Travel to Thailand from Australia

With the current situation the world is experiencing, it is no surprise countries have set boundaries to protect their own and be safe, even if that means banning travel to prevent locals from contracting the virus.

If you are an Australian citizen and planning to travel to Thailand, this is the right place to know about the important things needed before traveling.

Australia lifts its two-year travel ban

Thailand has opened its borders to Australian visitors, and at the start of 2022, Australia lifted its two-year international travel ban.

Australians can now leave the country without having to seek approval from the Australian Government or Border Control.

Fully vaccinated Australians can enter Thailand without quarantine restrictions.

Partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated Australians can enter the country under the 5-day Alternate Quarantine scheme or with a 72-hour pre-departure RT-PCR test.

Australia, A Visa Exempted Country

Australian citizens may enter the Kingdom of Thailand without a visa because Australia is included in the Visa Exemption list. Though an Australian can enter Thailand without a visa, the visit is limited to a maximum of 30 days and is only for tourism purposes. For any other purpose, it is best to apply for a visa.

If you need to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days or are traveling for a different purpose, you can contact your local Thai Embassy or Consulate to discuss pre-approved visa options.

Thailand Travel Restrictions for Aussie Citizens

If you are an Australian citizen and planning to travel to Thailand, here is some information you might need to know before traveling.

Thailand Pass Requirements

From May 1, 2022, how an Australian citizen enters Thailand will depend on their vaccination status. All visitors are required to apply for a Thailand Pass but the documents you need to provide can vary.

Previously, the Thailand Pass could take up to 7 days to approve, but with Thailand easing its travel restrictions there are fewer documents to check and approvals are much quicker.

Visitors from Australia can easily visit the Land of Smiles if you follow the simple steps listed below.

Vaccination Status and Entering Thailand

From May 1, 2022, Thailand Pass application and approval requirements will depend on a travelers vaccination status.

Fully Vaccinated travelers will no longer need to apply to enter Thailand under the Test & Go or Sandbox scheme. A vaccinated traveler does not need to book 1 night’s accommodation in an approved SHA+ hotel or complete an RT-PCR test on arrival.

Fully vaccinated foreigners will need to provide proof of insurance and their vaccination certificate when applying for Thailand Pass. Thai Nationals only need to provide their vaccination certificate as insurance is not required.

Unvaccinated children under 18 years old may travel with vaccinated parents without quarantine.
Unvaccinated travelers will have 2 options for entering Thailand:

Unvaccinated travelers will be able to enter Thailand under the existing 5-day Alternate Quarantine scheme; OR
Unvaccinated travelers will be able to avoid the 5-day Alternate Quarantine by completing an RT-PCR test and uploading the result into their Thailand Pass application. The test cannot be older than 72 hours before their arrival date.

All Australian citizens will require a confirmed flight, Covid-19 insurance, and an approved Thailand pass.

How to get to Thailand

Book a Flight

As of May 1, 2022, a pre-departure 72-hour RT-PCR test is no longer required for vaccinated travelers to enter Thailand.

With the introduction of Thailand Pass and easing of travel restrictions, many airlines are now flying from Australia to Thailand.

Currently, flights are available though:

Qantas
Emirates
Thai Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Jetstar

Book a Hotel

Vaccinated Australians, or those who are unvaccinated but complete a 72-hour pre-departure RT-PCR test are welcome to book any accommodation. There are no quarantine requirements.

Unvaccinated Aussie citizens who choose to complete the 5-day Alternate Quarantine will need to book a hotel that is SHA+ approved and offers Alternate Quarantine packages.

The package will include transport from the airport to the hotel, 5 nights of accommodation, meals and services, and an RT-PCR test before you leave.

During the 5 day quarantine, you will not be allowed to leave your room.

Need help to book your SHA+ hotels, book at Agoda now.

Organize some Covid-19 Insurance

Medical Insurance with a minimum coverage of $10,000 USD is required by Thailand to enter the country. Insurance is required for the safety of travelers and in case of an emergency within the country.

Emergency situations include COVID-19 situations, in case a traveler tests positive for the virus. It will cover the expenses, including the cost of medicines, treatments, and professional care to the transport of a traveler needing medical assistance.

Note: Not all insurance policies offer the same coverage. Some health insurance policies do not include Covid-19 cover. So if you purchase insurance, make sure that the following coverage is included:

The coverage of insurance must be at least $10,000 USD.
The coverage must include covering the worst possible cases, like death.
The coverage must include covering unexpected events like missing flight schedules, or loss of baggage and situations that arise because of COVID-19.
Your insurance must cover the entire length of your stay in the country.

There are many insurance companies that offer insurance covering Covid-19 emergency situations. There is LUMA Thailand Pass, but if looking for the best, AXA Sawasdee Thailand is one of the best Covid-19 insurance policies offered in Thailand and is recommended to travelers.

AXA Sawasdee checks all the coverage boxes that the Covid-19 insurance must have, and they give travelers options for packages that cater to other coverage a traveler might need.

Apply for a Thailand Pass

To apply for Thailand Pass, head over to https://tp.consular.go.th/. You will need the following documents.

Vaccinated travelers:

Your passport profile page
Flight itinerary to confirm the arrival date
A certificate of full (2 doses) vaccination
A medical insurance policy with at least USD$ 10,000 minimum coverage

Unvaccinated travelers NOT doing Alternate Quarantine:

Your passport profile page
Flight itinerary to confirm the arrival date
An RT-PCR test result no more than 72 hours before your arrival date
A medical insurance policy with at least USD$10,000 minimum coverage

Unvaccinated travelers doing Alternate Quarantine:

Your passport profile page
Flight itinerary to confirm the arrival date
Confirmed booking of SHA+ hotel 5-day Alternate Quarantine package
A pre-booked RT-PCR test on arrival (if not included in your package)
A medical insurance policy with at least USD$ 10,000 minimum coverage

To obtain a QR entry code and Thailand Pass ID, travelers will have to:

Register at Thailand Pass web portal
Input personal details
Upload the required documents per their vaccination status
Receive a confirmation email after registration (within seconds after registration)
Wait for the Thailand Pass approval (normally within 1-3 days)

Once approved, you will receive an email with your QR Entry Code and Thailand Pass ID.

Arriving in Thailand – Best Practices

Aussies are known for being friendly and laid back. Once you have your flights, hotels, and an approved Thailand Pass, you can help maintain this image by being prepared.

It is a good practice to print all your documents and have them ready to present to Immigration Officers when you arrive and pass through Passport Control. You should print your:

Thailand Pass QR code
Certificate of Insurance
Vaccination certificate (vaccinated travelers)
Hotel booking confirmation (unvaccinated Alternate Quarantine)
72-hour RT-PCR test result (unvaccinated with NO Alternate Quarantine)
Covid-19 recovery certificate (if previously tested positive)
TM8 – Health declaration form
TM6 – This is the blue card they give you on the plane.

This will speed up your processing time before leaving your country and entering through Thailand’s Passport Control. Immigration and Health Officers will appreciate the extra effort you make.

Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra

The Royal Thai Embassy in Australia is at 111 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla, A.C.T. 2600, Canberra, Australia. There are also consulates that are in Melbourne and West Perth. For assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Royal Thai Embassy near your location or just email your questions through [email protected] or contact them at +61 2 6206 0100.

For visa applications, visit the Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra website. Do not forget to set an appointment when applying for a visa.