IMPORTANT: For Thailand Travel Restrictions in 2023, please click the link below:
Thailand Travel Restrictions for 2023
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A lot has changed in the United Kingdom over the last few years. Brexit, leaving the EU, Covid, lockdowns, freedom, harsher lockdowns, and removal of all Covid restrictions. One thing that hasn’t changed is the British weather.
Britain was on the forefoot of reducing and removing Covid-related restrictions, especially when it came to international travel. It felt like they were waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.
Well, it did. As other countries opened their borders and eased travel restrictions, Brits found they could get away again. Foreign shores were calling.
Thailand has recently announced new changes to their Thailand Pass system which take effect on June 1.
Thailand has always been a popular choice of holiday for UK citizens. It is outside what many Brits can find, exotic food and culture, lush jungles, and long, sandy beaches, even the rain has a holiday feel to it, warm and fast. It doesn’t set in for days and leaves you feeling as grey as the clouds.
Thailand realized it needed to welcome back its visitors while keeping both its citizens and other travelers safe. Their answer was to introduce a simple, online system called Thailand Pass.
Required Documents for Travel to Thailand
Please have the following documents ready.
- Passport with at least six month validity
- Visa or visa exemption qualification
- Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
- Boarding pass to be presented at Passport Control
- Hotel booking confirmation if asked by Immigration Officer
- Note: Vaccination record no longer required
Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening by rules from the Thai immigration bureau and its Thai immigration officials.
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What is Thailand Pass?
Thailand Pass is a free online registration system where people who travel to Thailand can provide some basic health information and be approved to visit the country. It confirms the vaccination status of travelers arriving in Thailand and ensures they have the necessary protection in case they are diagnosed with COVID while here.
You will be pleased to know there were big changes to the Thai Pass system from June 1st, 2022.
- Thai Pass approvals are now instant on submission.
- All mandatory quarantine periods have been removed.
- Unvaccinated travelers now have the option of completing an RT-PCR test or the faster Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK).
Let’s break down how Thailand Pass works so British travelers can get here as quickly as possible.
Getting to Thailand
There are two ways a British citizen can register their entry to Thailand in Thailand Pass; by Air or by Land.
Air is for those who will be arriving on a flight through an international airport.
Land is for visitors who are currently in a country that borders Thailand and seek to enter the country through a land border.
Vaccination Status
Thailand welcomes all travelers no matter their state of vaccination. They have eased their travel restrictions and tried to make it easy for people to visit while keeping them safe.
Your vaccination status will determine what you need to provide when applying for a Thailand Pass.
British travelers will fall into one of two categories when they look at applying for their Thailand Pass.
- Vaccinated
- Unvaccinated
The paperwork and process are a little different for each category, so have a close read to work out which works best for you.
Thailand Pass Requirements
Vaccinated:
Brits who are fully vaccinated no longer need to complete any sort of mandatory quarantine when they arrive.
They will apply for a Thailand Pass and upload the required documents for approval. Once they arrive, vaccinated UK citizens are free to travel and stay anywhere in Thailand.
The documents a vaccinated Brit needs when applying for a Thailand Pass are:
- Passport details
- A flight itinerary
- Medical insurance with COVID cover
- Vaccination certificate
Unvaccinated:
British visitors who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated have the option of entering the country without a mandatory 5-Day Alternate Quarantine.
Travelers who choose this option will need to complete an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test within 72 hours before departure from their home country and before they apply for a Thailand Pass. The result needs to be uploaded to the application for approval.
British visitors who choose this method will be free to travel anywhere in Thailand on arrival.
The documents needed for this method of entry are:
- Passport details
- A flight itinerary
- Medical insurance with COVID cover
- A pre-departure RT-PCR/Pro-ATK test result no older than 72 hours before traveling
COVID Insurance Requirements for Thailand Pass
Because foreign travelers are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand, the Thai government has included health insurance with Covid coverage as part of their entry requirements.
They understand no matter how hard we try to curb the spread of COVID, things can still go wrong and people can still test positive.
If a visitor tests positive for covid, they will need to quarantine or isolate until fully recovered. The standard of insurance cover ensures a foreign traveler is protected and can cover any medical costs or treatments that accrue during their recovery.
To have your insurance approved in Thailand Pass, it must meet the following requirements:
- A minimum cover of $10,000 USD for medical expenses and treatment.
- It must specifically state that it covers COVID-related incidents.
- It must remain valid for the entire length of your stay in Thailand.
If your policy meets these requirements, it will be approved. However, if you would like a policy that is flexible and designed specifically to meet the standards set by Thai authorities, check out the AXA Sawasdee Thailand policy. As a trusted insurer in Thailand, this policy is guaranteed to be approved.
Get your Thailand Pass Insurance here: https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal
Applying for your Thailand Pass
Now that you know what you need to apply for a Thailand Pass, let’s look at how you apply.
The first few steps are the same for each category of visitor.
- Go to Thailand Pass web portal: https://tp.consular.go.th/
- Choose whether you will enter Thailand by Air or Land.
Now your vaccination and choice of entry scheme come into effect.
Vaccinated travelers:
- Input personal details. This will include your country of departure, arriving flight number, and address of where you will stay on your first night.
- Upload your passport, flight itinerary, insurance policy, and vaccination certificate.
- Submit and receive a confirmation email after registration
- Check your email for the instant Thailand Pass approval.
Once approved, you will receive an email with your QR Entry Code and Thai Pass ID.
Unvaccinated travellers with RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test:
- Input personal details. This will include your country of departure, arriving flight number, and address of where you will stay on your first night.
- Upload your passport, flight itinerary, insurance policy, and RT-PCR test result.
- Submit and receive a confirmation email after registration
- Check your email for the instant Thailand Pass approval.
Once approved, you will receive an email with your QR Entry Code and Thai Pass ID.
Thailand Pass: https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/thailand-pass
Thailand Pass Support: https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-pass
Checking your Thailand Pass Status
“How do I know if my Thailand Pass has been approved?”
We get asked this a lot, so it’s worth covering.
When you hit submit on your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your approval and Thai Pass QR code in a second email.
If you do not receive your QR code within an hour, you can check the status of your application at: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/check-status
You will need your:
- Access code
- Passport Number
- Email address
Thailand Pass for Children
Opening your kid’s eyes to another culture is marvelous. Many children have been hit hard by the isolation of Covid. For some, it is all they know. Kids can be a handful when out of the house, so Thailand Pass tries to make their entry as simple as possible. This is how Thailand Pass works for kids.
- Children under the age of 18 can be added to a parent’s application. They do not need a separate application. Once the Thailand Pass is approved, the parent and the child will receive their own QR code.
- Children under 18 will need to be covered by insurance. They can have their own policy or be included in a family policy. If you are getting a family policy, make sure all names are clearly stated.
- Children enter the country under the same scheme as their parents. If you are vaccinated and don’t need a test, your child does not need one. If you are doing an RT-PCR test, your child will complete a test as well.
That’s it! Visiting Thailand with your children is simple if done right.
Now you know what you need to complete your Thailand Pass application and how you get it approved.
The world is ready to welcome visitors on foreign shores as airlines take to the sky again. It is time to leave those feelings of isolation behind and rediscover what it means to leave Queen and country in beautiful Thailand.
Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for Thailand?
Thailand Pass is not a visa or permit to stay in Thailand. It is only a permit to enter Thailand during the COVID pandemic.
British citizens may enter Thailand without a visa. Brits can enter under the Visa Exemption program. Under the Visa Exemption program, UK citizens may stay up to 30 days in Thailand. This 30-day permit can be extended for another 30 days at any local immigration in Thailand.
For British travelers who are planning to stay in Thailand longer than 60 days or visiting Thailand for a different purpose other than tourism, they are required to apply for a proper Thai visa. They may apply for one of the following visas:
- Tourist Visa (TR visa) for tourists who can stay up to 60 days with 30 days extension.
- Non-Immigrant B Visa for business or employment purposes
- Non-Immigrant O visa for British citizens married to a Thai or a parent of a Thai national
- Non-Immigrant O visa for retirees
- Non-Immigrant OA visa for retirees
- Non-Immigrant ED visa for students
To apply for a Thai visa, UK citizens may visit: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/
The application for the Thai Visa is only through the website. Walk-in and mailed applications are no longer permitted.
Thai Embassy and Thai Consulates in the UK
To learn more about the different visa options or for more information on visa application, UK passport holders who are currently in the United Kingdom may contact the Thai Embassy or Consulate.
Thai Embassy London
Royal Thai Embassy
29-30 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington,
London, SW7 5JB
United Kingdom
Telephone (visa): 0207 589 2944
Email: [email protected]
http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk
UK Citizens Who Need to Book Hotel for Thailand
Our recommendation for booking hotels in Thailand is using Agoda.com
