Synopsis
Though fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the nation and travel around without any quarantine restrictions, the rules will be little different for unvaccinated visitors.
In a recent development, Thailand has announced plans to eliminate pre-arrival testing for incoming visitors starting next month. As per the Tourism Authority of Thailand, starting May 1, visitors will not have to get tested before coming or upon arrival, irrespective of their vaccination status.
Though fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the nation and travel around without any quarantine restrictions, the rules will be little different for unvaccinated visitors.
Rules for unvaccinated visitors
1) If a visitor is not fully vaxxed and enters the nation without a negative PCR test, he/she will need to book a minimum 5-day stay in a government-approved hotel and quarantine there. There, they’ll get tested with a PCR test on the fifth day of their trip.
2) Alternatively, if a traveller is unvaccinated but arrives in the country with a negative RT-PCR test, taken within 72 hours of their arrival, they won’t need to quarantine. They are free to travel throughout the nation.
However, all those visiting Thailand will still have to register for a Thailand Pass online and obtain an insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $10000 (less than the previous $20000 requirement).
Apparently, Thailand began welcoming foreign travellers without quarantine under its Phuket Sandbox program in July 2021. Then, in November, the country started permitting tourists to visit the rest of the country without quarantine requirements. Again, in December, the rules became stricter because of the Omicron variant.
In February 2022, Thailand again started its Test & Go Thailand Pass program to boost tourism. Fully vaxxed visitors from foreign nations were allowed to visit any part of the country and skip quarantine.
