While Thailand’s borders are open to pretty much everyone, travel restrictions still exist for tourists to look into. These are changing every month, with new rules being added and older regulations being revoked. Here is an updated list:
- Travellers are not required to show proof of Covid 19 vaccination when arriving in Thailand or boarding a plane.
- Restrictions on face masks are more relaxed and no longer enforced in many establishments (aside from hospitals, certain workplaces, and the BTS/MRT). Despite this, we still recommend wearing one for protection as Covid 19 is still spreading throughout Thailand’s borders.
- Travel insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended as a safety net to cover high travel and medical fees.
- Tourists from a select number of countries are eligible for short visa exemptions if they do not currently hold a visa.
- Visitors to Thailand no longer need to carry a Certificate of Entry (COE) or a Thailand Pass.
Why travel insurance is voluntary, but also a necessity
Unfortunate circumstances can always befall you while you’re on a trip. While it is not mandatory for travellers to acquire travel insurance, it is highly recommended:
- Travel insurance keeps you covered on doctors visits to avoid incurring high healthcare fees. Hospital bills are hefty, even in Thailand, and having travel insurance lets you save money in case of a medical emergency.
- In cases of sudden accidents, travel insurance can provide significant coverage for the bulk of the fees you’re required to pay.
- Holding travel insurance can garner travellers additional perks and benefits. Some organisations such as Agoda offer special hotel booking discounts to travellers who have purchased travel insurance from certain agencies.
- Given the large variety of different insurance agencies dotted across Thailand that sell travel insurance solutions, acquiring and choosing one is simple and stress-free.
Travel insurance is required, however, for travellers looking to do a RT-PCR test within Thai hospitals to test for Covid 19 symptoms. Because some countries require RT-PCR tests before stepping foot in the country, this is a situation in which you will need to obtain travel insurance if wanting to fly there as lacking one can cause delays.
There are many different insurance agencies in Thailand to purchase travel insurance from. One of the notable ones is AXA Insurance Thailand. Their offerings include a variety of benefits, including:
- 750,000 THB medical coverage.
- 1 million THB disability and accident coverage.
- Start date effective immediately after clearing immigration.
- Multiple travel insurance options on display.
Interested in travel insurance with AXA? Apply here to get started!
The importance of a Thai address
While visiting Thailand, many institutions such as immigration offices require addresses. For better quality of life improvements while in the country, it is important for visitors to have an address, whether it be for a hostel, a hotel, etc. There are a multitude of websites in Thailand designed to allow individuals to book accomodations, with one of the prominent ones being Agoda.
- Agoda provides complimentary perks and discounts to customers with travel insurance.
- You can apply for VIP status to acquire up to 25% discount on select goods, free perks, and AgodaCash to redeem points with.
- You can sign up for it free of charge!
Want to book a hotel through Agoda? Click here to get started!
Do you need to be vaccinated to arrive in Thailand?
Travellers will be delighted to hear that Thailand has relaxed its Covid 19 requirements given that a majority of the population is now fully vaccinated and most places have been opened to the public. Now you can now enjoy the freedom of being able to travel in Thailand without needing to adhere to any Covid 19 restrictions:
-
You no longer are required to showcase proof of vaccination documents to airport staff. Gone are the days when you’d need to print out this document or download a certain mobile app.
NOTE: This is dependent on the airline or country you’re flying from, so it’s recommended that you bring your proof of vaccination documents or contact your airline just in case.
- Individuals can freely plan trips to certain places in Thailand without needing to worry about quarantines and temporary shutdowns.
- Certain Covid 19 restrictions such as curfews, face masks, etc, are not enforced.
Do you need a visa to come to Thailand?
Usually, travellers coming to Thailand will need a visa. However, there are some rare circumstances where they can travel without one or apply for an exemption. Some nationalities enable travellers to be able to enter and reside in Thailand for around 30 days without a visa on hand. It’s recommended that you check with a Royal Thai Consulate oe Embassy in your current country of residence whether you need a visa and how long you can stay without one. For instance, visitors arriving from some countries can enjoy a 30-day exemption period after arriving in Thailand without a visa.
The 30-day exemption is only available to travellers originating from these following territories:
- North America: Canada, United States.
- Africa: Mauritius, South Africa.
- Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine.
- Middle East: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
- Asia: Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
Visitors from some countries are also eligible to stay within Thailand for 15 days under the Visa-On-Arrival program. To be eligible, you need to have:
- A certain number of funds on hand (10,000 THB for single visitors, 20,000 THB for families).
- Pay the entry fee of 2000 THB.
- A return ticket back from Thailand.
- Be from one of the following eligible nations:
- North America: Mexico, Papua New Guinea.
- Africa: Ethiopia
- Europe: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malta, Romania, Uzbekistan.
- Middle East: Saudi Arabia
- Asia: Bhutan, China, Fiji, India, Taiwan.
- Oceania: Nauru, Vanuatu.
Under a bilateral agreement, visitors from these following countries are also able to access Thailand without needing a visa for a short number of time:
- 15-days: Cambodia, Myanmar.
- 30-days: Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Russia.
- 90-days: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Korea, Peru.
While these exemptions are temporary, it can seem reassuring to you, especially if you haven’t received your visa yet. Visa applications can take a long time to be reviewed and in a time of uncertainty, being able to take advantage of these exemption periods can make travelling less worrisome.
Why July is the perfect time to visit Thailand
There is no greater time to visit Thailand than the summer. Known for having some of the most exquisite and beautiful beaches within the southeastern hemisphere alongside its affordable shopping opportunities and extravagant architecture, Thailand has been transformed into a popular tourist destination for billions across the globe. A trip to the Land of Smiles is simply to die for and the majority of travellers have marked their journey there as unforgettable. There is little surprise why tourists are constantly booking trips.
Furthermore, Thailand has been awarded the following:
- “Best Tourist Country” at the 2023 Grand Travel Awards ceremony.
- “Best Value for Money-Dream journey for long haul destination” award at Destination 2023 (twice in a row).
July is when the sun is out and the beaches are bustling with people and activities to partake in. While there is persistent rainfall every now and then, the times when there isn’t any are just absolute bliss. Just in the summer alone, Thailand offers:
- Numerous coastal settlements dotted with resorts, housing and beaches,
- A multitude of sandy beaches in locations such as Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Koh Samui.
- A variety of summer activities to do such as riding jet skis, joining banana boat rides, surfing, building sand castles, bird watching, getting a tan and so much more.
- Hundreds of luxury resorts with top tier cuisine, swimming pools, and spas to stretch your weary legs in.
- Lush jungles with lots of foliage and plant life to satisfy nature-lovers. Such places also include dense canopies that can shield you from sunlight and raindrops, and lots of colossal and beautiful trees.
- Majestic mountains in the northern regions that give off a very mystical vibe and offer plenty of opportunities to seek refuge from civilization. If you’re a sightseer, you can take this chance to soak in the picturesque scenery and the Thai countryside.
- Plenty of viewpoints, landscapes, and historical landmarks for photographers and videographers to leverage for their portfolio and social media pages.
- Thousands of camping spots and opportunities.
And this is only a fraction of what you can do here in Thailand. If you check out every nook and cranny, you will find that the possibilities here are endless.
Staying longer in Thailand
If you have enjoyed what Thailand has to offer and are planning on staying in the country for much longer, you can consider the Thailand Elite Visa. This rewards you with either a 5, 10, or 20 years visa with a streamlined application process and a list of exclusive perks.
Essential contact information to keep track of
Here are some organisations worth contacting during your stay in Thailand:
- 191: dial this number to reach the Royal Thai Police.
- 1155: dial this number for the National Tourist Police (highly recommended for tourists if you want to speak to a police officer).
- 1111: dial this number for the National Tourist Police call centre (used more for general complaints).
- 199: dial this number to reach the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department.
- 1699 or 1669: dial this number for medical emergencies.
- 1554: dial this number for ambulance and rescue services.
- 1192: dial this number to report a car theft.
- 1195: dial this number to report a crime.
- 1146: dial this number to reach the Rural Road Department’s hotline in case there is a road emergency.
- 1178: dial this number if you want to reach Bangkok Immigration Division 1 on Chaeng Wattana Road for any concerns related to immigration.
Contact Siam Legal
If you need legal or immigration support, consider contacting Siam Legal. As a reputable law firm, Siam Legal offers aid to tourists and foreign nationals on any immigration or legal-related matters. Individuals can choose different visa solutions to purchase, immigration consultants to speak to, and garner assistance for police clearances. Consider filling out Siam Legal’s inquiry form if you desire any assistance.
Alternatively, Siam Legal is open from 9am to 6pm Mondays through Fridays. You can reach our customer support team via phone. For those with international numbers, consider reaching out at:
- Thailand: +66 2 254-8900
- US-Toll Free: 1-877-252-8831
If you have a local number you can call Siam Legal at:
- Phone: 02 254 8900
- Mobile: 084 021 9800
