Reopening Thailand: Everything you need to know when traveling during covid

Here are what you need to follow while planning to travel to Thailand.

Vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:

1. A valid passport, and a Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/), or a Border Pass for arrivals via border checkpoints.
2. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$10,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
3. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination
4. Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
5. Travellers 5-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
6. Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine post-infection must have a medical certificate of COVID-19 recovery.

Unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:

1. A valid passport, and a Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/), or a Border Pass for arrivals via border checkpoints.
2. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$10,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
3. A proof of prepayment for 5-night quarantine at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotel, or AQ Accommodation/s, plus a proof of prepayment for 1 RT-PCR COVID-19 test. Thais are not required to prepay for the test.
4. The quarantine is exempt for unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system. The exemption also extends to travellers under 6 years of age travelling with parents.

Upon arriving in Thailand, all travellers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.

The vaccinated travellers will then be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom. *For arrivals by land using a border pass, they will be allowed a stay of no longer than 3 days within the specified areas only.

Likewise, unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who have uploaded proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom.

Otherwise, unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers must proceed to undergo the quarantine for 5 days. The trip to the prebooked accommodation must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route within a travelling time of no longer than 5 hours. Then, they must undergo an RT-PCR test on Day 4-5. Travellers under 5 years of age, travelling with parents and undergo the quarantine together, can have a saliva test. Travellers whose test result returns as negative will be allowed to go anywhere in the kingdom, while those whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment and the expenses must be covered by the required insurance / own expense for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.

While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers are advised to strictly follow the health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment.

Once clear from all the requirements and start traveling around Thailand, here are what you need to follow during your domestic journey in the Kingdom.

• Wear a face mask
• Use alcohol gel to clean hands
• Keep your proof of vaccination with you
• Carry proof of ID with you
• Be a responsible tourist and respect the Thai people and local regulations

When checking in for domestic flights in Thailand, you may be asked to show your proof of vaccination. Have your certificate ready on your smartphone/digital device. A hard copy of your certificate is also acceptable.

Since October 2021, flights have been able to operate at full capacity and are running at near normal levels. Under the government’s ‘Rao Tiew Duay Kan‘ (‘We Travel together’) scheme, Thai travellers are able to take advantage of subsidised flights and hotels. The popularity of the scheme has been a boost for domestic tourism especially at weekends and on public holidays.

At the moment, not all airlines are offering on-board food and drink services. But there are outlets open at all airports where you can buy food and drink.

Airline regulations

• Air Asia
• Bangkok Airways
• Nok Air
• Thai Airways
• Thai Lion Air
• Thai Smile
• VietJet

As was the case before Covid, you will need to show your passport when booking seats on Thai trains. You may or may not be asked to show proof of vaccination, but you should keep it to hand if you are travelling by train, bus, boat/ferry in Thailand.

Here are some of the Frequently asked questions about traveling in Thailand during Covid.

Q: What is the latest update on Thailand’s COVID-19 situation and nationwide prevention efforts?

A: See Thailand Tourism Updates, containing Thailand’s tourism information and some useful tips for visitors to the kingdom especially when there are issues concerning travelling in general.

Q: What are the countries and territories from where travelers may enter Thailand?

A: Thailand is open to all travellers from any countries and territories from around the world.

A: From 1 May, 2022, travellers from all countries/territories are welcomed to travel to Thailand under specific requirements customised for vaccinated and unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers.

Q: What are the visa requirements, if any is required?

A: For tourism purposes, there are currently two types of visa, for which travellers may apply online at www.thaievisa.go.th.

• Tourist visa (single entry): for stay up to 60 days with possible one-time extension of 30 days.
• Special Tourist Visa (STV): for stay up to 90 days with possible extension of 90 days twice.

Kindly note that a valid visa or re-entry permit is required for the Thailand Pass application, except passport holders of countries/territories entitled to a 30-day visa exemption (see list).

Visa on Arrival

Foreign travellers can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA), but they are still required to apply for a Thailand Pass before flying to Thailand. However, the VOA will be granted for only 15 days without possible extension. Also, currently, only passport holders of Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu may apply for the VOA. Currently, the VOA can also be applied online through VFS Global, the officially authorised partner of the Immigration Bureau of Thailand for (E-VOA) at https://thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com/thailand/home/index.

Stickerless Electronic (SE) Visa service

Available in 21 Thai Embassies and Consulates-General in 9 countries; namely. Canada, China, Denmark, France, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The SE Visa service will be made available in more countries around the world in the near future.

SE Visa applicants can submit their applications, pay the visa fees, and receive their stickerless e-visas through the website: www.thaievisa.go.th without visiting the Embassies or Consulate-General offices. After the SE Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the applicants. Information on the visa will be linked to the immigration system; however, it is recommended that travellers print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to the airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.

Kindly note it is currently not possible to cross the border and re-enter Thailand for a visa extension because Thai borders remain closed under the current COVID-19 travel restrictions.
For more information on different visa categories for other purposes than tourism, see www.thaievisa.go.th.

Here is more detail about How to apply for Thailand visa

A new Stickerless Electronic (SE) Visa service

From 27 September, 2021, a new Stickerless Electronic Visa service (SE Visa Service) has been launched in 21 Thai Embassies and Consulates-General in 9 countries; namely. Canada, China, Denmark, France, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The SE Visa service will be made available in more countries around the world in the near future.

SE Visa applicants can submit their applications, pay the visa fees, and receive their stickerless e-visas through the website: www.thaievisa.go.th without visiting the Embassies or Consulate-General offices. After the SE Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the applicants. Information on the visa will be linked to the immigration system; however, it is recommended that travelers print a copy of the confirmation e-mail to present to the airline and Thai Immigration officials to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.

For more information on different visa categories for other purposes than tourism, see www.thaievisa.go.th.

Q: What is the Thailand Pass?

A: The “Thailand Pass” system (https://tp.consular.go.th/) is a web-based system developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA). The system allows Thai and foreign travelers to fill in their travel and health information and upload the related documents before travelling. The purpose of the system is to support the “Ease of Traveling” policy, which will be implemented after the reopening of the country.

More information can be found on the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand’s website (https://consular.mfa.go.th/), or you may contact the Royal Thai Embassy / Royal Thai Consulate-General in your area for more information.

Here is detailed information about Thailand Pass

Q: What are the vaccination requirements?

A: Thailand currently approves 11 COVID-19 vaccines. More details at COVID-19 vaccine guide for travellers to Thailand.

A: From 1 May, 2022, international arrivals both vaccinated and unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the kingdom without the pre-arrival nor arrival tests.

One test remains in place for unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who must undergo a 5-day quarantine. The quarantine is exempt for unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system. The exemption also extends to travellers under 6 years of age travelling with parents.

Q: What is the documentation requirement for exit screening at the point of departure?

A: Travellers must print a copy of all documentation – which must be in English – that was required for the Thailand Pass when undergoing the exit screening before departure. The documentation must be presented to the airline to carry out checks when travelling to Thailand.

Please note that failing to comply with your respective airline’s guidelines can result in denied boarding.

Q: What is the procedure after disembarking from my flight?

A: Upon arrival at Thailand’s international airport, all travellers are subject to health screening, including a COVID-19 nasal swab RT-PCR testing, and Immigration procedures. Children under 6 years of age will receive a COVID-19 saliva RT-PCR testing.

Travellers must download and install MorChana, an alert application, as well as set the application on at all times for the whole duration in Thailand.

Q: [For unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated travellers who are required to undergo a 5-day quarantine] What is the procedure in the event your COVID-19 test result returns as negative?

A: Travellers whose test result (on Day 4-5) returns as negative will be allowed to go anywhere in the kingdom, while those whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment and the expenses must be covered by the required insurance / own expense for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.

Sonasia Holiday recommends that travellers make sure to check the small print of any COVID-19 insurance policy before purchasing. Ultimately, the policy should cover the cost of treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation, hospital isolation, hotel isolation, or related quarantine. The insurance policy should also cover the whole duration that travellers are planning to stay in Thailand, plus at least 10 extra days.

Definitions of close contact of probable/confirmed case of COVID-19

Close contact is defined as a person who has had interactions with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 both on the illness onset or 1-2 days prior. However, for asymptomatic patients; a day of receiving positive test result is counted, and they have to reach these criteria as follow:

• Close contact or a person having conversation with the patient within 2-metre distance for more than 5 minutes; or being coughed or sneezed on by a patient.
• Those who are in an enclosed space without proper ventilation, e.g. in the same air-conditioned bus or room as the patient, for more than 30 minutes.

Close Contact Person or probable/confirmed cases can be divided into two groups:

1. High-risk contact is defined as a close contact as mentioned above and did not wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Low-risk contact is defined as a close contact who is less likely to contract or transmit the virus with the patient. This includes close contacts who have not met the definition for high-risk close contact. They are suggested to undergo self-monitoring and follow universal prevention. If experience respiratory symptoms, must undergo ATK . *In the event of asymptomatic infection, the date the patient has tested positive for the virus should be considered the date of illness onset.

Definitions of travel-related High-Risk Contact (HRC) person

1. Domestic transportation

• Passengers on board the same vehicle/flight who is being coughed or sneezed on by a probable/confirmed case.
• Passengers who travel in the same group.
• Passenger on the same plane, who is close proximity to and sitting next to the case (left and right seats),  or being close contact within 1 metre-without a mask more than 5 minutes.
• In case of large vehicles such as train, doubledecker bus, and ferry, only passengers in the same car or deck and do not wearing a face mask for more than 5 minutes.
• All drivers and attendants in the same section who do not wear face mask for more than 5 minutes.  In case of flight attendants, just only who is on duty at the same section.

2. International transportation

• Passengers on board the same flight who sit next to probable/confirmed case (left and right) or one who is being close contact within 1 metre-without a mask more than 5 minutes.
• Flight attendants in the same section who do not wear face mask for more than 5 minutes.

Guidelines and measures for High-Risk Contact (HRC) person

• Undergo home quarantine for 7 days and self-monitoring for 3 days. In addition, ATK will be done 2 times; Day 5-6 and Day 10.
• Take temperature check for 10 days after the day of last contact with the confirmed case.
• Protect themselves and people around them by separating themselves from others, frequently washing hands and wearing face mask.
• After completion of 7 days home quarantine, they are asked to follow strictly the Universal prevention and avoid going to crowded places or communities for 3 days.
• If HRC experience respiratory symptoms, must undergo ATK immediately, if having positive result, must redo on a couple of days and contact official.

Source: Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (as of 19 January, 2022).

Q: What are the health and safety precautions for travellers in Thailand?

A: Protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices, such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others.

Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive they must get an appropriate medical treatment. Those with COVID-19 testing appointment must get tested.

Tourist safety

The Royal Thai Government places the highest priority on the safety and well-being of every visitor to Thailand. As the main government agency responsible for the promotion and marketing of Thailand as a preferred destination, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is working closely with all the concerned public and private organisations to ensure the utmost efforts to prevent any unfortunate incidents occurring on tourists and the local Thai people.

Q: What is the requirement of the country/territory I will fly to after my stay in Thailand?

A: For travelling from Thailand to other countries, travellers are advised to follow the guidelines and measures announced by the respective country of their destination.

Q: Is it possible to stay overnight for a transit flight in Bangkok before flying back to my country?

A: It is possible as long as you have all of your advance arrangements in good order.