Last Updated: July 2nd
I am currently residing in Thailand and have been since before the coronavirus lockdowns. I am keeping this post updated on a regular basis, and as soon as any new information reaches me, it will be reflected here. So check back to get the latest information as updates are announced.
The short answer is that no one knows for sure. But it looks likely that: Thailand will open international borders with Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in July. Thailand will open international flight routes with most other countries including the United Kingdom, the European Union, The Russian Federation, The Peoples Republic of China and most other Middle Eastern and Asian countries on the 1st of August. And flights arriving from the USA and Brazil might not be allowed until later on in the year. If you want the long answer and want to know why I think this will be the case, keep on reading.
It is important to keep in mind how unlikely it is that Thailand will confirm anything until the last minute, because, after all, it’s easier to say nothing at all than to backtrack on what has been said if plans are changed. With that in mind, the information in the post is my own opinions based on what I’ve learned from living in Thailand throughout the lockdown, information that BackPack BOB readers have shared with me, and through my own research.
People all around the world are finding themselves in a state of limbo when it comes to travel. International borders across the world have been sealed and for Thailand, this means ex-pats are unable to return to see loved ones, and tourists are left in the dark, unsure if their holidays will be going ahead or getting cancelled.
Back in March news broke that for the first time in recent history, Thailand would seal off land borders and close down airports in the fight against the coronavirus. I became ‘stuck’ in the country and have witnessed Thailand’s handling of the outbreak first hand. Here is what I’ve learned about how Thailand plans to reopen to tourism.
Countries all around the world are starting to ease their lockdown measures and Thailand is watching closely. In some parts of the world international travel is resuming, and more and people are itching to get away after being stuck at home for so long.
I’ve had countless people asking what the situation is like in Thailand, and people asking me things like; “when will I be a be able to travel to Thailand again” and “when will Thailand reopen to tourism”.
Related Posts: You Might Be Interested In Reading
- What It Is Really Like To Travel Thailand After The Coronavirus (And How Travel Has Changed)
- Why I Am Still Travelling Thailand During The Coronavirus Pandemic
- What Was Lock-Down Like On A Remote Thai Island
Is Thailand Open?
With Thailand opening up domestic travel routes, and airports reopening, (for flights inside the country), this has spurred me to share everything I’ve learned so far about when and how Thailand plans to welcome tourists back into the country after coronavirus lockdowns. How tourism will change once when airports reopen and flights commence once again. In this post, I’ll share with you my knowledge on the topic and what I’ve learned so far.
Thailand Opens Borders And Lifts The International Flight Ban
Here is the latest update on Thailand re opening the borders to international travellers.
On July 1st Thailand’s international flight ban was lifted, allowing international travel into Thailand for the first time since borders were sealed back in March. But what does this really mean?
Well, for those with families or spouses in Thailand, it is great news and it’s now possible to enter the country and reunite with loved ones.
But while those who have been desperate to return are now able to, Thailand isn’t open to tourists just yet.
The first step to allow tourists back into Thailand was to lift the international flight ban. And now the ban has been lifted, and select groups of travellers are able to enter. It is a step in the right direction, making it seem more and more plausible that Thailand will open its borders to Tourists on the 1st of August.
So to sum up this latest news, Thailand is closed to Tourists, but the international flight ban has been lifted. Foreigners are able to travel into Thailand again from overseas, providing they meet certain criteria. Those with a non-immigrant visa (marriage, business, retirement or education), are now eligible to enter Thailand. Tourists visiting Thailand for medical reasons are also eligible to travel to Thailand.
But those are entering Thailand during the month of July will be subject to a couple of new entry requirements.
First of all, you’ll need to have travel insurance, with a minimum coverage of $100,000 USD, (I personally use World Nomads).
And secondly, you’ll need to spend 14-days in quarantine on arrival at your own expense. The lowest cost is at the Qiu Hotel Sukhumvit, where a 14-day quarantine will cost 32,000 Baht.
The 14-day quarantine is mandatory for foreign visitors arriving in Thailand during the month of July. A decision has yet to be made for tourist arrivals from August onwards- however, travel insurance is expected to be set as a mandatory entry requirement after COVID-19. And it’s something that personally, I would never travel without.
*List of hotels in Bangkok, with quarantine prices.
In the post we’ll look at when Thailand is expected to reopen and also:
- Is Thailand Open
- Is Thailand Open To Tourists
- Are Thailand’s Borders Open
- When Will Thailand Re Open
- Thailand Borders Closed Until…
- When Are Thailand Borders Reopening
- Can Tourists Visit Thailand
- When Will Thailand Open To Tourists After Coronavirus
- What It Is Really Like To Travel Thailand After The Coronavirus (And How Travel Has Changed)
- Why I Am Still Travelling Thailand During The Coronavirus Pandemic
- What Was Lock-Down Like On A Remote Thai Island
What Stage Is Thailand At Internally
At the time of writing this in July, Thailand is mostly back to normal life, with the exception of the tourism industry. Which let’s be honest is a huge sector employing millions of people. National parks have reopened to tourists, beaches have reopened, temples, other regions sites and attractions are open, and tour operators are permitted to recommence business. However, with international arrivals still banned, these places remain eerily quiet.
All lockdown measures have been lifted within the country, curfews have been lifted and overnight trains and busses have resumed operations again. Bars and entertainment venues have been given the green light to re-open with some obvious regulations in place- and from July the 1st the ban on international flights has been lifted.
All lock down measures have been removed within the country there are only three restrictions still in place.
Bars, Clubs and Entertainments Venues are Prohibited From Opening.International Arrivals are Prohibited.- Face Masks Are To Be Worn In Public Places.
When Will Thailand Welcome Tourists Again
To understand when Thailand will start to welcome tourists and open borders after the coronavirus, you first need to understand how Thailand created their restrictions in the first place. And how they have decided which restrictions to lift, and when. And it’s pretty simple really. I watched the same pattern over and over again, over the past three months.
They will copy the measures being taken in other countries. Thailand follows what the rest of the world is doing, they don’t use their own initiative and it is safe to assume once word goes around other countries are starting to open borders, Thailand will follow suit.
Thailand relies heavily on revenues generated from international tourism and understandably they want tourists to return. But at the same time if they open borders too soon and bring an influx of new cases into the country they might shoot themselves in the foot and be forced to closing up again not long after, and before their ‘peak season’ arrives.
From now until November, Thailand is in the low season, the rainy season. And this season does not bring in large numbers of tourists. Governments know this, they know that there will be even fewer tourists after the coronavirus and they will use this to their advantage. The rest of the low season will be used as a trial run for the peak season which begins in November.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed it looks like Thailand is gearing up to welcome select international arrivals back on the 1st August. This is what all the signals are pointing to, and it is when airlines like state-run Thai airways are advertising flights for, perhaps they know something we don’t.
I have personally run a tour company in Thailand for the past five years and have some first-hand information on the subject. There is some obvious hope that tourism will resume, and customers have been booking services for November through until February. This information tells us people are still wanting to travel and still planning to travel to Thailand. And that people expect the country to open up sooner rather than later.
Now, of course, this is an ever-changing topic and nothing is guaranteed at the moment, but it looks like there will be a ‘soft’ opening from 1st August until November. “Guinea Pig Tourists” will be permitted to enter Thailand again, and later on in the year, if things go smoothly, a chance of normality could potentially be on the horizon.
The Trouble With China
It is no secret that Chinese tourists in Thailand make up the biggest group of travellers, according to Wikipedia, the Chinese account for 30% of tourist arrivals into Thailand. There is no doubt that China will be included in Thailands first “travel bubble”.
Logically it would make sense for Thailand to allow international flights to resume from places like Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. And that is something that has been discussed and publicly spoken about. Vietnam, for example, has kept cases of the coronavirus much lower than other countries. But the trouble with opening travel routes to and from Vietnam is that there is no land border between the two countries. It would mean allowing international flights and doing that, and excluding China from travel, could put relationships with China on edge.
To put it simply, it is extremely unlikely that Thailand will allow international flights to resume from anywhere the world without including China on their list of safe countries. And the fact that China has recently re-entered into a partial lockdown to control a new outbreak, could put the county on hold from opening to tourists from any other countries. Chinese tourists are the biggest spenders in Thailand and they are tourists the government wants to focus on getting back first. But at the same time, the country doesn’t want to have all their hard work thwarted.
But it could be a different situation for Thailand’s neighbours; Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
These nations share a land border with Thailand, and they have also handled the virus outbreak well. Opening up land borders before allowing international flights is also another possibility that has been discussed. It could be the best way to kick-off reopening the country without ticking off China.
Will Thailand Open Land Borders Before International Airports
It’s unlikely that a “free-for-all” will be allowed when Thailand does allow international flights to resume. And by that, I mean flights will only be permitted to resume from countries or areas that are deemed safe, and only available for certain types of visitors.
I expect travellers will be allowed to visit or return to Thailand gradually, rather than having a single date announced when everyone and anyone will be allowed to come.
Opening travel routes to neighbouring countries first seems like a smart way to control a steady re-opening of the country.
Thailand has worked hard to control the spread of coronavirus, and people will not want to see the hard work undone. There will be a select few flight routes in the beginning. And the authorities have been vocal that it will be the case, although they have yet to clarify exactly which nationalities will be allowed into Thailand first.
It is also yet to be confirmed if those arriving from neighbouring countries overseas will need to quarantine for 14-days when they arrive, but that’s something I’m going to talk about in another post when more information comes to light on the topic.
Now no one knows for sure which countries will open first for travel routes into Thailand, but it’s looking more and more likely that entering Thailand overland might become a possibility in the coming weeks. Recently, I have received numerous tip-off’s from others residing in Thailand, and from people residing in Cambodia, looking to travel into Thailand. Sharing their experiences and views of how Thailand will handle the re-opening of the country.
Now again, this hasn’t been confirmed as of yet, and if true it is unlikely to be announced until the last minute. But one significant piece of information has stood out to me.
I keep seeing the same date over and oven again. July the 16th.
July 16th is the date when Thailand is expected to open land borders with their neighbours. It makes sense logically, if Thailand is planning to re-open international air traffic routes in August then they need to start moving towards that goal. And opening land borders is the first step in the right direction.
One of the strongest pieces of evidence to support the idea that land crossings will open on July 16th is information given by bus companies. Multiple readers of my blog got in contact to say that bus companies within Cambodia were selling and promoting tickets for July the 16th onwards. Now it might be the case that bus companies are selling tickets without knowing for certain if the services will be cancelled or not. Perhaps they just want to keep some money turning over. But after doing some research of my own it does seem plausible that international bus routes might start operations again, in July.
I contacted two travel agents in Bangkok, and both of them were willing to sell me a bus ticket. It seems that schedules are in place for July and both companies had busses running to both Cambodia and Myanmar. I couldn’t find any companies running busses to Laos, but it’s a little further away from Bangkok.
I also turned to AirAisa, a Malaysia owned budget airline. The airlines dominate travel between south-east Asian countries and if anyone knows when Thailand will open the borders to their neighbours, it’s them. And sure enough, the airline was advertising flights between the capital of Thailand, Bangkok and the Capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur in July.
Daily flights are being advertised from mid-July, with the first international flight scheduled to arrive into Bangkok, from Kuala Lumpur on July the 16th. And to check that the airline wasn’t advertising flights they didn’t expect to run, I also checked for flights arriving from countries which are further afield.
AirAsia is not advertising flights from Melbourne, Australia at all, a route that previously operated four times a week. And flights from Osaka, Japan are not being advertised until August 1st, which is when Thailand is expected to re-open international borders. Proving that the airline is expecting the first borders to open up, will be with Thailands neighbouring countries.
Should I Book A Flight To Thailand Now
- What It Is Really Like To Travel Thailand After The Coronavirus (And How Travel Has Changed)
- Why I Am Still Travelling Thailand During The Coronavirus Pandemic
- What Was Lock-Down Like On A Remote Thai Island
To put it blunt, no. You shouldn’t book a flight to Thailand just yet.
It is wise to hold off until borders have been reopened. Airlines will happily take you money but at the moment there is no guarantee carriers will be given permission to touch down in Thailand. State-run Thai airways are taking bookings at traditional prices on their London to Bangkok route commencing from 1st August. This is a positive sign that the country is planning to reopen at the beginning of August to travellers from London- but it is not a given.
Other routes the airline had previously operated have not been advertised as of yet, this gives us another indication that once Thailand is to open borders again, flights will only be permitted from selected destinations.
Until Thailand has officially announced a list of airports where flights can originate from, and until official confirmation has been given that international borders will reopen and until official confirmation has been given on the 14-day quarantine policy which is currently in place. It is best to temporarily hold off on booking a flight.
And even after an official confirmation has been given it might not be that simple, the Phuket International Airport is now open for domestic flights but during the coronavirus lockdown the official opening of the airport was announced three times, the first two times officials backtracked and changed the dates.
My advice is to hold off from booking flight tickets until you have seen first hand that foreigners are being allowed into Thailand once more. Business travellers, those separated from their Thai spouse and potentially medical tourists will be the first few groups of foreigners to return. Wait for official confirmation and until all the guidelines and requirements have been laid out by the government until booking a flight to Thailand or you might find yourself out of pocket, frustrated and struggling to reschedule or get your money back from the airline.
This post is kept updated on a daily basis, and as soon as any new information reaches me, it will be updated here. So check back to get the latest information as updates are announced.
What Steps Will Thailand Need If The Country Is To Reopen In August
Speculation at the moment is Thailand will open borders to tourists on August 1st. But If that date is to be correct then what measures will be taken in the country beforehand.
Entertainment venues will need to have reopened. And another south-east Asian nation will also need to have open borders. Here’s why.
Reopening the entertainment industry is necessary before borders are reopened. It is one of the biggest business within the tourism sector and with bars closed tourists will be much more unlikely to come to Thailand. It is essential that these sectors can be open and proved that it is safe to do so before airports are opened to international flights.
The government is looking at dates in late June to have a “trial run” of reopening bars, clubs and other social venues. Restaurants have been given the green light to open already, and they are permitted to serve alcohol with meals.
Another thing holding Thailand back; they will not be the first south-east Asian county to open their borders.
Thai’s aren’t risk-takers and being the first country to open up borders to tourists after the coronavirus is a bold move, a move Thailand just won’t make. They’ll follow suit with everyone else, they’ll want to open borders as early on a possible, but they won’t be the first to do so. Opening the borders on August 1st is a safe bet, it’s a bet that follows what Thailand stands for and follows patterns we’ve seen so far during this global pandemic.
Reopening borders on August 1st will not cause an influx of international traffic, and they know that. There will be a trickle of tourists, to begin with. But by reopening it gives tourists the confidence to the book vacations for the upcoming peak season later in the year, which falls from November until March.
The 14 Day Quarantine And Needed Documents
When Thailand opens borders to tourists again, will there be a 14 day quarantine period? And what documentation will be needed?
While no final decisions have been made, here is the information I’ve gathered so far.
Currently, the only people allowed to fly into Thailand are Thai citizens returning from overseas and foreigners holding a residency or a working visa. At present, anyone returning to Thailand is subject to a 14 quarantine at their own expense.
But with a 14-day quarantine in place, it’s clear that tourists simply won’t visit Thailand. For some people visa’s are valid for just two weeks anyway, it’s not a viable solution and it will be dropped when Thailand wants tourists to return.
It is expected the quarantine will be scraped in August and instead Thailand will begin to focus on opening flight routes from areas with low coronavirus cases instead. The government has been specific in saying that they will allow arrivals from certain airports and cities, rather than focusing on countries as a whole.
It is also expected, and pretty much a given that you’ll need to show a negative Covid-19 test certificate on arrival, the certificate must be dated within 72 hours of arriving.
For a long time, Thailand has been trying to push travel insurance as an entry requirement to holiday in the country and it seems that the coronavirus outbreak is finally going to see that put into action. You’ll be required to prove you have substantiation medical coverage, although the exact criteria haven’t been laid out as of yet. And to be honest, you should have travel insurance for medical coverage anyway, coronavirus or not.
Are Hotels Open To Tourists In Thailand, And Are Prices Lower After The Lock-downs?
Now I’m not going to go into the basics we all know that we should wash our hands, and we all have a rough idea of how flying is going look once the world begins to resume some level of normality. But how will things look in Thailand specifically after the borders are reopened to tourists.
Right now, living in Thailand tourists are free to roam the country at will, the few tourists that had entered the country before the lock-downs began, that is. But that is set to change very soon. It is expected that Thailand will open to individual countries or cities on a case by case basis, to begin with, and strict temperature checks will be enforced. Not only at airports but also at provincial border crossings, shops, hotels upon check-in, attractions and public places.
“Travel bubbles” as they have been referred to hold a different meaning in Thailand. In Thailand, travel-bubble will cover a certain area of the country in which a tourist is allowed to be.
For example, someone flying into Phuket airport may be limited to stay in Phuket and would need to register before they were able to leave for another province.
A meeting to finalise the details of “Travel Bubbles” and restriction of movements for foreign tourists is scheduled to take place on the 16th of June.
While the full details of the travel bubbles haven’t yet been decided, one thing is for sure, it’s going to put off a lot of tourists from coming to Thailand. Part of the fun of travelling Thailand is exploring the length of the country at your own pace the country is filled with diverse nature if tourists aren’t able to experience that, is it worth coming back?
But that is all part of the plan, Thailand needs to open borders, Thailand needs tourists. But Thailand is not a risk-taking nation. Using these new measures will allow them to ‘technically’ reopen borders, while at the same time, putting off many people from returning.
They are designed to put off tourists from returning in hoards and ensuring they have low volumes of tourists in the beginning, in the current low season, to be their “guinea pigs”, if you will. The first few tourists will be traced and tracked, have their basic human rights violated, and won’t have an enjoyable experience. At least they won’t have the same enjoyable experience in Thailand that would have been the norm just a few months back.
Does anyone really want to fly long-haul wearing a face-mask, or lie on the beach wearing one? Does anyone really want to drink in a bar or get a Thai massage when all the staff are wearing latex gloves, masks and face shields? Does anyone want to hand over their passport number, phone number and have their temperature taken every time they go into a shop to buy a bottle of water? I don’t think so. But will people, I hope so, but only time will tell.
If Thailand’s tourism industry is even going to return to normality it’s essential these ‘guinea pig tourists’ help pave the road to recovery. It will be an unusual experience for the first international arrivals. But if things work out, by the time November comes around there might be a sense of normality in the air. And after all, it’s got to beat sitting at home watching the Tiger King, with your brand new bread maker.
- What It Is Really Like To Travel Thailand After The Coronavirus (And How Travel Has Changed)
- Why I Am Still Travelling Thailand During The Coronavirus Pandemic
- What Was Lock-Down Like On A Remote Thai Island
Are Hotels Open To Tourists In Thailand, And Are Prices Lower After The Lock-downs?
46 comments
Once general tourists might be allowed
How much is the insurance that is required for Thailand..
Per person ?
I am looking into it for myself… and my partner…
Also o wish to know if children need a separate arrangement in that regard.. and how it applies for babies…
we are a big family now… some adopted children and ones of our own.. 4 in total .. which includes one baby..
Hi Bob !
Do you have any news ?
I have tickets for August and still do not know what to do.
Best Regards from Warsaw !
Magda
Hi,
Is the Thai government likely to accept international (UK) visitors from September 1st? If yes, will there be any quarantine restrictions? I read comments on other sites about certain big tourist locations (e.g. Phuket, Pattaya, Samui) will be open but most of Thailand will have tight restrictions or full prohibition. Any truth in this?
Thanks
Steve
Hi Bob! Thankyou for a great blog and a very informative article. My husband and I bought a guesthouse on Koh Lanta only a few weeks before the virus hit the world. It’s been a dream of ours for a long time, and finally we made the leap. Unfortunatly the timing with the virus couldnt have been worse. Our original plan was to move down in August (we are Swedish citizens) but that has of course been postponed. Since we’re not really tourists, but not workpermit-holders either (we haven’t started the company yet), do you think we will be able to enter the country before december maybe? And also, is it the worst idea ever to start a hotel in times like these? Still, we own the place, so we cant just not go..
Really grateful for your insights, even though I understand you give a 100% sure answer.
Hi Robb,
Thanks for you blog!
Do you have any update about the opening border for toursit on the 1st of august?
Thank you!
Hi Bob I am from India and I want to visit Thailand in August on business visa as I am willing to invest in Thailand can get multiple invitation letters from my Thai accountant and Thai business consultant
I would like to know would I be able to get a business visa with mult entry and visit Thailand in August 2020 I am ok with 14 days quarantine as well
Regards
SD
Robb,
I am a US citizen living and working in Thailand. My wife and two children (also US citizens) are here with me. We have been here for a year and were planning for an annual home leave and well, not really sure when that will happen. I have tried to stay up on when borders will be opening, but struggle to understand all the details. I have a 2 year Non imm-B visa, and my family has 2 year non Imm-O visas. I also have a work permit. I BELIEVE I could leave for the USA and get back because I have a work permit, but struggle to understand if my family could come back with me. Do you know these details or can direct me somewhere that I could find some help. Thanks!
Josh
Hi Josh, work permit holders can enter travel in and out Thailand as of a few weeks back, but you’ll be subject to a 14-day quarantine on arrival. Nothing has been announced as of yet with regards to allowing Non-O visa holders into Thailand yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if, based on your circumstances your family would be eligible to enter Thailand with you. You’ll be best to get in touch with a Thai embassy in the USA so they can assess your situation. That being said, if you’re already in Thailand, planning to return, it will be much easier to stay put for the time being, if you can postpone your trip, I would. You will definitely be allowed back (with a work permit), but there is a chance you could become separated from family if they are not given permission to return. And even if permission is given before you leave you’ll need to keep in mind that the situation at the moment is fluid and things can change with no given notice. Hope that helps!
Hey guys,
There’s one massive issue nobody knows about. I am in Ireland and i have a non b visa and I’m stuck in Ireland. I assumed I could board a plan on 1st of July. But the start of June I emailed the embassy to be sure and I was told every person needs pre clearance from immigration in bangkok. (Not for the visa, clearance to even apply for a visa) so I done that at the start of June and I’m in a queue of 22k people. There’s no speed up and nothing I can do so basically I don’t know how fast they are getting thru the clearance and how many have been done yet.
I do know recently they contacted my employer to fill out a document too so I know something’s in progress. While I sit here working from 2am to 7am every night!!
Anyways just hope 1st of August they drop the quartine as it’s minimum 35,000 for 14 nights as the embassy sent me the list of approved hotels you must stay in.
Hello BackPack Bob, Aloha, I need to come again to Bangkok (my 5th time), for follow-up medical treatment, at least within the year. First I must say, the information you have provided here is comprehensive, well written, well qualified, and with plenty of cautious caveats, reassuringly useful. Thank you. I’m thinking of booking with Asiana Airlines for a trip in March 2021. Currently, Asiana has an excellent change-of-booking policy, specifically related to Covid 19, so I feel I can do this with relatively little risk, if I book with them. The current airfare is very low and I fear the fares may rise significantly later on. You mentioned that Thailand is likely to reopen for foreigners, case by case, in terms of which originating locations are permitted and when they are permitted. I live in Hawaii, which has had relatively little impact from Covid 19 (when compared to many other places in the USA). What might you say, regarding if, Thailand is likely to make state-by-state distinctions, when considering arrivals from the USA? Not only have we had little Covid 19, Hawaii itself has been extremely isolationist during this pandemic. We have a 14 day quarantine for arrivals too. Consequently, our own tourism industry is nearly 100% shut down!
Hello Robb.
Just a big thank you for writing your posts. I have my annual trip planned for January, so I really appreciate you tracking the situation. Good news or bad news – they are both helpful for me.
Hey Bob
I am from France but in Vietnam and was wondering if I will be able to come to Bangkok for a medical appointment sometime in July
Hey Kerry, there has been some talk of Thailand letting medical tourists into the country before regular tourists, and there has also been some talk of resuming flights from Vietnam earlier than other countries. So the odds are definitely in your favour, but nothing has been officially confirmed as yet. You might be interested in this post: https://backpackbob.com/which-countries-can-enter-thailand-first/ which goes into a bit more detail about travelling from neighbouring countries.
Hi Bob
We have booked flights to Bangkok from 11 – 27 February 2021 and until I read your article I was convinced that everything would be open at that time. Now I’m worried about travel bubbles as you mention. We had planned to go to Koh Chang and Koh Kood and then back to Bangkok for a few days. But do you think that only 5 star hotels are open at that time? And will we be able to go jungle and scuba diving? Or sit in the sand with a beer as we use to when we travel Thailand. Finaly do you know anything about how Thailand’s view of Denmark’s coronavirus situation is? After all, we have done relatively well compared to other European countries. Thinking about whether it may have an impact on their choice of countries that they agree to open to? Many Thanks Per
Hi Per, I wouldn’t worry just yet about February 2021, I am certain that travel will have resumed before then. I am travelling around Thailand at the moment and I imagine it will in fact be the opposite, with high-end resorts being the last places to open. High-end resorts have much higher operating costs, staff costs, etc etc. Some smaller hotels and guesthouses are still open, but I have yet to see a top-end resort open. There just aren’t enough tourists to open. The entertainment industry is planning to re-open on the first of July with new rules in place (no singing or dancing, being one)ha! But I’ll be writing another post on that topic in the next week or so which should give a better insight into how activities and entertainment will look when international tourism starts getting back to normal.
Larry,
HI,
Goodafternoon,I have some questions after read above questions/answers
I am Dutch national and stuck here in Holland instead of the close borders in Thailand as so many people who have their partner and home in Thailand.
I live already 13 years in Thailand and have retirement visa and adres confirmation that I live in Thailand.
I read so many different story’s about international flights,as I check websites from several airlines as Cathay Pacific and Qatar airways they still fly to Bangkok.
Is it possible to travel to Thailand in July when I have official health certificate not older than 72 hours prior departure and going in quarantine after arrive?
Some say it is possible and others not,even the Thai embassy in The Hague couldnt answer me.
Hopefully you have more actual info for me.
Thanks in advance
You’re not alone there, Larry. There are lots of people separated from their spouse with marriage visas or retirement visas. Unfortunately, no-one can be sure when Thailand will open up to non-immigrants. I would, however, recommend contacting the Thai embassy again, there are some exceptions being made for those who need to return to Thailand, but no specific rules have been laid out and embassies are handling it on a case-by-case basis.
I’m following with interest. My flight on December 15th is booked and paid for ! Keeping everything crossed … Even my eyes which is proving awkward but I’m that desperate to be there for Christmas & New Year.
I think Thailand will be accepting tourists again come December, Alex. Thailand was lucky in the sense that the lockdowns began towards the end of their peak season in March and most business owners had some money saved to get themselves through the off-season months anyway. But if Thailand isn’t open before November then it will undoubtedly spell the end of tourism as we know it in the country. That’s a situation the government wants to avoid and I think borders will be open much sooner than that. Thailand is an amazing place to spend Christmas so I hope you’re able to make it out at the end of the year. My fingers are crossed for you.
Hi there, Bob, just found your site, and interested in thia land. Reason being my partner lives over there and I carnt get to her.
Is there any way of getting there.
Many thanks Darren.
Hey Darren, Thailand is allowing foreigners into Thailand on a case-by-case basis. The details of which haven’t been fully outlined. But it sounds like you might fit the criteria. Best thing to do is contact the Thai embassy in the country you’re in so they can assess your situation. If you are able to enter Thailand, you’ll need to quarantine for 14-days at your own expense. Hope that helps!
Hi, we are due to go to a Thailand on 7 July flying with Emirates, our final instalment is due this week and our travel company is saying we have to pay it as the flight from Manchester has not been cancelled. I don’t want to go, do you think my flight will be cancelled.
I doubt the borders will be open to international flights that early and I’d imagine you’d be able to get a refund from Emirates if the borders remain closed. You’ll be best to give the airline a call to check. I would, however, recommend paying the final instalment, otherwise, you might risk losing the amount you’ve paid already. Hope that helps you out, Michael!
Hi Bob!
Actually one of the better articles I have read on Thailand reopening as you explore all sides, some I have read state not until 2021 (absurd?) and others have said borders will be open on the 1st of July, but I like that you talk through all options!
I had to do a visa run to Bali 4 days before the lockdown and have been stuck here since… I work/worked in Thailand and am counting down the days until I can return, I have been checking the news everyday for updates but like you said, no one really knows, they are just hinting at July!
Has your tour company taken a hit? I have my own itinerary for an eco/sustainable tour that i was in the process of perfecting before all this happened, so interested to see how you are managing!
Thank you for the info, have a great day!
Bali definitely isn’t the worst place to be right now! Not sure it applies to you, but Thailand is allowing work permit holders into the country at the moment (with a 2-week quarantine), and exceptions are also being made for those who have a legitimate reason to return, they haven’t confirmed what counts as a legitimate reason, but the current advice is that each situation will be assessed on a case by case basis by visiting a Thai embassy. I am not sure if there is a Thai embassy in Bali, but if you can get to an embassy, it might be worth a visit to explore your options of travelling to Thailand before the borders open up for tourism. In terms of the tour business, we have been very lucky in the fact that our staff were all registered for social security and have received financial relief from the government, we have also been lucky enough to have the rent on our physical shops waived for the time being. Obviously, there are no customers at the moment while borders are closed up. But on the other hand, we’ve been very fortunate to have our expenses dramatically reduced. I’m always in favour of an Eco-friendly tour company, and I wish you all the best for the coming months.
Hey Bob! I just discovered your blog, great job! If you are watching out for some special experience in Bangkok I would like to highly reccomend Bangkok Vanguards to you! These guys are special local guides. Michael Biedassek and his Team show Bangkok on a deeper and very local level. I’ve done several tours with them and in times where these guys need more support for their great job I will try this any time I can. As you wrote that this time now IS THE ONLY TIME to have Thailand less overcrowded, go for it and try another experience you won’t regret! To everybody out there, if you are in Thailand or Bangkok right now, if you would like to support local people and sustainable tourism check the Bangkok Vanguards! Right now I am not able to travel because I am German sitizen. Stay safe & healthy, Joleen von Veh
Yes, it’s certainly a unique time to be travelling in Thailand. I doubt I’ll ever have an opportunity like this again. Thanks for the recommendation, Joleen!
Hi!
I’m going away this August on the 8th with my family as a british. Do you think we could be able to go?
Thanks
Hey Nichola, I hope you can make it. Thailand is a beautiful place to be at the moment! Based on the fact that Thai Airways are offering flights from London starting on August 1st, I do think that international travel will be allowed from the UK by then. But do keep checking for an official anouncment- I’ll also be updating this page with any new information as it comes to light.
Hi Bob, interesting article, thank you! We booked last year to come to Thailand on 4th Aug. Reading your article I’m not sure if we’ll be allowed or not and we’ll have to wait and see.
However we’ll be travelling with two children aged 8 and 9 and I’m worried about being ‘tourist guinea pigs’ with them.
Do you think pools at hotels will be open and you will need to wear masks around the pool? I feel nervous on how the experience will impact the kids.
If Thailand open, the travel company probably won’t cancel so we’ll either lose the money or have to travel. It would be helpful to get your view on the impact on children travelling.
I do think you’ll be able to make your vacation in August- but nothing has been confirmed officially at the moment, so don’t hold me to that. If you do make it then you’ll be some of the first tourists back in the country which could be seen as a positive or a negative. On one hand, Thailand is a safe place to be at the moment and has gone almost a full month without a locally transmitted case. But on the other hand, most of the “tourist activities” might still be closed. Swimming pools are already able to re-open, and you’ll need to wear masks in public places, but I doubt that will include a swimming pool on hotel grounds. It will definitely be a different experience, but it will also be a unique experience and not many people will have the chance to see the beauty of Thailand with so few people around.
Hi
This was really helpful. I was under the impression that land boarders would open by the 1st of July. Most bus companies are allowing us to book tickets from Cambodia to Thailand. Do you think there will be a difference in the timing of land boarders vs international flights ? Cambodia has no cases that I know of left. I assumed they would allow land boarders to open from here soonest
I’m glad you found it helpful, Claire. It would make perfect sense for land borders to open before international flights can resume. There are talks on going about opening up to a select few countries at first- but I have a feeling that Thailand will want to include China on the list and until they feel it is safe to that, they might keep arrivals restricted from all countries. But if you’ve got any inside information from the bus companies, then I’d love to hear your perspective on entering Thailand via a land border. Feel free to drop me an email and if you have any insights I can include them in the post when it is updated!
I have read so many articles about when Thailand’s borders are going to open up to tourists! I am desperate to get back. but I don’t think anyone knows anything for certain at the moment, but reading this is a breath of fresh air in comparison to the other “news sites” promising this border will be open on ‘X’ date, etc. It’s nice to see that someone is being realistic for once! I’ll be sure to check back for updates, is there anywhere on social media that you’re sharing updates? I’d love to stay in the loop as much as possible!
Robb, that’s great info. I know Thailand (and Thai people) well, I lived in BKK for about two years and I have been visiting very frequently for the last 12 years. You’re right about the “risk-taking” attitude, or lack thereof. They will not take too many risks, especially since they were one of the last countries in SE Asia to close borders and go into lockdown.
But I think you’re wrong on the “travel bubble” issue. What you described fits perfectly the “backpacker” profile. However, that is not the profile of 80%-90% of the tourists to Thailand. The Chinese tourists don’t fly to Phuket, stay 3 days, then fly to BKK, shop for 3 days, then take the bus to Ayutthaya, then fly to Chiang Mai, then explore Chiang Rai. They stay in one or two places, and they don’t mind staying inside a nice hotel all day, by the swimming pool while getting massages from masked staff. Same thing applies to Russian and Middle Eastern tourists in Pattaya and vicinity.
So my point is, yes, they will go with “travel bubbles”, definitely for the tour groups.
It would be interesting to see what happens with accommodation prices. As you know, the mentality in SE Asia is to make up for lost income (no matter the cause) as quickly as possible. If they don’t drastically raise prices in August-September, they will for sure come November-December.
I completely agree, Elias. There are two main types of tourists, backpackers, and those on package holidays. Thailand has been very vocal about shifting the focus onto “Quality” tourists, rather than the number of international arrivals. I don’t see this campaign being as successful as they might hope, but it’s no secret that the package holidaymakers do tend to spend more and move around less- these groups are going to be the ones that Thailand will want to welcome back first.
Hey Bob,
Thank you for this information, it is really useful. I am supposed to be travelling to Japan at the end of July but that looks really unlikely so I thought perhaps Thailand from 1st week of August. Has to be then due to exam results etc. I have booked accommodation for Hau Him and Koh Sumui. My fingers are firmly crossed that it can go ahead.
Sharon
Hey Sharon, I’m glad I could help. It does seem likely that borders will be reopening in some form by August, but I wouldn’t recommend on booking anything until its been officially announced. It’s a waiting game right now, no one wants to take the risk in being the first to open, but once one of two countries start opening I’m sure the others will be quick to follow suit. My fingers are crossed for you and I hope you’re able to enjoy the Koh Samui sunshine soon!
I know its not Thailand, but how do you see Philippines reopen, do you have idea or guess?
Thank you in advance
Hi Jan, I don’t know much about the Philippines and I wouldn’t like to speculate. But I would imagine that once a couple of countries in south-east Asia open up their borders to tourists, other countries will be quick to follow suit.
Hi There
I was reading your article and im really concern regarding my holidays which I booked year ago for October and November (21.10-09.11).
What do you think, will I be able to make it?
After reading your article Im also worried about the way it can be after Thai reopening as I booked 3 nights in Bangkok, 2 nights in Pattaya, 5 nights in Phuket and 5 nights in Bali.
I will keep watching for any news on your website but closer to the date of departure I may postpone this holiday for next year if there will be a chance.
Thanks for all the information.
Hey Zaba
I honestly think you’ll be fine and I wouldn’t worry too much about a trip towards the end of the year just yet. I don’t know too much about Bali but I have heard the current plan is to open on September 1st.
As for Thailand, you’re itinerary is easy enough and flying between each of your destinations is an option. At the moment both Phuket and Bangkok are running domestic flights.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but I’m updating the site with information as soon as I hear anything. The best thing is to check back once in a while for updates.
I hope that helps!
I appreciate your insights in what is an interesting read.
I paid for tickets to Bangkok in January as one of those post-holiday ‘lift-your-spirits’ moments. Up until now, I had been pretty confident; ‘of course things will be OK in January’, but my confidence is dwindling. My fear is UK (from where I write) travelers may be seen as a bit of a pariah, and best avoided, even in 2021.
Having missed a couple of holidays already, I’ll be desperate for some sun on my face, and a bit of Thai hospitality, by January.
Fingers crossed.
In fact everything is crossed.
Hi Gordon, I’m pretty confident that you won’t face any issues come January. The way we travel might be changed, but I am sure international arrivals will be back on the cards in some form.
I’m also from the UK and the Thai people have been nothing but welcoming and friendly since I started to travel across Thailand again, they seem grateful to have some level of tourism returning, no matter small. But I have also been on lockdown within Thailand and people feel safe knowing that. It will be interesting to see if and how attitudes change when the borders are re-opened. But until then we can only hope for the best and stay positive. I’m sure it won’t be long until you’re basking in the Thai sunshine again!
Hi
I understand that you are in the country and also run a travel business
Very simply I am gutted right now because of believing what seemed to be straight forward and official information only to find that of course the word is that the country is not going to be open
If I told you the amounts of money being charged for flights to Thailand at the moment you would be disgusted
I changed all my plans which were at the time based on Vietnam being open 1 July
Once I discovered Thailand was open again after 30 June I booked more flights using Vietnam as a transit hub
I have cancelled my request for Vietnam e visa because of what I “learned” and now obviously regret doing so.
I have no idea if it can be made again after cancelling
Is there any chance in your mind of there being international tourist entries from the indicated date of end June or 1 July?
Many thanks
Chris
Hi Chris,
I’d say to hold off on booking anything until official confirmation has been given on borders reopening, where flights can take off from and what will happen to the 14-day quarantine period.
Right now all the signs are pointing to Thailand opening up at the end of July, and it is expected business and medical tourists will be the first allowed back. But with Thailand being Thailand, you can never really be sure. I doubt much notice will be given when the borders do reopen and it also looks likely that flights will resume from specific locations. Until those details have been announced, it really isn’t worth booking a flight.
I don’t have much information on Vietnam, so I’m sorry I can’t help out there but I’ll keep the site up to date with any new information about Thailand reopening as and when it reaches me. So check back every now and again.