5 questions travelers should ask before visiting Thailand in 2022
Thailand has welcomed 2 million tourists so far this year, and the government anticipates a total of 9.3 million by the end of the year. Although this is more than expected, it is still a small number compared to pre-pandemic Thailand, when over 40 million tourists visited the nation in 2019. The country’s economy, which depends on tourism for an estimated 12% of its GDP, has been severely impacted by this lack of travel.
The tourism industry is returning to Thailand, but the numbers are now small. Combine that with equally low hotel fees, and now is a great time to visit Thailand.
5 questions travelers should ask before visiting Thailand in 2022
1- What is needed to visit Thailand right now?
Thailand is almost entirely open, although there are still a few minor caveats. The quarantine has been lifted, but visitors must show proof of vaccination upon arrival. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors must have negative results from a professional ATK or COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure. Upon arrival in Thailand, all travelers must undergo a body temperature check. And since July, wearing a mask is no longer mandatory in Thailand, except on some public transport.
2- What’s the airport situation?
Although a boom in domestic travel in early June put some strain on Thailand’s airports, conditions there are stable, unlike the unrest that has erupted this summer in several airports across Europe. The number of passengers passing through the nation’s primary hub, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, is about 30,000 per day, a tiny fraction of the 108,500 the airport saw each day in 2019. Nevertheless, the government is optimistic that these figures are once more feasible; an ambitious extension, scheduled to be completed in 2025, will expand Suvarnabhumi’s capacity by 15 million passengers.
3- Any new ways of getting around?
While the rest of Bangkok was in lockdown, civil engineers have been busy expanding the subway and monorail network, making it easier than ever to get around the notoriously congested city. There is already a comfortable train that connects the city with Don Mueang. Bangkok International Airport, Economic Center and National Air Hub. The so-called Red Line train terminates at the gleaming new Bang Sue Grand Station, which recently became the country’s most important railway station. Also, for those looking abroad, there are plans for a high-speed rail link connecting Bangkok and southern China via Laos by 2028.
4- And what about the accommodation situation?
Unlike many destinations around the world this summer, Thailand has no shortage of accommodation. And at press time, visitors can expect excellent accommodations in the country’s most prominent destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Samui. The only potential problem is that the Thai government proposes a double-rate hotel structure. Pre-pandemic foreign visitors would have to pay (i.e., pay more) for hotel rooms under this system, while locals would continue to pay the reduced, state-subsidized rates. Some local hotel associations have opposed the proposal, and existing dual pricing schemes have already done so. This has drawn negative attention in Thailand so that the government may back down from this plan, much to the relief of many holiday planners.
5- What should I book in advance?
Booking ahead of time is always a good idea – and a good value. Because recent disruptions in air travel have resulted in fewer departures overall, booking domestic flights in advance is also advised. You should also consider making a reservation for dinner. In contrast to its reputation for street food, Bangkok has recently become home to several upscale restaurants with long wait lists. If you want to reserve a table at a renowned restaurant like Sorn, Samrub Samrub Thai, or Jay Fai, prepare your laptop and send that email at least a couple of months in advance.
Read also: The best shopping stops for girls in Thailand
