Most citizens of the world are now vaccinated, and after two years of pandemic conditions, countries are opening their borders and once again welcoming visitors.
Thailand is one of these countries. As a popular holiday destination for Filipinos, Thailand understands it is time to adapt to a post-Covid world and once again welcome visitors to its shores.
People are tired of being trapped at home, so to make it easy, Thailand removed the last of its travel restrictions on July 1st, 2022. It is as easy to visit Thailand now as it was before Covid. There are a few things to be aware of when traveling to Thailand, and as always it is up to the individual Filipino to travel responsibly.
These are the changes that affect Filipino travelers when coming to Thailand:
- Foreigners do not need to show proof of Covid Insurance.
- All mandatory hotel quarantine has been removed.
- Thailand Pass is no longer required for Filipino 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.
Thailand has always been an affordable holiday destination for Filipino travelers, so if you are ready to once again get out in the world and experience some freedom abroad, read on and see just how easy it is to visit the Land of Smiles.
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 Filipino Travelers Entering Thailand in 2022
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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Apply for a Thai Visa
The Philippines – a Visa Exempt country
Filipinos are lucky because they can visit Thailand without a visa as long as it is for the purpose of tourism. A Filipino citizen can stay for up to 30 days through the Visa Exemption Program. If 30 days is not long enough, they can extend their permit to stay for a further 30 days at any local immigration office. This allows Filipinos 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 the Philippines. You may check our services through our website at: https://www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/thailand-visa-services.php
Long Term Visas for Filipinos
Tourist Visa and Special Tourist Visa (STV)
Filipino citizens may 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 Filipino 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 the Philippines. 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. You can reach Siam Legal at …
For assistance in going to Thailand, there is a Thai Embassy at 107 Rada, Legazpi Village, Makati, 1229 Metro Manila.
For queries, you can reach out to them through [email protected] or call them:
- (02) 8815 4219 – Thai Embassy, Manila
Or for more information, please visit the Royal Thai Embassy, Manila website.
Vaccination status and entering Thailand
From July 1st, 2022, a Thailand Pass application is no longer required. Citizens from the Philippines will be able to enter the country one of two ways.
- Vaccinated Travelers – Vaccinated Filipino travelers do not need to complete any Covid tests before leaving the Philippines. 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
As travel restrictions ease, many airlines are taking to the skies again. Filipinos can find competitive prices for international get-aways and booking flights is easy. Some common carriers for Filipino holiday makers are:
- Air Asia
- Thai Airways
- Scoot
- Singapore Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar
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. If you are transiting through another 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 Filipino 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.
Travel Insurance: https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal
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
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 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.
It is time to get back into the world. International travel is almost back to pre-Covid conditions and Thailand is waiting to welcome its Filipino visitors back.
