How to Travel to Thailand in 2022


How to Travel to Thailand in 2021

IMPORTANT: For Thailand Travel Restrictions in 2023, please click the link below:

Thailand Travel Restrictions 2023

Thailand Travel Restrictions for 2023

 

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During the global COVID-19 pandemic, measures have been enforced to prevent and control COVID-19 from spreading in Thailand. This includes measures to keep an influx of visitors to Thailand in check.

After two years of dealing with Covid and extensive travel restrictions, international travel is finally returning to normal on the 1st of July, 2022.
From July 1st, the following changes have been implemented for all international travelers.

  • Foreigners do not need to show proof of Covid Insurance.
  • All mandatory hotel quarantine has been removed.
  • Thailand Pass is no longer required for foreign travelers to enter Thailand.
  • Vaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of vaccination before arriving.
  • Unvaccinated travelers (including children traveling with unvaccinated parents) will need to complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) 72 hours before departing for Thailand. Proof does not need to be uploaded before traveling.
  • Airlines and Thai Immigration will do random checks to confirm travelers meet Covid prevention requirements (vaccination or Covid test).

Read below and you can see how you can once again visit Thailand with ease.

Travel to Thailand 2022

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand

Please have the following documents ready.

  • Passport with at least six month validity
  • Visa or visa exemption qualification
  • Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
  • Boarding pass to be presented at Passport Control
  • Hotel booking confirmation if asked by Immigration Officer
  • Note: Vaccination record no longer required

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening by rules from the Thai immigration bureau and its Thai immigration officials.

Buy Your Insurance Now

Step 1 – Check your eligibility

It is important to start your travel plans to Thailand by checking your eligibility. After July 1, you will need to check on what to do depending on your vaccination status, and what type of visa you will use when visiting Thailand.

For a general traveler, you may opt to enter Thailand without a visa under the Visa Exemption program. If you are entering Thailand for a holiday, you may be eligible to receive a “Visa on arrival”.

For those entering Thailand for a different purpose of stay, they need to obtain a Thai visa from their local Thai Embassy or Consulate prior to coming to Thailand.
In the next step of the process, you may check the available visas for you.

Step 2 – Apply for the Visa

Thailand Elite Visa

Do you want to stay in Thailand for 5, 10, or 20 years? You may consider the Thai Elite Visa program. It is an easy-to-apply and hassle-free visa application for your long-term stay in Thailand. For more information about the Thai Elite Membership and Visa application, you may check this page: https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thai-elite-visa

Visa Exemption

Nationalities under the Visa Exemption Program are allowed to enter Thailand without a visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate. Upon arriving in Thailand, most nationalities who are part of the Visa Exemption Program are allowed to stay for 30 days. Certain nationalities can arrive as part of this program but for a shorter period of time. It is best to check the country exemption list and confirm how long you can visit Thailand without needing to apply for a Visa.

Tourist Visa and Special Tourist Visa (STV)

Foreigners may also apply for a Tourist Visa from the Thai embassy or consulate. There is the normal 60-day tourist visa that can be extended for additional 30 days, and the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV) which can be extended for two 90-day visa extensions at the local immigration office. There are certain requirements needed for the STV, but it allows a visitor to stay in Thailand for a potential 9 months.

Non-Immigrant Visa

Foreigners may also apply for a wide range of non-immigrant visas:

  • Non-immigrant B Visa – for conducting business or employment
  • Non-immigrant O visa – for visiting Thai spouse and family
  • Non-immigrant ED visa – for students of recognized institutions in Thailand as well as their Parents or Legal Guardians
  • Non-immigrant O retirement visa – for those who wish to retire in Thailand
  • Non-immigrant OA and OX visa – for those who wish to obtain a Thailand retirement visa for long stay (it is different from type O visa)

Stay on track with your travel plans to Thailand. Download your Complete Thailand Pass Guide HERE! Thailand Travel Guide 2021

Download Complete Thailand Pass Guide

Step 3 – Book a Flight, Hotel, and COVID-19 Insurance

There are many changes for how to enter Thailand after July 1, so it is important for a traveler to know what is required before departing their country and entering Thailand.

Flights to Thailand

At present, most airlines such as Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon, Finnair, Thai Airways, and other major airlines are now permitted to operate flights to Thailand whether it is on a daily or weekly basis.

Vaccinated travelers are required to have their vaccination certificates on hand. Unvaccinated travelers will need to complete an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK 72 hours before departure from their home country.

Though Thailand Pass has been removed from July 1, and travelers no longer need to upload proof of vaccination or Covid Test, Airlines will do random checks and if travelers do not meet Covid requirements they will not be allowed to board their flight.

Before booking flights to Thailand with the airlines, travelers should ensure that they study the different categories of Thai visas granted to foreign nationals at this time to determine the possibility of travel. Please note that having plane tickets does not guarantee entry to Thailand, non-Thai travelers must have the correct Covid documents to enter Thailand.
Since all mandatory quarantine conditions have been removed, travelers no longer need to worry about booking “sealed” flights if they wish to transit directly to a domestic flight.

Hotel Updates

From July 1, travelers are no longer required to book a SHA+ hotel and undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival. Travelers can enter the Kingdom and travel freely, booking any of the many wonderful hotels in Thailand.

Unvaccinated travelers do not need to provide proof of a hotel booking as mandatory quarantine measures have been removed for all travelers.

It is recommended to browse hotels in Thailand on Agoda.com before arriving as it is easier to organize transport to your first night’s rest if pre-booked.

Travelers are free to travel anywhere in Thailand when they arrive and do not need to worry about any testing or Province restrictions.

Book your hotel. CLICK HERE buy now
Hotels in Thailand

Book Your Insurance

Having Travel Insurance was a good practice before the world had to deal with Covid. During the Covid pandemic it was mandatory.

It is recommended for all visitors coming to Thailand to purchase travel insurance. Testing positive for Covid is still a possibility, and though people hope for an incident-free holiday, injuries and illness can happen.

Foreign visitors are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand. If the worst happens, a traveler could have expensive medical bills. Having a quality insurance policy can save a traveler potential medical expenses and allow them to enjoy a worry-free holiday.

A good insurance policy will also cover incidents like delayed flights, damage to personal possession, and loss of luggage.

Step 4 – Do I Need to Apply for the Thailand Pass?

From July 1st, 2022, foreign travelers no longer need to apply for a Thailand Pass before entering Thailand. The system is still in place but is now a platform where visitors can notify the Thai authority and medical facilities, and seek advice if they are diagnosed positive for Covid during their stay.

If you need to access the Thailand Pass system while in Thailand, please visit https://tp.consular.go.th/ and register by filling in your personal details on the Thailand Pass registration page.

Step 5 – Prepare the documents for your flight

Once you have booked your flights and ready to travel, it is recommended to prepare some documents for your holiday.

  • Valid Thai visa in your passport or electronic visa approval (if applicable)
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate in case you are asked to present it to the airline or Passport Control for a spot check on arrival.
  • RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test result if you are asked to present it for a random Covid check before boarding or on arrival.
  • Travel insurance for Thailand is recommended by the Thai Government

Get a Copy of the Complete Thailand Pass Guide. CLICK HERE! Thailand Travel Guide 2021

Download Complete Thailand Pass Guide

ALERT

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 recommend using insurance providers headquartered inside Thailand with proper cover to avoid any undesirable outcomes.

Siam Legal International, a premier law firm in Thailand, recommends purchasing the proper insurance and so endorses AXA Insurance for your travel to Thailand insurance needs.

HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT POINTS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE PURCHASING TRAVEL INSURANCE

  • Please review the details of any insurance before purchasing to understand if the policy has adequate cover. Cheap policies with inadequate levels of cover can lead to significant personal liability, and scenarios where policy holders incur hundreds of thousands of baht in out-of-pocket medical expenses have been reported. There are significant financial risks to being underinsured during your stay in Thailand.
  • These policies do not cover medical costs from accidents (like motorcycle accidents) or common unexpected illnesses (common fever or food poisoning). Best to pay a few baht more for the peace of mind that comes from having proper coverage.
  • AXA covers medical expenses (outpatient and inpatient) for 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 cover, 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 buy your Thailand Travel insurance today at:

https://u.axa.co.th/Sawasdee_Siamlegal

List of Approved COVID-19 Vaccines

As of December 1, the MoPH has approved the following vaccines:

  1. Pfizer–BioNTech or Comirnaty
  2. Janssen or Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S
  3. AstraZeneca or Covishield
  4. Sinopharm or COVILO
  5. Moderna
  6. CoronaVac or SinoVac
  7. Covaxin
  8. Sputnik V
  9. Medigen
  10. Sputnik Lite

How to Obtain COVID-19 Insurance

Though COVID-19 travel insurance is no longer mandatory for entry to Thailand, it is recommended to have comprehensive insurance for the duration of your stay. Good travel insurance covers not only medical expenses relating to Covid, but also accident cover, personal damage or loss of possessions and missed or delayed flights.

It is best to purchase insurance before you travel. The easiest way to buy your policy is online through a reputable insurance provider. The insurance company will provide you with the all-important certificate of cover that you can present to authorities or medical professionals if you need to make a claim.

You may also be asked to present this certificate to the airline before they will allow you onboard. It’s quick and easy to do online. You can choose your length of policy from 7, 15, 30, 60 days, and 180 days. Just make sure that the policy covers your entire period of stay in Thailand as foreigners are not eligible for free medical care in Thailand and insurance companies will not cover claims for existing conditions.

You may purchase AXA COVID-19 travel insurance within a few minutes. Check them below.

You can buy budget insurance here: https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

AXA Travel Insurance Thailand

AXA Thailand Pass Insurance

AXA Sawasdee Thailand Plan 1 AXA Sawasdee Thailand Plan 1

How to Open a Bank Account in Thailand

Siam Legal offers and provides aid for a smooth and hassle-free way to open up a Thai bank account.

  • You will receive help in opening a saving/current bank account
  • You will receive a Bankbook and a debit/ATM card
  • Online Banking (Thai mobile number is required)

Requirements

  • Passport
  • Guarantee letter (to be provided by Siam Legal)

Process

  • The applicant may book for our service online.
  • Our staff will prepare the application and necessary documents for the bank and arrange an appointment with the applicant.
  • The applicant will collect the application form and documents from Siam Legal Bangkok office and proceed to the specific bank branch. Opening the account at the bank takes 1 to 2 hours.

Service Fee

Our service fee is 150 USD for opening a Thai savings account in Bangkok.

City Travel Guide

Useful Links

Download the Complete Thailand Pass Application Guide. CLICK HERE! Thailand Travel Guide 2021

Download Complete Thailand Pass Guide

For inquiries about how to enter Thailand during COVID, click here to post your comments or questions.

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472 Comments

  1. augus
    September 5, 2022
    Reply

    im looking forward to traveling Thailand on 24th Sep for my upcoming holiday, what should i do or prepare in order to enter thailand?

  2. Yana
    September 4, 2022
    Reply

    Good afternoon, I will be travelling to Thailand in December 2022 with my 8 year old child. I am fully vaccinated but by child is not. My questions are:
    – Does my child need PCR test before entering Thailand?
    – My COVID-19 immunisation booster was done in February 2022. Will I need to get an updated booster to enter Thailand?

    Many thanks

  3. R Ashok
    September 2, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,

    My wife and I from India are planning a 20 day trip to Thailand from 29 Nov 2022. From Thailand we will be travelling by air to Kuala Lumpur.
    Is the new policy of 30 Days VOA applicable to us. If so do we have to register online for Visa on arrival

  4. Rajesh
    August 30, 2022
    Reply

    I am an Indian travelling with family to Thailand from 1st October 2022 to 7th October 2022.
    Is visa free for Indians on that time or On arrival I need to Pay 2000 bhat.
    Do I have to register online for visa on arrival.

  5. Eloi
    August 28, 2022
    Reply

    Good day,
    I am planning to go in Thailand in December for 5 months as a tourist do I need visa?
    Also I am not vaccinated for Covid-19 can I freely enter ?

  6. Tom Abre
    August 27, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,

    We are 2x fully vaccinated adults, do our 2x children (7 & 3) need PCR tests prior to arrival or not?

    Thanks.

  7. Brian Kwok
    August 25, 2022
    Reply

    Hi there, I’m travelling to Bangkok on 23 Sep 2022. is travel insurance still a must for entering Thailand? Thank you.

  8. Raul
    August 24, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,

    I am coming to Thailand early September with my wife. I will be teaching at a Public University in Bangkok and they will cover for my insurance after I start teaching.
    Do I need an extra insurance for the travel?
    My wife has an Allianz health insurance, is that acceptable?

    Another question we both go our Covid Vaccine boost is February, is that ok?

    Thank you very much!
    Raul

  9. DR KHIN NINI
    August 24, 2022
    Reply

    Hi
    we are ravelling to Bangkok and Chaingmai on 3rd of September 2022
    Do we need Visa ?or any travel documents for entry
    We got covid vaccination certificates and insurance

    thanks
    Dr NINI

  10. Raul Masu
    August 23, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,

    I am coming to Thailand early September with my wife. I will be teaching at a Public University in Bangkok and they will cover for my insurance after I start teaching.
    Do I need an extra insurance for the travel?
    My wife has an Allianz health insurance, is that acceptable?

    Another question we both go our Covid Vaccine boost is February, is that ok?

    Thank you very much!
    Raul

  11. Annette
    August 23, 2022
    Reply

    We (4 us citizens) are traveling to Thailand in November with Us passports do we still need to purchase A Visa?

  12. Tibor
    August 23, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,
    I am Covid vaccinated with 3 doses, last on January 2022
    can I freely enter to Thailand on November or I need next dose to be not older than 6 or 9 months?

    Thank you

  13. Tibor
    August 22, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,
    I am Covid vaccinated with 3 doses – last on Jan 2022.
    Can I freely enter to Thailand in November?
    Or I need to take next vaccine to be not older than 6 or 9 months?

    Many thanks

  14. Shahira
    August 22, 2022
    Reply

    HI, I am going to Thailand on 1st week of September,. I am unvaccinated when is the best date for me to take rt-pcr test. It’s ok if I take rt- pcr test 2 days before I go.

  15. Anthony Demouilpied
    August 22, 2022
    Reply

    Hi can come to thiland with a one way air line ticket as I mate like to stay longer if I like Thailand may thanks

  16. Vikrant Malik
    August 19, 2022
    Reply

    I am Indian National and visit Thailand during 10 September to 18 September 2022. Thai pass is mandatory or not after 1 July 2022 or Do I need to apply the thai pass….???

  17. Ana
    August 19, 2022
    Reply

    Hi,
    If I received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine 10 months apart, am I considered as fully vaccinated?

  18. John barry
    August 19, 2022
    Reply

    I’m from uk,if I enter the kingdom on a visa exempt at the airport, whick allows me to stay 30 days, can I then extend my stay by going to immigration at jomtien a further 2 times or is it just the once I can extend my stay?

  19. James
    August 18, 2022
    Reply

    HI I intend to go to thailand the 1st of September.

    I don’t clearly understand… there is no Thai Pass needed ?

    For the insurance, do I need to buy the Axa Insurance ?

    I come from France and will departure at Zurich(Switzerland) I’m fully vaccinated (2 doses).

    Thanks for your answer !

    Kind Regards.

  20. Ben
    August 15, 2022
    Reply

    Hi there
    My friend is coming Thailand on 29/08/22
    He plans to travel around south east Asia but doesn’t know for how long. Does he need to book a return flight back to the uk as won’t know where he’s going to be and when

  21. Kenneth
    August 14, 2022
    Reply

    Hi, my wife and I are uk citizens and plan to visit Thailand in November 22 for 4 months. Is the tourist 60 day visa renewable or should we apply for a different visa? we are both retired. Thanks.

  22. Deanna
    August 8, 2022
    Reply

    I’m planning to visit Thailand coming November 2022 but have a Jamaican passport and Canadian PR card. Is it OK to travel with both without a visa..
    Thanks

    • August 9, 2022

      Hello Deanna,

      For Jamaican citizens, need to get a visa for Thailand by going to the nearest embassy. However, if you have a Canadian Passport you can travel to Thailand without a visa for no longer than 30 days.

      Thank you.

  23. S R Garg
    August 7, 2022
    Reply

    I am Indian National and visit Thailand during 16 August to 28 August 2022. Do I need to apply for E-Visa in advance or can I get visa on arrival in Bangkok/Phuket? What is the difference between E-Visa and Visa on arrival for Indians?

    • August 9, 2022

      Hello S,

      For Indian passport holder can apply visa on arrival amounting Thb 2000.

      Visa on arrival (VOA) is a visa that you will get at any International airports upon arrival while the electronic visa (E-visa) is one of the visa types issued to foreigners via electronic system.

      Thank you.

  24. Aashi Chopra
    August 7, 2022
    Reply

    Does my child aged 8 needs to vaccinated or needs RT PCR test

    • August 9, 2022

      Hello Aashi,

      If you are fully vaccinated, your children doesn’t need to do the RT-PCR test.

      Thank you.

  25. Mariena
    August 1, 2022
    Reply

    Hello, I have an Indian passport but a UK resident. Do I need to apply for a visa. Staying there for 10 days

  26. Korn
    August 1, 2022
    Reply

    Hi I’m entering Thailand under visa exemption scheme. Do I need to show the proof of funds on arrival? If so, how much do I need to show? Can I show in cash? Thanks & Regards.

  27. Korn Kham
    July 31, 2022
    Reply

    Hi, my country is under the visa exemption scheme but only 14 days. I’m planning to enter Thailand on 1st Oct and leave on 14th Oct. So that will be exact 14 days. Is it ok?

    Also I will arrive in Bangkok but leave from Phuket. Would it be ok when I show the return ticket (that will be 2 one-way tickets) ? Thanks & Regards.

    • August 1, 2022

      Hello Korn,

      Yes, that would be fine. There is no problem in which Airport you would be as long as your flight date will return on your 14th day in Thailand.

      Thank you.