Thailand: Authorities continue to implement protocols nationwide as of April 20 due to COVID-19 /update 71

Event

Authorities continue to enforce various measures as of April 20 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity.

Domestic Measures
Localities remain grouped into orange, yellow, and blue zones in decreasing order of strictness. The government categorizes Bangkok and nine provinces as the least-stringent blue zones and 47 other provinces as the third-strictest yellow zones. The following designations are in effect:

• Blue: Bangkok; Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phang Nga, Phetchaburi, and Phuket provinces

• Yellow: Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bung Kan, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Rai, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Pattani, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phrae, Prachin Buri, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Satun, Si Sa Ket, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surin, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Uthai Thani, Yala, and Yasothon provinces

• Orange: All other provinces

Gatherings are capped at 500 and 1,000 people in orange and yellow localities, respectively; no gathering limit is in place in blue areas. Alcohol consumption at eateries is allowed through 23:00 nightly in blue and yellow areas but remains suspended in orange zones.

Authorities in some provinces may require travelers to download a mobile tracking application and undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. The nationwide state of emergency is in effect through May 31. Officials have declared Thailand to be under level 4 COVID-19 alert, the second-highest in a five-tier system.

International Travel Restrictions
Thai citizens and foreign travelers from all locations may enter Thailand under the Alternative Quarantine, the Sandbox, or the Test and Go schemes. All entrants, including Thai citizens, must apply for a Thailand pass before arrival; Test and Go travelers who arrive by water must obtain a Certificate of Entry. All passengers must also undergo COVID-19 tests upon arrival and download the MorChana mobile application. Incoming foreigners who are not covered under Thailand's national healthcare coverage must have a minimum health insurance coverage of USD 20,000.

The Alternative Quarantine program is open to all travelers regardless of vaccination status. Travelers of any vaccination status must quarantine for five days and can leave the quarantine sites after obtaining negative results from COVID-19 tests.

The Sandbox scheme is open to vaccinated travelers or travelers who have recently recovered from COVID-19. The passengers under the scheme must test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival must remain within the Sandbox areas for five days and return to their pre-arranged accommodation nightly for these first five days before they can travel to other parts of Thailand. Localities under the Sandbox scheme include Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket provinces; Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao in Surat Thani Province; Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Sattahip, Si Chang, and Si Racha in Chonburi Province; and Ko Chang in Trat Province.

The Test and Go program is also open only to travelers who are vaccinated or have recently recovered from COVID-19. Entrants who arrive by air or land must undergo an on-arrival test and wait at an approved facility for one day until the test result returns negative; passengers who arrive by water must wait for the result of the test aboard the vessel. The arrivals may then travel to any part of Thailand and undergo an antigen self-testing kit (ATK) on the fifth day after arrival.

People of all nationalities can arrive by air through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket, and Samui and by water under the Sandbox and the Test and Go schemes. Only Thai citizens or foreign travelers from the neighboring countries can enter through the border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Satun, Songkhla, and Udon Thani under the program.

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

Thailand COVID-19 Portal
Thailand Pass
Thai E-visa Official Website
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thailand
Thai Government Public Relations Department
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (Thai)