It is not confirmed yet whether Vietnam is part of the list of countries eligible for the scheme.
The Bangkok Post reports that the Thai government has decided to ease restrictions on visitors from 56 countries in an effort to help Thailand's ailing tourism sector.
However, arrivals will still have to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks before being allowed to move around the country. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the spokesman for Thailand's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration, told the news source that tourists from places such as Australia, France and the United States will be able to visit, but must provide a certificate showing that they don't have COVID-19 72 hours before booking a quarantine hotel.
Given the two-week quarantine requirements, the normal 30-day visa-on-arrival would be extended to 45 days. While in quarantine, visitors must undergo three COVID-19 tests, while in the future, additional tests could potentially mean shorter quarantine periods.
Specifically, Thai officials will pilot the three-test process from January 1 to 15, and then assess the possibility of shortening quarantine to 10 days for those who test negative. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the global tourism industry, and Thailand received almost 40 million tourists in 2019, making it one of the most popular destinations in the region.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also announced that New Year events can be canceled if organizers don't follow health regulations: "Strict measures must be in place while people enjoy themselves during the New Year celebrations. I don't want people to suffer from COVID-19 after New Year. Everyone must cooperate for the sake of the country's safety."
However, the list of nationalities included in this list does not appear to be publicly available.
