it may be worth asking to change your stay at another location or to delay your trip, but they are not required to grant it.

Vacationers are advised to check with their travel insurance providers to see if they can do anything, but this is also unlikely.