Thailand sets out roadmap to ease quarantine restrictions

In March 2021, Thai authorities set out a roadmap to open up Thailand to fully vaccinated travellers without the need for quarantine. The plan will take place in phases starting with Phuket before being rolled out to other destinations including Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Krabi and Pattaya.

Update: September 29, 2021
Please see the latest information on our travel advice page

There are still some points that need to be clarified and the details are subject to change, but the information below summarises what was agreed, in principle, at the meeting.

April-June, 2021

Update 29 April:
The Thai government announced that from 1 May 2021, the quarantine period for all arrivals in Thailand will revert to 14 days.

• Travellers will be tested twice for Covid-19 during the quarantine period.
• Non-Thai travellers no longer require a fit to fly certificate.
• A negative Covid-19 test certificate (issued within 72 hours of boarding flight to Thailand) is still required for non-Thais.
• Thai nationals require either a fit to fly certificate or a negative Covid-19 test certificate.

July-September, 2021

• Quarantine rules as per first phase for April-June.
• From 1 July, no quarantine* will be required for vaccinated visitors to Phuket.
  (*14-day quarantine may still apply to arrivals from some countries)

October, 2021

• From 1 October 2021, no quarantine required for vaccinated visitors to Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Phang Nga, Phuket.
  (14-day quarantine may still apply to arrivals from some countries)

December 2021/January 2022

• All quarantine requirements in Thailand lifted for vaccinated visitors. Proposed that this will happen on or before 1 January, 2022.

Analysis

The Thai authorities have a difficult balancing act. While there is an economic need to reopen the crucial tourist industry, there is also a need for it to be done in as safe a way as possible. And while this proposed roadmap provides a better idea of a timeline, there are still some points awaiting clarification.

The details on this page should be viewed as a guide rather than a guarantee. The timeline depends on the success of the vaccine rollout in Thailand and the Covid-19 situation in Thailand and other countries.

There will almost certainly be some changes to the details of the roadmap over the coming weeks and months. When more details are confirmed, we will add updates on our travel advice page.

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