For over two years, the impact of COVID-19 has been the main topic of discussion almost everywhere. Now that the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us, and more countries are easing travel restrictions, one-holiday destination we can’t wait to visit is Thailand — which is now easier than ever as the nation is dropping almost all of its COVID-19-related travel restrictions from 1 July 2022.
To ease travel to Thailand, and thus reboost local tourism, Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has stated its plan to drop requirements for foreigners to obtain a Thailand Pass and USD10,000 health insurance to enter the country. The Thailand Pass and health insurance had already been abolished for Thai citizens on 1 June, but it is still required for foreign visitors.
If you are planning to travel to Thailand, here’s what you should know:
- You will still need to show — either in print or digitally — a copy of your vaccination certificate or a negative RT-PCR or a professional ATK (Antigen Test Kit) test result within 72 hours of arrival.
- Travellers who have not been vaccinated will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
- Quarantine requirements have already been removed.
- Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or those unable to produce a negative pre-arrival test must undergo a professional antigen test.
- There may be random checks on arrival at Thailand’s international airports or land border checkpoints in 22 out of 77 provinces.
- All 77 provinces in Thailand are green zones, meaning normal activities are allowed with no COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
- Masks will not be required in low-risk areas such as uncrowded or open-air spaces.
- Alcohol consumption in restaurants will return to pre-COVID-19 hours while night entertainment venues will be allowed to stay open and serve alcohol until 12am.
Thailand is undoubtedly in the post-pandemic phase now that the country’s borders have been opened and international travel has resumed. With this in mind, a new set of recommendations for locals and visitors alike will be announced soon by the Royal Thai Government.
In the meantime, visitors can keep up to date with the COVID-19 situation in Thailand here.
