Thailand eases international arrival entry rules

Thailand eases international arrival entry rules under three schemes, TEST & GO, Sandbox Programme, and Quarantine with effect from 16th December, 2021. The relaxation is for all international arrivals, including returning Thais and foreign residents. UPDATE end March 2022: Please check the latest information HERE.
UPDATE: The removal of PCR testing on arrival in among changes announced at a meeting on 22nd April, the details are available HERE and all incoming travellers will be classified by their vaccination status.

International arrival entry rules

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved the easing of entry rules and released the following information. Any extra details will be added when the official announcement is made in the Royal Thai Government Gazette.

Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO)

What’s New:

In addition to arrival by air, travellers will be allowed to enter by land and sea provided that they meet the vaccination and testing requirements.

• overland at Nong Khai’s border checkpoint with Laos
  • starting 24th December, 2021
• No longer be required
  • the current 1-night waiting period in a hotel
  • confirmed payment (for 1-night stay at SHA++ hotel, 1 RT-PCR test, and pre-arranged airport transfer)
• On arrival testing changed to an ATK method.

Update:

Thailand’s Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed the Cabinet’s decision to maintain the RT-PCR COVID-19 testing for international arrivals under the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme, reversing the plan to change to an ATK method approved last Friday by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). This is part of part of the country’s precautionary measure to prevent and control the spread of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant.

We don’t have the costing yet, but the antigen cost in Thailand is about THB 150 (Approx USD4.50) so although the airport cost will be more, it will be cheaper than the PCR test, which costs between US$42 and US$48.

• Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have saliva test when entering to the Kingdom.
• Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling.
• Travellers 12-17 years of age, travelling with parents, are not required to be vaccinated but must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling.
  • Those unaccompanied must be vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine and must have a negative RT-PCR test result.
• Travellers previously infected within 3 months before travelling must have a medical certificate of recovery or get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine for an unspecified period of times before travelling.

Remains Unchanged:

• Travel from the approved countries/territories (currently 63, up from 46) where travellers must have stayed for 21 days or more.
  • Returning Thais and foreign residents, who previously travelled from Thailand, are exempt from this requirement.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
  • Thais and foreign residents who have national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
• Everyone 18 years of age and older should be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand,
  • must have a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before the travel date.

Living in the Blue Zone (Sandbox Destinations)

What’s New:

In addition to arrival by air, travellers will be allowed to enter by land and sea provided that they meet the vaccination and testing requirements.

• overland at Nong Khai’s border checkpoint with Laos
  • starting 24th December, 2021
• The mandatory stay is reduced to 5 days from the current 7 days within one of the Blue Zone Sandbox destinations.
  • confirmed payment for 5 nights at SHA+ accommodation is required.
• On arrival (the first) testing will continue to use the RT-PCR method,
  • the second testing by ATK method will be done on Day 4-5 from current Day 6-7.
• Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result
  • they will have a saliva test when entering to the Kingdom.
• Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling.
• Travellers 12-17 years of age, travelling with parents, are not required to be vaccinated but must have a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling.
  • Those unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine and must have a negative RT-PCR test result.

Travellers previously infected within 3 months before travelling must have a medical certificate of recovery or be vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine for an unspecified period of times before travelling.

Remains Unchanged:

• Travel from any country or territory worldwide.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
  • Thais and foreign residents who have national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
• Travellers 18 years of age and older should be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand
  • must have a negative RT-PCR test result 72 hours before the travel date.

Happy Quarantine Nationwide

What’s New:

Travellers will be able to entry Thailand at all points of entry:

• Fully vaccinated, 5-day quarantine (currently 7 days)
  • second testing will be done on Day 4-5
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, 10-day quarantine
  • second testing will be done on Day 8-9
• Other arrivals, a 14-day quarantine.
  • second testing will be done on Day 12-13
• Confirmed payment for 5 nights or 10 nights at quarantine facilities is required.
• Testing will continue to use the RT-PCR method for on arrival (Day 0-1),

Remains Unchanged:

• Travel from any country or territory in the world.
• An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$50,000.
  • Thais and foreign residents who have national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.

Travellers under any of the entry schemes are still required to register for a Thailand Pass.