Thai arrival rules repealed

As of 1 July 2022, expect big changes to yacht entry rules for Thailand.

29 June 2022

A new provincial order issued by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew on 25 June has confirmed the new eased COVID measures for international arrivals, including visiting yachts, coming into effect as of 1 July.

It’s welcome news to international visitors arriving by land, air and sea to learn of sweeping changes to Thailand’s entry requirements.

These include the removal of the Thailand Pass to enter, lifting a US $10,000 health insurance requirement and cancellation to register for the Thailand Pass.

Most importantly, all previous requirements for State Quarantine and Alternative Yacht Quarantine have been repealed, with arrivals by sea now required to comply with the same entry measures as any other arrival by land or air, according to Gordon Fernandes from Asia Pacific Superyachts.

“This means Thailand is welcoming all travellers with proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR or professional ATK test result.”

Rules will be in effect from 1 July 2022, with specific requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers from all countries and territories with scheduled arrivals from this date.

Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand.

Pre-arrival requirements

Vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: a valid passport or border pass for arrivals via border checkpoints and a Certificate of COVID Vaccination.

Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID, with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.

Travellers five to 17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.

Unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: a valid passport or a border pass for arrivals via border checkpoints.

Upon-arrival requirements

Upon arriving in Thailand, all travellers must undergo entry screening, including a body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.

Vaccinated travellers will then be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom. (For arrivals by land using a border pass, they will be allowed a stay of no longer than three days within the specified areas only.)

Likewise, unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers who have proof of a negative result from an RT/PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom.

The latest order repeals a slew of previous provincial orders and confirms that face masks are no longer required in public areas.

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