Thailand has launched a new mandatory app for tourists called ThailandPlus that will track users movements and offer real time Covid-19 advice. The app was developed to help the Thai government with contact tracing efforts and inform tourists if they have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19.
The new app will be mandatory for all tourists and ThailandPlus must be downloaded and installed before a traveler arrives in Thailand. Throughout Thailand, businesses including accommodations, restaurants, shopping centers and tourism attractions will display prominent QR codes in which tourists must check in and out of.
This allows the Thai government to inform travelers if they have come in close contact with any confirmed COVID-19 cases and offered recommendations on what action they need to take to protect themselves and others.
“All information collected is only used for public health services and monitors tourists in a way that does not infringe on a visitors right to privacy,” The Tourism Authority of Thailand stated in a press release.
What Tourists Require For The ThailandPlus App
All tourists must download the app from the Google Play or Apple store. Once the app is downloaded, GPS tracking must be enabled at all time and the app must remain on at all times.
Travelers will will then need to upload a recent photo that is no older than one month and accept a privacy policy. Additionally, users must input their Certificate of Entry (COE) number if applicable and reference ID obtained from the Royal Thai Embassy.
Once the set up steps have been completed, tourists will be redirected to the apps QR code page where ThailandPlus will begin tracking the movements and informing visitors of potential exposures.
How To Enter Thailand as a Tourist
Thailand has now reopened it borders for visa free tourism from the following countries below. These countries do not need a visa before traveling to Thailand. They will have to follow a 14 day quarantine and a total of 4 PCR tests.
The following countries may visit Thailand visa-free for up to 45 days:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Principality of Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Peru, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
Tourists from countries not on the visa exemption list can apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) .
All travelers who have received a Certificate of Entry are then required to download the ThailandPlus Application and register. Upon arrival in Thailand they will have to show a QR code that will be scanned by the Thai authorities.
Travelers can learn more and download the app on the ThailandPlus website.
Read More:
Thailand Confirms Borders Now Open For Visa-Free Tourism
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Mike
Tuesday 9th of November 2021
What good is a tracking app when foreigners phones don't work until you authorize a wifi signal? Guess you can't have foreigners standing in a Q waiting to get sim cards for their phones.
Paul
Saturday 27th of February 2021
I’m all in favour of the app! If we have Covid vaccinations and a valid negative Covid test in addition to that, I do not see that a mandatory 14 day almost prison-like isolation at a Thai hotel (at our own expense) is one that I would take. I hope Thailand will revise its November specifications to enable many of us to reconsider holidaying in Thailand.
Bruce
Saturday 27th of February 2021
Don't give in to this track and trace madness. Oppression disguised as science.
Grant pierce
Saturday 27th of February 2021
Cambodia did something similar. Waste of time and resources
JB
Friday 26th of February 2021
What a load of crap! Total loss of privacy even that they pretend that this is for the good of travellers. If so good than why is it only foreigners that are subjected to that and not Thais? No need to protect Thais and "inform them when they come into close contact with somebody infected with Covid"? Obviously another chapter in foreigner stigmatisation and discrimination in Thailand. But who wants to come for a holiday and get locked up for the 15 nights in expensive quarantine room to start with?? People who make this kind of rules are total idiots. They will achieve nothing but only expose themselves as racists and xenophobes.