CCSA confirms dry Songkran but no travel restrictions - Thai PBS World Tonight [19th March 2021]

The CCSA confirmed that the Songkran celebrations next month will be dry, with no water splashing, no concerts, no foam parties or daubing of face powder.

However, the traditional water sprinkling on Buddha statues and the traditional ritual of “Rod Nam Dum Hua” pouring scented water into the palms of elderly people of respect and then receiving blessings from them are allowed.  Additionally, there will be no travel restrictions.

The CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin also said that it has decided to extend the Emergency Decree, from April 1st to May 31st, and to reduce mandatory quarantine from 14 to 10 days and, eventually, to 7 days during the second stage of the easing of restrictions between July 1st and September 30th.

During the third stage of the easing of restrictions, from October 1st onward, quarantine will be lifted in some areas as, by then, many people in Thailand will have been inoculated against COVID-19, and Thailand will begin opening up to foreign travelers from low-risk countries.

The 14-day mandatory quarantine will, however, still be required for those coming from countries where there are reports of new variants of COVID-19.

Starting from July 1st, he said Thais reentering the country will have to shoulder the quarantine expenses and alternative quarantine will be required in only some cases.

Tentatively starting on July 1st, those in alternative quarantine will be allowed to sit together in restaurants in hotels and, in the third stage, beginning in October, the quarantine format will be changed, with technology being introduced for a new form of quarantine.