Today is a big day for international travel. Not only is Australia letting people travel internationally once again (in some cases without quarantine), but Thailand is also opening to vaccinated travelers without quarantine.
Thailand’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism (pre-coronavirus, it made up about 20% of the county’s GDP), yet up until now borders have largely been closed, at least for those looking for free movement without quarantine. That has finally changed as of today.
In this post:
Thailand has reopened as of November 1
It’s now official — Thailand has reopened to fully vaccinated travelers from 63 countries as of November 1, 2021. With this plan:
- Fully vaccinated travelers are eligible to enter Thailand by air if they’ve been in one of 63 countries for at least 21 consecutive days prior to travel (so this isn’t about citizenship, but rather about where you’ve been)
- Travelers need to complete the Thailand Pass registration form prior to travel, at which point they’ll be given a QR code to enter the country; if you have questions about how this works, check out Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook page, which has lots of info
- An RT-PCR coronavirus test is required within 72 hours prior to travel
- A second RT-PCR coronavirus test is required on the day of arrival, and the traveler must stay in their accommodation until the result comes back negative
- Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of $50,000 is required for travel
The plan for this was first announced by Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, just a couple of weeks ago. Many wondered about whether or not this would actually happen, given that we’ve seen seemingly endless reopening plans announced, but none materialized. This time around it really happened.
One major concern has been that even though the country is opening to tourists, the plan was for most lockdown restrictions to remain in place. This includes a 10PM curfew, bars remaining closed, and restaurants not being able to serve alcohol. Those restrictions would cause many people to reconsider a vacation there. While not all restrictions have been lifted, the ban on alcohol has at least been lifted in many areas popular with tourists.
Which 63 countries has Thailand opened up to?
Thailand has opened to travelers who have been in one of 63 eligible countries for the past 21 consecutive days leading up to their trip. This is based on where one has been for the past 21 consecutive days, and not nationality or even residency. These countries include the following:
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
I’m not surprised this is happening
Up until this point, Thailand’s reopening plan has been a hot mess. I don’t know how many dozens of reopening strategies we’ve seen proposed by various government officials in Thailand, only for nothing to come of them. That’s why I’ve been skeptical of Thailand’s plans, and prior to this latest update, haven’t written about them much.
This time is different, because I truly think we’re reaching a turning point when it comes to travel restrictions. We’re finally at the point in the pandemic where even conservative destinations are starting to make realistic plans to open up — just look at countries like Australia, Fiji, Singapore, etc.
Once countries have widespread vaccinations, at some point I think we’re at the “new normal,” because there’s not some magic that’s going to happen to completely eradicate coronavirus anytime soon (or probably ever).
Bottom line
Thailand has officially reopened to vaccinated travelers from 63 countries as of today, November 1, 2021. Those who have been in select countries for the past 21 days will be able to travel to Thailand quarantine free, in conjunction with a coronavirus test before departure and upon arrival.
This is a fantastic development for travelers. Along with Australia at least once again allowing citizens to travel internationally, I’d say it’s a good day for international travel recovery.
What do you make of Thailand’s tourism reopening?
Indeed, very exciting the world is starting to open up!
It states on the mfa.go.th site that you may be in more than one country as long as they are on the list during that 21 consecutive days. Section 17. under Thailand Pass Faqs dated 10/31/21.
I’d like to hear about how fast their pcr test is. In Europe I’ve seen 5-hr turnaround but is extremely costly (200+ EUR? 250 CHF in Switzerland)
I am booked and ready for travel in February, I don’t drink so hopefully they keep that in place , less crowding better pricing and more to see.
Speaking of Thailand, Ben: did you hear about TG selling half of their fleet?
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2207659
Does anyone have any clarity on if you must remain in ONE listed country for 21 consecutive days or can if you can be in multiple of any of the countries on the list for 21 consecutive days.
I am in paris from 11/5/21-11/15/21 then back to the states, trying to leave states for Thailand on 11/22. Will i be able to enter since I’ve been in 2 separate countries on the list over the 21 dats prior to entry?
You have to stay in one country for 21 consecutive days. Someone posted the answer from one of the Thai embassy on FB group. How would they check and enforce? I don't know.. by looking through your passport?
Accorgind to the Foreign Ministry of Thailand, this is not true.
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/thailand-pass-faqs
Q#17: You need to have stayed in the listed countries / territories for at least 21 consecutive days (can stay in several listed countries / territories for a total of 21 consecutive days) before being eligible for the Exemption from Quarantine scheme.
I have been trying to complete the registration. It is really frustrating as they only accept JPEG documents of everything they are asking and when it comes to the final page to submit it snaps and gives a system error. Not a good start.
Do we have to have the post-arrival test even if traveling to Phuket? I thought that Phuket arrivals do not need this arrival-testing.
Phuket Sandbox required pre departure testing, testing on arrival, and additional tests on day 6/7 and 12/13!
Thanks.
I have just checked this website https://www.thailandpsas.com/ and now things have changed:
"From 1st November 2021, the new Phuket Sandbox regulation has reduced the number of required RT-PCR tests during the stay in Phuket as the following requirements:
Only 1 test at the airport are require
The second test using ATk".
I guess the latter means: "Antigen Test Kits (ATK)" - but it says nothing as to how that...
Thanks.
I have just checked this website https://www.thailandpsas.com/ and now things have changed:
"From 1st November 2021, the new Phuket Sandbox regulation has reduced the number of required RT-PCR tests during the stay in Phuket as the following requirements:
Only 1 test at the airport are require
The second test using ATk".
I guess the latter means: "Antigen Test Kits (ATK)" - but it says nothing as to how that works....
Interestingly, Cathay cancelled most flights between JFK/EWR/ORD etc and HKG. In the week when we go in January, there is only one flight per week. Terrible.