Thailand Travel Requirements: What to Know Before Visiting

Thailand Travel Requirements: What to Know Before Visiting

Are your passports ready for Thailand?

Update as of 1 Oct 2022: Thailand has removed all entry requirements related to COVID-19.

Travelling to the Land of Smiles will be very easy for everyone again soon. We know you’ve missed the experience of exploring shopping meccas like Siam Paragon and MBK Center. Thailand’s beaches are also lying in wait for more tourists to come. But before you set foot on Railay Beach and Koh Phi Phi, take note of these Thailand travel requirements.

Note: This article was originally published on 31 Mar 2022. It is regularly updated for any new developments. 

Also read: Malaysia Travel Requirements: What We Know So Far

Thailand entry requirements

Image credit: Chelsea Chehade

Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to undergo quarantine, or present a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recovery. Meanwhile, unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travellers need a negative RT-PCR or ART test result for quarantine-free entry.

Unaccompanied minors between the ages of five and 17 must be vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to travelling to Thailand. This requirement does not apply to those who are travelling with their parents or legal guardian.

Update as of 30 Jun 2022: Thailand travel restrictions for both domestic and foreign tourists will be further eased starting 1 Jul 2022. International travellers — regardless of vaccination status — will no longer need to obtain the Thailand Pass.

Pre-arrival and arrival documents for travel to Thailand

Image credit: Nehal Patel

Here are the few Thailand travel requirements to remember: 

  • Passport with six months’ validity, or a Border Pass (for those arrving via border checkpoints)
  • Valid visa – if applicable
    • Click here to see if you’re exempt
  • Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19
  • RT-PCR or a professionally administered ART test
    • Taken within 72 hours before departure
    • Required only for unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travellers
  • Short-term visitors (non-citizens or expats) need to purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$10,000

In the case of children or dependents

Unvaccinated children under 18 years old, who are travelling with fully vaccinated guardians, are still required to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before travelling to Thailand. If the children are fully vaccinated but the guardians are not, they will have to join their guardians during their five-night quarantine period. 

Arrival in Thailand

All international travellers will be subject to document checking and health screening protocols at the airport. The health screening includes a temperature check, which will determine whether or not you’ll need to take an on-arrival RT-PCR test. Those who exhibit symptoms and test positive — regardless of vaccination status — might have to undergo quarantine.

During your stay

Image credit: Duck Man

Visitors in Thailand are not required to wear masks outdoors and/or in public areas. However, the Ministry of Public Health still recommends mask-wearing in places where physical distancing is not possible, or where air circulation is not as good.

It is also advised that you check the entry requirements for province-to-province travel. Some local government officials in certain provinces still impose quarantine or mandatory COVID-19 tests on travellers coming from provinces classified as red zones. 

You may also check the Thai Embassy website to read more details about Thailand travel requirements. 

Also read: France Travel Requirements: What to Know Before Visiting

Ready to go back to the Land of Smiles? We’ll see you there! In the meantime, click here to get started on your itinerary planning. 


Featured image credit: Chelsea Chehade | Unsplash 

About Authors

Therese Sta. Maria
Therese Sta. Maria

Therese's close friends know that if they haven’t seen her around recently, then she’s probably having an adventure with her luggage and camera in hand. Though she loves staying at home and spending lazy afternoons with friends, there are times when she has to be "away from home to feel at home," — that’s when she’s bitten by the travel bug. See her travels on Instagram @reesstamaria.

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Marcy Miniano
Marcy Miniano

A fast-talking caffeine-dependent wordsmith, Marcy has never been one to shy away from sharing a good story or two. If she’s not in a quiet coffee shop somewhere, she enjoys spending afternoons in a museum or art gallery — whether it’s around Metro Manila or a foreign city she’s visiting. She wishes to retire in a winter village someday, so she can fulfil her lifelong dream of wearing turtlenecks all year round and owning a pet penguin.

CLICK TO SEE MORE ARTICLES BY Marcy Miniano