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Thailand to Drop More COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers — What to Know

Starting May 1, the Southeast Asian country will no longer require vaccinated visitors to get tested before arrival or during their trip or quarantine.

Thailand will eliminate pre-arrival testing for all visitors next month as the country becomes the latest to ease pandemic-related restrictions.

Starting May 1, the Southeast Asian country will no longer require visitors to get tested before coming or upon arrival, regardless of their vaccination status, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand . While fully vaccinated travelers will be able to come into the country and travel freely without any quarantine restrictions or mandatory hotel stays, the rules will be slightly different for unvaccinated travelers.

Visitors who are not fully vaccinated and arrive without a negative COVID-19 test will be required to book a minimum 5-day stay in an approved hotel, quarantine, and get tested with a PCR test on day 5 of their trip. Alternatively, unvaccinated travelers may skip quarantine and travel freely throughout Thailand if they arrive in the country with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their trip.

All travelers to Thailand must still register for a Thailand Pass online and obtain an insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $10,000, which is less than the previous requirement of $20,000.

Before May 1, vaccinated international visitors must pay for at least one night in a government-approved hotel, take a PCR test upon arrival, take a rapid antigen self-test on day 5 of their trip, and obtain an insurance policy with at least $20,000 in coverage. Thailand eliminated the pre-arrival test for vaccinated travelers earlier this month.

Thailand first started welcoming international tourists quarantine-free as part of its Phuket Sandbox program in July 2021, but required them to remain on the island. In November, Thailand then allowed tourists to visit the rest of the country quarantine-free , but tightened border restrictions again in December amid the emergence of the omicron variant.

In February, the country once again brought back its "Test & Go Thailand Pass" program , allowing vaccinated international visitors to travel to any part of the country and skip quarantine.

Thailand joins several other countries around the world in eliminating pandemic-related measures for vaccinated visitors, including Canada and Australia , which each dropped pre-arrival testing for vaccinated travelers. Some destinations have taken it even further, eliminating pandemic-era travel rules altogether, regardless of vaccination status, including Iceland , Ireland , the United Kingdom , and Aruba .

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

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Thailand lifts nationwide COVID-19 restrictions with immediate effect

Allowing almost everything with social distancing precautions: colour-coded zones removed, outdoor mask-wearing is voluntary, as the country is stepping into post-pandemic..

Bangkok, 24 June, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the latest announcement by the Royal Thai Government to lift the nationwide COVID-19 restrictions in line with the country’s plan to downgrade COVID-19 to an endemic status in July.

Published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 23 June, 2022, and with immediate effect, the announcement removed the colour-coded zoning, thus redesignating Bangkok and all other 76 provinces a green zone.

Outdoor mask-wearing has been endorsed as voluntary although the public are still advised to wear a face mask in crowded places, such as, public transport, markets, and concert venues, or for people with certain health conditions.

Restaurants and eateries are allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, as well as communicable disease control guidelines.

Entertainment venues including pubs, bars, and karaoke lounges that have been certified with the Thai Stop COVID 2 Plus by the Ministry of Public Health are also allowed to operate in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, as well as communicable disease control guidelines.

Group gatherings in crowded places are allowed, but those with more than 2,000 participants must receive advance permission from respective authorities in Bangkok or the other 76 provinces.

For international travellers planning to travel to Thailand during this time, please visit https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/ for more information on the latest entry requirements.

TAT Newsroom

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Thailand is resuming its quarantine-free entry program for international visitors ©Getty Images

Thailand is resuming its Test-and-Go tourism plan  from February, which means that fully vaccinated visitors can bypass seven-day quarantine and travel to any part of Thailand, provided they take a negative COVID-19 test on the first and fifth day of their visit.

Fully vaccinated tourists from 63 countries, including United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Germany, China, Singapore, Spain, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia, can soon avail of the Test-and-Go program again after the government suspended it in December due to the uncertaintity surrounding the Omicron variant.

The (almost) quarantine-free entry Test-and-Go plan requires fully vaccinated arrivals to have COVID-19 insurance cover of at least US$50,000 (£36,600), and present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test before they depart for Thailand.

New applicants for the Test-and-Go program are also required to undergo two additional COVID-19 tests upon arrival and must, at their own expense, spend the first night and fifth night in Thailand quarantining at a government-approved hotel while awaiting their results (COVID-19 test results can take about 24 hours to be processed). Tourists must stay in their room while awaiting the result. But once the result is negative, tourists will be free to move and travel around Thailand much in the same way that any Thai citizen can.

Anyone who applied for the Test-and-Go program before December 22 and received their QR code is required to take their test on day five and six instead.

Government spokesperson Taweesilp Wisanuyothin told reporters, via The Bangkok Post , that the Test-and-Go program can resume on February 1 now that the Omicron peak has passed. The tourism program will be kept under review though, along with the Sandbox program  (Thailand's first phase of its return to tourism which allows fully vaccinated visitors from any country to travel to approved locations such as Phuket , Krabi and Ko Pha-ngan  for at least seven days before being free to travel around Thailand).

"In case there are more infections or the situation changes, there will be a re-assessment for inbound travellers and adjust toward the Sandbox scheme," Wisanuyothin said.

Travelers are also required to download the MorChana app , a tracking app where they will be reminded to take another antigen test on day five. Travelers under the age of 12 are exempt from vaccination requirements but they will be required to undergo testing.

Unvaccinated travelers in Thailand

People who are not vaccinated can also visit Thailand under the country's Alternative Quarantine program . They must apply for a Thailand Pass and travelers over the age of six must take a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before traveling. They'll also have to have an insurance policy with at least US$50,000 coverage and pay for their quarantine accommodation before traveling to Thailand, as well as their PCR tests.

Travelers who are fully vaccinated with an approved dose (or at least one dose for travelers under the age of 18) are required to quarantine for seven days and take two PCR tests. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days and take three PCR tests. When they quarantine period is over, travelers will be free to travel around Thailand.

Read more: Full Moon Party or peaceful paradise? Thailand has a beach for you

Thailand entry fee

Meanwhile, Thailand is considering introducing a tourist fee of 300 baht ($9/£7) in April, though it has yet to be approved. If introduced, the charge would be applied to all international tourists, regardless of where they are coming from and included in their airfare.. According to Thailand's tourism ministry , the revenue generated from the fee would be used to fund the sustainable management of Thailand's tourism resources, in addition to covering accident insurance for tourists who can't afford it.

"We've encountered times when insurance didn't have coverage for tourists... which became our burden to take care of them," the country's tourism minister, Yuthasak Supasorn, told Reuters .

Thailand continues to categorize provinces into dark red, red and orange zones based on their COVID-19 risk, with varied restrictions in place across each zone. Check the latest advice for the area you are traveling to before departure. Face masks are compulsory across Thailand and must be worn in indoor and outdoor public places and on public transport.

You might also like: The quickest, easiest and most affordable ways to get around in Thailand You won't believe the views on these 9 iconic Thailand hikes Bali is now open to international travelers from these countries

This article was first published Oct 20, 2021 and updated Jan 20, 2022.

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Thailand to ease COVID entry rules for foreign visitors in July

Prearrival screening to be lifted, followed by mask policy

BANGKOK -- The Thai government has decided to ease COVID restrictions for foreigners entering the country from July 1, including prearrival registration and insurance requirements.

Guidelines to eliminate the requirement to wear masks were also approved, although a date has not yet been set.

Hong Kong to reopen to visitors, Thailand loosens entry rules

Thai hotels bet on expansion and recovery from covid this year, vietnam an easier destination after return to pre-covid rules, japan waives covid entry tests in step toward welcoming tourists, as borders reopen, is japan ready for tourism's pitfalls, latest on coronavirus, malaysia and singapore put guard up as covid cases surge, china's delayed funeral data clouds extent of december covid surge, japan to shorten quarantine for covid infections to five days, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

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Thailand proposes easing quarantine rules in a bid to lure New Year tourists.

A new plan would lift travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers from 10 countries, including the U.S., provided they test negative for the virus.

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By Richard C. Paddock

• Published Oct. 12, 2021 Updated Nov. 1, 2021

Fully vaccinated travelers from low-risk countries, including the United States and China, would be allowed to visit Thailand without undergoing quarantine starting Nov. 1, under a plan announced by the country’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Health officials are expected to approve the plan, which calls for the lifting of restrictions for tourists from 10 countries. It would be the first step in a phased reopening strategy that would lead to the resumption of service at entertainment venues as early as Dec. 1, he said in an address Monday evening.

Before the pandemic, Thailand’s economy was highly dependent on tourism and attracted nearly 40 million tourists in 2019, with more than a quarter coming from China. Bangkok, the capital, often ranks in surveys as the world’s most visited city. Thailand was among the most successful countries in containing the virus last year. But it was slow in procuring vaccines and has seen a surge of cases this year .

The prime minister said that Thailand must learn to live with the virus, noting that other nations were already taking steps to reopen to tourists, and that Thailand must act quickly to lure millions of visitors for the New Year holidays.

Under Mr. Prayuth’s plan, fully vaccinated visitors from the 10 countries would be required to show proof of a negative PCR test before departure, and to take another test upon arrival. After testing negative, they would be free to travel around Thailand. Visitors from countries not on the list would still face quarantines and other restrictions.

A ban on restaurants serving alcohol — a rule widely flouted in Bangkok — would remain in place until at least Dec. 1, he said.

In July, Thailand began allowing vaccinated tourists who tested negative to visit the island of Phuket under a program called the Phuket Sandbox . After 14 days, they were allowed to travel freely in Thailand. That period has since been reduced to seven days. Thailand has increased its vaccine supply in recent weeks and launched an aggressive inoculation campaign, vaccinating as many as 1 million people a day.

“The time has come for us to ready ourselves to face the coronavirus and live with it as with other endemic infections and disease,” Mr. Prayuth said.

Richard C. Paddock has worked as a foreign correspondent in 50 countries on five continents with postings in Moscow, Jakarta, Singapore and Bangkok. He has spent nearly a dozen years reporting on Southeast Asia, which he has covered since 2016 as a contributor to The New York Times. More about Richard C. Paddock

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Thailand lifts all COVID-19 restrictions for foreign arrivals

First group of foreign tourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the first day of the country’s reopening campaign, part of the government’s plan to jump start the pandemic-hit tourism sector in Bangkok, Thailand November 1, 2021.  REUTERS FILE PHOTO

BANGKOK — From October 1, people entering Thailand were no longer be required to produce negative Covid-19 test results or proof of vaccination. These relaxed entry measures are in line with the revocation of the emergency decree in force since the arrival of Covid-19 in Thailand in March 2020.

The emergency decree was extended repeatedly until the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration decided to lift it at the end of September. The center was also dissolved last week.

The Public Health Ministry, meanwhile, has downgraded Covid-19 to a “communicable disease under surveillance” from a “severe communicable disease”.

People entering Thailand from October 1 will no longer be required to produce negative ATK or RT-PCR test results or proof of vaccination. However, those with Covid-like symptoms will be required to undergo testing.

Those who test positive but have mild or no symptoms will not be required to be isolated but are advised to wear a mask and maintain social distancing while in public places.

Foreigners will also be allowed to stay in the country for an extra 15 days. For instance, tourists using the visa-on-arrival option can stay 30 days instead of 15, while those arriving under visa exemption rules will get a 45-day stamp on their passports instead of 30 days. This rule is applicable until March 31, 2023.

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Follow our news, recent searches, thailand to reduce covid-19 quarantine period, reopen to international visitors in 4 phases, advertisement.

People enjoy at a beach as Phuket opens for foreigners, who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to visit the resort island without quarantine, in Phuket, Thailand, September 19, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Pichayada Promchertchoo

BANGKOK: Thailand is preparing to downscale its COVID-19 quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated international tourists and reopen the country in four phases, starting from October, according to the COVID-19 Situation Administration Centre (CCSA).

Starting from Oct 1, international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus for at least 14 days and can prove it with a vaccination certificate will only be required to undergo seven days of quarantine upon their arrival.

However, there will be no quarantine requirement in certain provinces that will have reopened to international travellers.

“They’ll be swabbed twice. The first time is between Day 0 and Day 1, which is the first day they arrive. The second time is between Day 6 and Day 7,” said CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin during a press conference on Monday (Sep 27).

International travellers who are not fully vaccinated will have to be quarantined for 10 days if they enter Thailand by sea or air. If they enter by land, the quarantine period will be 14 days.

According to CCSA, they will also be required to take PCR tests twice after their arrival. 

Currently, all international visitors are subject to a 14-day quarantine period unless they participate in Thailand's quarantine-free tourism scheme.

Besides adjusting the quarantine requirements, Thailand has also laid out a plan to reopen to international tourism in four phases.

In each stage, different provinces will be added to the so-called Blue Zone, where travel is not restricted and various social activities as well as gatherings of no more than 500 people are allowed.

The initial pilot phase is from Oct 1 to Oct 31. It covers Phuket and parts of Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani such as the popular islands of Phi Phi, Samui and Pha-ngan. 

While parts of these provinces have reopened to international travellers since July, others still need to speed up their vaccination programmes and ensure the COVID-19 situation remains under control for the full reopening next month.

The second phase is from Nov 1 to Nov 30. It covers ten provinces where income from international visitors usually makes up at least 15 per cent of their tourism revenue. They include Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chonburi, among others.

CCSA's announcement confirmed a change of plan for the Thai capital, where reopening to international tourism was initially scheduled for mid-October.

“We are confident that on Oct 15, Bangkok will be able to reopen to international tourists,” said Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan on Sep 15 after a discussion with Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang.

At least 70 per cent of Bangkok residents were expected to have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by that time. However, based on CCSA’s Monday announcement, its reopening has been postponed to November.

The third phase is from Dec 1 to Dec 31 and the last phase takes effect from January 2022 onwards.

Back to school: Thailand prepares to resume classes with strict COVID-19 measures

On Monday, Thailand reported 10,288 new COVID-19 infections and 101 deaths. The country has been battling a deadly wave of outbreaks for several months. Since April, it has reported 1,543,063 cases of the coronavirus and 16,275 casualties.

Various measures have been imposed by the government to control the spread of the virus, including restrictions on social activities and curfew. However, as the situation has begun to improve, CCSA announced on Monday that the curfew will be shortened by an hour come Oct 1.

Currently, Bangkok and 28 other provinces with high rates of COVID-19 transmission are required to observe the nightly curfew between 9 pm and 4 am.

“It will be adjusted to 10 pm-4 am. This will be used for at least 15 days before the reassessment,” Mr Taweesin said.

He added that department stores in such provinces will also be allowed to extend their operations until 9 pm from next month. However, alcohol consumption at eateries will still be prohibited.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

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Thailand to allow quarantine-free travel from 46 countries, PM says

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Thailand loosens entry restrictions as omicron worries ease

FILE- A tourist arrives at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 1, 2021. The health authorities in Thailand said Thursday that the country’s “Test and Go” program to ease the entry of foreign visitors will resume next month in response to eased concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

Buddhist monks wearing face masks to help protect themselves from the coronavirus, take a test for the liturgical Pali language at Wat Molilokayaram in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

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BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand will ease entry requirements for vaccinated visitors from all countries next month as concerns about the omicron variant of the coronavirus decline, officials said Thursday.

The country’s tourism-dominated economy was devastated by travel restrictions imposed in 2020 to fight the spread of COVID-19. The number of foreign tourists has remained low despite a relaxation of the restrictions last year.

Fully vaccinated travelers will be able to enter the country under the “Test and Go” program if they undergo a RT-PCR test on arrival and spend a night in a pre-booked hotel while awaiting results, and then have a second test and hotel stay five days later. The visitor is responsible for the costs of the tests and hotels.

Visitors must also download a tracking app.

An earlier “Test and Go” program with a single RT-PCR test was introduced in November as virus cases declined in Thailand and vaccination rates surged, but was suspended in December after the omicron variant was judged a threat.

The scheduled Feb. 1 revival of the program, with the addition of the second test, was announced Thursday after a meeting of the government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration chaired by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

“The country will benefit from both Thai and foreign visitors as well as investors who help stimulate the economy,” center spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin said.

The center also agreed to ease COVID-19 prevention measures in 25 provinces that have had tight restrictions.

Prayuth said on his Facebook page that the actions were taken in response to a better-than-expected situation with the omicron variant, and to promote economic recovery while maintaining heath safety.

The government also currenlty allows entry to visitors who quarantine for seven to 10 days in approved hotels, or join “sandbox” programs in areas such as the resort island of Phuket where they have freedom of movement during a seven-day quarantine period.

Thailand reported 8,129 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths on Thursday, bringing its total confirmed cases to 2,353,062 and related deaths to 21,987.

Thailand removes all hurdles, opens fully for foreign arrivals from May 1

The centre for covid-19 situation administration (ccsa) on friday ended the test & go and thailand pass system and opened the country fully for foreign arrivals, prime minister prayut chan-o-cha said..

Speaking to reporters after chairing the CCSA meeting, Prayut said the Test & Go scheme will no longer be used from May 1 so as to make it more convenient for arriving foreign tourists.

“It will take effect on May 1 to make it more convenient to open the country to tourists as several countries have already eased their restrictions. This step bodes well for the economy,” Prayut said.

The prime minister explained that the abolition of the Test & Go scheme means foreign tourists would no longer be required to undergo expensive RT-PCR tests upon arrival.

Hotel and tourism operators have repeatedly called on the government to abolish the Test & Go scheme, saying other countries in the region have already lifted Covid-19 restrictions to boost their tourism while Thailand has been left behind.

“The measures which were considered today [Friday] will see easing of travel restrictions for land, marine and air transport,” Prayut said.

“It can be said Thailand is fully opened on May 1.”

The prime minister said the CCSA also reclassified Covid-19 zoning around the country, improving the status of most provinces.

The CCSA upgraded all 20 provinces in the Covid-controlled orange zone to high surveillance yellow.

The upgrade on Friday saw 65 provinces classified as yellow zones and 12 provinces as pilot tourism areas, or blue zones.

Prayut said the CCSA had also discussed and allowed schools to resume on-site teaching when the new school year starts on May 17. The CCSA has set safety measures for schools to resume onsite classes.

Prayut said the meeting emphasised the need to inoculate people who have not received Covid-19 vaccines yet or who have received just one dose.

The meeting resolved to have concerned government agencies speed up inoculation of children to provide them immunity against the coronavirus, Prayut added.

The prime minister said his government has been trying its best to contain the virus and he said several countries had complimented Thailand for its Covid measures.

“Although there are still new infections, the international community looks at our measures and the rate of people cured. Moreover, the number of people with severe conditions has gone down,” Prayut said.

“I would like to thank all agencies and the people for cooperating to make Thailand safe. Our situation is much better than those in several countries and they would like to exchange public health information with us.”

The prime minister said government agencies concerned will find out why the fatalities increased although the country has better preventive measures.

He said preliminary findings showed that those who had died of Covid-19 belonged to vulnerable groups or who had not been vaccinated or had not got two jabs.

“We must find out the exact cause of these deaths. Were they fully vaccinated? Were other diseases the main causes of their deaths? We are compiling statistics on these,” Prayut said.

When asked to confirm whether Thailand will be fully opened on May 1, Prayut replied: “Yes, May 1, which will be sooner than the original plan to open up on June 1.”

The prime minister added that the CCSA did not discuss the plan to downgrade Covid-19 to endemic status on July 1. He said the CCSA would gather more views on the issue first.

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Thailand Travel Restrictions – Latest Information

Updated as of Dec 2022.

Travelers the world over are keen to find out how they can travel to Thailand in 2022/23

In this guide, you'll find out everything you need to know about the current Thailand Travel Restrictions and what you need to do to prepare for your trip.

Can I Travel to Thailand Now?

Yes.  You can now travel to Thailand without having to -pre-apply or needing to have a pre-departure test.

There is no test on arrival, either.

If you develop Covid symptoms during your trip, you are advised to take a self-administered antigen test.

Vaccinated Travelers

Vaccinated travelers are no longer required to have a copy of their vaccination certificate on hand before boarding a flight to Thailand or available for show on arrival.

Children (those under 18) traveling with vaccinated parents do not need to an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test before departing.

Unvaccinated Travelers

Unvaccinated travelers no longer need to complete RT-PCR or Professional Antigen (Pro-ATK) test through a clinic or medical professional.

Do You Need a Visa to Enter Thailand?

Those from countries under the Visa Exemption List are not required to obtain a visa and will be given a 45-day exemption stamp upon arrival (this is 15 days more than the usual 30 days because of a temporary increase set to run until March 2023).

+ More on visa exemptions here. 

Please note that the 60-day Tourist Visa and other Non-Immigrant visas are also available at your local Thai Embassy or Consulate.

Thailand COVID Insurance for Foreigners

There is no longer a mandatory COVID insurance requirement – with a specific amount – required to travel to Thailand

However, it goes without saying that all foreign nationals have a travel insurance policy. This is for your protection and ensure you do not have to personally pay for a high hospital bill in the event of illness or accident.

Travel insurance is inexpensive and great quality cover can be had for as little as $50-100.

+ See my travel insurance recommendations here

Booking a Hotel

In my experience the best hotel deals for Thailand are found on Agoda and Hotels .com.

Agoda is based in the region and as such has good relationships with many of the operators and therefore cheap deals.

That said, Hotels .com also has a presence in the Asia-Pacific region and is worth comparing against Agoda.

+ See here for Agoda

+ See here for Hotels.com

Air Travel within Thailand

Domestic flights to key destinations have fully resumed, though some operators may be flying limited planes on some routes until travel demand increases.

Some providers may ask you to wear a mask on the airplane.

All foreign nationals are now permitted to enter Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. No restrictions apply.

That being said, do check with your airline carrier to see if they have rules you need to abide by such as pre-departure testing.

At this point you can proceed with your booking and obtaining your visa (if required) and travel insurance policy (optional).

———-

If you have further questions regarding Thailand's travel restrictions, please leave them in the comments section below.

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Last Updated on December 14, 2022

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Update April 12, 2024

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Thailand Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, thailand - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Thailand. Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to:

• Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to  civil unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Thailand.

If you decide to travel to Thailand:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Thailand.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla Provinces – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Periodic violence directed mostly at Thai government interests by a domestic insurgency continues to affect security in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. In Songkhla, the insurgency is most active in the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawat, and Saba Yoi. U.S. citizens are at risk of death or injury due to the possibility of indiscriminate attacks in public places.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces as U.S government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these provinces.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, thailand map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

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This website is managed by Siam Legal International - a law firm in Thailand

Thailand Travel Updates

Push for Visa-Free Entry for Indian Visitors in Thailand

Thailand’s tourism officials have pushed the government to start talks about a long-term visa-free agreement between Thailand and India. 

As of February 18, visitors from India ranked fifth in terms of arrivals, totaling around 260,000 tourists. Somsong Sachaphimukh, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, believes that extending the visa waiver for an additional two years after its scheduled end on May 10, 2024, will keep this positive trend going. With India expected to overtake Germany’s economy by 2027, Thailand sees this as a prime chance to attract more premium tourists, and it is hoped that a long-term, mutual visa-free program between Thailand and India could be beneficial to boost tourism and trade for both countries. 

Currently, flights between Thailand and India are on the rise, despite being limited to just six major Indian cities. This agreement would convince airlines to increase their flight services to take advantage of the increased traffic, benefitting both the businesses and the country.

Travelers from India might spend between 60,000 and 100,000 baht for a seven-day trip in Thailand. This market also holds promise for business meetings, incentive trips, and wedding ceremonies, with each potentially costing between 50 and 100 million baht.

Sachaphimuk pointed out the Indian market’s vast potential, primarily from its large young workforce aged 25 to 40, representing about 40% of India’s total population.

Kazakhs’ Visa-Free Period Extended

The Prime Minister’s cabinet has decided to prolong the visa-free entry for Kazakh tourists by an additional six months. The visa exemption program for visitors from Kazakhstan will now continue from March 1 through August 31.

Launched last year, this policy aimed to boost tourism with a planned duration of September 25 to February 29. It was a success, attracting a record 172,000 visitors from Kazakhstan to Thailand.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, noted that each Kazakh visitor spends up to 75,000 baht on average, compared to the general visitor spending of about 45,000 baht. This spending trend highlights the significant economic impact Kazakh tourists have on Thailand and provides a clear justification for the extension.

Travel to Thailand in July 2022

Thailand has removed the requirement for Thailand Pass registration for all travelers.

Travelers, both Thais, and foreigners entering Thailand, will only be required to show Proof of Vaccination or COVID-19 test results.

For vaccinated adults and their children, proof of vaccination of the parent or guardian is required. Children are not required to complete a test.

For unvaccinated adults and their children, you will be required to show proof of a negative result of the RT PCR test or professional ATK test taken within 72 hours before traveling.

The Thai government recommends having comprehensive travel insurance for your travel to Thailand. AXA Thailand Insurance offers the best travel insurance and it is highly recommended.

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand July 2022

Please have the following documents ready.

• Visa (if required)
• Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel Booking Confirmation or Thailand Address

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening to Thailand.

Buy Your Insurance Now

US Expats Tax and Trust Free Seminar and Consultations

For American Expats in Thailand , you may participate in Tax Seminar and Consultations in Hua Hin. For more information, please check this Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/370778121756657/

Important Information You Need to Know Before Purchasing Thailand Pass Insurance

Siam Legal has received reports from potential clients that some hospitals are creating difficulties for them until full payment is made for their medical expenses. Also, foreigners have allegedly been threatened with lawsuits for not settling their medical bills before being discharged. Using out-of-country policies can be problematic. We firmly recommend using insurance carriers headquartered inside Thailand with proper coverage to avoid any undesirable outcomes.

Siam Legal International, a premier law firm in Thailand, strongly recommends purchasing the proper insurance and therefore endorses AXA Insurance for your travel to Thailand insurance needs.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING THAILAND PASS INSURANCE

• Please carefully review the details of any insurance before purchasing to understand if the policy has adequate coverage. Cheap policies with inadequate levels of cover can lead to significant personal liability and scenarios where policyholders incur hundreds of thousands of baht in out of pocket medical expenses are not uncommon. There are significant financial risks to being underinsured during your stay in Thailand.
• Those policies do not cover medical costs from accidents (like motorcycle accidents) or common unexpected illnesses (common fever or food poisoning). Simply pay a few baht more for the peace of mind that comes from having proper coverage.
• AXA covers medical expenses (outpatient and inpatient) due to accidents and illnesses, including COVID-19. Other insurance coverage might not.
• AXA also covers telemedicine and teleconsultation which may be required during the quarantine period of any traveler.

Thai hospital staff are familiar with AXA coverage which should prevent any inconvenience during hospital admission or medical treatment from your hotel room. AXA Thailand also offers 24/7 local support during your stay in Thailand.

You can purchase your COVID-19 Thailand Pass insurance today at the link below.

https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

COVID Visa Extension To Continue Until March 25

Foreigners will now have until March 25, 2022, to extend their special COVID extension stamp, as announced by the Bureau of Immigration.

The COVID extension was supposed to end on January 25 but has been extended. The visa relief or extension grants 60 days of stay to those who apply.

It has been reported that:

• If you have 15 days visa-on-arrival, you cannot have a COVID extension
• If you have a 60-day Tourist Visa, you can have a COVID extension if necessary
• If you have a 30 days Visa Exemption, you can have a COVID extension if necessary
• If you have a Non-immigrant B, ED, O (Volunteer), for example, you can no longer have a COVID extension

Please note that this extension of stay is not automatic, you must apply for this at your local immigration office and it will be at the discretion of the officer to approve the application.

Thailand Pass Update: Test and Go Reopens February 1, 2022

The Thailand Pass Test & Go application has reopened for 2022. Now foreign travelers may enter the country using the Test & Go program. Under this program, fully vaccinated travelers including unvaccinated children from low-risk countries will only need to stay for 1 night in a Quarantine or SHA Plus Hotel while they wait for the COVID test result that was taken upon arrival. The second COVID test will be taken at any of the government-approved test centers in Thailand.

Travelers are required to have documentation such as a copy of a passport, flight booking, vaccination certificate, hotel reservation, pre-paid COVID test, and COVID-19 travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 50,000 US dollars.

Travelers are also required to undergo an RT-PCR COVID test within 72 hours before traveling to Thailand.

To apply for the Thailand Pass Test & Go Program, travelers will have to:

1. Register at the official Thailand Pass website 2. Input personal details 3. Upload the required documents 4. Receive a confirmation email after registration 5. Wait for approval which normally takes 5 to 7 days.

Thailand Pass Test & Go is now open again for travel to Thailand.

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Phuket Sandbox and COVID Test FAQs

Who gets the “free” second covid testing.

Travelers approved before the Thailand Pass suspension and who arrive in the Kingdom from December 24 onwards must do a second RT-PCR test, shouldered by the government, on the 5th or 6th day at a government-approved medical facility.

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) mentioned in the December 24 briefing that travelers will have to fill in a port health letter upon arrival at the airport, which will be signed by a border control officer and certified by the Department of Disease Control. The border control officer will then provide you with a copy and a QR code, stating the venue for your second RT-PCR COVID-19 test at no additional cost.

You will present the port health letter to your hotel, which will key your records onto the COVID-19 Surveillance Tracking and Evaluation platform, and arrange for your first COVID-19 test. On day 5 or 6, go to your designated laboratory center for your second RT-PCR COVID-19.

I already have a COVID test appointment for Phuket Sandbox, do I need to register again?

It depends on your COVID test provider. You can contact the hotel or the laboratory that you registered prior.

For those who are coming to Phuket who had already registered through www.thailandpsas.com for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:

• Choose your booking details and click the "Edit" icon.
• Click "Additional Swab Appointment".
• Pay the fee

Can I travel to other places in Thailand even if only the Phuket Sandbox is available?

You need to complete a 7-night stay in Phuket before being allowed to travel to other areas of Thailand. Once you receive your first negative test result in Phuket, you are able to travel freely around Thailand’s largest island. After you receive your second negative test result and have completed a 7-night stay in Phuket, you are able to travel to any other area of Thailand.

With the suspension, are there changes to the number of quarantine days?

Seven (7) days quarantine applies to travelers who have a certificate of vaccination to confirm that they have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine for at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand. 10 days quarantine applies to travelers who do not have a certificate of vaccination. 14 days quarantine applies to travelers from African countries other than the previously designated high-risk countries, which are constantly being reviewed.

Can we change our flight schedule?

Flight changes are permitted within 72 hours from the original flight time registered in the Thailand Pass without the need to apply for a new Thailand Pass QR Code, provided that all other required documents remain valid or updated.

How to Book COVID Test for Phuket Sandbox

Starting December 23, 2021, Thailand will now require two RT-PCR tests for those entering Phuket.

The first test will be conducted at Phuket International Airport while the second test on the 5th day will be conducted at the test centers around Phuket.

• Provide flight details and hotel information. You will be asked for your flight and accommodation details.
• Input your personal information like your gender, date of birth, country of origin, and Passport Number.
• Choose your swab test locations. Because the first swab test will be conducted at the Phuket International Airport, you can only choose the location for the second swab test. The swab test date will be automatically shown from the details you input in Step 1.
• Pay the fee . The fee for the RT PCR tests is 4200 THB.

Note: For those who have already registered for a single swab test before the announcement of the new guidelines, you can still add a second swab test by logging in to the account you used for registration:

• Choose your booking details and click the “Edit” icon.
• Click “Additional Swab Appointment”.
• Pay the fee.

New Entry Requirements for October 1

• Group 1: Vaccinated travelers from countries not eligible for the Sandbox program need to do a 7 days quarantine.
• Group 2: Vaccinated travelers from all countries arriving in Bangkok will be subject to a mandatory quarantine of 7 days.
• Group 3: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by air/sea must undergo mandatory quarantine for 10 days.
• Group 4: Not vaccinated travelers arriving by land must undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

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Japan blocks overcrowded selfie spot, bans tourists from traditional areas to cope with explosion of travellers

After fears that tourist numbers would never return to pre-pandemic levels, it may now be a case of too much of a good thing for Japan.

A combination of a weak yen, more affordable airfares, the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions and "revenge travel" has led to monthly visitors to Japan hitting a record high.

Over-tourism is now such a problem for one Japanese town it has erected a barrier to block snow-capped views of Mount Fuji, after locals complained about the bad behaviour of selfie-seeking visitors.

So, what measures have been implemented to curb over-tourism?

How is Japan handling over-tourism?

Over-tourism happens when so many visitors are attracted to an area that life becomes unpleasant for the locals, despite any economic or other ostensible benefits.

One of Japan's busiest tourist periods of the year ended on Monday.

Golden Week — which ran from April 27 to May 5 — coincided with multiple public holidays and near-perfect spring weather.

To help deal with all the international tourists in the country during one of Japan's busiest periods, authorities have tried a range of measures.

In Kamakura, a popular temple city, English-speaking guides have been helping to direct tourists to stop them obstructing busy train stations, according to Nikkei.

Kyoto's traditional neighbourhood, Gion, recently banned visitors from its small private alleys. 

Locals had complained of snap-happy tourists harassing the city's immaculately attired geisha, who had to remind them it was "not a theme park".

Authorities in Kyoto have also reportedly installed screens at the main train station showing live feeds of tourist areas so visitors can assess crowds and plan their trips better.

Many people visit the small, scenic Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture, causing chaos on local streets while trying to photograph Mount Fuji.

Authorities said they had had enough of the excessive number of foreigners littering, ignoring traffic regulations and even climbing on roofs of office buildings in search of the perfect selfie spot.

Exasperated town officials eventually blocked the view of Mount Fuji with a 2.5-metre-high black barrier.

"It's regrettable we have to do this because of some tourists who can't respect rules," a town official said.

Hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji, where the climbing season begins in July, will be charged 2,000 yen ($19.50).

Numbers will be capped.

Where are Japan's visitors from?

The January earthquake in the western prefecture of Ishikawa had minimal impact on 2024 arrivals, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).

Tourist numbers have quickly rebounded, and apart from Australia, Japan has had a large influx of visitors from South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Street Kart, which offers rides for tourists in Tokyo, Okinawa and Osaka, said most were from Australia, the US, Canada and the UK — with decent numbers from Europe and Asia.

"The demand for our activity has risen significantly [this year] in conjunction with the increase of visitors to Japan," Street Kart spokesperson Mai Ishido told the ABC. 

However, tourism from China has stayed well below pre-pandemic levels.

The JNTO said visitors from China, which had made up nearly a third of all visitors and 40 per cent of tourist spending, were slowly returning.

The April numbers aren't out yet, but in March, visitors to Japan hit a record high of 3.08 million visitors, according to the JNTO.

The previous record of 2.99 million was set in July 2019 during a year that Japan welcomed a record 31.9 million visitors.

It's a stark contrast from the early days of the pandemic, when Tokyo banned spectators from the postponed Olympics in 2021 .

Tourists have been making the most of Japan's weak yen, which fell to a three-decade low against the US dollar last month. 

Even Australia's faltering currency still has buying power in Japan, with one dollar converting to almost 102 yen, up more than 10 per cent from a year ago.

A hearty dinner on Tokyo's famous Ramen Street will set you back around 1,080 yen ($10.55) while a bus ride in Kyoto costs 230 yen ($2.25) — both cheaper than Australia's capital cities.

What have other countries done?

Over-tourism has also affected other popular Asian destinations, like Bali and Thailand, with international travel returning to normal after the pandemic.

A new $15 tourism tax was introduced to Bail in February, after a series of incidents involving visitors desecrating holy sites and behaving badly.

In Thailand's Maya Bay, which was made famous by The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, a maximum of 375 visitors are allowed at one time.

Even though access had earlier been restricted and it was later closed for three years, an estimated 80 per cent of the coral reefs there died due to over-tourism.

While there are plenty of plans to restrict and control tourist numbers, not everyone in Japan is sick of all the foreign visitors.

Ms Ishido from Street Kart said there was no such thing as having too many tourists and that everyone was welcome.

"We hope to see many more happy smiling faces coming to and from our shops," spokeswoman Ms Ishido told the ABC.

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