FAQ on the Coronavirus Situation in Thailand and Tips on How to Stay Alert on Your Trip

Apr 7, 2020Oct 1, 2020 • Travel Tips, Press Releases and News

UPDATE: October 1, 2020

By virtue of Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005) and Section 11 of the State Administration Act B.E. 2534 (1991), the entry to Thailand is permitted for particular persons in the exempted list. The list for non-Thai nationals includes the following:

(1) Exempted persons or persons who are specified, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister or Chief official responsible for remedying the emergency situation to enter into the Kingdom pertaining to necessity, whereby conditions and time frames may also be prescribed;

(2) Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under International organizations, or representatives of foreign governments or agencies performing their duties in Thailand, or any other persons in international agencies, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives permission pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children;

(3) Non-Thai nationals who are spouses, parents, or children of Thai nationals

(4) Non-Thai nationals who have a certificate of residence, or have been permitted to take up residency in the Kingdom, including their spouses or children;

(5) Non-Thai nationals who have a work permit or have been granted permission to work in the Kingdom in accordance with Thai laws, including their spouses or children; or Migrant workers, who have been granted permission, to work in Thailand (For Migrant workers, the applicants may contact their employers directly for more information);

(6) Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational establishments in Thailand approved by Thai authorities, including their parents or guardians, except for students of non-formal schools in accordance with laws on private schools or of any other similar private educational establishments;

(7) Non-Thai nationals who need to receive medical treatment in Thailand, including their accompanying persons, except for treatment for COVID-19

(8) Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country or have been granted permission by the Prime Minister – all of whom must strictly adhere to the Kingdom’s communicable disease prevention and control.

For more information about applying for a Thai visa, read this: https://thaiembdc.org/visas/

UPDATE: September 18, 2020

The Thai Cabinet has approved in principle a proposal by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to grant a Special Tourist Visa (STV) for long-staying visitors. Visitors can stay in the country for 90 days, which can be extended twice for 90 days each. The visa will cost 2,000 Baht per 90-day extension.

UPDATE: August 20, 2020

According to a study by German-based travel company Tourane, Thailand has topped the list of the world’s safest destinations to visit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thailand was considered the world’s safest travel destination during the COVID-19 pandemic based on various criteria, including the 14-day notification rate of new COVID-19 cases and deaths per the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), International Health Regulations score, population density of the country, hours of sunshine per day for outdoor activities, and flight connections with Germany.

Thailand recorded a low number of COVID-19 cases and was scored 85 for International Health Regulations. These coupled with moderate population density at 135, and the hours of sunshine per day for outdoor activities, 6.6 hours, plus having the most number of direct flights with Germany placed Thailand in the top spot.

As of today, Thailand has reported no new local COVID-19 cases for 86 days. So far, the Kingdom recorded a total of 3,382 COVID-19 cases, with 58 deaths.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to remind all travelers that Thailand’s international airports and borders remain closed to international tourists for the time being. However, Thailand is ready to welcome back tourists again once the COVID-19 situation has improved.

UPDATE: July 1, 2020

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to share the latest announcement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) that several groups of foreigners will be allowed entry into the kingdom starting today, July 1, 2020, onwards.

According to CAAT, as the present situation of COVID–19 in many foreign countries remains severe, it is necessary to impose measures to restrict the travel to Thailand in accordance with the screening capability of the competent officers or the communicable disease control officers in order to efficiently control and prevent the new epidemic in the Kingdom.

CAAT hereby issues the notification on the conditions for permitting aircrafts to fly over, fly into or out of, and take off or land in the Kingdom, from July 1, 2020, onwards as follows:

1. The following aircrafts will be allowed to fly over, fly into or out of, and take off from or land at an international airport in the Kingdom when permission is given by the CAAT:

State or military aircraft
Emergency landing flights
Technical landing flights without disembarkation
Humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights
Repatriation flights
Cargo flights

2. Permission for passenger aircraft will be given by the CAAT for flying over, flying into or out of, and taking off or landing at an international airport in the Kingdom only if the passengers or persons on board are one of the following categories:

Thai nationals.
Persons with an exemption or persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, as necessary. Such consideration, permission or invitation may be subject to specified conditions and time limits.
Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national.
Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of residence, or permission to take up residence in the Kingdom.
Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid work permit or are allowed to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children.
Carriers of necessary goods subject to immediate return after completion.
Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission, and have a specified date and time for return.
Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students.
Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their attendants. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19.
Individuals in diplomatic missions, consular affairs, international organizations, government representatives, foreign government agencies working in Thailand, or individuals in other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including their spouse, parents, or children.
Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country.

3. Aircraft and passengers or persons entering the Kingdom under Item No. 2 must comply with the conditions, time limits and rules of the authorized persons under the Thai immigration law, communicable diseases law, air navigation law, and the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation in force, for prevention of the disease and the organization of the number of persons entering Thailand in accordance with the screening capability of the competent officers or the communicable disease control officers, and the arrangement of quarantine facilities.

UPDATE: June 15, 2020

According to a study produced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and leading organizations in Malaysia, Thailand has ranked second out of 184 countries worldwide for its ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts.

As of mid-June, it’s fair to say that Thailand has emerged victorious in the fight against the first wave of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak with far fewer community spread infections and fatalities than expected.

The Thai government credits Thailand’s robust health security system as mostly responsible for the kingdom’s success. In particular, politicians’ willingness to let health experts call the shots, the coordination and cooperation between government departments, provincial and local bodies across the country, and the clarity of communications to the public about how to avoid disease transmission.

The government also highlighted the work of more than 1,000 epidemiological teams across the country, who were able to investigate every single case, trace every contact, and monitor them for 14 days.

UPDATE: May 18, 2020

According to the latest Notification of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand Re: Temporary Ban on All International Flights to Thailand issued on 27 April 2020, in order to maintain the continuity of prevention and control measures, by virtue of Section 27 and 28 of the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand hereby issues the following orders:

1. The ban on international passenger flights to Thailand will be extended from 1 June 2020 at 17:00 UTC to 30 June 2020 at 17:00 UTC.

2. All flight permits granted for such period will be canceled.

3. The ban does not apply to state or military aircraft, emergency landing, technical landing without disembarkation, humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights, repatriation flights, and cargo flights.

4. The passengers on board the aircraft in 3. will be subjected to the measures under communicable disease law, such as 14 days state quarantine, and the regulations under the Emergency Decree on State of Emergency.

This shall come into force on the date of its announcement until amendment.

UPDATE: May 7, 2020

UPDATE: April 21, 2020

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with the public and private sector partners, is introducing an “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration: SHA” certification aimed at elevating the country’s tourism industry standards and developing confidence among international and domestic tourists.

The project is part of TAT’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis and accelerate recovery in the travel and tourism sector. The Amazing Thailand SHA certification is to prepare Thai tourism operators to be ready for the return of tourism post-COVID-19.

TAT is currently working on details of the Amazing Thailand SHA certification together with the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Board of Trade of Thailand, Federation of Thai Spa and Wellness Association, Thai Retailers Association, Thai Hotels Association, Association of Domestic Travel, Thai Amusement and Leisure Park Association, Thai Restaurant Association, Thai Spa Association, Thai Boats Association, and Event Management Association.

Works in the process include establishing the SHA criteria, introducing the committee, preparing the application and selection process, and planning marketing and publicity for the SHA-certified tourism establishments and services.

The evaluation methods and methodology of assessment for tourism establishments and services to be certified with the Amazing Thailand SHA certification will cover five key areas.

– Tourism establishments and services must strictly follow the COVID-19 control guidelines by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health.

– The safety of attractions and facilities with development plans or operating procedures that focus on ensuring tourist safety while maintaining local culture and promoting interaction between local communities and tourists.

– Hygiene and sanitation in tourism establishments and services; such as homestays, lodges, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

– Convenience, cleanliness, and safety of linkages between communities and attractions, as well as the safety and health standards of transportation, including private cars, public buses, and airlines.

– The confidence in tourism personnel in tourism establishments, including tourist safety and security protocol.

The Amazing Thailand SHA project is a part of TAT’s realigned strategy amid the COVID-19 crisis, which also includes the plans to stimulate spending from domestic tourism.

UPDATE: APRIL 7, 2020

In order to maintain the continuity of the prevention and control measures, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand hereby issue the
following orders:

1. All international passenger flights to Thailand will be banned from 6 April 2020 at 17.00 UTC to 18 April 2020 at 17.00 UTC.

2. All flight permits granted to international passenger flights for such period will be canceled.

3. The ban on 1. does not apply to the following:
(1) State or military aircraft
(2) Emergency landing
(3) Technical landing without disembarkation
(4) Humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights
(5) Repatriation flights
(6) Cargo flights

4. The passengers on board the aircraft leaving the airport of departure before the entry into force of the Notification will subject to 14-day quarantine under the contiguous disease law and the regulation under the Emergency Decree on State of Emergency B.E. 2548.

UPDATE: March 19, 2020

In the event that persons wish to travel to Thailand during this time, the following applies:

• The US is included among countries listed as ongoing local transmission areas. France, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Japan, and Germany are also included on that list.

• Effective March 20, 2020, at check-in at the airport of departure, US travelers must present the following documents to the airline:

• Health certificate certifying that the passengers pose no risk of being infected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19). The health certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours prior to the date of travel.

• Insurance that shows minimum medical coverage in Thailand of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in the amount not less than 100,000 USD.

In addition, the following applies:

Travelers arriving in Thailand must complete the health form (T.8 form) accurately and truthfully (or the AOT Airports Application).

• Travelers with a fever and at least one of the following symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, and difficulty breathing must notify disease control officers at the quarantine office immediately upon arrival in Thailand.

• All travelers will pass a fever screening through a thermal scan. Travelers who meet the criteria of surveillance will be referred to a designated hospital.

• It is recommended that all travelers self-monitor (supervision without quarantine) at their hotel or place of stay for no less than 14 days and comply with recommendations to prevent infection and community spread.

• Hotel/Place of Stay must match the information which was given on the T8 form.

• It is recommended that all travelers adhere to social distancing recommendations

• If travelers exhibit clinical symptoms, they are required to report to the disease control officers within 3 hours. Control officers will provide guidelines for leaving the place of stay when necessary.

• At this time, to prevent community spread, all bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, massage parlors, across the country, are temporarily closed.

For further information about measures and health education (excluding visa information and complaint) please contact via OICDDC hotline +66 9-6847-8209 from 08.00 A.M – 8.00 P.M. (GMT+07.00) or OICDDC Facebook messenger for 24/7 assistance. Feel free to reference the official document here.

UPDATE: MARCH 17, 2020

The Tourism Authority of Thailand would like to inform international and domestic tourists that the Royal Thai Government today announced several measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Measures to limit people’s movement and travel

– Thai New Year, or Songkran, holidays and celebrations, from 13-15 April, 2020, to be postponed until further notice.

– 14-day closure of universities, international schools and tutorial schools, from 18 to 31 March, 2020

UPDATE: MARCH 16, 2020

WHAT IS A T8 FORM (downloadable here)

1. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has launched an application to enable travelers arriving from the Disease Infected Zones to submit the T8 form as required by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

2. All travelers from the Disease Infected Zones must complete the T8 form, via the AOT application or on paper, and submit it to the communicable disease control officials at the control post at the airport of disembarkation.

3. After downloading the AOT application, travelers are required to complete the T8 with their personal information including name, nationality, passport number, active mobile phone number and active e-mail address. The data will be stored for 14 days from the arrival date. This is to allow Thai health officials to contact the travelers in case of an emergency, e.g., passengers seated in close vicinity are tested positive for COVID-19.

4. This requirement is in line with the CAAT’s “Practical Guidelines for the Air Operators Relating to the Services to be provided in the Territories outside Thailand Defined as Disease Infected Zones of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak,” issued on 8 March, 2020. On 5 March, 2020

In addition, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put into effect the suspension of Visa on Arrival (VoA) for nationals of 19 countries and territories which were previously eligible. These countries are Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu. Visa exemptions will also be canceled for nationals from South Korea, Italy and Hong Kong. This will remain in effect until September 30^th, 2020.

Should you wish to speak to a TAT representative, please send call:
Los Angeles: (323) 461 9814
New York: (212) 432 0433
Toronto: (647) 329 1000

UPDATE: March 13, 2020

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update on measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Travelers to Thailand are advised to avoid transiting at an airport in the Disease Infected Zones (which include China – including Hong Kong and Macau, Italy, Iran, and South Korea), as the Royal Thai Government has put in place a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

UPDATE: March 12, 2020

Dear Friends of Thailand,

Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has brought panic throughout the world. Especially with the recent developments over the last few days, it’s important during times like these to share good feelings for each other! The People of Thailand are ready to help spread cheer and offer support in fighting the discouragement that Coronavirus has recently spread. We are ready to keep fighting side-by-side with the world and get through this together.

As thousands of visitors have booked travel to Thailand over the next few months, the Tourism Authority of Thailand would like to thank them for their continued support and reassure them of their safety and security from the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Thailand Travel - Coronavirus — Image: Shutterstock

Currently, all of TAT’s local offices are constantly monitoring the 2019-nCoV situation in the country and are working closely with their respective local public and private sector partners to prevent the spread of the virus. Actions taken by authorities include workshops on the understanding of the virus and disease control, and preventive efforts including visitors’ health screening and extra hygiene at tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, and public transport.

Until further notice, Thailand’s annual events and festivals that are scheduled between now to March 2020 are still taking place as usual, which includes sports activities, conferences, and exhibitions. In addition, all shops, department stores, restaurants, museums, and tourist spots are open as normal.

If you are planning to travel to Thailand in the next few months, you probably have some questions and concerns about the 2019-nCoV in the country. We’re here to answer some questions you might have about traveling to Thailand during this time and some tips on how to stay alert while traveling.

What Preventive Measures are in Place to Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus in the Country?

Since January 3rd, Thailand has implemented passengers’ health screening with thermal scans at the country’s four international airports in Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi International Airports for suspected symptoms of the coronavirus disease. These airports have also stepped up hygiene measures, including extra cleaning and disinfection, as well as providing hand sanitizers. If any suspected cases are identified, they will be quarantined and administered further tests.

Thanks to extensive experience in dealing with medical conditions such as SARS and MERS, Thailand has an effective surveillance and screening system for disease control. The efficient screening system detected two 2019-nCoV cases in Chinese nationals, traveling from Wuhan, China. Both have been completely cured and have been returned home, according to the Department of Disease Control.

Hotels, tour operators, airlines and all other providers of products and services to visitors are also taking 100% action to ensure cleanliness and hygiene. With this is in mind, the Ministry of Public Health has launched the “Big Cleaning Week” to build health literacy among the general public by adjusting personal hygiene behavior for the cleaning of houses, workplaces, and public places to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection.

Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Department of Health has stressed the importance of strict hygiene measures at government places, restaurants, food stalls, hotels, and petrol stations. The measures also cover public transport, including city buses and commuter vans, rapid transit (sky train and subway) and ferries, as well as intercity buses, coaches and trains.

The Ministry also dispatched health and medical personnel to observe visitors’ health screening and prevention efforts at attractions popular with tourists including Asiatique The Riverfront and Siam Niramit.

Thailand Coronavirus — Image: TAT Newsroom

Are Any Local Events Going to be Canceled Due to the Virus?

All of Thailand’s annual events and festivals that are scheduled between now to March 2020 are taking place as usual, which includes sports activities, conferences, and exhibitions. In addition, all shops, department stores, restaurants, museums, and tourist spots are open as normal.

For more information and the calendar of events and festivals in Thailand, visit http://thailandfestival.org/en

Tips on How You Can Reduce the Risk of Coronavirus While Traveling

TAT would like to remind everyone to strictly adhere to everyday hygienic habits, which can help prevent the spread of several viruses, especially when you are out and about enjoying travel experiences in Thailand. Some of these habits include:

• Cleaning your hands with soaps and water or alcohol-based hand rub.

• Covering the nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.

• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

• Bring a mask when you are out and about, especially if you are coughing, sneezing, have a sore throat and/or a runny nose.

• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly.

• Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.

If you are a Thai or international tourist who are traveling from Wuhan, China, seek immediate medical advice and treatment if you are experiencing these emergency warning signs within 14 days: fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and shortness of breath. You can also contact the Department of Disease Control hotline 1422.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is Ready to Help

TAT would like to emphasize that the Thai tourism industry will do everything possible to strictly implement preventive measures and heighten active surveillance for all tourists in Thailand to be protected from being exposed to the virus. This is consistent with the policy of the Thai tourism industry to provide and maintain quality services.

The TAT’s offices in Thailand and around the world are ready to help and act as coordination centers for those people wanting any information updates on the coronavirus situation in Thailand. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please call the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422 or the Tourist Police Hotline 1155.

Continue to follow us on social media for updates on the traveling situations around Thailand. You can also visit https://www.tatnews.org/category/thailand-tourism-updates/ for the most current news updates.