Thailand has dropped its last remaining pandemic-induced travel restrictions, allowing international tourists, including South Africans, to enter and stay for longer.

More than 12,000 South Africans travelled to Thailand during the first eight months of 2022, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). These arrivals needed to comply with health and safety regulations imposed to combat the spread of Covid-19, including providing proof of vaccination or a negative test result obtained 72 hours before travelling.

These regulations, which came into effect in July, followed a year of Thailand's gradual reopening to international tourism. This reopening included Sandbox programmes, limiting vaccinated tourists to popular spots like Phuket, and a Test & Go initiative, which was abruptly halted due to the detection of Omicron, which hit South African travellers hardest.

Now, the last of these restrictions have been scrapped, with Thailand fully reopening to tourists from 1 October. Travellers no longer need to provide proof of vaccination and don't need to test for Covid-19.

The announcement comes just in time for Thailand's high season – between November and March – with the TAT launching a new campaign to attract international visitors and revive the country's bruised tourism sector.

In addition to tourists no longer needing to be vaccinated or provide proof of a negative test, the TAT confirmed that the period of stay in Thailand has also been extended until 31 March 2023. For South African travellers, who are part of Thailand's Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme, the period of stay has been increased to 45 days, up from the 30 days previously permitted.

"We invite tourists to come and experience the existing and new tourism offerings in Thailand, which, together with the kingdom's increasing move towards sustainable and responsible tourism, will make for a truly memorable holiday," said Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, in a statement announcing the scrapping of restrictions and introduction of longer stays.