Travel to Thailand from Australia

If you are an Australian citizen and planning to travel to Thailand, this is the right place to know about the important things needed before traveling. Thailand has always been a popular holiday destination for Australians. It is easy to get to, offers unique experiences not found in Australia, and visitors can enjoy a 2 to 3-week holiday for less than a week’s vacation at home. And now that Thailand is striving to get tourists back into the country, many of the requirements set during COVID have been changed. If you’ve ever thought of traveling to Thailand from Australia on holiday, now is the time when prices and travel restrictions are low.

Travel Restrictions on Australians Entering Thailand

Thailand has lifted many of the travel requirements placed during COVID-19. Below is a list of these changes:

• Foreigners do not need to show proof of COVID insurance.
• All mandatory hotel quarantine requirements have been removed.
• Thailand Pass is no longer required for foreign travelers entering Thailand.
• Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination before arriving.
• Unvaccinated travelers (including children traveling with unvaccinated parents) will need to complete a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) test 72 hours before departing for Thailand. The proof does not need to be uploaded before traveling.
• Wearing masks will no longer be compulsory.
• The TM6 arrival card requirement has been temporarily waived when entering Thailand as of March 2024.

It is important to note that airlines and Thai immigration still occasionally perform random checks to confirm travelers meet COVID-19 prevention requirements (vaccination certificate or COVID test).

Visas needed for Entering Thailand from Australia

Visa Exemption Scheme

Australians can now enter and stay in Thailand for 30 days without a visa through the Visa Exemption Scheme because of an agreement between the two countries. There is no set limit if you’re traveling by air, but you can only enter on a visa exemption stamp twice a year if you’re entering Thailand through a land or sea border.

Thailand Tourist Visa

You can apply for the Thailand Tourist Visa at the Thai Embassy in Canberra or Sydney. It allows you to stay in Thailand for 60 days, but it can also be extended for another 30 days at the immigration office in Bangkok, making your entire trip to Thailand 90 days.

Thailand 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 Thailand Privilege Visa allows you to live uninterrupted in Thailand for up to 5, 10, or even 15 years. It also has far fewer eligibility criteria than other long-term visas and comes with a host of exclusive benefits, making it the easiest and most rewarding way to stay in Thailand long-term.

Non-Immigrant Visa Thailand

You may also apply for a wide range of non-immigrant visas depending on how long you plan on staying and what you plan on doing while in Thailand. Non-immigrant visas available to Australians include:

• 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
• 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 (these provide longer stays with different requirements from the basic type O visa)

You can start the process of acquiring these visas at your local Thai Embassy or Consulate in Australia. The paperwork can be quite involved, but there are people who can help, like Siam Legal, a reputable law firm in Thailand that employs English-speaking Thai immigration specialists. We’ve been helping Australians travel to Thailand for over 20 years, and know the laws of both countries inside and out. So, if you would like to streamline your journey to a long-term stay in Thailand, contact us and we’ll ensure your path to the Kingdom is swift and successful.

How to get to Thailand

Book a Flight

Many airlines are again flying from Australia to Thailand.

Currently, flights are available through:

• Qantas
• Emirates
• Thai Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Jetstar

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 to many areas, ATK self-tests are available at airports, pharmacies, and convenience stores.

Most international airlines follow the rules of the arrival country. If you are transiting through another country, it is best to check with the airline if you need to complete any tests for that country.

Finding Accommodation in Thailand

After July 1st, visitors are welcome to book any accommodation. There is no need to book SHA+ hotels or quarantine packages. SHA+ quarantine packages have been removed from most booking sites. If you see a “Quarantine Package” listed, you do not need to choose it.

Now that Thailand Pass is removed, visitors do not need to provide any proof of a hotel booking. You can book any accommodation in Thailand, and many hotels are offering competitive prices to welcome holiday makers back.

To find and compare the best hotels available in Thailand, visit Agoda. They allow free booking and cancellation, confirm bookings with hotels, and have their web page is easy to navigate and compare hotels.

Organize some Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is always a hot topic. It has become synonymous with “Covid”. The fact is that from July 1, Thailand does not require foreign visitors to have insurance with Covid cover. Travelers do not need to provide any proof of insurance in order to enter Thailand.

Before Covid, seasoned travelers understood the benefits of comprehensive travel insurance. Covid has not changed this. Though travel restrictions have eased, Covid is still a problem and the last thing Aussies want is to have their holiday cut short, or be forced to quarantine while they recover from Covid.

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 an Australian 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.

Insurance is one of those things that is better to have and not need than need and not have. Your 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

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

So what can you expect when landing in Thailand? Aussies are known for being friendly and laid back. They have always been welcomed by Thai locals. 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 that 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 a 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.

Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra

The Royal Thai Embassy in Australia is at 111 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, A.C.T. 2600, Canberra, Australia. There are also consulates that are in Melbourne and West Perth. For assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Royal Thai Embassy near your location or just email your questions through [email protected] or contact them at +61 2 6206 0100.

For visa applications, visit the Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra website. Do not forget to set an appointment when applying for a visa.