When Will Thailand Reopen to Tourists?

How to Visit Thailand in 2022?

Coronavirus has undoubtedly changed everyone’s lives.  Probably not for ever, but for the next year or two the effects will be widespread.  Let’s look at the tourism situation in Thailand, what the government is doing to help and what tourists to Thailand can expect on their post-coronavirus holiday.

This page is updated as and when new information becomes available.  Plus you will see how the situation is very fluid.  Thai government announcements and policy get reported daily but also change or are contradicted almost as frequently. 

When Thailand allow Tourists to Enter without Quarantine?  UPDATES: From 1 July 2022 all restrictions on entry to Thailand will be lifted.  A ‘Thailand Pass’ and proof of covid insurance will no longer be required.  Tourists will once again be able to hop on  a plane and land in Bangkok without requiring any special paperwork – other than a visa (depending on their nationality) I wont be updating this page anymore but will leave it online for anyone interested in following Thailand’s response to the covid pandemic from the start in March 2020 to the the end of restrictions in July 2022. From 1 October 2022 onwards Thailand will declare covid to be a communicable disease under surveillance.  As such the covid state of emergency will be lifted and life should, hopefully, get back to normal. This also means that tourists will be able to enter Thailand without having to show any proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test.

On September 15 2020, the Thai government gave the go ahead for a longstay visa – Special Tourist Visa – which would allow visitors to stay a maximum of 270 days in Thailand.  14 day quarantine and various other measures are still required.  It is the first small step in Thailand re-opening for visitors.  On 29 September, they announced the first group of tourists, from China, would arrive on October 8th.  (That has now been cancelled.)

On 9 October 2020 the Thai Embassy in Helsinki, Finland announced people living there could apply for a Tourist Visa to visit Thailand.  Although quarantine is still required.  Which is a (very small) piece of good news.  20 October a group of Chinese ‘tourists’ land in Bangkok.  26 October a larger group of Chinese tourists land. However, it’s later revealed most passengers are business people or spouses returning to stay with their family.  Not genuine tourists.

From 15 November 2020 onwards, 60 day Tourist Visas are available to most nationalities.  Quarantine is still required.

As of mid December, tourists from 61 nations ( i.e. most Western countries ) who qualify under the visa exemption, can come to Thailand – no visa required.  However 14 day quarantine is still required.

From April 2021 onwards tourists with vaccination certificates and a negative covid test can re-enter Thailand.  Quarantine is still required.   Tourists from will be permitted to visit Phuket without any quarantine from 1 July onwards.  And from Samui from 15 July.  Plus several other provinces, without quarantine, from 1 September. The rest of the country will have to wait for January 2022 (or later) before foreign tourists can stay without having done quarantine or spent a week in one of the other ‘sandbox’ locations first.  

Can Tourists Visit Thailand?

Yes – The good news that it is possible, from 1 February 2022, fully vaccinated visitors from any country can enter Thailand and travel freely. The only requirements being a negative PCR test before arrival and two after – on Day 1 & Day 5 of their stay, plus proof of vaccination against covid-19 & medical insurance that covers the cost of covid treatment or quarantine.

However, hopping on a plane, landing in Thailand and heading direct to the beach is still a long way off.  There’s quite a bit of bureaucracy involved with obtaining the ‘Thailand Pass’ which is required for entry to the country.  So whilst it is possible to come for a two week holiday, it’s a bit of a hassle.

On the plus side, this is a great time to visit Thailand.  Hotel prices have never been cheaper and beaches are deserted.  So, for anyone who is able to spend a few weeks in the country, the overall costs won’t be much higher than normal. One negative is that outside the main tourist areas, restaurants can’t legally sell alcohol.  Bars and nightclubs are still closed across Thailand.

How to Travel to Thailand as a Tourist in 2021

This is information was current as of 16 February 2021. It is now outdated.  I’ve left it here just as a reminder of the old process to enter the country

Citizens of countries who qualify for entry into Thailand under the visa exemption scheme can now come to Thailand.  This includes passport holders from most Western nations. No advance visa is required. You will be stamped in for 30 days upon arrival. However, a Certificate of Entry and 14 day quarantine period are required.  More about this below.

For anyone wanting to stay longer, or who doesn’t qualify for a visa exemption, a Tourist Visa is required.  This gives 60 days stay inside Thailand and can be extended for a further 30 days once in Thailand.  In addition there are other requirements.  These are the steps required: 

1. Apply for a Tourist Visa through the Thai embassy in your country.  Wait for approval.
2. If your visa application is successful and a visa is issued, the next step is to register for a Certificate of Entry (COE).  This is obtained online through the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
3. Having registered for your COE successfully, it is time to arrange insurance, book your flight and ASQ hotel. Then upload this information to the COE website. There are limited flights to Thailand now, so it will be  a matter of taking what is available, rather than having a large choice.  ASQ = Alternative State Quarantine.  Anyone entering Thailand must undergo 14 days quarantine.  ( In reality this is actually 14 full days, excluding the day you arrive and check out.  So, it’s 15 nights in a hotel. ) Foreigners do this at one of the government approved hotels.  You can only choose from these specific hotels.  If you are flying into Bangkok, you must quarantine at an ASQ hotel in Bangkok or Pattaya.  A health insurance policy which expressly covers treatment and medical expenses in relation to coronavirus and has a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD is also required.
4. Having done that, wait for approval and then download and print out your Certificate of Entry.
5. Now you have to make plans for the pre-departure requirement. Within 72 hours of your flight, you need to obtain a Fit to Fly certificate ( indicating you are healthy enough to get on a plane)  plus take a covid-19 test and receive a negative test result. 
6.  Having successfully obtained all the documents you will be able to get on your flight.  When you land in Bangkok you’ll be tested again for covid-19 by staff in full hazmat suits and then taken to your ASQ hotel.  

Visit the Thai Embassy website for your country and you will find a far more detailed explanation of the paperwork involved, plus information on flights and links to lists of ASQ hotels.  At present virtually all ASQ hotel can only be booked direct with the hotel, not through online booking sites. 

Alternatively, as of 8 December, tourists from any country can apply for an STV (Special tourist Visa) that allows a 90 day stay in the country and which can be renewed twice, giving a maximum stay of 270 days in Thailand.   This was initially offered to Chinese and SE Asian visitors, but there was limited uptake.  Of course, 14 day quarantine in an approved ASQ hotel is required on arrival in Thailand.

Is It Safe To Travel To Thailand after Coronavirus?

When you compare the statistics for coronavirus cases from Thailand (82 deaths and just over 24,000 people infected as of February 2021) to those from many other countries, Thailand certainly appears to be a very safe country to travel to.  In fact 70% of all the cases were discovered in early 2021 and are from a large cluster centered around Burmese workers accommodation in Samut Sakhon province southwest of Bangkok. 

Hopefully, foreign tourists will start to return soon.  But for now the government’s main focus is on boosting domestic tourism.

Travel is one of the industries that has been hit hardest worldwide. This isn’t limited to one country, it affects the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.  Here in Thailand tourism is estimated to account for almost 18% of GDP. Last year, spending by foreign tourists accounted for 11.4% of GDP, while domestic tourism made up 6%.  And around 20% of workers in Thailand are employed in tourism related businesses. 

Many of these self employed or work in small businesses and resorts.  The vast majority weren’t earning enough to be able to put aside money for living expenses for a few months without work. And the vast majority also aren’t covered by any government job furlough or income support programs. 

So it’s easy to see the impact that the complete stop in tourism due to covid-19 has had on Thai people and how things will get worse before they get better.  As the longer it is before tourism recovers, the longer it will be before people can earn a living wage again. There’s only so long that families members can support each other.

Now that coronavirus has been brought under control in Thailand, the Thai government is doing its best to encourage domestic tourism to get Thais to travel more extensively and spend their money supporting tourist related businesses around the country. 

However, many of the smaller businesses won’t see any benefit.  Large chain resorts are offering deeply discounted packages to entice guests.  Cutting prices for a five star hotel down to those of a 2 star hotel. And often throwing in dinner or even full board the resort.  

With prices being cut for accommodation and large resorts trying to take business from local restaurants, it’s doubtful that these measures will help as many of the workers in the tourism business as intended. 

So please try to support the little guys as well as enjoying the cheap prices at luxury hotels.

Thailand Covid-19 Travel Updates

I’ve been keeping track of events regarding the re-opening of Thailand to tourists since June 2020.  I update this section every week or so with any new developments. 

13 June 2020

A Bangkok Post article offers some clues about what tourism will look like in the first few months after Thailand re-opens its borders.  The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is currently discussing bilateral agreements to let people between two countries travel without a 14-day quarantine, known as a travel bubble. 

However these tourists must have insurance to cover costs of covid-19 treatment (if required) and they will be screened before departure and on arrival in Thailand.

They will also be monitored and tracked during their time in Thailand.  In the initial stage, the country will open to only two groups: business people who receive an invitation from a firm and medical tourists who have an appointment already with a hospital.

There is also talk about sports tourists being allowed in such as golfers. But they must leave after they have finished playing. (Chinese and Japanese golfers often fly in for a couple of days of golf, as green fees in Thailand are way cheaper than their home countries.)

But as the government has to prepare more subtle screening processes, Thailand may only cater to about 1,000 inbound guests daily. According to the CCSA, the targeted countries include China, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and some Middle East nations. 

18 June 

Khao Sod English reported that director of Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has stated that the doesn’t expect flights for tourists to resume until late September at the earliest.  and even if the plan for travel bubbles is given the go ahead in the next month or two, this will only be for business travellers. 

19 June 

According to a Bloomberg report, the Thai Tourism Minister today stated that Thailand aimed to turn away from mass tourism and only target wealthy visitors when tourism re-opens.  And that tourists should only be permitted to go to certain islands, for a minimum period of 14 days, where they will be monitored.  “One person can easily spend as much as five by staying at the finest hotels,” he said, adding that full and free travel should become a “thing of the past.”  

23 June 

The government confirms plans to allow seven groups of foreigners to enter the country. The committee has divided these into two main groups. Graphics from The Nation

The first group of business people based in Thailand, skilled workers, people with Thai spouses or working in Thailand and medical tourists will have to undergo the 14 day quarantine period. 

The second group of short stay business people – here for meetings or factory visits etc, tourists from China, South Korea and Japan, and guests of government agencies will be subject to testing and tracking but won’t have to undergo quarantine

29 June 

The government announced that 50,000 foreigners are expected to begin flying to Thailand from 1 July onwards.  This is up on the initial plan for 30,000. Several additional groups of foreigners will now be allowed to enter.  However, tourists are still excluded.  All visitors must undergo 14 days self-funded quarantine at luxury hotels.  prices are form around 40,000 – 140,000 Baht for this.  

4 July 

A travel bubble plan tourists has now been drawn up by the government and tourism authorities. From August, a limited number of tourists, 1,000 / day, will be able to take a package tour to one of five areas in the pilot project – Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket and Pattaya.

Phase 1 of the plan allows for tourists only from countries that have been free from coronavirus for 30 days.  If that is successful, phase 2 will see more tourists allowed in and permitted to visit additional destinations. The third phase would be when the whole country can open to international tourists again. 

8 July 

Just a few days after the plan for travel bubbles was announced it’s been put on hold, as the countries it was aimed at have now registered more coronavirus cases.  Public health is being put ahead of  economic factors by the government.  The flipside of this is that millions of workers tourism business owners are suffering financially with no end in sight. The Phuket News reported on the plight of tourism workers in Phuket yesterday.

15 July

No further announcements on opening the country to more visitors.  Instead rules for entry of foreigners have been tightened. Thailand has been without confirmed local transmission of the COVID-19 for 50 days now.  But two cases among foreigners this week led to the self-isolation of more than 400 people and concerns about the possibility of a new coronavirus outbreak.

One covid19 case was the daughter of a diplomat who had just returned to Thailand.  The other an Egyptian military officer who came to the country on official business.  Neither were tested on arrival, as the normal procedures didn’t apply to diplomats or members of the armed forces. 

21 July

Good news for holders of Elite Visas, they will soon be allowed back into Thailand. And also for foreign tourists who have been stuck in Thailand since the coronavirus pandemic began. They can continue to stay, without requiring a visa, until 26 September.  But the Bank of Thailand is forecasting that it will be several years before visitor numbers to Thailand reach 2019’s highs again.  Which is bad news for the millions of workers who depend on tourism for their livelihood.

28 July

This week the idea of travel bubbles was being reconsidered and then quickly dropped again once people thought about what would happen if a country that had had no cases for months ( i.e. Vietnam ) suddenly had new cases and lots of visitors from that country were in Thailand. Major panic all round. 

By the end of the week the plan for any foreigners who enter the country in the coming months, for whatever reason, having to do 14 days quarantine at their own expense was back on the table.  Best not to book your flights to Thailand just yet.  As this week it’s looking less likely tourists will be allowed in before the end of the year. 

5 August

Yesterday the government announced that there weren’t any plans for allowing more groups of foreigners into the country in the near future.  This includes those on retirement visas and others who have property or families in Thailand (but don’t have a marriage or working visa).  There’s also new Facebook group ‘Love is not Tourism‘ which calls on the government to allow foreigners in a relationship (but not married to) Thai nationals to be able to return to Thailand. 

So before tourists can think of coming to Thailand for a vacation, these groups of people will have to be allowed in and go through quarantine. There’s still a long waiting list for repatriation flights to Thailand.   

At present I wouldn’t plan on being able to have a winter holiday in Thailand.  

10 August

Thailand is unlikely to reopen its borders to international tourists before the end of the year.  That prediction came from a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.  I think some tourists will be allowed by the end of the year, but with strict restrictions.  The type that only guided tour groups from China or elsewhere would be happy to adhere to.  

18 August

Another week, another plan to get tourists back.  This week both Phuket and Samui announced they were ready and willing to take incoming tourists.  Although the small matter of mandatory 14 day quarantine has to be overcome.  At present it’s hard to imagine there are many people wanting to take a holiday to Thailand with the proviso that the first two weeks must be spent in a designated hotel from which there’s no escape.  By the end of the week authorities in Phuket said they would reopen from 1 October. ( Assuming there were flights, the government gave the OK and tourists didn’t mind the 14 day quarantine period. )

24 August

A glimmer of hope this week for people wanting to come to Thailand on holiday this coming high season.  TAT officials have mentioned in interviews that they have a plan to allow longstay visitors to come to Phuket from 1 October onwards.  There would be various conditions, namely covid tests and 14 day quarantine period. 

And visitors would have to be on charter flights, wear GPS tracking bracelets etc.  Which limits the nationalities that would be able to come as an airline isn’t going to run flights for small groups.  This would require large group tours, which means visitors are more likely to be from Russia, China or India than Europe. 

However, nothing official has yet been posted on government or TAT websites. 

29 August

In the past few days Emirates announced they were starting flights to Bangkok again from 1 September onwards, only to be reminded by the Thai authorities that this wasn’t actually possible.  Due to commercial flights being banned and no date set for them to resume.  Thai Airways said they’d operate charter flights into Phuket, but only two flights a week from 6 selected countries and not beginning until late November. 

Finally, a TAT spokesperson admitted what most people have realised will be the case ‘Thailand not opening to foreign tourists any time soon‘. 

7 September

This week there was a case of a Thai national testing positive.  He hadn’t left the country and was only tested when he was sent to jail.  This was the first locally transmitted case for 100 days.  ( However as very little testing is done, this isn’t surprising.)  The result was over 900 people who had been in contact with him or been to places he worked were traced and tested.

The upshot was that the proposed ‘Phuket model’ for allowing tourists to return from 1 October onwards looks like being delayed.   This also isn’t surprising as, currently, commercial flights to Thailand are banned in October.  Plus the authorities haven’t formulated a plan about how to handle the the fear that a tourist testing positive for coronavirus will have in the local population.

10 September

The Tourism Authority of Thailand appear to have realised that just opening one location to tourists, isn’t going to do much for the hotel and tourism industry in Thailand.  And that there are bound to be some local covid19 infection when tourists are allowed to enter the country.  This week’s proposal is that visitors be allowed to travel to all areas of Thailand. 

However, 14 day quarantine period will still be required, in addition to covid testing prior to visiting and on arrival and and tracking whilst in the country.  This is likely to deter all but the hardcore Thai fans who plan on staying a month or more.  Another idea is for a 2,000 baht 270 day Tourist Visa to be issued specifically for longstay visitors who want to winter in Thailand. 

15 September

The Thai government gave the go ahead for a Special Tourist Visa (STV).  This is a 90 day tourist visa that can be renewed two times.  Giving a total of 270 days in the country.  The cost of the visa is 2,000 Baht.  Each renewal also costs 2,000 Baht. 

But before you get too excited… 

The procedure to get a Special Tourist Visa is much the same as how foreigners are coming back now.

Requirements in addition to the Special Tourist Visa :

– COVID-19 insurance of up to $100,000
– A Certificate of Entry from the Thai Embassy in your home country
– A Fit to Fly certificate
– A COVID-19 test less than 72 hours old.
– A police criminal record background check 

Upon arrival in Thailand, visitors using the Special Tourist Visa will have to undergo 14 days quarantine at an approved hotel.  At their own expense. 

Prices for quarantine are currently from around 40,000 Baht per person to 250,000 Baht per person, depending on the hotel.  In addition, the number of visitors is limited to a maximum of 100 per day and a total of 1,200 per month. 

Visitors will only be able to enter Thailand by charter flight or private jet.

And only certain nationalities will be allowed to apply for the Special Tourist Visa.

20 September

More details are slowly emerging about the Special Tourist Visa and its requirements.  Apparently, in addition to the above, applicants will also have to provide proof they haven’t been in any crowed areas for two weeks prior to flying.  The minimum stay in Thailand will be 90 days.  So this has to be paid for in advance and a confirmed booking shown. 

The icing on the cake is that tourists must make flight and accommodation arrangements through a licensed Thai travel agency. 

29 September

Things have been moving quickly. On Monday the government confirmed the new STV (Special Tourist Visa) will go ahead.  And today, the first tourists for over 6 months will arrive in October.  120 Chinese people from Guangzhou, will land in Phuket on 8th October.

They will be on a charter flight and will be tested for COVID-19 and put into 14-day quarantine at a local hotel before being allowed to start their holiday in Thailand. ( This is a bit unusual as Chinese don’t get long holidays. )

And if you want to apply for a Special Tourist Visa, there’s a non-refundable 10,000 Baht fee payable to the Thai tour agent handling applications (which is a subsidiary of the Tourism Authority of Thailand) 

The good news is that there is a plan to reduce the required quarantine time if the initial pilot program runs smoothly and with no new infections.  However, not long after this news was announced the Prime Minister stated in a press conference that all arrivals under the STV (Special Tourist Visa) scheme would have to be tracked with GPS wristbands.  Something that hadn’t previously been mentioned.

7 October

The first group of Chinese tourists who were scheduled to arrive in Thailand tomorrow, has been postponed.  The fact that lots of people in the tourism industry in Thailand are now out of work, and the number will increase even further in the coming months, led to the boss of the Association of Thai Travel Agents to call on the government to allow tourists, from countries with covid-19 under control, to enter without quarantine.  His plan would see tourists from  ‘safe countries’ be able to enter  Thailand without restrictions from December.  ( Extremely unlikely to happen) 

And yesterday, Pailin Chuchottaworn, head of a panel steering the economic recovery, also urged the government to reopen the country in order to prevent it from collapsing. As Thailand’s GDP which is heavily dependent on tourism will contract by 8 – 10% this year.  

And for anyone still holding out hope of visiting Thailand this year, Thai Airways have now cancelled all scheduled international flights until the end of December.  If the national carrier can’t fly to Thailand, neither can your airline of choice.

9 October

The Thai Embassy in Helsinki, Finland announced people living there could apply for a Tourist Visa to visit Thailand.  A normal Tourist visa, not the new STA.  Although 14 day quarantine is still required.  As is a bank balance of 15,000 Euros for the preceding 6 months. But at least it is a start to re-opening the country and a small piece of good news.  

12 October

After the first Chinese tour group, that had been scheduled to arrive in Phuket on 8 October, was postponed it came to light that:

– Tour agents in Guangzhou say they haven’t resumed outbound tours

– The Thai Consulate in Guangzhou didn’t receive any documents for issuing tourist visas

– Chinese TAT staff told reporters the 120 person group are business people, not tourists

And then today the Thai government finally admitted that no Chinese citizens had actually applied for a special tourist visa (STV) and there wasn’t a chartered flight to bring them to Thailand.

20 October

The first group of tourists to visit Thailand since the coronavirus crisis has landed in Bangkok.  Which is good news. The group comprised 39 people from Shanghai.  In the build up to their arrival the Thai authorities claimed the first tourists would be big spending Chinese visitors.  However this group comprise almost entirely of middle aged men.  Some of whom packed cardboard boxes of stuff to bring to Thailand.  

They will also do their 14 day ASQ (Alternative State Quarantine) not at a luxury hotel but at the far more basic Royal Benja Hotel in Bangkok.  Which is, at best, 3 star.  To my mind it appears they’re a group from a company who are here to work in Thailand, rather than legitimate tourists.  A theory which is backed up by the fact the Chinese government’s has banned outbound tourism. 

26 October

The latest plans from the Health ministry are to reduce quarantine time to 10 days or possibly zero.  However, the discovery of a French woman who tested positive for covid-19 on Koh Samui has screwed that up.  She underwent 14 day quarantine in Bangkok before travelling to Samui, where she became ill a couple of days later.   At present no-one knows where she was infected with the virus, but traces were found on an exercise machine in the quarantine hotel she stayed in.

Meanwhile posters on Chinese discussion boards are laughing at the idea the group who entered Thailand on 20 October are tourists.  Especially when they also have to undertake 14 day quarantine when they return to China.  Chinese journalists spoke to some people on the flight who confirmed that most passengers were coming to Thailand for business or to meet family members.  The Special Tourist Visa (STV) was the easiest way to be allowed to do this. 

28 October

Some good news is that the Bank of Thailand is urging the government to allow tourists to re-enter the country in large numbers.  This is to avert further economic problems as tourism is around 20% of Thai GDP and employs (or used to employ) around 9 million people. 

31 October

Some more good news.  The government has agreed to reduce quarantine time from 14 days to 10 days.  In reality this probably won’t make any difference to the number of visitors wanting to come to Thailand.  But it’s a start to removing the quarantine requirement.   However, the Disease Control Department will monitor the quarantinees for another four days after they complete the mandatory 10-day quarantine. A contact tracing system will be put in place and they must adhere to social distancing rules, avoid crowded places and wear face covering.  

7 November

Turns out that the reduced, 10 day quarantine period will only be for citizens of 6 countries.  Not everyone.  Meanwhile an op-ed in the Bangkok Post makes the point that Thailand’s economy will only recover when tourism recovers.  And the best way to do that is for the Thai government to learn to live with covid-19 and accept that it will be around for the foreseeable future.  

And the Tourism Authority of Thailand have gone full circle and come back to the idea of travel bubbles.  Specifically for Chinese provinces which have been free of coronavirus for a few months.  The aim is to have the first tour groups arrive by Chinese New Year. ( However that will depend on Chinese authorities removing their ban on outbound tours and the requirement for 14 day quarantine for Chinese returning from abroad. )  However, the anticipated arrival of a Scandinavian group has been postponed indefinitely as, according to the Minister of Tourism “the second lockdown in Europe is making it tough to draw tourists to Thailand” 

17 November

It looks like the Tourism Authority has begun to realise that it’s much heralded Special Tourist Visa (STV) isn’t going to be as popular or sought after as they expected. So Plan B is now in action, which is to return to the idea of travel bubbles – especially with China. 

But such is the insistence of 14 day quarantine periods, in reality Thailand is in it’s own, one country bubble, with no-one to partner with.  Unlike Singapore and Hong Kong for example, that have an agreement whereby citizens, who have tested free from covid-19  can travel between the two countries without requiring a quarantine period. 

Elsewhere, the death of the 2020 – 21 High Season is the subject of opinion pieces . . .  ‘nothing short of a broad re-opening of the borders, along with dropping many of the restrictions and paperwork, will save Thailand tourism‘

27 November

Some more good news is that it’s now possible for citizens from many countries to apply for a Tourist Visa to visit Thailand.  Of course, there’s still the 14 day quarantine period.  But for anyone looking for a way into the country, this is a relatively easy route.  But, obviously, there’s still a load of paperwork required plus the expense and boredom of two weeks stuck in a hotel before you are free to travel elsewhere in Thailand.  

Thailand has also taken positive steps to provide vaccine for citizens.  Yesterday the government announced that there’s a plan to vaccinate citizens in May / June 2021. The AstraZeneca vaccine will be produced in Thailand.  This vaccine has the benefit of being relatively cheap and can be stored at 2-8°C, which allows for easy nationwide storage and distribution.

“We expect this vaccine to be properly certified, approved for use and in production by the middle of next year. The sooner we can advance this timetable, the sooner we can open our doors to large numbers of visitors and begin the task of rebuilding our economy,” Thai PM Prayuth. 

What this also means is that there’s a very good chance a new requirement for tourists to easily enter Thailand for the 2021 – 22 high season will also be proof of coronavirus vaccination. 

And I almost forgot about the tourist tracking app.  The government has a plan which involves a shorter quarantine for tourists, but in return, tourists have to install the ‘Thailand Plus‘ tracking app on their phone.  There aren’t any concrete details about when, if or how this will be implemented and enforced.

6 December

There has been an increase in the number of covid cases in Thailand.  This is due to Thai workers at a hotel in neighbouring Myamnar crossing back to Thailand illegally.  Thus avoiding quarantine. 

That, plus the usually optimistic Minster for Sports and Tourism, Pipat Ratchakitprakan, confirming that there’s not going to be any rush to form travel bubbles with China, means no-one in authority is listening to requests from tourism businesses to re-open the country any time soon. 

8 December

The Special Tourist Visa (STV), see 15 September update above, has now been rolled out to all nationalities.   A good option for anyone wanting to spend up to 9 months in Thailand.  But 14 day quarantine is still a requirement.

15 December

Thailand now allows passport holders from countries who qualify to enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme to travel here.   This is applicable to citizens from most European and Western countries. A full list of the 61 eligible countries is here.  These visitors receive a 30 day entry stamp.  However, there is a proposal before parliament to extend this to 45 days, to compensate for the obligatory 14 day quarantine period. 

It is another small step into allowing visitors to return to Thailand, but I doubt too many will take advantage of it until the 14 day quarantine period is reduced. 

28 December

Aside from a  grudging admission by the TAT that very few tourists are taking advantage of being able to visit Thailand and the Visa Exemption being officially extended to 45 days, there’s not been any further news or random ideas on how to increase visitor numbers.

The reason for this is an upsurge in the number of covid19 cases in Thailand. Firstly from  Thai workers returning from Myanmar and avoiding quarantine by crossing the border illegally.  And then from the discovery of over 1,000 cases in Burmese workers at a large seafood market near Bangkok. 

Over the days cases began popping up which were linked to people who visited the market.

At the time of writing new cases of coronavirus have been found in 44 provinces across Thailand. Leading to some localised lockdowns and the cancellation of many Christmas and New year celebrations.

4 January 2021

No new talk of tourists being allowed to enter any time soon.  As Thailand is now experiencing a second wave of cases.  28 provinces are now ‘red zones‘ where governors have powers to close businesses and locations deemed at risk.

So schools in these provinces, are shut until the end of January.  Bars are closed and restaurants can no longer sell alcohol to diners. However, there isn’t a lockdown and travel, although not advised, is permitted anywhere in the country.

11 January 2021

Tourism has been forgotten about now.  Thais have been advised not to travel unless it is necessary, so domestic tourism has pretty much collapsed – at least the next few weeks. Some provinces also decided to impose a 14 day quarantine on anyone coming from a ‘red zone’ area. 

However, local covid infection rates are under control and coming down.  Countrywide the daily infections are averaging about 250 for the past few days. So it’s not all doom and gloom. But in the meantime, more hotels and restaurants are closing. 

Thailand will be starting coronavirus vaccinations in February, for those living in the five most at risk provinces.  This will be followed by the rest of the country later in 2021 and early 2022. (Graphic below from The Bangkok Post)

27 January 2021

When visitors do return to Thailand they shouldn’t be surprised to see their favourite bar, restaurant or tour agent shuttered.  A TAT survey found that almost 40% of tourism related businesses had now closed for good.  And the human cost is put at over 1 million additional job losses in Q1 2021.  With this and the current lockdowns and government advice not to travel, meaning most Thais aren’t having weekends away, it’s not surprising that hoteliers are getting more vocal in their demands for tourism to be re-started as soon as possible.

The latest proposal to be thrown at the government is for tourists that have been vaccinated to be allowed to enter Thailand without the need for a 14 day quarantine period.

I doubt this will succeed for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, there’s no concrete proof yet that being vaccinated prevents you from passing on the covid-19 virus to others.  It simply prevents you from developing symptoms. Secondly, Thailand hasn’t started vaccinating it’s own population yet.  

One new requirement for tourists who visit Thailand in the future is a new $10 fee that every visitor will have to pay.  This will go towards the upkeep of tourist attractions and to fund hospitals who have to treat foreigners who have accidents or get sick and don’t have insurance or the means to pay for treatment.  At present there’s no indication about how this will be collected.  The easiest way would be to build it into the price of a plane ticket. as happens with the current 700 Baht departure tax. 

7 February 2021

The news that the government’s much vaunted ‘Special Tourist Visa’ (STV) has flopped and very few people had taken up the opportunity to enter Thailand with a regular Tourist Visa was greeted with surprise by no-one, other than the Tourism Authority of Thailand.   The visas both require 14 day quarantine on arrival, and that’s not something real tourists are willing to go through in order to enjoy some sunshine and temples.

  The Thai tourism minister went on the record a week ago predicting 10 million arrivals this year.  And then backtracked a few days later, saying numbers would actually be much lower.

Resorts and local government officials in places such as Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai have been calling for the government to admit tourists who have been vaccinated against covid.  But it seems clear there won’t be any real tourists entering Thailand until there’s a system in place for covid passports and also vaccinations are well under way in Thailand.

16 February 2021

The number of covid cases in Thailand ticks along at 100 – 200 per day.  The vast majority still related to an outbreak amongst Burmese workers based in Samut Sakhon province, southwest of Bangkok.  In Bangkok itself, bars remain closed, while restaurants have had their operating hours shortened and are forbidden from serving alcohol.  Apparently the sale of alcohol leads to an increased chance of getting coronavirus. 

However, Bangkokians can still go to crowded shopping malls and take a packed skytrain to work daily though. Or go and party at the weekend in Pattaya, for example, where bars and nightclubs can open.  So many people are questioning the government’s ‘science’ behind the alcohol ban in Bangkok. 

Thailand still hasn’t begun covid vaccinations.  That’s scheduled to start in late February / early March.  But, according to this report, it won’t be until the end of the year that citizens living in tourist areas get their jabs. 

25 February 2021

The first batch of covid vaccine arrived in Thailand yesterday.  Only 200,000 doses but it’s a start and a few million more doses are expected to be delivered in the coming month or two. With vaccinations starting in Thailand the government is being encouraged to forgo the quarantine requirement for to visitors who have a ‘vaccine passport‘.  The TAT would like to have plans in place by June which would allow for a Q4 no-quarantine, re-opening of borders for vaccinated tourists.  

5 March 2021

In the past week a group of expat resort and business owners have formed a group dedicated to opening Thailand safely.  Their aim is to force the Thai government to allow vaccinated tourists into the country from 1 July onwards.  It’s a noble cause but I doubt it will succeed.  Mainly because very few Thais will have been vaccinated by 1 July. 

And yesterday the government put forward yet another plan.  This month’s buzz words are ‘area quarantine‘.  So specific islands and locations will be open to vaccinated tourists to be able to move around freely in.  However, they will be limited to the same area for the first 14 days.  So a bit like paying to be in a fancy open jail, only with sunshine. 

10 March 2021

Some excitement this week when it was reported that the government plans to shorten quarantine time to 7 days. But the sticking point is when this will be from with some sources suggesting as early as next month, but others having 1 October as the start date. 

Good news for boat owners.  Yacht quarantine is now a thing. You can now do your 14 day quarantine aboard your own yacht in Phuket. You’ll have to wear a tracking device to ensure you don’t leave your boat whilst moored. 

14 March  2021

The government looks set to approve new regulations for tourists who want to visit Thailand in the coming months. 

If you have a vaccination certificate and a negative covid test, the mandatory quarantine period will be 7 days rather than 14.  You must have received the vaccinations within three months of your arrival in Thailand.

OR . . .If you have not been vaccinated but do have a negative covid test: your mandatory quarantine period will be 10 days rather than 14.

These changes aren’t yet in force.  They are expected to begin in April.

20 March 2021

The government has officially announced some reductions in the length of quarantine and drawn up a roadmap for a return to being able to re-enter Thailand normally.

The new quarantine requirements from April 1 to Sept 30, arrivals without a vaccination certificate (VC) and Covid-19 free certificate (CFC) would be quarantined for 10 days, and be tested for the disease twice. 

Arrivals with VCs and CFCs would be quarantined for seven days and tested once. 

It’s important to note a couple of things. Firstly, the vaccination certificate must be no more than 3 months old.  So if you’re getting your vaccinations now and plan to visit next winter, you’ll need to get more shots. And, visitors arriving from countries where there are covid variant strains – which includes most European countries – still face 14 days quarantine.

As for Thailand being open to all visitors from 1 October onwards.  This is a sensational headline, rather than fact. In reality any opening up of the country will be limited, at best, to specific areas and groups of people.  Most likely SE Asian tour groups.

27 March 2021

More positive news on re-opening the country.  It looks like things are being hurried along. A three-stage roadmap to reopen six major tourism provinces – Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani (Koh Samui), Chon Buri (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai to vaccinated foreign visitors has been approved.

From 1 April to 30 June, quarantine is still required.  From 1 July onwards, no quarantine is required for visitors to Phuket. However, they cannot leave the island and can only travel to certain places on the island.

From 1 October onwards the Phuket model will be rolled out to the other five provinces. If that goes smoothly, then the whole country will open up from 1 January onwards.

There are still a lot of hurdles to overcome, as this scheme depends on vaccinating a large percentage of the local population. Plus areas which initially accept foreign tourists will see a drop off in Thai visitors.  

11 April 2021

No new proposals this week and the vaccination roll out has been speeded up.  Although there are still many questions about why the government hasn’t prepared more doses.  Thailand had one of the best records when dealing with covid in 2020, but now has one of the worst when it comes to getting the population vaccinated.

The past week also saw a major hiccup in the government’s plans, as the UK coronavirus variant (B117) has now reached Thailand and has started to spread from Bangkok, where it was first identified.  The past week has seen new cases in almost all provinces.  Many areas of the country had previously gone months with very few if any cases. 

With the long Songkran holidays just starting and people travelling the length and breadth of the country, it remains to be seen how many new cases this will result in. 

Some provinces have declared their own quarantine rules – basically banning tourists coming from Bangkok from taking their holiday there.  This has led to a collapse in bookings at many hotels which should have been looking forward to a well needed week of 100% occupancy. 

22 April 2021

Unsurprisingly, following the long Thai New Year holidays when Bangkokians visited all corners of the kingdom, there was a spike in the number of people testing positive for covid-19. This was the case in virtually all provinces.

The end result was a 14 day nationwide ban on bars and entertainment venues opening and also a ban on restaurants serving alcohol. 

Individual provinces have also imposed their own restrictions on visitors from the 18 provinces that are deemed high risk. For example Trat and Phuket require all visitors to either show a negative covid test or vaccination certificate.  Or pay to have a coronavirus test on arrival.

These restrictions will only be in place for around 10 days  – as provinces want to be open again for the next long holiday in early May.  What could go wrong? ;-)

5 May 2021

More covid cases have been detected in all provinces.  Including here in Trat, where prior to last months Thai New year holiday there had only been 33 cases.  The figure is now over 100.  Including 27 on Koh Chang island, which had zero up until 10 days ago.

Inter-provincial travel isn’t banned in Thailand at present but the restrictions on what is allowed to open, plus often strange provincial regulations mean that most hotels are almost deserted.  A news report mentioned that 47% of hotels only had 3 months liquidity in the bank.  Many were planning on closing until Q4. 

The government has yet another grand scheme to increase income from foreigners – this time by attracting millionaire retirees.  An overhaul of bureaucratic immigration processes for expats is also promised in order to facilitate this. Let’s see what happens.

10 May 2021

The daily covid count is hovering around 2,000 cases and 20 deaths.  Not a lot by the standards of most countries but far higher than it was at any point last year in Thailand. More supplies of vaccines have now been ordered and private hospitals will be allowed to administer , and charge, for them.

The government has been pushing news organisations to post hopeful news that Thailand will be reopening to vaccinated tourists in October.  But this is simply a re-hash of the current plans which were announced in late March.  Phuket opening up first in July and then a handful of other provinces in October. The plan also ignores the fact that other countries may not have Thailand on their ‘green list’ which their citizens are permitted to travel to. 

22 May 2021

Thailand is still catching around 2,000 new covid=19 cases per day, with 20-30 deaths.  This figure increases whenever large scale testing is done at a jail, workers apartment block or large market.  Showing that coronavirus is and most likely was all around for a long time but the vast majority of people show no symptoms if they have it. 

The TAT are trying to attract tourists to Phuket from 1 July onwards with the slogan ‘Amazing Thailand…Amazing kwaa derm’ – ‘Amazing Thailand….even more amazing than before’.  And inviting 200 bloggers to visit the island in July to report on how great it is and how everyone should go there.

Meanwhile in Phuket, vaccination is steadily progressing, although it will take a concerted effort to get 70 – 80% of the population and work force vaccinated before the island re-opens. Which is the current plan.

3 June 2021

The vaccine hiccups keep on coming for Thailand.  One of the royal family decided to go over the head of the government and import Sinopharm, another Chinese vaccine, via their university’s medical center.  Vaccine approval by the government usually takes weeks or months.  In this case approval for Sinopharm vaccine to be used in Thailand was obtained within 24 hours.  The first batches of this will arrive in the coming weeks.  

As far as re-opening Thailand to tourists is concerned, the number of provinces which will allow vaccinated tourists to enter on 1 October (following the Phuket trial) has increased.  It now includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin), Phetchaburi, Chonburi (Pattaya), Surat Thani, Krabi, Phang Nga & Buriram.  On the face of it, Buriram is an odd addition as it isn’t on many tourists list of ‘go to’ destinations in Thailand.  There again, it also happens to be the Health Minister’s power base – which may have influenced the decision. 

22 June 2021

A lot has happened in the past couple of weeks.  The Prime Minister went on national TV to announce that he wants the country to re-open fully to international visitors within 120 days ( by mid-October).  The change to accepting that some risk is inevitable and that keeping tourists out and forcing the closure of many businesses is deeply affecting the Thai economy is a big one.  Until now, the focus was on doing everything possible to limit the spread of covid-19. 

Now there is some light at the end of the tunnel for the tourism business.  However, the re-opening is also contingent on the success of Thailand’s vaccination program.  A program that is being rolled out rather shambolically at present. And if the plan to re-open Phuket, and also Samui, to visitors next month results in new covid-19 clusters then the re-opening of the country could be set back. 

Some good news though – Phuket has already achieved its aim for 70% vaccination.  This was achieved by changing the definition of the population of Phuket in order to skew the figures to 70%+. 

As usual, nothing about the pans for reopening is clear.  Ensuring that 70% of Thais are vaccinated within the next few months is key.  But this program has got off to a shaky start in many places with supplies of the locally made AstraZeneca vaccine not being as freely available as anticipated. And every day brings new plans, new forecasts for visitor numbers, new restrictions for those who do plan to visit etc. 

5 July 2021

The Phuket Sandbox scheme is up and running and the first arrivals landed in Phuket on 1 July.  Thailand has started the process to welcome visitors, without the need for quarantine.

The Thai Prime Minister and various dignitaries were on hand at the airport to greet the bemused ‘tourists’.  ‘Tourists’ as most of the arrivals at present are either expats and families returning to live in Thailand or those invited by the Tourist Association of Thailand.   

These visitors have to spend 14 days in Phuket as approved hotels and also undergo a total of three covid tests before they are allowed to travel elsewhere in the country.  Their movements are monitors by phone apps and they also have to check in with staff at their hotel daily to ensure they don’t make any attempts to escape from Phuket. 

The aim now is to expand the scheme to Koh Samui and neighbouring islands in the middle of July.   This ‘Samui Plus‘ scheme will be more controlled than the Phuket Sandbox.  Visitors will have to spend the first 3 days confined to their hotels.  Days 4-7 can be spent outside but travel is only permitted to visit specific sights and destinations on Samui.  Presumably with a guide / minder.  After that, visitors are free to travel anywhere on the island or to nearby Koh Pa Ngan and Koh Tao. 

16 July 2021

Samui welcomed the first arrivals yesterday under its ‘Samui Plus‘ program.  A similar idea to the Phuket Sandbox.  Tourists must stay in one of 10 quarantine hotels for their first week and then can the move other accommodation. 

During their two week stay they must also have three PCR tests, at their own expense.  These increase in price ( for some undisclosed reason ) The first is 4,000 Baht, second 6,000 and third 8,000 Baht.

Bangkok Airways is providing 3 flights per day from Bangkok for tourists. On the first day the only arrivals were journalists, some flown in from abroad by the TAT, for a press conference and launch party. So far there has been a grand total of 33 bookings for the month of July.  Less than one person per flight. 

3 August 2021

The Samui Plus program is off to a slow start with under 100 arrivals in the first couple of weeks.  This is at an average of 5 passengers per flight. So obviously isn’t sustainable.  However the Phuket Sandbox is still attracting several hundred new visitors daily.  But this is at the expense of domestic tourism.  As the Phuket authorities have now banned all domestic arrivals by road or air to Phuket. This is to help slow the increase in the number of covid positive cases on the island.

Across Thailand the number of cases has continued to rise to around 18,000 per day.  Domestic airlines have stopped operating and Bangkok is in a semi-lockdown, with a 9pm curfew and all shopping malls, restaurants, schools etc closed. 

Vaccinations are progressing steadily but there’s still a long way to go to reach the goal of having 70% of the population fully immunized. At the current rate this won’t happen until mid-2022.  The government’s plan to re-open the country fully by late October is looking increasingly unlikely to happen.

14 August 2021

No one expected the Samui Plus experiment to yield a huge number of visitors but the TAT were aiming at 1,000 in the first month.  However, it is currently running at an average of 10 arrivals per day.   Which is well under estimates and also must be causing huge losses for Bangkok Airways which are operating three flights per day from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok in order to bring tourists to the island.  

Phuket saw 14,055 visitors in July and the TAT is aiming for 100,000 total for the three months from July to September.   Given that many of the visitors aren’t genuine tourists, this total seems optimistic to everyone except those promoting Phuket.   

Elsewhere the covid numbers in Thailand keep on rising despite the government’s best attempts to speed up vaccinations and keep shopping malls, schools and non essential businesses closed.  Thailand weathered last year well but the delta variant of covid seems immune to mask wearing.  Infections are currently at over 20,000 cases per day.

28 August 2021

Good news.  Whilst covid infections are still pretty high, they are decreasing.  In addition, the vaccination programs are now running well, with over 500,000 people receiving shots daily.  From 1 September the government plan to allow more businesses and shopping malls to re-open. 

The government has decided that as zero infections is impossible to achieve, as is a permanent lockdown to keep numbers as low as possible, a new strategy is required. This is the ‘Smart Control and Living with COVID-19’ timeline which aims to prepare the country to learn to live with COVID-19 and continue our daily lives as normally as possible. This will become standard practice by October.  

Details were also announced of the requirements faced by tourists wanting to visit Thailand from early October 2021 onwards.  No date has been set for the full re-opening of the country to foreign tourists.

11 September 2021

Daily covid infections have been hovering around the 14 – 17,000 per day range since early September.  Meanwhile the pace of vaccinations has stepped up with well over 500,000 given daily.  

The government has insisted it is on track to begin re-opening other areas of the country on 1 October.  Initially a handful of provinces, swiftly followed by 21 others in late October.  However, it should be noted that when the government talks about re-opening these provinces, it doesn’t mean it will be easy for foreign tourists to go there.  The same entry requirements to Thailand still apply, likewise the same requirements for staying in a SHA+ approved hotel for several days.  This will continue into the coming High Season, as the TAT Minister confirmed yesterday: 

“International tourists are expected to enter without quarantine from January, led by travel bubbles with surrounding countries starting on Jan. 15,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.  

So at present, there’s not yet a fixed date for vaccinated European foreign tourists to be able to fly into Thailand and travel where they want.

27 September 2021

Good news for tourists. Thailand will waive its mandatory quarantine requirement in Bangkok and nine regions from Nov. 1 to vaccinated arrivals, authorities said on Monday, as the country tries to boost its immunisation rate and revive its battered tourism sector.

The regions include popular tourist areas Chiang Mai, Phangnga, Krabi, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Cha-am ( plus Phuket and Samui )

Details about how this will be handled and what requirements and restrictions tourists face have yet to be announced. 

3 October 2021

Quarantine restrictions have been relaxed from 1 october onwards.  As has the length of the Phuket and Samui sandbox programs.  Vaccinated visitors now only have to spend either 7 days in a quarantine hotel or 7 days in an approved area – eg Phuket or Samui before travelling elsewhere in the country. 

12 October 2021

More good news for visitors and tourist businesses. Effective 1 November, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air from 10 countries on Thailand’s low-risk list will be able to visit without having to undergo quarantine. They will still need to present a Covid-19 negative test result to board the aircraft and again test negative on arrival in Thailand.

In a televised speech the Thai PM identified just five countries – Singapore, Germany, China, the UK and the USA – that will join the 10-country list giving fully vaccinated travellers quarantine-free entry to Thailand.

He said the list of quarantine free travel countries would be extended beyond the initial 10 by 1 December and then again on 1 January 2022 when a “very extensive list” would be adopted to reopen international travel to Thailand across the country.

22 October 2021

From 1 November vaccinated visitors from 46 countries (The major exclusions are Russia and India) can visit Thailand with minimal covid restrictions.  A PCR test on arrival will be required and whilst waiting for the result, visitors must stay in an approved quarantine hotel for one night.  After receiving the all clear tourists can travel anywhere in Thailand.

17 provinces in Thailand, including Trat, will also be declared’ blue zones’.  This gives visitors from countries not on the list the chance to do their 7 day quarantine in a destination of their choice, similar to the current Phuket Sandbox.

31 October 2021

The number of countries from where tourists are exempt from quarantine (aside from one night in a hotel awaiting PCR test result) has been increased from 46 to 63 countries. 

10 November 2021

The new Thailand Pass site is up and running, albeit with some bugs.  But foreign tourists can now use it to upload essential travel documents which makes entering Thailand easier.  Over 90,000 tourists have applied for the pass in the first week of operation. 

26 November 2021

Entering Thailand will get a little easier, and a bit cheaper. The government has approved the use of rapid antigen tests (ATK) to screen international arrivals for Covid-19 starting December 1. The ATK method will replacing the current RT-PCR test, meaning travellers won’t need to wait long before they are allowed to travel throughout Thailand.

Results from the antigen test can come back in 15 minutes.  Tests will be done at hotels according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who stated travellers will need to take the antigen test at a hotel and will need to book approved transportation from the airport to the hotel.

22 December 2021

Well, that didn’t last long.  The Test & Go program has now been suspended due to the rapid spread of the Omicron covid variant. 

The good news is that anyone who already has their Thailand Pass will still be able to enter Thailand using it.  The only additional requirement being a second (free) PCR covid test after a week of being in the country. The bad news is that all other visitors will now have to undergo a 7 – 10 day quarantine or Sandbox period before they are free to travel around the country.  

7 January 2022

The Test & Go program was reassessed on 4 January.  Only visitors who have already had their Thailand Pass application approved can enter under the Test & Go program.  Other visitors must still apply for a Thailand Pass but will be required to complete a week in a Sandbox or in quarantine.  The restrictions will be re-assessed at the end of January.

1 February 2022 

The ‘Test & Go’ program has now been tweaked and has resumed accepting applications.  The main change is that the second PCR test is no longer free.  It must be paid for in advance and taken on Day 5 of your stay in Thailand. In addition, everyone entering the country must also now book an authorised SHA+ Extra hotel for the night on Day 5 of their stay.  They have to wait in their room until they get the test result.

The number of omicron cases is steadily rising across the country.  This leads to a further issue for foreign tourists, the possibility of testing positive for the omicron variant but having no symptoms or ill effects.  Even if you are asymptomatic, you will not be allowed to continue your holiday in the normal manner.  You will be moved to stay at a quarantine facility – usually an old hotel is used for this purpose.  And you stay there until testing negative.  This isn’t free, you or your insurance company has to pay for it. 

If you are travelling with your family and , for example, one child tests positive then one parent will have to stay with them and the other will be allowed to continue their holiday with other family members.

So there are hidden risks in coming to Thailand at the moment. Be prepared for the eventuality of testing positive.

12 February 2022

A follow up on the hidden risks. Figures released today show that during the period 1 – 10 February, 4,103 people flew into Thailand from Russia, and 768 of them tested positive, either on their Day 1 or Day 5 tests.  This is almost 20% of all Russian visitors. 

For other nations the figures were much lower.  Sweden & Germany were around 2.5% of all visitors testing positive.  While France was 1.8% and the UK was 1.5%.   But that’s still between a 1 in 40 to 1 in 60 chance of your holiday being ruined.  

28 February 2022

From 1 March the Test & Go process has been simplified.  The Day 5 requirement for a second obligatory hotel stay & PCR test have been dropped.  Visitors now need just the one night SHA++ hotel booking and PCR test . Then they are free to travel anywhere in the country. A second, self administered ATK test is also required on Day 5.  The onus is on the visitor to take this and send the result back to the Day 1 hotel.

Please note that the number of covid cases in Thailand is now higher than at any other time since the pandemic began.  However, these are all Omicron variant and , as such, deaths and hospitalizations are relatively low. 

20 March 2022

Pre-travel Covid tests for arrivals are to be scrapped from April 1 onwards.  This is another step on the way to easy entry into Thailand.  From 1 April onwards there’s no requirement for a pre-departure PCR test when travelling to Thailand. However a Thailand Pass and one night hotel booking at a authorized SHA+ Extra hotel with on arrival PCR test are still required.

it has been pointed out that the lack of pre-departure PCR test will mean an increase in the number of people testing positive when arriving in Thailand.  Thereby ruining holiday plans. A positive test either means 7 – 10 days in a hospital, for anyone displaying covid19 symptoms, or in hotel quarantine, for those who are asymptomatic. Either way, ensure your travel insurance will cover these expenses, plus any cancellation of hotel bookings, onward flights etc or expect to be presented with a large bill. 

22 April

Good news!

It’s taken a while but from 1 May onwards anyone visiting Thailand will be able to hop off the plane and stay anywhere they choose without the need for a covid test of any kind.  Vaccinated travelers  still need to register through the Thailand Pass site but simply upload their vaccine and covid-19 insurance documents. Upon arrival in Thailand they will be free to travel and stay anywhere.  No requirements for advance booking a hotel room or transport to the hotel. 

20 May

As of 1 June, Thai nationals no longer require a Thailand Pass to enter the country. Foreign nationals are still required to apply for one via https://tp.consular.go.th/, but will only need to provide passport details, proof of vaccination, and an US$10,000 health insurance policy. The system will then automatically issue a Thailand Pass QR code for the applicants. 

Another step on the way to being able to easily enter Thailand with no additional paperwork.  If this system works as it should then delays obtaining the Thailand Pass will be a thing of the past, as the pass will be issued automatically.

17 June

It’s over.  From 1 July 2022 onwards all restrictions to entry to Thailand to will be lifted. 

No covid insurance required.  No Thailand Pass required.  Just buy a plane ticket and a visa (if required) – the same as it was prior to March 2020.  Please note that whilst the laws regarding wearing mask outdoors have been lifted, you can still expect to see plenty of Thais wearing them in busy indoor areas – eg shopping malls, on public transport etc.  

27 September

Thailand will officially lift its covid-19 emergency decree at the end of this month, paving the way for millions of people to return to normal life. This means that people in Thailand will likely no longer need to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus and have mild or no symptoms.  Controls that apply to major events or large gatherings look set to disappear too. This means locals can expect to enjoy more festivals, concerts, and sporting events from next month onwards.

But does it automatically mean the end of mask wearing? Anyone visiting Bangkok at present will find that 99% of the locals are still wearing facemasks.  That will change over time but how quickly remains to be seen. 

What can Tourists Expect When Thailand Reopens to Tourism? 

Firstly, it might be quite a long time until any tourists are allowed into Thailand.  This is because the government seems hell bent on doing everything to ensure there can’t be a single new case.  That may be a good aim.  But the idea of only letting people into the country from countries that haven’t had a new case for 60 or more days severely limits the potential numbers.  And new cases can flare up at any time. 

New normal tourism seems like a glimpse into a dystopian future where the government controls and monitors movements of all tourists.  But these measures will only be temporary and, as this is Thailand, will most likely start to be ignored pretty quickly. 

Especially if they aren’t being properly enforced and in some cases are pointless. In general, the first ‘new normal’ tourists to Thailand will have to get used to:

 – Wearing a surgical or cloth face-mask at all times when out in public – even to the beach.  There’s no restriction on what type of ask you can wear.  And you’ll find them readily available in all minimarts, pharmacies and supermarkets across Thailand.  Some are obviously more effective than others.  But whichever mask you choose, get one that you can wear for a few hours without it hampering your breathing or steaming up your glasses. 

 – Having your temperature taken when entering larger shops, restaurants, hotels and businesses.  

 – Having to check in and out of shops, restaurants, businesses, attractions etc using your phone

 – Looking out for red ‘X’s on seats.  They aren’t decoration. They’re marking where people can or cannot sit.  So if you see a bench seat for two people in the airport, you’ll see one spot has an ‘X’ on it.  So that is only for one person to use.  Two people who are together can’t use it.   This is to enforce social distancing. 

In some situations it seems non-nonsensical.  For example on the skytrain and subway in Bangkok.  Only alternate seats can be used.  However, during rush hour commuters are packed in like sardines.  Standing squashed together – which is apparently OK.  But not allowed to sit on any of the vacant ‘X’ seats, which is against the rules.

 – Exchanging cash won’t be as easy as before.  Simply because there are fewer places that will take foreign banknotes. In the past you could always find a small currency exchange or bank easily.  But since it was reported that coronavirus can be transmitted through handling bank notes, the number of places offering exchange facilities has dropped.  So if you want to bring USD / EUR in cash, bear this in mind. 

 – Get used to carrying items such as wet wipes, mask, liquid soap, gel or alcohol spray.  Always handy to have and after a while you’ll miss not having a splash of alcohol gel on your hands after a meal or using public transport.

 – Ideally avoid crowds.  If possible, take a private transfer rather than a shared minibus or bus.  In Bangkok, use taxis or Grab car and avoid the packed subway and skytrain.  Avoid large tour groups.  Take a smaller, more personalised tour with a local guide.

 – Don’t be the odd one out. Which means wear a mask if everyone around you is wearing a mask – regardless of whether you agree or disagree with wearing one.  But also take it off when it’s obviously pointless or best not to wear one. Eg on a deserted beach with no-one around or if you are on an early morning run when you’ll need to be able to breathe properly.  

You will also see a lot of businesses displaying their Safety and Health certification.  This is a government scheme whereby businesses can self certify themselves as meeting the guidelines laid down by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for tourist health and safety. 

Businesses register online at and then answer a questionnaire and upload photos to confirm their compliance with cleaning or social distancing regulations etc

Travelling by Bus, Plane and Train in Thailand 

Domestic transport in Thailand re-opened in June.  It is now possible to get to all areas of the country easily.  But the number of options tourists have for travelling from A to B is likely to be less than in the past.  This is due to the lack of tourists.  So services such as shared minibuses and tourist buses or boats to islands will be running fewer services than normal.  

So a bit more advance planning will be required.  Especially as social distancing, people must sit further than 1 metre of each other, has to be enforced on buses and trains. They have to leave 30% of seats empty.   The good news for passengers on domestic flights is that airlines can sell all seats.  This is because the duration of the flights is relatively short, averaging around an hour. Which limits the chances of anyone contracting coronavirus during a flight.

The natural effect of having far less capacity than before is that prices for flights and minibus tickets etc will increase.  Public trains and buses and those operating under government concessions have their ticket prices fixed by law.  And so can’t be increased by operators. 

Private transfers will be increasingly attractive to visitors who want to avoid all the delays and temperature checks at airports, train and bus stations.  So I expect these to be more popular for tourists heading to destinations within a few hours drive of Bangkok.  Pattaya, Koh Chang or Hua Hin for example. 

At present it is the provincial governors have the power to impose quarantine on visitors from elsewhere in Thailand.  So far the only place that people seem to have had issues in travelling is by plane to Chiang Mai.  Buying a ticket isn’t a problem. But it’s a major hassle for anyone, especially foreigners who don’t have a registered address in Chiang Mai, to get past the over zealous Immigration officials at the airport.

This will change but it’s just an example of what people need to be aware of.  For example, if there were new covid-19 cases in a particular province, tourists might find that they have trouble leaving the province or visiting other areas of the country. 

As with all activities, expect to have your temperature taken before being allowed on the bus, plane or train. 

Staying in Hotels in Thailand after Coronavirus

The first thing that guests will notice when arriving at their hotel is that they have their temperature taken.  This will be done with a temperature gun pointed at the forehead / temple. Anyone registering over 37.5C will be required to be monitored and / or consult a doctor.

Thailand is a very hot country and so it’s pretty common for people to be over 37.5C after walking around in hot sunshine.  What usually happens now is that if you are deemed to be in the danger zone, you have to wait a while to cool off before trying the temperature check again.

Hotel lobbies should also be marked to show guests where to stand and how far apart to be spaced.  This is to enforce social distancing and try to keep everyone a minimum of 1 metre apart.  So expect well spaced chairs and furniture in the lobby area, restaurant and by the pool.

Hotels are also being encouraged to replace keys and key cards with contact-less door entry systems.  All hotel staff are required to wear face masks. Likewise guests will be required  to wear them outside their rooms and in public areas of the hotel.  

Guests will also be encouraged not to use cash for payments, as there’s a slim chance coronavirus can be passed between people on banknotes.   This probably won’t affect many foreign visitors who book hotels online in advance.  It is still no problem to withdraw cash from an ATM, but exchanging money isn’t as easy as it was.  

Going to the Beach in Thailand after Coronavirus

There were now rules and regulations for visiting beaches.   (They didn’t last long and were quickly ignored by most Thais.)

The regulations included items such as: Beach-goers are expected to wear a face mask all the time when you are in the beach area.  They should also wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol sanitizer before entering and after leaving the beach.

When on the beach or in the water, keep at least 1-2 meters from other visitors. Refrain from shouting while in the water or on the beach, to reduce droplet spread.  If you are in an at risk group, for example, the elderly and persons with respiratory diseases, you should visiting the beach if it is busy.

Visiting a Restaurant in Thailand after Coronavirus

Before you go to a restaurant in Thailand, here are some of the things to expect.  (Again, as time goes on and no new cases are reported, fewer restaurants enforce regulations. Outside Bangkok, it’s now ( late 2020) rare to see any diners or restaurant staff wearing facemasks. )

Restaurant owners must take the temperature diners at screening points and record the details of their visit. The screening points will record entry and exit times of diners.  Diners will have their temperature checked on entry and alcohol gel should also be available for diners who wish to use it.

The number of diners should be limited and tables spaces 2 metres apart.  Diners should be at least 1 meter from each other. Tables, cooking utensils and eating utensils should all be cleaned at least 3 times a day.  Toilets should be cleaned every two hours.

A secure payment service, eg using contact-less phone banking or payment apps, should be provided to reduce the amount of contact between service providers and clients. Waiting staff must maintain bodily hygiene, wear cloth masks, sanitary masks or face shields, cover their hair with caps and wear gloves at all times while working.

As a diner in a restaurant you will be expected to agree to temperature testing on entry and wear a face mask (This can be removed when eating).  Practice social distancing and keep 1 metre from other diners.  You should wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol gel before and after your meal.

Diners should also try to avoid paying in cash to reduce physical contact. Try to limit the time spent in the restaurant to under 1 hour, in order to reduce the number of people you come in contact with.  

Source: https://thailandsha.tourismthailand.org/

The Thai Chana Application

Thai Chana is a government mobile phone app, built by Krungthai Bank, that tracks people in and out of premises.  The idea is that if you follow people’s movements in public places, then if anyone tests positive for coronavirus, it will be possible to quickly alert, via SMS or phone call, anyone else who was in the vicinity or in the same shops or businesses during the time the infected person was there.  When users check out, they are also given the option to rate the business for their adherence to  mask wearing / social distancing / temperature taking regulations. 

(November 2020 – Very few places now bother with this app.  Some large stores still have temperature scanning, but they don’t enforce the signing in using the app at all.) 

Leaving issues of privacy etc aside, in theory it’s a good idea.  Shops and businesses should now all have scannable QR codes at their entrances.  But in reality, even if many do, they are often ignored by shoppers or visitors, who only scan them if there’s staff there telling them to do it.  And scanning out of a business at the end of a visit is often ignored. 

So, it’s more for show than having any practical use.  Especially when the only new covid-19 cases in Thailand (as of mid June) are from people returning from overseas who are tested at the airport on arrival. 

Having said that it did prove useful when there was a scare in Rayong with a member of the Egyptian military visited a hotel and mall and was later tested positive for the virus.  Over 7,000 people who were in the mall at the same time as him were traced and tested.  All were negative.  ( The serviceman got into the country on a military flight and avoid being tested on arrival.  That loophole was swiftly closed by authorities following this incident.)

Is it possible to enter shops and restaurants without using the app?

Yes.  Just scan the QR code with your phone camera which takes you to the businesses page on the Thaichana website.  You then just click a button to check in.  

If you don’t have a phone with you then there’s the old fashioned method. You have to write your name, phone number and time you enter in a book. Quite a few people have commented online that having loads of strangers using the same pen and book isn’t the most hygienic thing to do if the aim is to prevent any possible carriers from spreading the virus. 

How to Wear a Facemask Correctly

This infographic is from the World Health Organisation

Thailand Covid-19 Travel FAQs

Are foreigners allowed to fly to Thailand?

Yes, but only a certain group are allowed in & the hoops that they have to jump through are purposefully hard. In August 2020, only diplomats, foreigners with a Thai spouse, work permit holders and people with permission to work can enter.  A special ‘certificate of entry’ must also be obtained.  Restrictions have been relaxed and so it is now possible to enter using a Tourist Visa.  Although a Certificate of Entry, negative covid-19 test, ASQ quarantine etc are all still required.  So, it’s not just a matter of buying a ticket and hopping on a plane.  

Is there quarantine for visitors to Thailand?

Yes.  All arrivals – Thai and foreign have 14 days quarantine.  Thais have to do this, for free, at a government quarantine centre.  Foreigners have to pay from around 30 – 250,000 Baht to stay in ‘alternative state quarantine’. This is a choice of hotels which provide room and board for two weeks.  

I have a flight to Bangkok booked to Thailand in July December February. Will I be allowed in?

Nothing has been announced yet.  But at present it seems very unlikely that Thailand will just throw the doors open to all tourists any time soon.  The government has been very cautious in it’s approach so far.  There’s no reason to suggest this will change in the next 2 or 3 months 

Can Thailand Elite visa holders come into Thailand now?

Yes. This was confirmed in August 2020  However, they have to go though 14 days quarantine as their own expense.  

When will tourists from < your country> be allowed to visit Thailand?

That’s the big question.  The Thai government will initially look at attracting tourists from this corner of the world where many countries haven’t been badly affected and tourist numbers are smaller and easier to control / monitor.  Chinese visitors will almost certainly be allowed in before any from Europe.  Partly because China has the situation under control and implements stricter measures on it’s citizens than most other countries.  But also because Chinese tourists make up around 35% of international visitors to Thailand. 

As of November 2020, Thailand hasn’t really re-opened for tourism.  Just over 1,200 people have entered in recent months using the new Special Tourist Visa and regular Tourist Visa.  But the lack of flights, plus quarantine requirement will deter the vast majority of tourists.

Will my country allow citizens to visit Thailand?

This is something many people don’t consider.  Even if Thailand allows tourists to visit, will your home country allow you to travel to Thailand?  And if they do, will you have to be quarantined when you arrive back from holiday?  Bear in mind that although Thailand has a very low covid-19 infection and death rates, relatively few people (under 2% of the population) have been tested compared to all western countries.  Will that count against Thailand?  Only time will tell.

The Five Stages of Recovery for Tourism

Tripadvisor published a whitepaper on the five stages to recovery for tourism from covid-19 crisis and the recovery.  It’s well worth reading, but I’ve summarised some of the key points here.

We’re already past the first two stages – Decline and Plateau.  This was where travel just stopped dead and everyone was locked down.  But then people at home began to think about future holidays and start searching for ideas again.

Most countries are now well into the third stage which is Emergence.  The crisis eases and people are allowed out of their homes.  Shops and restaurants can re-open. 

The fourth stage is the slow re-start of Domestic travel.  This has happened in Thailand. It also takes into account that tourists – domestic and international – will have new priorities when it comes to not only hygiene and cleanliness but also the types of holidays they want to take.

Hospitality businesses that can rise to the challenge of new consumer expectations around cleanliness and hygiene stand to benefit most from early increases in travel and hospitality.  Which is why the multinational hotel chains are emphasizing their thorough new cleaning routines in ads and trying to ‘out sanitize’ each other.

The Tripadvisor market research also shows that these domestic visitors will be looking for places where they can socially distance – eg Airbnb rentals or larger resorts.  And in a quieter locations, away from mass market tourism.  With destinations in mountains, beaches and remote locations being more popular than normal. 

The final stage of the recovery is when international tourism begins in earnest.  The good news is that by the time it does, there will be a lot of pent up demand.  The bad news is that only 26% of people think there next international trip will be in 2020.  31% think it will be some time in the first half of 20201.  And the remaining 43% aren’t expecting to be able to travel for another year – after June 2021. 

Consumers report they are 218% more likely to take a trip where they can relax after the pandemic and are 148% more likely to visit beaches when they can travel again, an attraction where consumers are able to not only relax but practice social distancing.  This is great news for Koh Chang and other beach destinations.