The world has adapted to Covid conditions, and people are once again seeking freedom. Malaysia is a beautiful country, but after two years of pandemic, people are a little stir crazy and want to explore again. World travel is adjusting to allow people freedom again.
Thailand has removed its travel restrictions and it is easy for Malaysian travelers to visit. Malaysians are lucky because Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a major transit hub for flights to Thailand. A Malaysian citizen can hop on almost any flight and be in Thailand in just a few hours. It is easy for Malaysians to visit the Land of Smiles for a week or even a weekend.
Are you in Malaysia right now, and looking forward to traveling to Thailand? You will be happy to know that from July 1, 2022, Thailand has removed all of its travel restrictions.
These are the changes that Malaysians need to be aware of when planning their get-away:
- Foreigners do not need to show proof of Covid Insurance.
- All mandatory hotel quarantine has been removed.
- Thailand Pass is no longer required for Malaysian citizens travelers entering Thailand.
- Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination before arriving.
- Unvaccinated travelers (including children traveling with unvaccinated parents) need to complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) test 72 hours before departing for Thailand. Proof does not need to be uploaded before traveling.
- Airlines and Thai Immigration will do random checks to confirm travelers meet Covid prevention requirements (vaccination certificate or Covid test).
- Wearing masks is no longer compulsory.
- The TM6 arrival card has been temporarily removed when entering Thailand.
With travel almost back to pre-Covid conditions, now is the perfect time to plan a holiday, an affordable holiday to a favorite destination.
Documents for Travel to Thailand in July 2022
- Passport
- Visa (if required)
- Travel Insurance
- Flight Itinerary
- Hotel booking
- Vaccination record (if vaccinated)
- COVID-19 test result (if unvaccinated)
Correct documents will speed up the entry screening to Thailand.
Easy Steps for Entering Thailand from Malaysia in 2022
Apply for a Thai Visa
Malaysia – a Visa Exempt country
Thailand will always welcome its neighbors from the south. Malaysian travelers can visit Thailand without a visa through the Visa Exemption Program. They can stay for a maximum of 30 days as a tourist and can extend their permit to stay for a further 30 days at any local immigration office. This allows Malaysians to enjoy Thailand for up to 60 days.
If you want to stay in Thailand longer than the Visa Exemption allows, or are traveling for a purpose other than tourism, Siam Legal International law firm offers various Thailand Visa services for travelers from Malaysia. You may check our services through our website at: https://www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/thailand-visa-services.php
Long Term Visas for Malaysians
Tourist Visa and Special Tourist Visa (STV)
Malaysian citizens can apply for a Tourist Visa from the Thai embassy or consulate. There is the normal 60-day tourist visa that can be extended for additional 30 days, and the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allows two 90-day visa extensions at the local immigration office. There are certain requirements needed for the STV, but it allows a visitor to stay in Thailand for up to 9 months. The STV will be available until September 2022.
Thai Elite Visa
If you wish to make Thailand easily accessible for many years to come or are perhaps thinking of relocating permanently, it is worth having a look at the Thailand Elite Visa.
The Thai Elite Visa allows Malaysian citizens to live in Thailand for 5, 10, or even 20 years. Thai Elite members do not need to worry about some of the eligibility criteria needed when applying for other long-term visas.
The Thai Elite visa is exclusive and offers a host of benefits to holders. If you want to enjoy “Thai life” for the long term, you can read more about the Thailand Elite Visa.
Non-Immigrant Visa
Foreigners may also apply for a wide range of non-immigrant visas:
- Non-immigrant B Visa – for conducting business or employment
- Non-immigrant O visa – for visiting Thai spouse and family
- Non-immigrant ED visa – for students of recognized institutions in Thailand and their Parents or Legal guardian
- Non-immigrant O retirement visa – for those who wish to retire in Thailand
- Non-immigrant OA and OX visa – for those who wish to obtain a Thailand retirement visa for a long stay (it differs from type O visa)
The above visas can be organized with a local Thai Embassy or Consulate in Malaysia. The paperwork can be quite involved, but there are companies that can help.
Siam Legal International is a reputable company in Thailand that has offered visa assistance to Indians for years. They are well versed in Thai immigration policies and processes. If you would like to streamline your long-term stay in Thailand, it is worth contacting them.
For visa applications, Malaysians can print a visa application form and make an online appointment before visiting a Thai Embassy or Consulates near their location.
- Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur located at 206, Jalan Ampang, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Consulate General of Thailand in Penang at 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Taman Barat, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Consulate General of Thailand in Kota Bharu located at 4426, Jin Tok Guru, Taman Ng Beng Kool, 15400 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
For inquiries about the visa application process, visit their website for more information or you can reach out to them through [email protected].
Vaccination status and entering Thailand
From July 1st, 2022, a Thailand Pass application is no longer required. Citizens from Malaysia will be able to enter the country one of two ways.
- Vaccinated Travelers – Vaccinated Malaysian travelers do not need to complete any Covid tests before leaving Malaysia. They will need to have a copy of their vaccination certificate with them. Children under 18 who are traveling with vaccinated parents do not need to complete any RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test before departing.
- Unvaccinated Travelers – Before coming to Thailand, unvaccinated travelers will need to complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen (Pro-ATK) test through a clinic or medical professional. The test result must be issued within 72 hours before departing Singapore.
An ATK (RAT) home test is not acceptable. Children under 18 who are traveling with unvaccinated parents also need to complete a test.
Airlines and Immigration will conduct random checks of passengers to confirm Covid requirements are met. It is best to have your Vaccination or Covid test Certificate available to show.
Book your Flight to Thailand
Flying to Thailand from Malaysia is one of the quickest and easiest flights around. Because KL Airport is a major international transit hub, Malaysians can book a flight on almost any carrier and arrive in Thailand within a few hours. Some common carriers are:
- Air Asia
- Thai Airways
- Scoot
- Singapore Airlines
- Qantas
You can land at any international airport in Thailand and transit to other areas right away. There are no longer any “sealed” flights, though domestic flights may ask to see a vaccination certificate or test result before boarding. If you are traveling domestically, ATK self-tests are available at airports, pharmacies, and convenience stores.
Most international airlines follow the rules of the arrival country. It is best to check with the airline if you need to complete any tests before boarding.
Book a Hotel
Vaccinated travelers or unvaccinated travelers who complete a 72-hour pre-departure RT-PCR/Pro-ATK test are welcome to book any accommodation. There are no quarantine requirements. SHA+ quarantine packages have been removed from most booking sites.
If you see a “Quarantine Package” listed, you do not need to choose it.
To find and compare the best hotels available in Thailand, visit Agoda. They allow free booking and cancellation, confirm bookings with hotels and their web page is easy to navigate and compare hotels.
Travelers have always needed to enter an address when traveling to Thailand. The accommodation can be a hotel, home, or a friend’s address. This would normally be entered on the blue arrival card (TM6), but you will see below that things are changing here too.
Organize your Travel Insurance
If you are a foreigner, you should purchase a Travel Insurance policy. Though it is no longer an entry requirement, responsible travelers know the benefits of having insurance while traveling abroad.
Travel Insurance is one of those things that is better to have and not need than need and not have. Travel insurance doesn’t just cover Covid. Comprehensive travel insurance will also cover:
- Medical emergencies
- Personal injury & accidents
- Missed or delayed flights
- Damage to belongings
- Loss of luggage
The most important thing to know about insurance is that foreign travelers are not eligible for any form of free medical care in Thailand. No matter the circumstance, if a Malaysian citizen needs medical attention, they will need to pay for it. Depending on the severity, this could amount to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.
There are multiple reasons to protect yourself when traveling. Many visitors to Thailand choose AXA Insurance Thailand. It is a trusted company that offers comprehensive insurance to travelers from around the world. Their policies are straightforward with good coverage.
Some advantages to AXA Insurance are:
- Recognized and trusted by Thai authorities and medical facilities.
- Easy to apply online and approved in minutes.
- Competitive pricing and cover.
- Has no 14-day waiting period and covers Covid-related incidents, including asymptomatic cases.
- Provides customers with a convenient 1-Page Certificate of insurance. This certificate contains all relevant information needed by medical professionals or if making a claim.
To see the cover offered and organize your insurance to Thailand in minutes. Visit AXA Thailand.
Arriving in Thailand – Best Practices
It is easy to get to Thailand now. So what can you expect when landing? Here are a few things that will help you enjoy your trip and show respect to local Thai people.
Wearing Masks
From July 1st, masks are no longer compulsory but still recommended when in public places. You see many Thai people (and visitors) still wear masks when out and about. It is recommended to wear a mask when visiting restaurants or public venues. You will not get in trouble if you don’t wear a mask, but it is a case of “do as the locals do”. It is about respect and consideration.
TM6 Arrival Cards
The Thai government has temporarily removed the need for visitors to complete the blue arrival card known as TM6. Their aim is to ease congestion at airports and remove another form that holiday makers need to complete. This initiative is in a testing phase, but it is hoped that the removal of TM6 will be successful and the change will become permanent.
Paperwork to Prepare
Though Thailand Pass is removed, and travelers do not need to provide proof before entry, it is best to prepare a few documents before arriving.
- Certificate of Insurance
- Vaccination certificate (vaccinated travelers)
- 72-hour RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test result (unvaccinated)
- Covid-19 recovery certificate (if previously tested positive)
This will speed up your processing time before leaving your country, or if asked to provide vaccination or testing proof in a random check. These documents can be presented in digital form, but airlines, Immigration, and Health Officers will appreciate the extra effort if you print them.
Thailand and Malaysia can again enjoy neighborly travel. It is best to remember responsible travel practices, but now that entry requirements and restrictions are removed, it is easy to get away for a week and relax.
