Is Thailand Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

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Thailand began reopening to international tourism in December 2020 with the expansion of its Special Tourist Visa to include tourists from all countries. Currently, although travelers may only enter Thailand for a few specific reasons, tourism is one of them. Since tourists from around the world can apply for the Special Tourist Visa, Thailand is technically open to tourists from any country.

Thailand’s entry requirements for tourists are quite strict. All tourists must have a visa (either a Special Tourist Visa or a Tourist Visa- Single Entry, unless they qualify for the Visa Exemption Scheme) and a Certificate of Entry (COE).

Additionally, tourists must present a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure and have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage that provides a minimum of USD $100,000 worth of coverage. They must also download and register via the ThailandPlus app and have a booking confirmation for an Alternative State Quarantine facility, where they must quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Thailand.

Fully vaccinated travelers from low- and medium-risk countries can enter Thailand through Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus.

For Phuket Sandbox, travelers must have a SHA+ hotel reservation for a 14-day stay and pay for COVID-19 testing that will be done on arrival in Phuket. They must then apply for the COE with their passport, proof of vaccination, COVID-19 health insurance that provides a minimum of USD $100,000 worth of coverage. flight ticket, SHA+ hotel reservation confirmation, and proof of payment for COVID-19 testing in Thailand. They must also obtain a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure and download the ThailandPlus app.

Upon arrival in Thailand, these travelers will undergo a RT-PCR test and then travel to their SHA+ hotel. They will also undergo two more COVID-19 tests in the first 14 days after their arrival. After 14 days, they will be able to go to other parts of Thailand.

For Samui Plus, travelers must follow all of the same requirements for Phuket Sandbox, plus have a reservation at a Samui Extra+ accommodation. If their arrival test is negative, they will be able to use services in hotels’ designated areas on days 1 to 3 after arrival. From days 4 to 7, they will be able to travel in Koh Samui according to a specified travel program and route. They will then take a RT-PCR test on day 6 or 7. From days 8 to 14, travelers will be able to travel around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao if their day 7 test was negative. They will take another RT-PCR test on day 12 or 13 of their stay.

Can I travel to Thailand right now?  

You can only travel to Thailand for certain reasons right now:

• If you are invited by the Prime Minister or other official
• If you are a diplomat or a representative of an international agency or foreign government
• If you are a non-Thai national who is the spouse, parent, or child of Thai nationals
• If you have a certificate of residence
• If you have a work permit or permission to work in Thailand
• If you are a student in Thailand
• If you are a non-Thai national entering Thailand for one of the following reasons:
  1. 1. 1. Media production or filming
        2. Thailand Privilege cardholders
        3. Thailand long-stay/retirement visa
        4. Conducting business or investing in Thailand
        5. Tourism purposes (only under the Visa Exemption scheme, with a Tourist Visa TR- Single Entry, or with a Special Tourist Visa- STV)
        6. Missionary work
        7. Volunteering

However, travelers from all countries can apply for the Special Tourist Visa, so in theory, tourists from any country can currently visit Thailand.

Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Thailand based on the current restrictions.

Thailand - EN

Thailand COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

Thailand has very strict entry requirements for tourists.

Thailand COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

You must have a visa, unless you are traveling from a visa exempt country. Different visas have different requirements: you can find more information on the Special Tourist Visa here and here, more details on the Tourist Visa- Single Entry here, and more information on the Visa Exemption Scheme here and here. You must obtain your visa at least 15 working days before your intended date of travel.

You must also present a Certificate of Entry (COE), which you should apply for at least 15 working days before your intended date of travel.

Other entry requirements for tourists are that you must have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure and you must possess valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage that provides a minimum of USD $100,000 worth of coverage.

You must also download and register via the ThailandPlus app. After you have completed your registration, you will receive a QR code, which you must present to authorities on arrival in Thailand. Additionally, you must have a booking confirmation for an Alternative State Quarantine facility, since you will have to quarantine there for 14 days from your arrival in Thailand.

Fully vaccinated travelers from low- and medium- risk countries who want to enter Thailand under the Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus schemes must follow all the entry requirements above, plus provide proof of full vaccination, a SHA+ hotel reservation confirmation (and a Samui Extra+ hotel reservation conservation for Samui Plus travelers), and proof of payment for the three COVID-19 tests they will take in Thailand.

When they arrive in Thailand, Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus travelers will undergo a RT-PCR test. Phuket Sandbox travelers will undergo two more COVID-19 tests in the first 14 days after their arrival. After those 14 days, they will be able to travel to other parts of Thailand. Samui Plus travelers will take RT-PCR tests on day 6 or 7 and day 12 or 13 after their arrival.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Thailand

Fully vaccinated travelers from low- and medium-risk countries can enter Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus schemes. To be eligible for the schemes, these travelers must have been in a low- or medium-risk country for at least 21 consecutive days.

Travelers must have received all doses of their vaccine and the last dose of the vaccine must have been received at least 14 days prior to departure. Acceptable vaccines include Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Sinopharm.

For Phuket Sandbox, travelers must have a SHA+ hotel reservation for a 14-day stay and pay for COVID-19 testing that will be done on arrival in Phuket. They must then apply for the COE with their passport, proof of vaccination, COVID-19 health insurance that provides a minimum of USD $100,000 worth of coverage. flight ticket, SHA+ hotel reservation confirmation, and proof of payment for COVID-19 testing in Thailand. They must also obtain a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure and download the ThailandPlus app.

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Thailand

Upon arrival in Thailand, these travelers will undergo a RT-PCR test and then travel to their SHA+ hotel. If their arrival test is negative, they will be able to travel around Phuket. Travelers will also undergo two more COVID-19 tests in the first 14 days after their arrival. After 14 days, they will be able to travel to other parts of Thailand.

Phuket Sandbox travelers must stay at the same hotel for the first 7 days after their arrival in Thailand, but after the first 7 days, they can transfer to another hotel as long as it is in Phuket.

More information on the Phuket Sandbox scheme can be found here and here.

Samui Plus travelers must follow the same entry requirements as Phuket Sandbox travelers, except that they must have a Samui Extra+ accommodation reservation for days 1 to 7 after their arrival and a SHA+ hotel reservation for days 7 to 14. They will take a RT-PCR test on arrival, and if that test is negative, they can use services and facilities in hotels’ designated areas on days 1 to 3 after arrival.

From days 4 to 7, Samui Plus travelers will be able to travel around Koh Samui according to a specified travel program and route. They will then take a RT-PCR test on day 6 or 7 after their arrival. From days 8 to 14, travelers will be able to travel around Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao if their day 7 test was negative. They will take another RT-PCR test on day 12 or 13 of their stay.

More details on the Samui Plus program are available here and here.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Thailand?

All travelers must have a medical certificate for a negative RT-PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure.

The negative test result must be from an RT-PCR test.

When they arrive in Thailand, Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus travelers will undergo a RT-PCR test. Phuket Sandbox travelers will undergo two more COVID-19 tests in the first 14 days after their arrival. After those 14 days, they will be able to travel to other parts of Thailand. Samui Plus travelers will take RT-PCR tests on day 6 or 7 and day 12 or 13 after their arrival.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Thailand?

All travelers must quarantine at their own expense for 14 days from their arrival in Thailand.

They must quarantine at an Alternative State Quarantine facility for all 14 days of their quarantine period, which is why they must have confirmation of a booking at an Alternative State Quarantine facility to enter Thailand. Alternative State Quarantine facilities include a number of hotels and even golf clubs and resorts. Some of the most popular hotels that operate as State Quarantine facilities in Bangkok are:

• The Sukhothai Bangkok
• Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
• Lancaster Bangkok

A full list of Alternative State Quarantine facilities is available here.

Fully vaccinated travelers from low- and medium-risk countries can enter Thailand through the Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus schemes, which involve a more relaxed version of the 14-day quarantine. More information on the Phuket Sandbox scheme can be found here and here.  More details on the Samui Plus program are available here and here.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Thailand

All tourists who are visiting Thailand must have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage that provides a minimum of USD $100,000 worth of coverage. They should bring a copy of their insurance certificate with them and print out all of the terms and conditions related to COVID-19 coverage and medical benefits to show to authorities.

If you’re looking for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage that will meet the entry requirements for Thailand, Heymondo is a great option. All of Heymondo’s policies cover COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad, and they offer USD $100,000 worth of coverage for medical expenses, so their insurance easily meets Thailand’s entry requirements.

You can even get a 5% discount on Heymondo policies with the link below.

Other travel restrictions for Thailand during COVID-19

Thailand has a few other travel restrictions in place:

• All tourists must have a visa, unless they are traveling from a visa exempt country.

• All tourists must present a Certificate of Entry (COE).

• All tourists must download and register via the ThailandPlus app. Upon completing their registration, they will receive a QR code, which they should present to authorities on arrival in Thailand.

• All tourists must have a booking confirmation for an Alternative State Quarantine facility, unless they are entering under the Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus schemes.Phuket Sandbox o Samui Plus.

• All travelers should expect to undergo health screenings upon arrival in Thailand.

• Face masks are required in all public areas.

• Social distancing rules must be observed.

What’s open in Thailand

There’s been a recent easing in restrictions, so beaches, hotels, restaurants, and some attractions, including temples and national parks, are all open, and tours are operating.

Hotels that are open in Thailand

Many hotels in Thailand are currently open. Keep in mind that Thai and non-Thai nationals must quarantine at an Alternative State Quarantine facility for the first 14 days after their arrival. A list of Alternative State Quarantine facilities is available here. Phuket Sandbox travelers must stay at SHA+ hotels for the first 14 days of their stay, while Samui Plus travelers must stay at Samui Extra+ accommodations for the first 7 days of their stay and SHA+ hotels for the following 7 days.

Additionally, one of the requirements for obtaining a Special Tourist Visa is a fully-paid hotel reservation for the duration of the intended stay in Thailand (after the 14-day quarantine period). If you’re looking for a great hotel for your stay in Thailand, we can highly recommend these accommodations:

• Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
• The Peninsula Bangkok
• Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse
• Le Meridien Chiang Mai
• Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
• Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort

Guests will have their temperatures checked upon arrival at most accommodations and should wear masks in all public areas of accommodations. They will also be asked to share their recent travel history and any symptoms of COVID-19 they may be experiencing.

More details on hotel regulations can be found here. More information on Special Tourist Visa requirements is available here.

Beaches that are open in Thailand

Most beaches in Thailand are open right now, so visiting tourists can go for a swim and soak up some sun.

Beaches that are open in Thailand

Beachgoers must keep at least one meter away from others both on land and in the water. In Phuket, beachgoers are not allowed to drink alcohol on the beach.

More information on beach regulations is available here.

Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Thailand

Want to explore a Buddhist temple or see gorgeous waterfalls? Some attractions, such as temples and national parks, are open and tours are operating right now in Thailand. There is so much to do, but if we had to narrow it down to a few picks, these would be our top choices for things to do in Thailand:

• Bangkok: Ayutthaya & Ayothaya Floating Market Day Trip
• Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun
• Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market 6-Hour Tour
• Chiang Mai: White Temple & Golden Triangle Day Trip
• Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park Full Day Tour
• Krabi: Phi Phi Islands Full-Day Speedboat Trip
• Krabi: 4 Islands Day Trip
• Phuket: James Bond Island

Each attraction and tour will have its own health and safety regulations, but there are some general guidelines tourists should keep in mind when visiting attractions and going on tours. Visitors should wear masks at all times and follow social distancing protocols. They should sanitize and/or wash their hands frequently. They may also be subject to temperature checks.

Restaurants that are open in Thailand

Restaurants are open in Thailand, but restrictions vary based on provinces’ classifications and bars are still closed.

Restaurants that are open in Thailand

Restaurants in dark-red zone provinces, including Bangkok, can stay open until 8 PM and dining-in is permitted. The sale and consumption of alcohol is not allowed. Air-conditioned restaurants are limited to 50% capacity, while open-air restaurants are restricted to 75% capacity.

Restaurants in red zone provinces are open for dining-in until 11 PM. The sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

Restaurants in orange zone provinces, including Phuket, are open during their normal hours and dining-in is permitted without the sale or consumption of alcohol.

More information on restaurant regulations is available here, here, here, and here.

Airports that are open in Thailand

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phuket International Airport are both open.

Travelers must wear masks and abide by social distancing rules. They should expect to undergo health screenings on arrival.

Curfew in Thailand

In dark-red zone provinces, there is a nightly curfew from 9 PM to 4 AM. More information on curfew regulations can be found here.

Interprovincial travel restrictions in Thailand

The Thai government suggests avoiding unnecessary travel. More information on these restrictions is available here.

COVID-19 testing in Thailand

Where to get a PCR test in Thailand – COVID-19 testing in Thailand

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Thailand, here is a list of places you can get tested.

Thailand reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to Thailand reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Sources

We will update this guide on Thailand reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Thailand, you can check these official sources:

• US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Thailand
• CDC Travel Recommendations for Thailand
• General Thailand Travel Advisory
• Thai Embassy: COVID-19 Situation in Thailand
• Thai Embassy: Visa and Flight Information
• Thai Embassy: Information on Different Types of Visas
• Thai Embassy: Alternative State Quarantine Information
• Thai Embassy: Special Tourist Visa Information
• Thai Embassy: More Information on the Special Tourist Visa
• Thai Embassy: Information on Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival
• Thai Embassy: Tourist Visa- Single Entry Information
• Thai Embassy: FAQs on Entry Requirements for Non-Thai Nationals
• Thai EVisa Official Website
• Certificate of Entry (COE) Registration System
• ThailandPlus App
• Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Website
• List of Laboratories in Thailand for COVID-19 Testing
• Thai Department of Disease Control’s Coronavirus Website
• Information on the Phuket Sandbox 
• Phuket Sandbox FAQs
• Information on Samui Plus
• Samui Plus FAQs