Thailand Travel Restrictions Updates

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/

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

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.

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved the reopening of Pattaya and Ko Chang Sandbox destinations, and the reintroduction of the Sandbox Extension program starting February 1, 2022.

The reopening includes Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray – in Chon Buri, and Ko Chang in Trat as Sandbox destinations.

The Sandbox Extension program will also be introduced between Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), where Sandbox travelers can travel within these destinations during the first 7 days in Thailand and can change accommodation three times (can book 3 different hotels).

International travelers who are planning to travel to Thailand under the Sandbox program can choose to undergo their first 7 days in either Krabi, Phang-Na, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray), and Trat (Ko Chang).

Current Sandbox rules remain unchanged.

Starting February 1, 2022, Bangkok Airways will start offering two special sealed-route flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) to Phuket Sandbox per day.

The new direct sealed route is a product of deliberations and a notice by Phuket officials confirming that tourists who wanted to go to Phuket were not permitted to transit in Bangkok, but were permitted to transit in Bangkit for Samui flights.

The first outbound flight, PG5275 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12:00hrs. and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 14.05hrs.

The second outbound flight, PG5279 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 17:10hrs. and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 19.15hrs.

It is important to know that your Bangkok to Phuket flight must be included in your international flight booking.

For further details on flight schedules, travelers can go to: https://www.bangkokair.com/flight/flightSchedule

Seeing a slowing of coronavirus infections, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced that the new application for Thailand Pass under the Test & Go travel scheme will resume on February 1. 2022 at 9AM Thailand time.

Those who enter the country under the Test and Go program need to do COVID test on arrival and again five or six days later, with their whereabouts being tracked through an application as agreed by the tourists.

To apply for the Thailand Pass: Test and Go, please visit: https://tp.consular.go.th/

Can I leave Thailand thru Bangkok even if I entered through a Sandbox destination?

Yes, you can enter Thailand via Phuket or Samui Sandbox and leave Thailand through Bangkok. Please be advised that you are only allowed to travel to Bangkok from Phuket or Samui once you have completed the 7-night Sandbox Stay.

What if my second RT-PCR test result turned out positive?

You have to inform the hotel about your situation. They will then inform you to stay in your hotel room while they sort the process. Based on your symptoms, they might send you to a hospital, move you to a “hospitel” or a hospital hotel, or even let you stay in your hotel room. After your quarantine, ask for a “Certificate of Recovery”.

When will Thailand reinstate the Test & Go scheme?

As of January 20, 2022, the CCSA has approved the resumption of new applications for the Thailand Pass Test and Go on February 1, 2022. This will become official once published in the Royal Gazette.

Can I refund my RT-PCR test?

Yes, you can go to https://www.thailandpsas.com/refund or send an email to [email protected]

My children only have one dose of the vaccine, can they fly to Thailand?

Children below 18 years of age may enter Thailand without vaccination as long as they will travel with parents or legal guardians. Children who are traveling alone must have at least one dose of COVID vaccination.