BackPack Bob 🌴
  • Home
  • Thai National Parks
    • #2 Phu Kradueng National Park
    • #17 Tarutao National Park (Marine)
    • #44 Noppharat Thara (Marine)
  • Destinations
    • South-East Asia
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
      • Laos
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Koh Lipe
        • Krabi
        • Pai
        • Phi Phi Island
        • Phuket
  • Travel Resources
    • COVID-19 TRAVEL
      • First Hand Accounts
      • News
      • Travel Requirements
      • Reopenings
  • Work Abroad
    • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Support Me
new posts
How to Get From Koh Lanta to Khao...
Krabi Bus Terminal: Timetables Schedules and all the...
What is an SHA Plus Hotel in Thailand:...
Complete Beginners Guide: How I Learned To Ride...
Koh Jum: A Full Guide to Thailand’s Forgotten...
Phi Phi National Park (Hat Noppharat Thara Mu...
Thailands National Parks – A Detailed Guide For...
Koh Jum Beach Villas: The Best Places to...
Nong Khai Border Crossing: Crossing The Friendship Bridge...
Climbing Koh Pu Mountain in Thailand
BackPack Bob 🌴
Banner
  • Home
  • Thai National Parks
    • #2 Phu Kradueng National Park
    • #17 Tarutao National Park (Marine)
    • #44 Noppharat Thara (Marine)
  • Destinations
    • South-East Asia
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
      • Laos
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Koh Lipe
        • Krabi
        • Pai
        • Phi Phi Island
        • Phuket
  • Travel Resources
    • COVID-19 TRAVEL
      • First Hand Accounts
      • News
      • Travel Requirements
      • Reopenings
  • Work Abroad
    • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Support Me
0
Coronavirus TravelSouth-East AsiaThailandTravel RequirementsTravel Resources

Thailand Entry Requirements COVID-19: How To Travel Now

by BackPackBOB 12 November 2020
FacebookTweetPinPrint

COVID-19, coronavirus, whatever you want to call it… It’s f***** international tourism in Thailand. And across the world.

  • Entry to Thailand requirements coronavirus
  • Thailand tourist entry requirements COVID-19
  • Entry requirements for Thailand during COVID
  • Thailand entry restrictions

Here is the latest information and Entry Requirements For Thailand, Covid-19.

You can now travel to Thailand from overseas if you have a visa. You can use any class of non-immigrant visa, education visa or tourist visa to enter Thailand. Visa’s are once again being processed in consulates. In addition to holding a visa, you will also need, a negative coronavirus PCR test. A fit to fly certificate. Travel insurance with $100,000 USD of medical coverage. A confirmed booking at an approved 2 quarantine hotel for two weeks. A declaration form and a certificate of entry from your embassy.

Blended with official announcements from the Thai government, the information here is first hand, acquired from living in, and travelling south-east Asia throughout this ‘pandemic‘.

To give you a bit of history into the coronavirus shut down Thailand. In Chiang Mai, in February 2020, Thailand recorded the first case of the coronavirus outside of China. Acting swiftly, Thailand’s government managed to keep the number of coronavirus cases low, potentially saving many lives. But at the same time, locking down the borders of a country which relies so heavily on tourism had f***** up the lives of those working in the tourism sector. Read more about life in Thailand during lockdown here.

Now, months later, and desperate to start getting back to normal. Thailand is very cautiously prising their borders open to foreigners again.

Although to be blunt. While it is possible to travel to Thailand now, I wouldn’t get your hopes up about taking a ‘normal’ vacation to Thailand anytime soon. If you want my advice start shopping for vacations from 2022 onwards. And here’s why.

Travelling to Thailand during the coronavirus pandemic is possible, but also costly and stressful. And for general tourists probably isn’t worth it. Unless you plan to spend a few months there, then travelling to Thailand right now just isn’t suitable for most people.

However, if you do plan to work online, sorry, I mean… stay long-term in Thailand as a ‘tourist’ or need to travel for business, work, to be with family, your spouse or your children. Then as long as you don’t mind spending two weeks in quarantine, it is possible.

Contents Hide
1. Is Thailand Open To Tourists Now?
2. 1. Visa Requirements To Enter Thailand COVID-19
2.1. Who Can Enter Thailand During COVID-19
2.2. Who Can Enter Thailand Without A Visa
2.3. Who Can Enter Thailand With A Long Stay Visa
2.4. Who Can Enter Thailand Now With A Tourists Visa
2.5. Countries Permitted To Visit Thailand
3. 2) Coronavirus And Medical Testing Requirements To Enter Thailand
3.1. 3) Do You Need a Fit To Fly Certificate To enter Thailand
4. 4) Travel Insurance Requirements To Enter Thailand
5. 5) Quarantine Requirements To Enter Thailand
6. 6) Health Declaration Forms Required To Enter Thailand
7. 7) Certificate Of Entry Required To Enter Thailand
8. Vaccination Requirements To Enter Thailand
9. COVID-19 Health Requirements While in Thailand
9.1. Requirements And Domestic Travel Restrictions In Thailand
10. How To Apply For A Thailand Tourist Visa
11. Other South East Asian Contries

Is Thailand Open To Tourists Now?

Not Really. Well Yes, But No, But Yes… As is the way in south-east Asia, things are not always black and white.

Tourists can no longer arrive in Thailand, without a visa.

And visa exemptions and visa on arrivals are still suspended, for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t stop you from applying for a visa before you travel.

If you’re dreaming of returning to or visiting the land of smiles, then, providing you apply for a visa in advance, are prepared to jump through a few hoops and don’t mind handing over a bit more cash than you would probably like to, your dreams can become a reality.

Foreigners travelling to Thailand during the coronavirus must meet the following criteria:

  1. Hold a valid visa
  2. Provide a negative PCR Test
  3. Provide a fit to fly certificate
  4. Hold travel Insurance With $100,000 USD coverage
  5. Agree to quarantine on arrival at your own expense
  6. Fill out a COVID declaration form and T.M 8 form
  7. Have a certificate of the entry (COE), from the embassy online

In this post I’ll go into more detail about each of the entry requirements you’ll need to meet in order to travel to Thailand, now.

Let’s start by looking into the type’s of visa you can apply for to enter Thailand.

entry requirments for thailand thailand covid entry requirments traveling to thailand during covid
Travel Requirements To enter Thailand COVID-19

1. Visa Requirements To Enter Thailand COVID-19

Any foreigners who entering Thailand from overseas must have a valid visa approved before they travel.

You can enter Thailand from abroad with the following type’s of visa:

  • STV – Special Tourist Visa
  • TRV – Tourist Visa
  • NON-B – Non-Immigrant Business Visa
  • NON-O – Non-Immigrant Visa (Married to Thai Citizen)
  • ED – Education Visa
  • Elite – An Expensive Overpriced Visa

Who Can Enter Thailand During COVID-19

General tourists are not able to enter Thailand visa-free, but there are some groups of travellers, (including tourists with a visa) who can to enter Thailand at the moment.

Who Can Enter Thailand Without A Visa

  • Thai Nationals (obviously), hold a Thai passport? Then, of course, you’ll be able to return home.
  • Diplomats, those on consular missions or those invited by the Prime Minister.
  • Carriers of necessary goods. Generally, truckers bringing goods from Myanmar or pilots of cargo aircraft.

But I’m guessing that if you’re reading this, you’re not a Burmese trucker, right? Or a Thai citizen? And you probably haven’t been invited to Thailand by the PM. While it would be an honour, I doubt there are many diplomats getting their travel updates from backpackbob.com!

Who Can Enter Thailand With A Long Stay Visa

This next list of those who can enter Thailand at the moment will apply to people who have visited Thailand previously for reasons other than tourism.

  1. Holders Of A Non-Immigrant O Visa: Married to a Thai citizen, or the parent of a Thai nationality child? Then a Non-O visa is suitable for you. Although if you’re married to a Thai citizen, chances are you probably know this already.
  2. Holders Of A Non-Immigrant B Visa: With or without a work permit. If you are travelling to Thailand for work, for business, or to teach English, then you can enter the country using a Non-B visa.
  3. Thailand Elite Visa: If money can solve your problems, you can pay the extortionate price for an elite visa which will get you entry into Thailand now.
  4. Education Visa: If you’re travelling to study at a government-approved school, you can travel on an ED Visa.

Who Can Enter Thailand Now With A Tourists Visa

So you’re not a diplomat, you haven’t been invited to Thailand by the PM. You haven’t got a Thai wife and you haven’t got a job offer. What are your options? Let’s talk about tourist visas.

You can now enter Thailand as a tourist, providing you have a visa approved in advance. There are two types of visas which tourists can currently use to enter Thailand. These are:

TRV – Tourist Visa: Any nationalities can apply for a Thailand Tourist Visa. Stay in Thailand for a total of 90 days including one extension.

STV – Special Tourist Visa (Long Stay Visa): This class of new tourist visa is for those travelling from low-risk countries, (more information about the Thailand special tourists visa). Stay in Thailand for 270 days including extensions.

Countries Permitted To Visit Thailand

Visa exemptions and visa on arrivals have been suspended for all nationalities, for the foreseeable future. Holding a visa is an entry requirement for all foreigners entering Thailand.

The good news, however, is that now Thailand is easing travel restrictions, all nationalities that were previously eligible to apply, are once again able to apply for a, (single-entry), tourist visa.

A new class of visa has also been announced, called the ‘special’ tourists visa. This class of visa is available for issue by consulates in low-risk countries, and grants a longer stay in the country that a standard, single-entry tourist visa.

Thailand’s government has announced a list of so called ‘low-risk’ countries, the countries are as follows.

Countries Thailand Considers Low-Risk
Australia
Brazil (unsure why)
China
Estonia
Finland
Hong Kong
Ivory Coast
Khazakstan
Macao
Mongolia
New Zealand
Norway
Qatar
Korea
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
Uraguay
Vietnam
thailand visa thailand visa requirments entry requirments to travel to thailand traveling to thailand during covid tourist visa coronavirus
It is possible to enter Thailand during COVID-19 with a visa. A visa is now a mandated entry requirement to Thailand, whilst free visa stamps and visa on arrivals have been suspended.

2) Coronavirus And Medical Testing Requirements To Enter Thailand

If you’re entering Thailand from overseas, you’ll need to arrive with a negative coronavirus PCR test in hand. A pretty understandable and straight forward entry requirement.

Many countries have adopted the policy of needing international travellers to show a PCR test on arrival. You’ll need to get tested before you travel, as close to the date of your flight as possible. PCR test results are accepted in Thailand, for up to 72 hours from the date you are tested.

You’ll also be tested again by medical staff, using a rapid test when you arrive in Thailand. If you test negative then you’ll be free to enter Thailand and be transferred into your quarantine hotel. If a passenger tests positive they will be transferred to a state quarantine hospital and all other passengers on the flight will be re-tested.

Having a PCR test is not fun, but it is necessary. It’s something I had to have done recently to travel internationally to Bali. You can read more about getting a PCR test in Bangkok, here.

3) Do You Need a Fit To Fly Certificate To enter Thailand

No, a fit to fly certificate is not an entry requirement for Thailand. At least not officially. But some sources have suggested that you will need a fit to fly certificate, and knowing how often Thailand likes changing their mind on entry requirements it is something I would recommend to get before you travel, just in case.

You will, however, need a fit to fly certificate, to give to your embassy when you are requesting a certificate of entry, and you may also be asked for one when you apply for a tourists visa, depending on the requirements of the embassy which you make an application to.

4) Travel Insurance Requirements To Enter Thailand

Thailand are covering their a** by making travel insurance a mandatory entry requirement for foreigners. Which is understandable and fair. To be honest, in my personal opinion, you shouldn’t be travelling in Thailand without insurance, pandemic or not.

The minimum coverage you’ll need is $100,000 USD.

If you’re looking to buy insurance as an entry requirement for Thailand, I would suggest world nomads, which is the insurer I currently use, and have used without any issues, for the past five years of travelling in south-east Asia.

You can get a quote from World Nomads for travel insurance here.

5) Quarantine Requirements To Enter Thailand

Visa, coronavirus test, fit to fly certificate. What else? The list of entry requirements to enter Thailand is never-ending! Well, there is more. The most expensive, the most talked about and often criticised requirement to enter Thailand is the need to spend 14 days in alternate state quarantine.

You’ll need to contact a quarantine hotel and make a reservation before you travel to Thailand.

As it’s quite a detailed entry requirement, I have written an entire post dedicated to Thailand’s alternate state quarantine system here. You’ll find a full list of approved quarantine hotels here, with prices and information on how to book.

6) Health Declaration Forms Required To Enter Thailand

This is the easiest of Thailand’s entry requirements, and it is basically a couple of forms you’ll need to download, fill out and sign to declare you are not sick, and do not have any symptoms of the coronavirus.

There are two forms which you need to print out, fill out and sign before you travel. First is called the ‘health declaration form‘ the second in the T.8 form. The same information is requested on both forms and it could easily be a single health declaration form. But, this is Thailand we’re talking about. Don’t expect things to be simple.

You can download both of the forms for free, using these links:

Free Download: Thailand Health Declaration Form

Free Download: Thailand T.M.8 Declaration Form

Both of theses forms are entry requirements for Thailand, so you’ll need to have them filled out to enter Thailand.

7) Certificate Of Entry Required To Enter Thailand

This is where things get a little bit confusing, to travel to Thailand you’re going to need a certificate of entry. You can apply for a certificate of entry online at the following website: https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/.

Before you make an application for a certificate of entry you’ll need to have had a visa approved, once you have a visa, head over to this website and fill out the online application form.

With your certificate of entry pre-approved, you will then need to book your flight and your quarantine hotel in Thailand, then submit this information on the same website.

Here is a helpful video put together by the Thai Consulate Online, explaining the process:

So once you’ve met all of Thailand’s entry requirements; visa, coronavirus test, fit to fly certificate, travel insurance, quarantine hotel reservation, health declaration form and a certificate of entry. Then you’ll be free to jump onto a flight from anywhere in the world and then, two and a bit weeks later, you’ll be free to roam Thailand! With far less cash than you had before!

Read more information, published by the London Thai Embassy on how to get a certificate of entry, here.

Vaccination Requirements To Enter Thailand

Similar to countries that require travellers to be vaccinated against Yellow Fever. It’s pretty likely that once a vaccine for coronavirus has been made available to the public, most countries, Thailand included, will make it an entry requirement to visit.

At the moment Thailand has made no announcement in regards to if they will mandate a coronavirus vaccination as an entry requirement in the future. But at the time of publishing this, with no vaccine currently available, it is obviously not an entry requirement.

COVID-19 Health Requirements While in Thailand

Honestly, life is back to normal in Thailand. You might be required to leave your name and phone number when travelling by air, you’ll have your temperature checked when you enter most shops or public spaces, and you’ll sort of need to the social distance thing.

The two health requirements that Thailand is pretty strict on is, having your temperature scanned when going into a 7-11 convenience store, and wearing a face mask when you’re are on public transport.

Requirements And Domestic Travel Restrictions In Thailand

There are no travel restrictions within Thailand’s borders, domestic flights are operating as usual and all of the countries airports have re-opened to domestic travel. Busses and trains are operating again and you are free to move around the country as you please, in exactly the same way you could before coronavirus.

How To Apply For A Thailand Tourist Visa

As a visa is now an entry requirement to come to Thailand, and tourist visas are once again being issued. I will be putting together an entire post dedicated to applying for a Thai tourist visa during COVID in the coming weeks, but I’ll leave you with a little bit of information on how to apply here:

Standard Tourist Visa (TRV) – The standard tourist visa or single entry tourist visa can be applied for online at the Thai E-Visa website: https://www.thaievisa.go.th/Home/TourismLeisure.

Apply for a tourist visa on the Thai Government’s E-visa Website.

Special Tourist Visa (STV) – This class of visa allows you a longer stay in Thailand and can also be applied for online, you can learn more about the special tourist visa, here.

For more information and clarification on Thailand’s current entry requirements, the Thai Embassy in London has put together a very useful page listing the entry requirements you’ll need to meet, for each class of visa.

Other South East Asian Contries

There it is, everything I know about Thailand’s entry requirements for foreigners at the moment. If you think it sounds stressful and expensive, then I agree with you. But if you want to travel to south-east Asia without a headache, Bali in Indonesia is a much easier choice. And somewhere which has already opened to tourists with far more relaxed entry requirements.

Read more about how I travelled to Bali, Indonesia during the ‘pandemic’, and how you too can travel to Bali, now.

FacebookTweetPinPrint
2
FacebookTwitterPinterestRedditWhatsappLINEEmail

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

BackPackBOB

Hi I’m Robb. But you can call me Backpack Bob. Welcome to my site. I started this travel blog in March 2020. Literally the worst time to be travelling. Haha. But the pandemic didn’t stop me. I managed to visit 5 countries during lockdowns, (sorry, not sorry), and I kept on writing. I’ve done a lot in my 27 years on this earth. My life has been a crazy ride. People often tell me I should write a book about it. I’m banned from two countries. I’ve worked in four continents. I started my own business in Thailand at 21. And I left on my first international solo adventure at 19, with less than $100. I’ll share the reality about travel and living overseas, without the drama. The highs, the lows and why and travel is so import, incredible and unique in a world after the coronavirus. I hope that I can inspire others to travel with an open mind and live your life to its full potential. Peace and Love. ✌️

previous post
Coronavirus PCR Test In Bangkok: How Much Does It Cost And Where To Get One
next post
Countries That Have Opened Borders To American Tourists

related posts

What is an SHA Plus Hotel...

2 February 2023

Laos Entry Requirements and Travel Restrictions:...

10 January 2023

Maya Bay Phi Phi Island: All...

17 May 2020

The Cheapest and Fastest Thailand SIM...

7 May 2020

Don’t Visit The Pai Canyon Until...

13 May 2020

Should You Travel To Thailand (Coronavirus)...

28 June 2020

Phuket or Bangkok: What’s The #1...

1 May 2020

Complete Beginners Guide: How I Learned...

30 January 2023

How To Get From Ao Nang...

12 May 2020

10 Free Things To Do In...

27 May 2020

About Me

About Me

Hi I’m Robb. But you can call me Backpack Bob. Welcome to my site. I started this travel blog in March 2020. Literally the worst time to be travelling. Haha. But the pandemic didn’t stop me. I managed to visit 5 countries during lockdowns, (sorry, not sorry), and I kept on writing.

I’ve done a lot in my 27 years on this earth. My life has been a crazy ride. People often tell me I should write a book about it. I've met some incredible people. I’m banned from two countries. I’ve worked in four continents. I started my own business in Thailand at 21. And I left on my first international solo adventure at 19, with less than $100.

I’ll share the reality about travel and living overseas, without the drama. The highs, the lows and why and travel is so import, incredible and unique in a world after the coronavirus. I hope that I can inspire others to travel with an open mind and live your life to its full potential. Peace and Love. ✌️

P.S You can support this site and save money by using this link to book cheap hotels and flights 🥰 : (Book with TRIP.com)

Search My Travel Blog

backpack bobs travel blog top post 75 best travel movies to ispire travel
thailand tourist visa
Phi Phi Island Travel Guide Info

Connect With Me

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email Reddit
Facebook

Latest And Hottest Posts

  • How to Get From Koh Lanta to Khao Sok: Fast Cheap and Easy

    6 February 2023
  • Krabi Bus Terminal: Timetables Schedules and all the Bus Routes

    4 February 2023
  • What is an SHA Plus Hotel in Thailand: What SHA Means and Does it Matter

    2 February 2023
  • Complete Beginners Guide: How I Learned To Ride a Scooter in Thailand (Honda Click) 🛵

    30 January 2023
  • Koh Jum: A Full Guide to Thailand’s Forgotten Island

    28 January 2023

BOOK CHEAP TRAVEL IN ASIA 🔽

klook banner thailand is calling
300x250
300*250
Phi Phi Island Tour Banner
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Reddit
Footer Logo
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME

DOGE: DKzFay5rWEwEL3XQPkgfTdGaaZRxV5nAyY
BTC: 3Me2N4HNCN42CfLsZkrL5H9BVxHQY3rmry
ETH: 0x7372f12D0416e06533783d30f82e3268f286560f

BOOK ACCOMODATION:
BOOKING
AGODA
TRIP
HOSTELWORLD

©2012-2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BACKPACK BOB.

You are welcome to use any photos which I publish on my blog, for free. Providing that credit is given in the form of a link to this website. 💙📸 Contact me for full resolution images. or check out my profile on Shutterstock.

BackPack Bob 🌴
  • Home
  • Thai National Parks
    • #2 Phu Kradueng National Park
    • #17 Tarutao National Park (Marine)
    • #44 Noppharat Thara (Marine)
  • Destinations
    • South-East Asia
      • Indonesia
        • Bali
      • Laos
      • Thailand
        • Bangkok
        • Chiang Mai
        • Koh Lipe
        • Krabi
        • Pai
        • Phi Phi Island
        • Phuket
  • Travel Resources
    • COVID-19 TRAVEL
      • First Hand Accounts
      • News
      • Travel Requirements
      • Reopenings
  • Work Abroad
    • Income Reports
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Support Me
DOGE: DKzFay5rWEwEL3XQPkgfTdGaaZRxV5nAyY
BTC: 3Me2N4HNCN42CfLsZkrL5H9BVxHQY3rmry
ETH: 0x7372f12D0416e06533783d30f82e3268f286560f

BOOK ACCOMODATION:
BOOKING
AGODA
TRIP
HOSTELWORLD

©2012-2023 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BACKPACK BOB.

You are welcome to use any photos which I publish on my blog, for free. Providing that credit is given in the form of a link to this website. 💙📸 Contact me for full resolution images. or check out my profile on Shutterstock.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.