New rule for SAR travelers to Thailand amid confusion

Hongkongers traveling to Thailand will need to present a health certificate before boarding, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok said yesterday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand issued practical guidelines to airlines on Sunday, said the office, amid confusion over Bangkok's entry restrictions.

"It pointed out that passengers from the affected regions need to present a health certificate certifying that they have no risk of Covid-19," a spokesman said.

"If any passenger is unable to present such certificate, boarding shall be denied and the boarding pass shall not be issued."

Permitted passengers will also need to fill out a health declaration form and submit it at the airport upon landing, he added, and Thailand's control points may also require passengers to undergo medical examinations, quarantine, confinement for observation or deny their entry.

The office has noted the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Hong Kong's latest announcement on Facebook as well, which said passengers arriving from the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Italy and Iran will have to undergo 14 days' quarantine. But it did not mention when the measure will start, only saying that details will be "announced shortly."

However, Travel Industry Council executive director Alice Chan Cheung Lok-yee claimed such an announcement had not been verified by the Thai tourism authority's office in Hong Kong.

She said there has been no problem for Hongkongers to enter Thailand so far and travelers should decide whether they want to postpone their journey.

At the airport yesterday, a group of passengers taking Hong Kong Airlines flight HX765 to the Thai capital were denied boarding as they were unable to provide the required health certificate. But after negotiation, they were allowed to take another Hong Kong Airlines flight HX779 to Bangkok.

Passengers on HK Express flight UO702 to Bangkok were able to depart without difficulty although they also did not provide the health certificate.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said she did not know how to obtain such a health certificate as private clinics are unable to test for Covid-19 and she is unsure whether private hospitals could issue one.

Meanwhile, Hong Thai Travels canceled about 30 Thailand tours originally set for this month, involving 800 customers. Wing On Travel also canceled this month's tours.

Cathay Pacific will waive rebook and refund fees for tickets issued before April 20.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com