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Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world and is well known for its diverse culture, buddhist temples, jaw dropping beaches and epic never ending parties.
Just like most countries around the world, Thailand's tourism industry was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Thailand was able to control the virus within its own borders, it has come at a steep cost.
Now Thailand is beginning to cautiously reopen for tourism and start a long recovery process for its tourism sector.
Here are all the latest COVID-19 entry requirements for Thailand and everything you need to know. We'll keep this article updated weekly with any official announcements from the Thai government.
Is Thailand Open For Tourism During COVID-19?
Thailand has reopened for tourists under strict testing and requirements.
Countries Permitted To Visit Thailand
Short Stay 30 Day VISA FREE Tourists:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom, Vietnam
Those from Chile and South Korea can also enter the Kingdom for up to 90 days without a visa.
Types of Travelers Permitted To Visit Thailand
- 30 Day Visa Free
- Tourist Visa: TR Visa 60 days more info on this visa later in the article
- Long Stay Tourist: STV Visa – Special Tourist Visa more info on this visa later in the article
- Medical Tourists: Travelers seeking medical and wellness services may enter Thailand upon receiving a ‘International Flight Permit' from the Thai Embassy/Consulate in their home country. A letter from a Thai doctor must be presented when applying.
- Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national
- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of residence, or permission to take up residence in the Kingdom
- Foreign workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar for food and construction industries
- Foreigners participating in trade fairs in Thailand
- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid work permit and their spouse or children
- Foreign film crews coming for filming in Thailand
COVID-19 Testing Entry Requirements
First, they must undertake a Covid-19 test 72 hours prior to travel and have a certificate proving they are free of the virus. Two more PCR tests will happen upon arrival and on day 7.
Quarantine Entry Requirements
A one-day quarantine at a Thailand Safety and Health Administration accredited (SHA+) hotel is required while waiting for the results of the PCR tests of vaccinated travelers.
A 10-day quarantine at government-approved quarantine facilities or Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facilities is required for unvaccinated travelers.
COVID-19 Travel Insurance Entry Requirements
Applicants will need to show evidence of medical and travel insurance that covers COVID-19. The Insurance needs cover at least US$100,000 in medical treatment, a minimum of 400,000 Thai baht (USD $13,050) for other medical and accident expenses. This insurance must be valid for the full length of stay.
How To Apply For Long Stay Visas
Thailand announced on November 1st, 2020 they will begin offering 60 day tourist visas. You must first apply for the tourist visa at a Thai embassy/consulate in your home country
Once approved you will then apply for the Certificate of Entry (COE) online. To apply for the certificate of entry travelers must meet the following entry requirements.
TR Visa Requirements:
- Approved Visa
- Approved COE
- Copy of recent bank statement ($700 per person and $1,500 per family). The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly), In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided.
- 14 day ‘state quarantine' upon arrival
- All countries may apply
- Medical insurance that covers COVID-19 with at least $100,000 USD in coverage for the entire duration of your stay.
- Proof of alternative state quarantine reservation (ASQ)
How to Apply:
1. Travelers must apply for a visa at the Thai embassy/consulate in their home country
2. Travelers then can apply for the COE on the official Thai Government website.
How To Apply For The Long Stay Visa: (STV Visa – Special Tourist Visa)
Thailand announced the 90-day visa for long-stay tourists on September 15th, 2020. Travelers must commit to a minimum of 90 days.
STV Visa Requirements:
- Approved Visa
- Approved COE
- Proof of payment for 90 day accommodation booking
- 14 day ‘state quarantine' upon arrival
- Copy of recent bank statement ($700 per person and $1,500 per family). The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly), In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided.
- Preference given to low-risk countries according to the Public Health Ministry regulations (countries are not defined)
- Proof of travel and medical insurance that covers COVID-19 with at least $100,000 USD in coverage for the entire duration of your stay.
How to Apply:
1. Travelers must apply for a visa at the Thai embassy/consulate in their home country
2. Travelers then can apply for the COE on the official Thai Government website.
COVID-19 Health Requirements While in Thailand
All visitors must follow COVID-19 health requirements while in Thailand:
- Wearing a mask at all times when in public
- Follow social distancing markers and instructions
COVID-19 Vaccine Entry Requirements
A vaccine for COVID-19 is not yet available to the public. Thailand has not announced any mandates on if a proof of vaccine record (POVR) will be required for for entry in the future.
What About Phuket Reopening For Tourism?
Phuket was originally scheduled to open for international tourism on October 1st, 2020 but the reopening has been delayed after Thailand confirmed its first case in 3 months of COVID-19 at the end of September.
When a reopening date is confirmed by the Thai government, it will be posted here along with all the relevant entry requirements.
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Originally Published November 7th, 2020
Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
David
Tuesday 11th of May 2021
Hello, is there an Agency that can help with all the paperwork for traveling to Thailand from UK ?
Sourinath Castillo
Saturday 9th of January 2021
Can a pre travel COVID test be conducted at any provider or is there a list of approved clinics?
Alekezam
Friday 18th of December 2020
I’m surprised Traveloffpath hasn’t updated to reflect that Thailand has now officially reinstated the visa waiver program for countries that were on the list pre-COVID. This means that it’s basically back to normal as far as entry requirements go. The only part that still is a drag is that most of the other annoying requirements are still in place….namely the required 15 day quarantine at an ASQ Hotel. So for a US citizen you can visit Thailand for 30 days Visa free…along with a 15 day quarantine among other things. You can find this on a number of websites. For some reason I can't post links on here but you can just look it up. A TR or a STV Visa is no longer required for 50 countries including United States
Tony
Thursday 29th of April 2021
@TravelingMan20,
Hi Travelling man.
What's the latest on Thailand?
Are you a local?
Any idea how much the 15 day quarantine costs, including all of the tests in the government facility?
Is there any sign of the government dropping the quarantine requirement?
Thanks so much, Tony
TravelingMan20
Saturday 19th of December 2020
To reiterate what Alekezam mentions, Thailand has relaxed travel curbs for citizens from 56 countries. This means citizens from these countries can stay in Thailand for 30 days (45 total days including 14 day quarantine) without having to apply for a single tourist visa TR or special tourist visa STV.
However, you still have to apply for a certificate of entry (COE) which shows you have a negative Covid-19 test 72 hours before flying as well as fully booked ASQ hotel and all other expenses including adequate medical insurance. Plus you still have to quarantine for 15 days, and take three Covid-19 tests while in quarantine (previously two times).
It's slowly getting there. However the 15 day quarantine must go if Thai authorities truly want tourism to rebound fully. I read they will analyze data to see about reducing that to 10 days next month but 10 days is still too much.
(link)
TravelingMan20
Friday 20th of November 2020
It has been making the news rounds, but apparently many Thai embassies around the world have been dropping the onerous 500,000 baht bank deposit requirement for tourists.
I checked the Royal Thai embassy Washington D.C. website and indeed they no longer have that 500,000 baht/$17,000 deposit for six months requirement. Instead, this is the latest financial requirement:
"Copy of recent bank statement ($700 per person and $1,500 per family). The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly), In case of submitting a family bank statement, proof of relationship (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) must be provided."
So that's positive news and I think the outcry from some spurred this change as I read it is highly unusual for embassies to make that sort of immediate change.
Trevor Kucheran
Friday 20th of November 2020
This is correct according to the Thai Embassy in Los Angeles and DC and has been updated accordingly.
TravelingMan20
Tuesday 17th of November 2020
Also, and I didn't even think to check first, but at this time they are not even allowing anyone from the United States to apply for these visas due to the country being considered a high risk Covid-19 hotspot. When I looked at the website where you can apply directly for the Visa and Certificate of Entry (COE), this is what it states currently:
"Due to a high number of infection rate, the APEC card holders and the applicants who are currently in the USA and wish to obtain Special Tourist Visa (STV) do not fall under the categories that could enter Thailand at the moment, please check back regularly for any updates."
(link)
It's all so confusing but I think it is safe to say my Thailand travel plans are on hold indefinitely unless things change drastically.