Traveling to Thailand during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go
CNN Staff
If you’re planning to travel to Thailand, here’s what you’ll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The basics
Thailand has recorded more than 30,000 deaths and over 4.5 million cases of Covid-19 as of July 1, 2022.
On average, around 2,000 Covid-19 cases are reported per day.
On July 1, the government lifted its requirement for visitors to apply for a Thailand Pass online before their journey.
Incoming travelers, regardless of their country of origin, are no longer subjected to Covid-19 tests on arrival.
Vaccinated travelers entering the country must provide proof they have been fully vaccinated. No Covid tests are required before departure.
Unvaccinated or not-fully-vaccinated travelers must show proof of a negative result from an RT-PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel to Thailand.
More information can be found on the Tourism Authority of Thailand website.
What’s on offer
Picture-perfect islands. Golden beaches with swaying palms. Ornate temples and lush forests. Thailand has long been the go-to destination for those after a no-nonsense, easy-on-the-eyes tropical break.
Who can go
Holders of US, Canadian, UK and Australian passports are among those not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 45 days on each visit.
Tourists from countries not on the visa exemption list can apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allows for 90-day stays, and can be renewed twice. You must apply for an STV via the Thai consulate or embassy in your own country.
What are the entry restrictions?
Vaccinated travelers entering the country must provide proof they have been fully vaccinated. No Covid tests are required before departure.
Unvaccinated or not-fully-vaccinated travelers must show proof of a negative result from an RT-PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel to Thailand.
What’s the Covid situation?
At the moment, the country is reporting around 2,000 new cases per day on average and is easing its Covid restrictions.
Face masks are no longer required.
A nationwide vaccine program officially kicked off on June 7, 2021. According to CNN’s vaccine tracker, about 75% of the country’s citizens have been fully vaccinated.
What can visitors expect?
Restrictions have been eased in recent months.
Restaurants, museums, art galleries, historical sites, ancient monuments, spas, cinemas, pools, tattoo studios and sporting facilities are open throughout the country.
Bars and other entertainment venues, including nightclubs, have been permitted to reopen and resume normal operating hours.
A countrywide mask mandate has been lifted.
Useful links
Tourism Authority of Thailand Newsroom
Our latest coverage
With Thailand resuming its “Test & Go” program, we take a look at what it’s like to visit Bangkok right now.
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With international tourism sidelined for over a year, Phuket continues to struggle. Many of the island’s beaches are deserted, while businesses remain closed. Read more about what it’s like to visit now.
Most travelers who have backpacked through Asia have spent at least a few days on Bangkok’s Khao San Road. We take a closer look at how the busy thoroughfare evolved from a rice market into the world’s most famous travel hub.
Phuket is one of the world’s best known beach resorts, and is also home to one of the world’s best beaches for plane-spotting. Planning to head there? Be sure to check out Pru, Phuket’s first and only Michelin-starred restaurant.
Meanwhile, resort towns within driving distance of Bangkok are taking advantage of locals’ urge to travel. Among these is the seaside town of Hua Hin. Here’s a look at how resorts there have adapted to the pandemic.
The-CNN-Wire
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Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley and Karla Cripps contributed to this report
