Thread: Thailand quarantine and entry conditions

stand by...

Thailand to open partially on 1 July – to vaccinated tourists only







One of Asia’s top tourism locations will ease many restrictions to international visitors in July – but only for those who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.


Thailand is targeting British travellers who are over 50, though it is not yet clear how visitors will prove they have been jabbed.
The Thai prime minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, approved the plan in a meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration on Friday.
A pilot programme will begin on 1 July on the holiday island of Phuket in southwest Thailand.


New arrivals who can prove they have completed a course of immunisation will be taken from the airport to their hotel where they will be tested for Covid-19.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/thailand-holiday-uk-vaccine-quarantine-b1823274.html

Well the source is the Bangkok Post:

Phuket to rekindle tourism

However it says:

Minister of Tourism and Sport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn on Friday said the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, approved a three-stage roadmap to reopen six major tourism provinces -- Phuket, Krabi, Phangnga, Surat Thani (Koh Samui), Chon Buri (Pattaya) and Chiang Mai -- to vaccinated foreign visitors.

From April to June, inoculated foreign visitors arriving in these provinces will only be required to undergo quarantine in hotels or other designated facilities for seven days, he said.

Which implies that you have to fly direct to take advantage of this.

And of course they do not have ASQ hotels in any of them except Pattaya. And if you want to "arrive" there do they mean Utapao?

So I'll get in touch with the embassy again and get in touch with the ASQ hotel again.

FFS I wish the c u n t s would make their fucking minds up and come up with a clear and consistent set of instructions.

^ anything other than official policy is pie in the sky IMO, even then given the current regimes penchant for soundbites and flip flopping you'd be mad to believe it until at least one plane load has landed.

Originally Posted by strigils

^ anything other than official policy is pie in the sky IMO, even then given the current regimes penchant for soundbites and flip flopping you'd be mad to believe it until at least one plane load has landed.

They announced the 10-day quarantine without it being published in the gazette. My embassy told me last week that they are accepting visa applications on that basis, and my ASQ hotel already offered me a ten day (12 night) package on that basis.

I've emailed them both today with that link and will follow up tomorrow.

I was already planning to do the ten days, so if I end up doing 7 I'd be more than happy.

Mendip thought he had problems getting back to Thailand.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

I will have to call the embassy in DC and ask. No way I am driving 12 hours to DC.

Good luck.

Although the Post reported Phuket opening up to vaccinated tourists without quarantine from July 1st, other sources say Sept 1st.

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has passed Phuket’s principles for accepting vaccinated international tourists, set to be implemented from this September 1.

Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Yuthasak Supasorn reported that the CCSA has given its approval to guidelines for accepting vaccinated foreign visitors, proposed by Phuket and the TAT, opening up the possibility for tourists, who have been vaccinated and tested negative for COVID-19, to enter Phuket directly by air and to travel within the province without quarantine. The measures are to take effect from September 1, 2021.

The CCSA has tasked the TAT with discussing the details of the plan with the governor of Phuket as well as related agencies.

National News Bureau Of Thailand

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

They announced the 10-day quarantine without it being published in the gazette. My embassy told me last week that they are accepting visa applications on that basis, and my ASQ hotel already offered me a ten day (12 night) package on that basis.

I've emailed them both today with that link and will follow up tomorrow.

I was already planning to do the ten days, so if I end up doing 7 I'd be more than happy.

How are you handling the airline ticket?
Will they allow a one way ticket? I am pretty sure you need an exit ticket.
We are planning to go to Greece for a couple of months after we arrive there but the timing is problematic because we are waiting to find out when we will be able to return quarantine free, . They say October first but we want to be sure. TIT
So would a Throw away ticket work , and if so where to?
What is your thinking in the issue?

As it's been mentioned already - the policy changes/rechanges will cycle around every coupla weeks. Rhetorical Thainess. [told ya]

Standing by.

FFS....pick a program and stand with it. Presumed to be accepted by the masses under the guise of "just going with it"/"it is what it is"

From the Thai perspective, it might be imperative to immunize the greater percentage of local population, firstly, before opening the doors fully - doesn't look as if this is prioritize activity, as of yet.
In the interim, go with the trickle in - limited entry - week quarantine [even those who've been certified] policy from April-Oct that is already in place.


This ongoing fucking around isn't beneficial for the long term.

Originally Posted by HuangLao

As it's been mentioned already - the policy changes/rechanges will cycle around every coupla weeks. Rhetorical Thainess. [told ya]

Standing by.

FFS....pick a program and stand with it. Presumed to be accepted by the masses under the guise of "just going with it"/"it is what it is"

From the Thai perspective, it might be imperative to immunize the greater percentage of local population, firstly, before opening the doors fully - doesn't look as if this is prioritize activity, as of yet.
In the interim, go with the trickle in - limited entry - week quarantine [even those who've been certified] policy from April-Oct that is already in place.


This ongoing fucking around isn't beneficial for the long term.

TIT
Vaccinations cost money, Tourism makes money.
You do the math LOL

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

TIT
Vaccinations cost money, Tourism makes money.
You do the math LOL

Did the conclusive math years ago.
Fuck Farang and fuck the tourists.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

How are you handling the airline ticket?
Will they allow a one way ticket? I am pretty sure you need an exit ticket.
We are planning to go to Greece for a couple of months after we arrive there but the timing is problematic because we are waiting to find out when we will be able to return quarantine free, . They say October first but we want to be sure. TIT
So would a Throw away ticket work , and if so where to?
What is your thinking in the issue?

Bought a return ticket. I plan on working here till next year. Don't want to try retiring while things are still in flux.

I don't think you can plan on there being no quarantine in October unless they get vaccinating quickly.

What's the hurry to get there if you plan on fucking off straight away? Makes no sense.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Bought a return ticket. I plan on working here till next year. Don't want to try retiring while things are still in flux.

I don't think you can plan on there being no quarantine in October unless they get vaccinating quickly.

What's the hurry to get there if you plan on fucking off straight away? Makes no sense.

We have a house in Thailand and four dogs and a car. by now we have been away for over a year, lucky for us we have the wife's sister and husband who are taking care of the house and dogs, and start the car every once in a while,
but we are anxious to get back
In addition we want to get back while the getting is good, all this opening up, I am afraid could cause an increase in cases in Thailand and they will shut down again, as it did in Greece where they opened up to some tourism last summer, and now they are having 3,000 cases a day.

But the question is, do I need a return ticket, or a ticket out of Thailand, to let me in? Wife says, I dont, she says her friend just went there and she only needed a one way ticket, I tell her, yes but she is Thai, I am not, But there is no winning with my wife, so I need to find out on my own.

I can settle that for you. If you come in on a non-o, you don’t need proof of onward travel. If you come in as a tourist, you need proof of onward travel. In practice, Thailand never checks for this when you enter. The airlines check for it when you check in.

If you want to be extra sure, buy the cheapest one way airasia no luggage ticket you can find to a neighboring country. Then throw it away once you get in Thailand. But again you don’t need it if you have a valid non-o visa. Obviously a thai, coming in on a thai passport, needs nothing.

Originally Posted by Slick

I can settle that for you. If you come in on a non-o, you don’t need proof of onward travel. If you come in as a tourist, you need proof of onward travel. In practice, Thailand never checks for this when you enter. The airlines check for it when you check in.

If you want to be extra sure, buy the cheapest one way airasia no luggage ticket you can find to a neighboring country. Then throw it away once you get in Thailand. But again you don’t need it if you have a valid non-o visa. Obviously a thai, coming in on a thai passport, needs nothing.

Thank you
Green owed .

In the days of mass tourism it wasn't checked.

Nowadays as one heads hopefully to quarantine with a sheaf of documents, it seems often an exiting air ticket is checked for if on a tourist visa.

Originally Posted by OhOh

When I returned last December, on a one way ticket, the airline requested a number of documents. Mainly virus related. One of which was a valid visa to enter Thailand.

My visa then, a NON O Multiple Entry, was valid for a couple of months.

A valid visa was also a stated necessity, by the UK Thai embassy to obtain the Thai authorities Certificate of Entry which is/was also required by the airline.

The airline checked everything thoroughly, their only concern was the time from when the test was performed to when the plane was due to depart.

Arriving in Thailand all the paperwork was inspected multiple times at the airport prior to being handed over to the hotel pickup guys.

On previous journeys the one way ticket was noticed occasionally but after drawing attention to the valid visa in my passport there were no problems.

Since returning I have extended my visa and obtained "permission to stay" for 12 months. It is a single entry, which means if you wish to leave Thailand and retain you 12 months "permission to stay" a "Re-Entry" permit must be obtained, prior to leaving Thailand, either at your local TIO or at the airport.

In addition, you are required to notify your local TIO every 90 days.

It appears that you are able to extend your initial "permission to stay" as long you meet the original NON O visa conditions. In my case being legally married to a Thai citizen.

But as always, check with your local Thai embassy and airline.



As suggested above by Slick, obtain a Thai NON O single entry visa and extend, if you wish to travel out of Thailand.

Thank you for that very comprehensive explanation
I will be getting a non IM O which I guess solves that problem.

Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

which I guess solves that problem.

As in many instances "guessing" can be somewhat unreliable when interacting with TI officers.

With smaller TIOs interacting with the same officer is relatively easy. At larger offices it's not so easy.

Well I emailed a bundle of Visa application and other docs to the embassy today (you can't just walk in, their Covid policy apparently). Apparently they review them and if approved, they call you to go to the embassy and submit the actual paper and pay for it.

If that passes muster, it's COE time, which requires the Visa approval, ASQ booking and insurance.

My local AXA said they are not covering Thailand at the moment (!) so I went to AXA Thailand and bought theirs instead; it's apparently COE friendly.

COVID insurance for Thailand'''s foreign visitor... :: AXA Thailand

The ASQ hotel are waiting for my booking. They said they have 10-day packages because they had been told that's OK, but they are waiting for similar news about the 7-day. If that's approved then presumably COE will need proof of vaccination (unless the embassy can do that in country before confirming your Visa).

I'll let you know what I hear back from the embassy.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Well I emailed a bundle of Visa application and other docs to the embassy today (you can't just walk in, their Covid policy apparently). Apparently they review them and if approved, they call you to go to the embassy and submit the actual paper and pay for it.

If that passes muster, it's COE time, which requires the Visa approval, ASQ booking and insurance.

My local AXA said they are not covering Thailand at the moment (!) so I went to AXA Thailand and bought theirs instead; it's apparently COE friendly.

COVID insurance for Thailand'''s foreign visitor... :: AXA Thailand

The ASQ hotel are waiting for my booking. They said they have 10-day packages because they had been told that's OK, but they are waiting for similar news about the 7-day. If that's approved then presumably COE will need proof of vaccination (unless the embassy can do that in country before confirming your Visa).

I'll let you know what I hear back from the embassy.

Good Luck,
wife will be emailing our documents soon. We are following your process with great interest.
I hope we don't have to go there (Washington DC) as it is a 12 hour drive and no way a one day trip.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

We would visit from time to time this time of year when I would apply for my O-A Visa, before the O-X was introduced (I would mail the O-A application in when we had other plans). DC is beautiful during this time of year.

Photos Show Cherry Blossoms at Peak Bloom in Washington, D.C. During 2021 Festival

We would stay at the Mandarin Oriental which is just steps away from the tidal basin (cherry blossoms)….

Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.

and visit the DC Wharf during the evenings.

District Wharf

I am sure they would enjoy the visit.

Thank you for that reply.
My wife would love that, she can post pictures on FB and make all her friends jealous LOL. It seems all the Thai ladies love doing that.
I saved the information on the hotel , it looks like a nice place and their prices are reasonable for DC. I hate driving around in DC , it is easy to make a wrong turn and end up in the wrong side of town.
Many years ago I was at the Smithsonian with a girlfriend, and a friend of mine and his GF. They wanted Chinese food, we drove around and found what it looked like a nice Chinese restaurant and had dinner, when we came out the window of the car was Brocken and all of our things stolen.
Is the Embassy close to the hotel?