Thread: Rules for air passengers arriving in Thailand between January 9th and 31st

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a set of seven rules which will apply to all non-Thai arrivals between January 9th and 31st.


The rules are as follows:


Non-Thai passengers who are 18 or older must present documentation confirming they have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses or a doctor’s certificate stating that they have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past 180 days. Those who are not vaccinated must show a doctor’s letter explaining why they are not vaccinated.


Non-Thai passengers arriving from countries which refuse entry to infected people must have taken out COVID insurance, valid throughout their stay in Thailand plus seven days, before their departure for Thailand. Those who arrive in Thailand on business or air crew must have letters of guarantee from their employers.


Thai passport holders are exempted from showing vaccination certification and health insurance coverage.


Passengers on transit are also exempted from showing vaccination certification or health insurance coverage certification, but they are required to comply with the rules of their destination country.


Airlines are required the check the aforementioned documents of their passengers. If any passenger cannot produce the required documents, the airline should not allow them to board the plane.

Airlines are required to ensure that passengers wear face masks during their flights, except while eating or in emergency situations.


Passengers who develop COVID symptoms during their journey will be advised to take rapid antigen tests upon arrival at their destination.


The enforcement of the new rules coincides with the anticipated arrival of tourists from China, after the Chinese Government eased travel restrictions on its citizens, effective January 8th.

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Originally Posted by misskit

Non-Thai passengers arriving from countries which refuse entry to infected people must have taken out COVID insurance,

I don't get this. One would think that "countries which refuse entry to infected people" would be safer than those who do.

Tit for tat geopolitics

Originally Posted by misskit

Non-Thai passengers who are 18 or older must present documentation confirming they have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses or a doctor’s certificate stating that they have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past 180 days.

So when I leave Thailand on my next trip, in order to return I'll need to have had 2 more recent jabs, in addition to the 4 I had last year?

Originally Posted by misskit

Non-Thai passengers arriving from countries which refuse entry to infected people must have taken out COVID insurance, valid throughout their stay in Thailand plus seven days, before their departure for Thailand.

When I return to Thailand, without an outbound ticket (because I live here now) will I need an insurance document beyond my domestic medical insurance which has the word 'Covid' on it valid for ever?

It's all getting too hard again. I'll not travel in January and hope they lift these requirements in February.

From the CAAT site.

How many and how recently do Thais have to be vaccinated?

Originally Posted by misskit

Thai passport holders are exempted from showing vaccination certification and health insurance coverage.

ahhh OK

The aviation regulator has formally notified all parties about the change to arrival rules for international travellers aged 18 and over. They will take effect for flights landing in Thailand from 1am local time on Monday and will remain in effect at least until the end of the month.

Covid-jab rules for travellers confirmed

Thanks Harry for the list

Meanwhile the TIT mob over at TAT's new campaign cum to SIAM get a Dose

Its a crying shame that "Beer" companies dont have the same amounts of money to influence "elected" officials opinion. If the "beer" companies were handing out the same amounts of cash and were sponsored by the WEF, world bank etc Thailand would insist that all persons on arrival be pissed and must consume xx units of alcohol prior to arrival and preferably be certified alcoholics with the required paperwork to prove it ....................

People here need reminding of just how much the Thai government and vested interests are bending the knee in acknowledging Sino dominance.

The recently announced change in identifying the nationality of foreign criminals apprehended in Thailand did not come about as a consequence of diplomats expressing their dismay at such a practice because it bruised their nationalistic feelings. It was introduced because the Chinese were concerned about the number of their nationals flooding into Thailand and the adverse publicity the country was getting as a consequence. The solution, ask the Thai not to publish the nationality of the criminal and of course that could only happen if it applied to all farang.

Same same, in a manner of speaking, with this latest bit of stupid Thai bollocks. Rather than fall in with the rest of the civilised world and risk upsetting the PRC they have treated the rest of the world as if it were as a much a COVID threat as the PRC.

As I have said, the Thai are utterly shameless in their grovelling to whom they perceive as superior and can offer an advantage.

But it’s just for the month, just in case they have fucked up and maybe other countries will fuck over Thai nationals.

The US and EU should reciprocate immediately.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

As I have said, the Thai are utterly shameless in their grovelling

They have a number of ship orders they need the Chinkies to fulfil and lets not forget, you'd not want them to receive their submarines without any engines would you?

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

No; they have set no time limit.

I'm not being deliberately obtuse. It is the grammar here that is vague. At least in my opinion.

Non-Thai passengers who are 18 or older must present documentation confirming they have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses or a doctor’s certificate stating that they have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past 180 days.

Either way it is awkward for the unvaccinated trying to check in for their prepaid Thailand holidays today.

Originally Posted by Shutree

a doctor’s certificate stating that they have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past 180 days.

200THB should do it

Quite right Shutree, how are foreign ground handlers meant to interpret this rubbish while checking in passengers travelling to Thailand.

Typical Thai, innit. Half-arsed, clumsy and ultimately incomprehensible.

Originally Posted by david44

Indeed so , however I suppose for us already here it may reduce number of new infections.

The Thai regime's problem was they could not predict when the Dragon would be unleashed and as others ahve noted re subs , generall sucking up they felt unable to discriminate as US and EU have done requiring only Chinese to be subject to health requirements.

My concern is once it lets rip all the prior hassle returns, esp on multi leg journeys I was in 11 countries last year. I am all for proper health screening could not WHO or IATA produce a global standard?

I am vaxxed and can buy insurance to visit EU or USA but it's the uncertainty , will I need to a shot/ test Dr note within 48 hours etc

More relevant to me personally as we had planned to shop in Laos this week as usual on Mondays, will I need to have insurance to be away from home 3 hours? In absence of 100% guidance I'll let my wife go alone as she assures me Thais are never refused return.

David, you can write norbal!!

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

how are foreign ground handlers meant to interpret this rubbish while checking in passengers travelling to Thailand.

Even assuming my vaccinations are okay, we rely on some common sense at checkin and we've all experienced some silliness at some point, I suspect.

For most of us on TD who live in Thailand, what will checkin say about insurance when we don't have onward tickets?

I do have travel planned for the near future, although not yet booked, so I am taking a keen interest. I'll probably do what I did last time, buy a useless policy for 1 month of Covid insurance and lie at checkin about my planned date for leaving Thailand.

Originally Posted by Shutree

I'm not being deliberately obtuse. It is the grammar here that is vague. At least in my opinion.

Non-Thai passengers who are 18 or older must present documentation confirming they have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses or a doctor’s certificate stating that they have recovered from a COVID-19 infection in the past 180 days.

Either way it is awkward for the unvaccinated trying to check in for their prepaid Thailand holidays today.

I think this wording makes it clearer:

• Starting January 9, 2023 to January 31, 2023 travelers (aged 18 years old and above) arriving in Thailand must have proof of full vaccination; OR proof of recovery from COVID in the last 6 months; OR you may provide a vaccine-exemption letter from a doctor.

Originally Posted by david44

More relevant to me personally as we had planned to shop in Laos this week as usual on Mondays, will I need to have insurance to be away from home 3 hours?

I had planned to take the gf over the Nong Khai crossing for a couple of nights in Vientiane about now. Although the CAT rules are for air travellers only I do wonder what will happen at the land border.

Please ask the Thai Immigration officers at the exit point and let us know.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

OR proof of recovery from COVID in the last 6 months; OR you may provide a vaccine-exemption letter from a doctor.

Cheap solution there, easy

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I think this wording makes it clearer:

That is much clearer. Is that from the government or simply some random native English speaker?

Originally Posted by malmomike77

Cheap solution there, easy

Last letter from a Dr in Santa Barbara was almost $100 a while back , ignoring hassle.

We Anglophnes are pretty lucky but I imagine our Friends from places like Poland Czechia, Brazil might have to go through the added nonsense

Get the letter

Go to an authorized or notarized translation bureau then the embassy for some sort of chop, I have been through such hurdles in my life to enter Oman, KSA etc. Aside from the costs it is all very time consuming and considering Thai carriers can enter will nilly pretty pointless.

Which nationalities are listed that will require some insurance

Originally Posted by david44

Last letter from a Dr in Santa Barbara was almost $100 a while back , ignoring hassle.

i was referring to Shutree, if i was him i'd pop to a local friendly doc and cross his palm, job done.