This Weekly Update was originally posted on May 13, 2022. For the most recent update, click here.
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Thailand Travel Updates as of May 13, 2022
- Starting May 1, 2022, Thailand has new entry requirements. To learn more about the new entry requirements, please visit: Thailand Travel Restrictions for May 1.
- Thailand Pass is still required for all travelers to Thailand. Any proposal to ease the current entry requirements for Thailand will be discussed by CSSA on May 20, 2022.
- For up-to-date information and weekly updates regarding current Thailand travel restrictions, please visit the Weekly Updates for Thailand Travel Restrictions.
- YouTube Video showing you how to apply for the Thai Pass:
Instructional Video for Thailand Pass Application - Before you apply for Thailand Pass, we highly recommend purchasing your COVID travel insurance and book your hotel stay:
- Buy your COVID Insurance now at AXA Thailand.
- Book your hotel in Thailand at Agoda.com
- Travelers may join our Facebook Group to ask questions, get help and read the latest developments: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtoenterthailand
Thailand Dropped COVID Test Requirements for Vaccinated Travelers
Thailand is amongst the first few countries in Southeast Asia that have allowed entry by international travelers under various schemes. Despite the attempt to relax the conditions, the number of visitors is still not as high as expected since many tourists may find the Test & Go scheme and other requirements to be cumbersome.
With the country recovering from the pandemic, the government has further eased the requirements and implemented new entry regulations to attract more tourists.
Since May 1, 2022, visitors entering the Kingdom no longer need to undergo the Test & Go scheme allowing fully vaccinated visitors to enjoy quarantine-free arrivals with no testing. Though registration on Thailand Pass is still mandatory, the process is now much simpler and faster.
What has changed?
Given the removal of the Test & Go scheme, vaccinated tourists are not required to go through any tests (pre-arrival and on-arrival) nor endure a period of quarantine. Visitors are urged to perform ATK (Antigen Test Kit) self-test and monitor their conditions during their stay in Thailand, though not compulsory.
In cases of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers, if the negative RT-PCR test result, taken within 72 hours before departure is provided during the Thailand Pass application, they will also be able to enter the country without having to undergo on-arrival tests or quarantine. On the other hand, if the RT-PCR test is not provided for any reason, they will be required to book accommodation at an Alternative Quarantine hotel for 5 days, including an RT-PCR test.
In addition, the newly implemented regulation lowered COVID insurance coverage from USD 20,000 to USD 10,000. With this insurance reduction and the removal of SHA+ hotel stay, visitors can save their travel expenses by a considerable sum.
However, all Thai and foreign visitors must still register via Thailand Pass website and upload the required documents based on their vaccination status. This normally takes a couple of hours up to 48 hours to get approved.
These changes mark a significant milestone for easing Thailand’s entry requirements.
Vaccinated Travelers
What does it mean to be considered ‘vaccinated’?
- Minimum 2 doses of vaccine approved by Thai FDA including Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Sinopharm, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik, Covaxin, Novavax and Medigen
- Must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure to Thailand.
The following are required:
- Registration via Thailand Pass website with the following documents:
- A valid passport and
- Proof of insurance coverage of a minimum of USD 10,000 (Thais and expats covered under Thailand’s healthcare system are exempted.)
- A certificate of COVID-19 vaccination
- Children aged 5-17 who are traveling by themselves must be vaccinated at least 1 dose for a minimum of 14 days prior to departure.
- Children below 18 years of age who are traveling with their parents must be included in their parents Thailand Pass application.
- Adult travelers with a history of COVID infection who received at least 1 dose of vaccine after the infection must present the evidence of recovery to be considered as fully vaccinated.
Once arrived in Thailand, all travelers will undergo basic screening procedures including providing necessary documents and body temperature check. Then, vaccinated travelers will be allowed to travel anywhere in the Kingdom.
Unvaccinated Travelers with Proof of Negative RT-PCR Test Result
Unvaccinated adult travelers who upload evidence of negative RT-PCR test issued within 72 hours pre-travel are permitted to enter Thailand with the same scheme as vaccinated travelers. On-arrival tests and quarantine are not required.
The followings are required:
- Registration via Thailand Pass website with the following documents::
- A valid passport
- Proof of insurance coverage of a minimum of USD 10,000 (Thais and expats covered under Thailand’s healthcare system are exempted.)
- COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours prior to departure
In the case of unvaccinated travelers who have already been approved for Thailand Pass under the AQ scheme, but want to be exempted from quarantine, they must re-apply for Thailand Pass based on the new measures.
Unvaccinated Travelers for Alternative Quarantine
For those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and cannot provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to traveling, a 5-day Quarantine is still mandatory.
The following are required:
- Registration via Thailand Pass website with the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Proof of insurance coverage of a minimum of USD 10,000 (Thais and expats covered under Thailand’s healthcare system are exempted.)
- A 5-day booking confirmation at an Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel including an RT-PCR test.
- Must undergo the test on Day 4-5 during the quarantine
Travelers with negative test results can freely travel within Thailand after the quarantine period. If the result appears positive, they must receive medical treatment with expenses covered by the purchased COVID insurance.
Important Points to note:
- Travelers whose Thailand Pass applications have been approved and have received the QR code do not need to re-apply for the new Thai Pass. They will be able to enter Thailand under these new measures after May 1. Travelers can request a refund from the hotels directly.
- Despite the ‘no-test’ scheme for entering Thailand, travelers are advised to check with the airline regarding their COVID vaccination/test policies.
- When traveling around Thailand, it is still compulsory for everyone to wear a facemask in public at this point.
This easing of entry procedures is expected to help revive Thailand’s tourism industry regardless of the low season. There has been news about the possibility of eliminating the Thailand Pass which will further ease the travel restrictions. Nonetheless, the proposal is subject to the COVID infection rate in the country and the related authority’s decision.
How to Stay in Thailand for 5, 10 or 20 Years
Do you want to stay in Thailand for 5 to 20 years with VIP treatment? Thailand Elite Visa program is best fit for you. The Thai Elite Visa is one of the special Thai visas aimed for digital nomads, retirees, business people, investors, high-income individuals and families looking to move to Thailand. Siam Legal International is an authorized sales and service agent of Thailand Elite visa with years of experience and an exemplary reputation.
So, here are the benefits of being a Thailand Elite member and visa holder:
- 5, 10, or 20 years multiple entry visa
- Exclusive departure and arrival lounges in Thailand’s airports
- Special immigration lanes for expedited arrival and departure
- VIP limousine pick-up and transfer from the airport to your hotel, vice versa
- Assistance in government transactions, including the 90-day reporting and processing of driver’s license
- Assistance in processing bank account with local currency
- Elite Personal Assistant to help in whatever tasks or concerns you need to address while in Thailand
- Exclusive discounts in participating establishments, including King Power duty free
- Exclusive add-ons to services in spas, culinary institutions and golf courses
- Complementary medical checkup
To start your Thai Elite Visa application, you may check this page:
https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thai-elite-visa-cost
For individuals or families who are interested about this long stay visa program, you can download our Thai Elite e-book on this link: https://www.siam-legal.com/legal-guide/thai-elite-visa-ebook.pdf
Best COVID Insurance for Thailand Pass
Based on experience, the common problem for Thailand Pass applications being delayed or worse being rejected is that some insurance policies are not properly worded. Your COVID-19 insurance must expressly state that it covers up to 10,000 to 20,000 USD medical expenses including COVID-19 while in Thailand.
You may use your own health insurance or purchase insurance from your own country, however, for the best COVID insurance for the Thailand Pass it is recommended to purchase from an insurance company in Thailand such as AXA Insurance Thailand to make sure that you meet the requirement in obtaining the Thailand Pass successfully.
- Your certificate of insurance will expressly state that it covers up to 20,000 USD medical expenses including COVID-19. It will also state that the certificate is issued for the purpose of the Thailand Pass application.
- The AXA Sawasdee Thailand provides a one-page certificate of insurance which is perfect for the Thailand Pass application since the system will only allow one-page document to be uploaded.
- Your insurance letter or certificate will also contain the policy number and date of effectivity or start date.
- The AXA Insurance policy must be effective before or on the date of arrival and during your entire length of stay.
To purchase AXA Thailand Insurance; the most reliable insurance that has never had any problem with the Thailand Pass application, please click the link below:
Best Thailand Hotels on Agoda.com
Recommended Hotels in Bangkok
To assist travelers in planning their trip to Thailand, we have compiled a list of highly recommended Bangkok Hotels:
- The Okura Prestige Bangkok
- Park Hyatt Bangkok
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
- The Landmark Bangkok
- Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
- Carlton Hotel Bangkok
- The Continent Hotel Asok
- Bangkok Marriott Marquis
- Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit
- Chatrium Hotel Riverside
- Shangri-La Bangkok
- Anantara Riverside Bangkok
- Vie Hotel Bangkok
- Millennium Hilton Bangkok
- Avani+ Riverside Bangkok
- Le Meridien Bangkok
- Lebua at State Tower
- Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
- Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok
Recommended Hotels in Phuket
To assist travelers in planning their trip to Thailand, we have compiled a list of highly recommended hotels in Phuket:
- The Marina Phuket Hotel
- Naina Resort and Spa
- Patong Resort Hotel
- Crest Resort and Pool Villas
- Baan Laimai Beach Resort
- Andamantra Resort and Villa Phuket
- Andakira Hotel
- Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa
- The Royal Paradise Hotel and Spa
- Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa
- Deevana Patong Resort and Spa
- Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort
- Baan Yuree Resort and Spa
- The Nature Phuket
- The Blue Hotel
- Rawai Palm Beach Resort
- Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach
- Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
- Navatara Phuket Resort
- Kalima Resort & Spa
Siam Legal Visa and Thailand Pass Assistance
Package 1: 200 USD (Visa + Thailand Pass)
- Visa Consultation
- Extensive checklist of required documents
- Assistance in Thai e-visa application (non-immigrant O marriage visa and 60-day TR visa)
- Assistance in Thailand Pass application
- 2 to 3 weeks process
- Our offer is available in the US, UK, and Canada visa applications only
Package 2: 100 USD (Thailand Pass)
- Consultation with our Immigration Specialist
- Extensive checklist of required documents
- Assistance in Thailand Pass application (including Visa holders and Visa Exemption)
- 5 to 10 days processing time
- Available in eligible countries only
- Available for Thai and foreign nationals
- For Test & Go, Sandbox, and Quarantine programs
For the latest information, weekly updates, and guide on How To Travel to Thailand in 2022, you may check this page here:
https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-travel-restrictions-updates
