You are here: Home / Advice / Thailand entry rules

Thailand entry rules

We have put together this list of resources to help you plan your trip to Thailand. As more information is officially confirmed by the Thai authorities, we will add updates here.

Information updated: 20 May 2022

Thailand entry rules from 1 May 2022

In a meeting on 22 April, the Thai government agreed to the further easing of the entry rules for Thailand. The new rules are set to come into effect from 1 May 2022. There are differences depending on whether travellers are vaccinated against Covid or not:

Vaccinated travellers

  • No pre-departure Covid test required
  • No Covid test on arrival or during stay
  • On arrival in Thailand visitors are free to travel anywhere in the country
  • Need to apply online for Thailand Pass before travelling to Thailand (processing time for Thailand Pass should take less than 48 hours)
  • Insurance policy with a minimum coverage equivalent to US$10,000*
    *(Not required for Thai nationals or foreign expatriates covered by Thailand’s national healthcare scheme)

Unvaccinated travellers

  • No Covid test on arrival, but must undergo hotel quarantine for 5 days
  • Complete a RT-PCR test on Day 5
  • Must book and prepay for a 5-day hotel booking and upload details when applying for Thailand Pass
  • Exception is made for unvaccinated travellers who are able to upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test* within 72 hours of travel via the Thailand Pass system. As with fully vaccinated travellers, they will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the country. The exemption also extends to travellers under 6 years old travelling with parents.
    *(From 1 June a professional ATK test will also be acceptable)
  • Insurance policy with a minimum coverage equivalent to US$10,000**
    **(Not required for Thai nationals or foreign expatriates covered by Thailand’s national healthcare scheme)

Please note that all visitors (vaccinated and unvaccinated) must still apply in advance for a Thailand Pass (see details below).

If you are not flying directly to Thailand and transiting via another country, you should check the Covid policies of your airline and the regulations of the country you are transiting in.

Thailand Pass

If you are planning to fly to Thailand you must make sure you have all the correct documents before you travel and apply for the Thailand Pass. For full details, please see the links below:

Thailand Pass applications streamlined from 1 June

With effect from 1 June 2022, the application process for the Thailand Pass will become easier and quicker. Vaccinated overseas visitors will only need to provide:

  • Passport details
  • Proof of vaccination
  • Health insurance policy (minimum coverage equivalent to US$10,000)

Once these details are uploaded, the Thailand Pass system will automatically issue a QR code.

Thai nationals are no longer required to apply for Thailand Pass from 1 June.

Vaccination criteria for all age groups

  • Age 18+: must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
  • Under 18: unvaccinated children travelling with parents/guardians can enter Thailand under the same scheme as their parents/guardians. However, children travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
  • Travellers with a history of Covid-19 infection who have received at least one dose of an approved vaccine post-infection must have a medical certificate of Covid-19 recovery.

Covid regulations for domestic travel in Thailand

As a tourist arriving in Thailand, once you’ve completed the required entry formalities listed above, the same travel rules for domestic travel will apply to you as they do for Thai travellers and those who live in Thailand.
More information on domestic travel regulations here

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

Visa options

Visa Exemption

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 30 days
The visa exemption scheme allows passport holders from certain countries, including the UK and Ireland, to stay for 30 days without applying in advance for a visa.

Tourist Visa

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 60 days
Tourists from the UK and Ireland who wish to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days can apply for a Tourist Visa. Apply for the Tourist Visa at least four weeks in advance of the travel date via the official Thai E-Visa website.

Special Tourist Visa

Permitted to stay in Thailand for: 90-270 days
The Special Tourist Visa was introduced in September 2020 as an option for long-stay tourists. This visa category was due to be withdrawn in September 2021. However, the Thai government agreed to extend the scheme until September 2022. The Special Tourist Visa allows for a stay of 90 days which can be extended twice at 90 days each when in Thailand.

Flying back from Thailand

Do I need a Covid test before flying back to the UK?
Thailand does not require you to undergo any Covid tests before departing. If you are flying to England you do not need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel, take any Covid-19 tests or quarantine when you arrive in England. However, you should also check with your airline for any specific requirements they may have especially if you are transiting via another country.

Check the UK government rules for travel to England (and guidance notes for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) from abroad.

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

More information

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

This information is subject to change so we recommend revisiting this page regularly for updates.

Tourism Thailand (UK & Ireland)

Feedback & Suggestions

Have you recently visited Thailand?  Your feedback and suggestions can help others.

Click Here