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Coronavirus (Covid-19): Thailand travel advice

The concerns over coronavirus (Covid-19) continue to affect anybody with travel plans, whether it be to Thailand or any other part of the world. Because the situation is fluid, we advise you to keep in touch with the latest advice from the UK or Irish governments in addition to the advice issued by the Thai authorities and the Royal Thai Embassy in London. We have also put together some other information and links that you may find helpful.

Information updated: 30 July, 2021

Table of contents

Thailand opening, quarantine free

Thailand will open to fully vaccinated travellers without the need for quarantine. The plan will take place in phases. In the first phase, Phuket will lead the way for the reopening of Thailand.

Phase One: Phuket

From 1 July 2021, fully vaccinated travellers can visit Phuket without the need to quarantine on arrival. The main requirements for overseas tourists are:

  • Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required (both jabs)
  • Obtain a Certificate of Entry (CoE) before departure
  • Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover
  • Download the Thailand Plus app before departure and upload the required information
  • Install the MorChana tracking app
  • Travellers must have a medical certificate with a RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that Covid-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure
  • Covid-19 screening including RT-PCR tests on arrival in Phuket
  • Must fly directly to Phuket International Airport*
    (*Passengers may be allowed to transit via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. Awaiting full details. Updates will be added here when confirmed.)
  • Stay at SHA Plus accommodation/hotel (this is accommodation/hotel with enhanced safety protocols and where at least 70% of staff have been vaccinated)
  • If you wish to travel onwards around Thailand, you must stay on Phuket for a minimum number of 14 days

Please check the full list of requirements and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Phuket Sandbox here:
https://fanclubthailand.co.uk/phuket-sandbox-reopening-frequently-asked-questions/

In June 2021, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced his goal to see Thailand open to fully vaccinated international tourists by mid-October 2021. This will still depend on the vaccination rollout in Thailand and the local Covid-19 situation, but the proposed timeline is shown below. As with the Phuket plan, we will put together more detailed information to try and answer any questions you may have.

Phase Two: Ko Samui

Open from 15 July, 2021
The ‘Samui Plus‘ plan includes Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao. Please check the full list of requirements and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Ko Samui reopening here:
https://fanclubthailand.co.uk/phuket-sandbox-reopening-frequently-asked-questions/

Phase Three: Krabi and Phang Nga

Open from August 2021 (to be confirmed).
Plan includes Krabi, Phang Nga, Phi Phi, Khao Lak, Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai.

Phuket Sandbox 7+7 extension moves a step closer
In a meeting on July 22 2021, Thai authorities approved, in principle, a proposal to extend the Phuket Sandbox scheme. The proposal is to allow visitors to the Phuket Sandbox to visit more destinations during their stay. At the moment, arrivals to the Phuket Sandbox must spend 14 days in Phuket. The new ‘Phuket 7+7’ plan would mean that visitors could stay in Phuket for 7 days before moving to other approved destinations for the next 7 days. The additional destinations that have been proposed are:

  • Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao (Surat Thani province)
  • Ko Phi Phi, Ko Ngai, and Railay Beach (Krabi province)
  • Khao Lak and Ko Yao (Phang Nga province)

The 7+7 plan has yet to be formally ratified. We will add more details here when confirmed.

Phase Four: Chiang Mai, Chonburi (Pattaya), Buriram

Open from September 2021 (to be confirmed).
Plan is to include some districts in Chiang Mai province (including Chiang Mai city). Other areas of the country that could open are Pattaya (and other parts of Chonburi province) and Buriram (city area and nearby districts).

Phase Five: Bangkok, Hua Hin and Cha Am plus any other destinations that are ready

Open from October 2021 onwards (to be confirmed).
Plan is to include Bangkok, Hua Hin, Cha Am plus any other destinations that are ready to open.

Requirements for quarantine free travel

Different requirements may be applied for each of the phases listed above. We will add full details when known, but in the meantime this is a guide to what you may need:

  • Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required (both jabs)
  • Obtain a Certificate of Entry (CoE) before departure
  • Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover
  • Download the Thailand Plus tracking app before departure and upload the required information
  • Must arrive directly into one of the applicable destinations*. If travelling to Pattaya, arrival in Bangkok is permitted.
    (*Passengers may be allowed to transit via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. Awaiting full details. Updates will be added here when confirmed.)
  • Present a negative PCR test result (issued no longer than 72 hours before departure)
  • Covid-19 test on arrival
  • Stay at SHA Plus accommodation/hotel (this is accommodation/hotel with enhanced safety protocols and where at least 70% of staff have been vaccinated)
  • Minimum number of days stay (to be confirmed) at the destination of entry before travelling onwards around Thailand

Quarantine rules for Thailand

If you want to fly to Thailand, but not as part of the proposals listed above, there are some things to be aware of. At the moment, it is still mandatory for travellers arriving in Thailand to undergo quarantine for 14 days. Non-Thais are obliged to use designated quarantine facilities (at travellers’ own expense). These are hotels which all meet the strict criteria of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. The hotels are referred to as ASQ (Alternative State Quarantine).

Quarantine hotels

More information about availability at ASQ hotels can be found on this official website:
https://asq.locanation.com/

After completing quarantine in Thailand, you are free to travel around the country (subject to any local restrictions which apply to everyone). As part of Thailand’s Covid-19 prevention measures, you may still have to agree to Covid-19 track and testing procedures.

Certificate of Entry (CoE)

If you are planning to fly to Thailand you must make sure you have all the correct documents before you travel. This includes a Certificate of Entry (CoE). For full details, please contact the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate in the country where you are intending to travel from:

Before you travel to Thailand

Please note that if you wish to travel to Thailand you are required to:

Please refer to the full details on the Royal Thai Embassy, London website

Advice from airlines

If you have any upcoming travel planned, we advise keeping in contact with your airline or travel agent for their advice.

Thai Airways Covid-19 information page

Passengers flying with Thai Airways may check flight schedules and make changes to itineraries themselves on the thaiairways.com website. For ticket adjustments or more information, Royal Orchid Plus members can contact THAI Sales Offices or visit thaiairways.com/rop.

Qatar Airways will resume their semi-commercial flight from Doha to Phuket from 18 December 2020. Some other airlines, including Emirates, will also have flights to Phuket.

Visa options

Visa Exemption

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 30 days 45 days
In mid-December 2020, the Thai authorities agreed to allow travellers to enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme. This usually allows passport holders from certain countries, including the UK and Ireland, to stay for 30 days. However, the Thai government has subsequently agreed to extend this to 45 days.

Tourist Visa (TR)

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 60 days
At the beginning of December 2020, a new Tourist (TR) Visa was agreed. Tourists from the UK and Ireland who wish to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days can apply for this new visa.

Special Tourist Visa (STV)

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 90-270 days
In September 2020, the Thai government agreed to implement a Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme to allow for a limited return of long-stay tourists. On 8 December 2020, the scheme was adapted to allow for more people to travel to Thailand including those from the UK and Ireland. The STV allows for a stay of 90 days which can be extended twice at 90 days each when in Thailand.

Update:
The Special Tourist Visa will be withdrawn in the second half of 2021. Applicants must arrive in Thailand before 3 July 2021 if they wish to extend their stay after 90 days. Application to extend your stay in Thailand must be submitted before 30 September 2021.

This information is subject to change so we recommend revisiting this page regularly for updates and following us on social media @fanclubthailand.

Advice from Royal Thai Embassy, London

Update from Royal Thai Consulate, Dublin

If you are travelling from Ireland, please note the Royal Thai Consulate in Dublin will stop issuing visas from 7 May 2021. Instead, visa applications can be processed online or via the Royal Thai Embassy, London.

United Kingdom government advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response
Health – Thailand travel advice

Irish government advice

COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Travel advice
Thailand travel advice

UK or Irish passport holders currently in Thailand

British Embassy in Bangkok
Irish Embassy in Bangkok
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health
Latest updates from TAT newsroom

Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA)

To aid the recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector and restore confidence following the worldwide crisis of Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new safety initiative. In association with public and private sector partners, the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification has been introduced. To be granted a certificate under the SHA scheme, hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and other facilities need to meet the strict Covid-19 control guidelines issued by the Ministry of Public Health.

Read more about the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) scheme

Tourism Thailand (UK & Ireland)

The Tourism Thailand (UK & Ireland) office continues to operate in line with the latest advice from the UK government and the authorities in Thailand. For any enquiries please email:
info@tourismthailand.co.uk

Tourism Thailand (UK & Ireland)

This information is subject to change so we recommend revisiting this page regularly for updates and following us on social media @fanclubthailand.