Reflecting a growing trend in the Asia-Pacific region, Thailand has announced that international travelers from 46 countries will enter the Kingdom without quarantine starting from 01 November 2021.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha initially announced its borders would reopen to citizens from ten “low-risk countries.” Upon further consideration, Thai authorities announced the list of countries had been increased to 46 countries.
The Government of Thailand lists 45 countries and one territory cleared for visiting the country and reflects a desire to reopen the local tourism economy. Quoted by The Bangkok Post, the Prime Minister said: “If we wait until everything is fully ready, we’ll be too late. Besides, tourists may choose to go elsewhere.”
Thailand is taking a calculated risk. As explained by Prayut Chan-o-cha: “But this is a risk we must take. I think, like other countries, Thailand is now better equipped to deal with the risk. And we need to learn to live with it.”
The citizens of the 45 approved countries and one special region can now enter Thailand without undergoing a quarantine period. Visitors, however, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and prove they obtained a “negative” PCR test before boarding a Thailand-bound flight. Travelers must also be prepared to take an additional screening test upon arrival in Thailand.
An officials Thai Government circular announced the countries placed on the latest “no-quarantine” list are:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- Hong Kong
The nationals of the 46 countries and regions exempted from quarantine must:
- Have completed a full vaccination program 14 days before departing on their journey.
- Hold a prepaid reservation for one night at an approved quarantine hotel in Thailand.
- Hold medical insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000.
- Have a “negative” RT-PCR COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours of their departure flight for Thailand.
- Undergo a “self-paid” RT-PCR COVID-19 test on arrival in Thailand.
Citizens of countries not on the list can enter Thailand providing they are fully vaccinated, have the required minimum health insurance cover, show proof of a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test, undergo two RT-PCR tests in Thailand on the arrival date, and day 6-7 of their stay, AND submit to a self-paid quarantine in an approved hotel.
