Traveling to Thailand during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go
If you’re planning to travel to Thailand, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The basics
Thailand has recorded more than 21,000 deaths and over 2.3 million cases of Covid-19 as of January 3, 2022.
On average, around 3,000 Covid-19 cases are reported per day.
On November 1, Thailand began allowing vaccinated international travelers who have resided in one of 63 countries and territories for at least 21 days to enter without having to enter into a lengthy quarantine. (They only needed to book a room in a government-approved hotel for one night while they await the results of their Covid-19 test.)
However, Thailand temporarily suspended its “Test and Go” program as well as Sandbox applications (except the Phuket Sandbox) from December 22, 2021, citing the rising number of Omicron variant cases in the country. As of January 3, the government has not announced when they will lift the suspension.
Prior to the suspension, fully vaccinated travelers arriving by air from countries not on the approved “Test and Go” list were eligible to enter through a “sandbox” scheme that required them to stay in a government-approved hotel or resort in one of 26 “blue zone” destinations, including Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui, for seven nights before they would be allowed to travel freely in the country.
More information on the suspension of the programs can be found on the Tourism Authority of Thailand website.
Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated are required to quarantine in an approved hotel for 10 days.
What’s on offer
Picture-perfect islands. Golden beaches with swaying palms. Ornate temples and lush forests. Thailand has long been the go-to destination for those after a no-nonsense, easy-on-the-eyes tropical break.
Who can go
Holders of US, Canada, UK and Australia passports are among those not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 45 days on each visit.
Tourists from countries not on the visa exemption list can apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allows for 90-day stays, and can be renewed twice. You must apply for an STV via the Thai consulate or embassy in your own country.
What are the entry restrictions?
All travelers need to apply for a “Thailand Pass” prior to their journey.
New applicants will not be able to register for the previously mentioned “Test and Go” and Sandbox measures (except the Phuket Sandbox). This means they can only enter under the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) program or the Phuket Sandbox.
Foreign tourists must provide proof of an insurance policy that covers treatment for Covid-19 up to the cost of $50,000. All travelers need to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
Visitors entering via the Sandbox program need to be fully vaccinated and must stay in a SHA+ hotel or resort for seven nights. At the end of this period they will be permitted to travel elsewhere in the country. Travelers under 18 and traveling with their parents as part of the Sandbox program are exempt from the vaccination requirement.
Travelers entering via the Phuket Sandbox must have proof of a confirmed payment for at least a 7-day stay at an approved accommodation and proof of a confirmed payment for two RT-PCR tests, which can be reserved online at the www.thailandpsas.com.
Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine at government-approved quarantine facilities or Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facilities for 10 days. This can include luxury hotels, some of which have developed quarantine packages.
A full list of participating hotels and resorts, along with package rates, can be found here: asq.locanation.com.
What’s the Covid situation?
For months, Thailand reported few locally transmitted Covid-19 cases thanks to strict quarantine on arrival rules.
However, the country is now coming out of its third and worst wave of infections, which emerged from outbreak clusters in several Bangkok nightclubs in early April of 2021, leading to a surge in infections that peaked in August.
At the moment, cases are dropping following a lengthy lockdown period and the country is reporting around 3,000 new cases per day on average.
A nationwide vaccine program officially kicked off on June 7, 2021. According to CNN’s vaccine tracker, about 65% of the country’s citizens have been fully vaccinated.
What can visitors expect?
Restrictions vary throughout the country, in line with a color-coded zoning system designed to reflect the Covid-19 situation in individual provinces.
Most major destinations are classified as “blue zones” and have had restrictions relaxed in recent weeks.
Museums, art galleries, historical sites, ancient monuments, spas, cinemas, pools, tattoo studios and sporting facilities are open throughout the country but required to operate under strict public health measures and limit the number of visitors at 75% of normal capacity.
Restaurants in Bangkok have resumed normal operating hours, and are allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages.
However, all types of entertainment venues, including nightclubs, nationwide remain closed.
Interprovincial travel has been allowed to resume, including domestic flights to and from high-risk areas.
Masks are worn at all times in public, both indoors and out, while temperature checks are the norm. Those who do not wear masks face fines.
Useful links
Tourism Authority of Thailand Newsroom
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