Thailand: Authorities to ease COVID-19 measures, including curfew hours, nationwide from Oct. 16 /update 61

Event

Thailand will ease restrictions in each category of COVID-19 protocols and the classification of some provinces from Oct. 16. Authorities continue to categorize provinces into Dark Red, Red, and Orange zones in decreasing order of strictness. The gathering caps will be increased to 50, 100, and 200 people in Dark Red, Red, and Orange localities respectively. Businesses can operate through 22:00 in Dark Red areas and 23:00 in Red areas nightly. Orange localities do not face any opening hours limits. Officials in Dark Red zones will shorten the nightly curfew to 23:00-03:00. Entertainment venues, including bars, karaoke parlors, and pubs, must remain closed in all zones.

Authorities will also decrease the number of Dark Red areas from 29 to 23, while the number of Red localities is reduced from 37 to 30. The number of Orange provinces is increased from 11 to 24

The following designations will come into effect from Oct. 16:

• Dark Red: Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Prachin Buri, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Songkhla, Tak, and Yala provinces

• Red: Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Lopburi, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, and Udon Thani provinces

• Orange: Amnat Charoen, Bung Kan, Buri Ram, Kamphaeng Phet, Krabi, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Mae Hong Son, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Phang Nga, Phayao, Phrae, Phuket, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, and Yasothon provinces

A nationwide state of emergency remains in effect through Nov. 30. Local authorities in some areas require arrivals from Bangkok and other Dark Red zones to quarantine for up to two weeks.

Officials have resumed domestic air travel and inter-provincial bus services in Dark Red zones. Authorities from some provinces require travelers to download a mobile tracking application and undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Travel Restrictions
Officials plan to allow fully vaccinated tourists from several low-risk countries, including include China, Germany, Singapore, U.K., and U.S., to enter Thailand from Nov. 1. Travelers must show evidence of vaccination, a negative RT-PCR test result before departure, and undergo another RT-PCR test upon arrival. The government said it also plans to allow travelers from additional countries to enter from Dec. 1.

Authorities currently permit travelers from most locations, and limited inbound tourist flights are operating. Cargo, emergency, and repatriation flights and government aircraft remain operational. Thai nationals, diplomatic personnel, as well as non-Thai nationals with a valid certificate of permanent residency, work permits, or special permission from government agencies to work in Thailand, among others, may enter Thailand. Foreign nationals can enter under special arrangements like Thailand Elite Members, APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders, foreign students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, and individuals seeking non-COVID-19 related medical treatment.

All foreign nationals must apply for a valid visa, obtain a Certificate of Entry (COE) from the nearest Thai diplomatic mission before traveling, and register using the ThailandPlus application. Authorities require incoming foreign nationals to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before departure and provide evidence of a booking at a quarantine facility. Fully vaccinated travelers may quarantine for seven days, while unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days for arrivals by air and sea or 14 days for arrivals by land. Foreign nationals entering or transiting through Thailand must have a minimum USD 100,000 medical insurance policy. Arrivals by air and sea must pay for their quarantine costs regardless of nationality. Nationals from Australia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam with an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) may enter Thailand. Foreign nationals traveling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan remain banned from entering.

Fully vaccinated individuals from all countries may enter Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, or Surat Thani without on-arrival quarantine under the "sandbox" scheme. Unvaccinated children may travel with their parents. However, travelers under the "sandbox" scheme must stay for at least seven days at the approved tourist locations before moving to other parts of Thailand. Arrivals must present a valid visa or re-entry permit, a Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, a COVID-19 health insurance policy, confirmation of a hotel booking, and a negative RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

State COVID-19 Portal
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (Thai)
World Health Organization (WHO)