Thailand: Authorities extend enhanced restrictions in Bangkok and several other provinces through at least Aug. 31 /update 56

Event

Authorities are extending enhanced restrictions in Dark Red zones through at least Aug. 31 due to COVID-19 activity. The affected localities include Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pattani, Pathum Thani, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Songkhla, Suphan Buri, Tak, and Yala.

Residents in the affected areas must remain at home 21:00-04:00 unless for essential reasons. Officials ban gatherings of more than five people. Shopping malls are closed; exemptions are in place for supermarkets, food establishments, and other essential businesses located within such locations through 20:00 daily. Banks in shopping malls may reopen. Restaurants and food stalls located outside of shopping malls may only offer takeaway services through 20:00. Public transport services are suspended 21:00-04:00 and may only operate at 50 percent capacity. Workers must continue to telecommute as much as possible. Facemasks are mandatory in public areas. Curbs on interprovincial travel remain in place. Authorities have instructed security forces to enforce the protocols.

Less stringent measures remain in place across other parts of Thailand. Officials continue to classify other localities nationwide as Red, Orange, and Yellow zones, in decreasing levels of COVID-19 activity and strictness of protocols. As of Aug. 17, authorities are implementing restrictions according to the following designations:

• Red: The rules are in effect for Amnat Charoen, Buriram, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Ranong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Si Sa Ket, Sukhothai, Surin, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit and Yasothon provinces. Food establishments can open until 23:00 nightly. Gatherings are capped at twenty people. Checkpoints are in place for inter-provincial travel.

• Orange: These measures are in place in Bueng Kan, Krabi, Mae Hong Son, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Phangnga, Phayao, Phrae, Phuket, and Surat Thani provinces. There is no limit on the opening hours of food establishments or travel restrictions. Gatherings are capped at fifty people.

• Yellow: No provinces are under Yellow Zone health protocols. There is no limit on the operating hours of food establishments.

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

Domestic flights continue to experience disruptions due to increased COVID-19 activity. Officials have suspended flights to and from Dark Red zones except for emergency landings, medical flights, or flights under the government's tourism reopening program. Thai AirAsia (FD) has suspended local flights through Aug. 31. Bangkok Airways (PG) has temporarily canceled flights between Samui and Phuket until further notice, though Bangkok-Samui flights continue to operate twice daily. The Transport Company has temporarily suspended all northern, northeastern, eastern, and southern bus routes until further notice, while the State Railway of Thailand continues to operate selected train routes in these areas.

Travel Restrictions
The government permits travelers from most locations, and limited inbound tourist flights are operating. Cargo, emergency, and repatriation flights and government aircraft remain operational. Authorities allow travelers from multiple locations, including Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK, the US, and Vietnam, to enter Thailand without a visa. Foreign nationals traveling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan remain banned from entering due to concerns over new COVID-19 variants.

All foreign nationals must obtain a Certificate of Entry from the nearest Thai diplomatic mission before traveling. Authorities require incoming foreign nationals to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel, provide evidence of a booking at a quarantine facility, and quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities. Arrivals by air and sea must pay for their quarantine costs regardless of nationality.

The government allows fully vaccinated international travelers from 63 countries and three territories to enter Phuket without on-arrival quarantine under the "sandbox" scheme; an entry ban on domestic travelers to Phuket remains in place. Travelers must apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) for each route before departing for Thailand. Fully vaccinated travelers from the permitted countries may also visit Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao in Surat Thani Province under the "Samui Plus" program; however, travelers must undergo a seven-day quarantine at a designated hotel in Koh Samui. Authorities require arrivals under the schemes to reside in a permitted country for at least 21 days before departure and stay for at least two weeks in Phuket or Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Koh Tao before traveling to other parts of Thailand. Under the 7+7 extension plan, individuals may travel to other designated tourist locations in Surat Thani, Phang Nga, and Krabi after staying in Phuket for seven days. Travelers must also present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and have a minimum USD 100,000 medical insurance policy covering COVID-19 treatment.

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)