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Thailand has been extremely cautious on reopening its borders for tourism as the global pandemic continues.
Here are all the latest updates on Thailand reopening for tourism and everything you need to know on how to visit one of the most popular countries in the world.
Thailand has now reopened it borders for visa free tourism from the following countries below. These countries do not need approval or a visa before traveling to Thailand. They will have to follow a 14 day quarantine and a total of 4 PCR tests.
One test before arrival. The again on day 1, day 9 and day 13.
Here are the following countries allowed to visit Thailand visa-free for 30 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.
Those from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea can also enter the Kingdom for up to 90 days without a visa.
Extended Visa For Longer Stays
Long Stay Tourists: STV Visa (Special Tourist Visa)
Thailand announced a 90-day visa for long-stay tourists on September 15th, 2020. The visa is called the ‘Special Tourist Visa’ (STV). Once approved, then travelers can apply for the certificate of entry (COE).
Entry Requirements:
- Approved Visa
- Approved COE
- Proof of payment for 90 day accommodation booking
- 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.
Length of Stay and Renewals
The Special Tourist Visa will allow approved travelers to stay in Thailand for 90 days. It can be renewed twice, for 90 days each time.
Other Travelers Permitted To Enter Thailand
All travelers in the below categories will face a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon arrival in Thailand.
- 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
Travelers that fall into the above categories must also follow Thailand’s health protocols including:
- Travel health insurance that also covers covid
- All travelers arriving in Thailand must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR swab test taken within 72 hours prior to flight
- A pre-screening health declaration card filled out before departure
- The wearing of masks mandatory on in-bound flights and in the airport
- Thermal scans and temperature checks upon arrival
Last year, Thailand recorded the highest number of tourists entering the country, nearly smashing the 40 million mark. The government is hopeful the Phuket pilot project will safety allow them to restart claiming some of those foreign arrivals.
To date, Thailand has been one of the most successful countries in the world at containing the virus with strict lockdown measures.
However, Thailand’s economy is extremely dependant on tourism, and they’ve experienced a devastating 12.2% shrink in the 2nd quarter, the worst hit in the last 22 years.
Thailand has confirmed 3759 cases of COVID-19 and 59 deaths since the pandemic began.
It is unknown when Thailand will fully reopen their borders for general tourism.
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Originally Published May 29th, 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
Joep
Tuesday 16th of February 2021
Hey! Is the free visa 30 days still possible for citizens from the Netherlands? Because I read on some other websites all visitors have to apply for the STV. It makes me a bit confused. I am from the Netherlands, so can I go to Thailand without any visa and COE? Just quarantine and testing in Thailand for 14 days? Please let me know, thanks :)
rk patel
Thursday 11th of February 2021
when thailand open for indian tourist
Ronnie Benshoshan
Wednesday 23rd of December 2020
is it possible to come with a dog?
Eng hwa Goh
Sunday 20th of December 2020
Is Phuket open for tourist without quarantine ?
Souren
Wednesday 9th of December 2020
How is the 14 days quarantine condition? should be stay at home, hotel ...?
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 9th of December 2020
It can only be done in a government-approved quarantine hotel