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The government of Thailand has lifted many restrictions on incoming foreigners, now making multiple exceptions and allowances starting on July 1, 2020.
Thailand is now issuing an International Flight Permit, effective July 1, which gives certain tourists and non-nationals the ability to have first access to the country.
Here are the exceptions the International Flight Permit allows for foreigners entering Thailand:
– Thai nationals
– Persons with exemption or persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, as necessary. Such consideration, permission or invitation may be subject to specified conditions and time limits
– 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
– Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid work permit or are allowed to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children
– Carriers of necessary goods, subject to immediate return after completion
– Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission and have a specified date and time for return
– Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students
– Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their attendants. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19
– Individuals in diplomatic missions, consular affairs, international organizations, government representatives, foreign government agencies working in Thailand, or individual in other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including their spouse, parents, or children
– Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country
Conditions for International Flight Permit to #Thailand#COVID19 https://t.co/rGE6XLa7JR pic.twitter.com/HJw6DtpeIr
— PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) June 30, 2020
These new rules starting July 1st will allow certain types of foreigners, like those seeking medical tourism, to enter Thailand, as well as allowing non-Thai nationals to finally reunite with their Thai spouses or children.
Entry Requirements for International Flight Permit
Of course, all normal immigration and travel regulations will still apply like Visa requirements, duration of permitted stay, etc. If you are a non-Thai national looking to travel to Thailand, you should contact your consulate or embassy to check all of your entry requirements before you book your trip.
Any traveler using the International Flight Permit to enter Thailand on July 1st must also abide by covid health and entry requirement protocols like:
- Travelers arriving with travel health insurance that also covers covid
- 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
The conditions for the international flight permit comes after the June 25 news the Government of Thailand approved a draft plan for relaxed measures for foreigners entering Thailand, which could see the general reopening of international tourism as of August 1, 2020.
Thailand's draft plan includes three phases of reopening:
- Phase One:Business travelers, investors, skilled workers, people with Thai family members, teachers, etc.
- Phase Two:Medical tourism travelers
- Phase Three:General tourists
The International Flight Permit includes measures under Phase One and Phase Two of Thailand’s reopening plan.
Phase 3, Thailand’s general reopening for tourism, is planned to start on August 1, 2020.
See more about Thailand’s Reopening For Tourism- Everything You Need You Know
Six of Thailand's international airports are also reopening on July 1st, handling both domestic and international arrivals. (Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Chiang Rai, and Suvarnabhumi)
Update July 23:
On July 23 the government of Thailand put out a press release saying there are now 4 more types of foreigners that are currently allowed entry, with 14-day quarantine and potentially tests on arrival.
The four categories include:
1) foreigners participating in trade fairs in Thailand
2) foreign film crews coming for filming in Thailand
3) foreign workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar for food and construction industries
4) foreign visitors for medical and wellness services.
Important Phuket Update:
The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn, made a statement on August 21st confirming the government’s plan to open Phuket for international tourism on October 1st.
Reopening Phuket for international tourists will act as a pilot program for the rest of Thailand.
There are many rules, including a mandatory 30 day stay, 14-day in hotel quarantine, and many PCR tests, but tourists will be able to enjoy hotel facilities and in some cases, the beach.
Read everything we know about Thailand's Reopening of Phuket on October 1st
Read More: See our complete guide of countries now reopen for international tourism, and a complete guide on Thailand's Reopening For Tourism
Sources: Thai Government Public Relations
Disclaimer: Thailand’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but 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.
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puzzlemakerlpq
Sunday 13th of September 2020
Hi Kaslee
My Thai wife and I have been married for 23 years. We got married in England whist she was at Manchester University and our marriage certificate is in English . She is an only child and owns a 3 bedroomed house in Chiangmai. Thailand . We have no children and no other dependents than each other. She is the manager of a large Japanese freight Forwarder in Chiangmai which employs some 50 people. For the last 3 years I have been working voluntarily for a NGO called Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang , that helps teach older children and adults English and the arrangement has been that I used to return to Chiangmai on average once every 3 months to see my wife in Thailand but because of the lock down we havent been able to do that latterly and I have had to remain here in Laos . So I would like permission to visit Chiangmai on a 30 day visa and see her and then after a week or two leave Chiangmai to make a return trip to England for a few months after which I will obtain a new visa from the Thai Embassy in the UK and return in the normal way. We have no children and no dependents My own Parents are dead and my wife's Father and mother who are both alive live in their own house in Chiangsaen. Reading the information that you supply it seems that I satisfy all the requirements except for the fact that since we got married in the UK our marriage certificate is in English and has never been translated into English and although this has never queried by any of the Thai officials who have examined it perhaps because they have all be able to read sufficiently good English but we we could got this translated somewhere in Chiangmai? Assuming that is all we need I can then make an appointment with the Embassy in Vientiane and wait to see what they say? Have I missed anything important and can you suggest anything that I should do? Assuming that they issue me a visa my idea was to fly from Vientiane to Bangkok and then on a connecting flight to Chiangmai where we were proposing quarantining myself in our house. My wife will obtain a covering letter from the Village headman giving me permission to remain in the house which I acknowledge that I must not leave and the house will be occupied by my wife and myself and no other person.
Mikaeel
Thursday 20th of August 2020
I'm a Canadian citizen residing in Pakistan. I need to travel to Bangkok for some medical tests. Is there a quarantine requirement ? Do I need some documentation to prove I'm a medical tourist ? Thanks for your help
Trevor Kucheran
Thursday 20th of August 2020
Hi Mikaeel, each medical situation is different. It is best to check with the Thailand embassy or Consulate in Pakistan or Canada.
LTS
Wednesday 29th of July 2020
I am in the process of deciding to proceed with our mid August vacation plans or to cancel my flights. Your text is most interesting to me as a spouse of a Thai National in that it suggests I would at this time be allowed back in following an out of country visit. Understanding the situation could change overnight is there a mandatory 14 day isolation in place on Thai Nationals and their spouse returning from overseas?
Graham Harris
Tuesday 21st of July 2020
I am in a defacto relationship with a Thai National and have been for 10 years. We are currently stuck in Western Australia. We rent a house in Rawai Phuket and have a car their. We have paid the rent all the time we have been away. Am I considered a spouse. I have a retirement visa that is still current.When can we return to Thailand?
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 21st of July 2020
We won't be able to answer this for you, as I have no idea what documents they need and what their definitions are. You will have to contact local authorities
Michael John
Sunday 5th of July 2020
Hi everyone. I am planning to take the IELTS exam in thailand this July and I will be coming from the Philippines.. Am I allowed to enter Thailand if that is my purpose? Thanks in advance for those who will respond. Stay safe and God speed.
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 6th of July 2020
Hi Michael - I really don't know the answer to this question, as it's really to unique/specific. you will have to contact local authorities