At USP Relocations, we make sure to guide all our clients from the pre-move stage until the shipment
arrives at its destination and ensure that you have everything you need to know before planning your
move to Thailand.
Before you relocate or move to Thailand, It is essential to stay up to date with Thailand’s current situation and news. You will find in this article the current COVID-19-related situation in Thailand, as well as its news update as of February 2022. More importantly, we made sure to explain how your safety matters to us and how we proceed to provide our services.
That being said, you will most likely need a guideline for travelling to Thailand as well. We have also provided you with the steps needed to travel to Thailand in times of pandemic.
COVID-19 Situation in Thailand
Compared to the previous week, the average number of new community-acquired COVID-19 cases
reported per day increased by 30% in the last seven days (as of February 9th). Although these numbers
have increased more in the previous week than weeks before, the sharp rise in cases seen in other
countries due to the omicron variant spread has yet to be seen in Thailand. However, the total number of cases (13,182) reported on February 9th represents the highest since September 23rd, 2021.
Although the number of COVID-19 cases is slowly increasing, there is currently no increase in the
number of severe and ventilated patients in hospitals due to the lower levels of illness linked with
omicron infection.
The average daily number of severe cases over the last seven days (530) is down 2% from the previous
week’s average (542).
COVID-19 vaccination rates in Thailand are very likely to be lowering the number of severe illnesses and deaths caused by COVID-19 strains in circulation. High immunization rates also slow COVID-19 transmission. Vaccination rates, however, remain low in several provinces and among certain high-risk
groups..
COVID-19 News Update in Thailand (Source: Bangkok Post)
As of February 7th, the Bangkok Post reported that the Public Health Ministry would propose a relaxation of measures to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) the following week. Rather than imposing lockdowns during outbreaks, these measures try to encourage people to live with the pandemic.
While there are no details on the restrictions as to when it will be lifted, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, the director-general of the ministry’s Department of Disease Control (DDC), indicated that Thailand was following global trends because several countries have begun to ease measures despite daily infection surges.
Given the current situation in Thailand, the number of new daily cases is still considered safe. Dr. Karnkawinpong hopes to persuade people that there is no need to be concerned because the Omicron variant’s effects are less severe than those of the Delta variant, despite the latter’s high transmission rate.
The ministry also believes that Thailand should no longer impose lockdowns as COVID-19 will reach an endemic stage soon.
Moving procedures with USP Relocations
As our motto says: “Your Move, Our Care” means your safety is important and matters to us!
As a moving company, we provide services that necessitate our presence inside our clients’ homes, such as surveys and packing. Considering the current pandemic, we take precautions, and we follow the guidelines imposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to comply with the COVID-19 safety measures.
To provide our clients with all possible options to ensure their safety, we can survey your home virtually rather than physically, unless you require it. If you are planning to relocate/move to Thailand, we are more than happy to schedule a video call depending on your convenience to estimate your volume, needed to be packed and moved, bound to any cities in Thailand (Please get in touch with us: info@usprelocations)
While our office team members can work from home, our packing crew remains at the office and ready to be dispatched to your home. We ensure to remind every team member of the safety procedures, and it is compulsory to get a COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test with a negative result at least once a week.
Our packing crew is provided with surgical masks to wear when they leave our office at the destination to your house to protect you and your family.
Travel to Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic (Source: Royal Thai Embassy)
Step 1: Select a scheme for entering Thailand (air travel)
- No Quarantine (Exemption) – Test and Go scheme: The system has been reopened for new Test & Go applications since February 1st, 2022.
- Sandbox Program – Stay in the Sandbox area for seven days. Areas included Phuket, Krabi, Phan-Nga, and Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan)
- Alternative Quarantine (AQ) – Fully vaccinated travelers subject to 7 days quarantine or 10 Days and not fully vaccinated travelers subject to 10 days quarantine.
Step 2: Apply e-Visa online (if required)
Applying for an e-Visa online at least 15 days before traveling is highly recommended. Once the e-Visa application is approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants. The Royal Thai Embassy also kindly request to print a copy of the confirmation e-mail, which must present to the airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when traveling to Thailand.
Note for e-Visa application: From September 26th, 2021, travelers are no longer required to submit their passport and original supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate.
Step 3: Apply Thailand Pass Online
Application guidelines:
- Submit your application at least seven days before your trip;
- Gather the necessary documentation before applying for Thailand Pass online.
- Each person must submit a separate application (accompanied minors under 12 years of age who are not vaccinated, are eligible to enter the Kingdom under the Exemption from Quarantine program)
- Register on Thailand Pass and acquire the Thailand Pass QR Code
Step 4: Prepare required documents before departure
Step 5: Get a COVID-19 RT_PCR test within 72 hours with a negative result prior to departure.
If you need more details, please visit the Royal Thai Embassy website here (https://thaiembdc.org/covid-19inthailand/)
SOURCES: Bangkok Post; ReliefWeb, Royal Thai Embassy