Travel to Thailand from China

Traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic was a long and stressful process for any country, especially Thailand. Travelers had to jump through many hoops in order to leave home and visit somewhere abroad.

Ni hao, are you a Chinese traveler looking forward to entering Thailand? You will be happy to know that from January 2023, visiting Thailand is as easy as it was before the pandemic. Thailand has removed its travel restrictions and entry requirements for Chinese Travelers.

These are the major changes that will affect travelers from China:

• Wearing masks is no longer compulsory.
• All mandatory hotel quarantine has been removed.
• Thailand Pass or COE is no longer required for Chinese travelers entering Thailand.
• The TM6 arrival card has been temporarily removed when entering Thailand.
• Foreigners no longer need to provide proof of vaccination or  COVID-19 test results upon arrival. However, vaccination certificates may be carried in case of need.

Travel Insurance is mandatory for travelers such as from mainland China, who’s next country of destination requires them to perform an RT-PCR test in Thailand prior to traveling to the said country. The validity of insurance must cover the duration of stay in Thailand + 7 days.

Documents for Travel to Thailand in January 2023

• Passport
• Visa On Arrival
• Travel Insurance
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel booking

Correct documents will speed up the entry screening to Thailand.

Easy Steps for Entering Thailand from China in 2023

Apply for a Thai Visa

China – Visa on Arrival

Chinese travelers can travel to Thailand and organize a “Visa on Arrival” as long as it is for the purpose of tourism. They may stay for a maximum of 15 days with this visa or up to 30 days when you arrive on or before March 31, 2023.

If you want to stay in Thailand longer than the Visa on Arrival allows, or are traveling for a purpose other than tourism, Siam Legal International law firm offers various Thailand Visa services for travelers from China. You may check our services through our website at: https://www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/thailand-visa-services.php

Tourist Visa

Chinese citizens may apply for a Tourist Visa from a Thai embassy or consulate. There is the normal 60-day tourist visa that can be extended for additional 30 days

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 Chinese 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 China. 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 application, you can apply for a visa through https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ or make an appointment to submit documents at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulates in China:

• Royal Thai Embassy, Beijing located at  40 Guanghua Rd, Jian Wai Da Jie, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
• Royal Thai Consulate, Chengdu located at 6 Hangkong Rd, Tongzilin, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610041
• Royal Thai Consulate, Guang Zhuo located at 36 Youhe Rd, Kecun, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
• Royal Thai Consulate, Shanghai located at 567 Weihai Rd, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China

Royal Thai Consulate, Nanning located at 52 Jinhu Rd, Qingxiu District, Nanning, Guangxi, China

Vaccination status and entering Thailand

Proof of vaccination or COVID test is not required to enter Thailand as announced  by the government.

Book your Flight to Thailand

Fly from China to Thailand and land at any internal airport!

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.

Book a Hotel

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.

You need to enter an address when traveling to Thailand. The accommodation can be a hotel, home, or a friend’s address.

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 Chinese citizen is diagnosed with Covid, needs medical attention, misses a flight, or loses their luggage, they will need to pay for it. Depending on the severity, this could amount to thousands of Yuan 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 waiting period and covers Covid-related incidents, including asymptomatic cases.
• Provides customers with a  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? Here are a few things that will help you enjoy your trip and show respect to local Thai people.

Wearing Masks

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.

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.

• Proof of Travel Insurance
• Passport
• Visa on Arrival Form and 1 photo
• 2,000 THB Visa on Arrival fee

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.

Following the above advice will ensure you have a smooth trip to Thailand and allow you to escape the Covid lock-downs that many Chinese people have had to endure recently. You can enjoy a few weeks of well-deserved vacation in the tropics.

Where to take COVID test in Bangkok?