Thailand has rescinded a policy announced at the weekend requiring all foreign visitors to show proof they’d been vaccinated against COVID from today.
At the time, it said the only exemptions would be under 18s, those who could prove they’ve recovered from COVID and arrivals who had a doctor’s letter showing they had a valid reason for refusing vaccination.
The new entry requirements were issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand on Saturday.
However, the Tourism Authority of Thailand confirmed a u-turn this morning. A spokesperson from the TAT said the change followed feedback from the Thai and overseas stakeholders and from the tourism industry.
In a statement issued to Travel Gossip, the TAT added: “We are pleased to confirm that any changes to Thailand’s entry requirements initially announced on Friday have now been rescinded.
“Thailand maintains fully-reopen entry rules.”
Thailand’s Health Minister reportedly said the new rules, originally imposed in the face of a resurgence in travel from China, had been rescinded due to ‘sufficient immunisation levels in China and globally’.
However, Thai Airways is still warning passengers from the UK they must present a valid vaccination certificate. The following statement appears on its website:
From 09th January 2023, 08.00 am local time (Bangkok), all passengers visiting Thailand must present a valid vaccination certificate showing that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with accredited vaccines.
This does not apply to:
– Thai passport holders
– Minors below 18 years of age
– Passengers transferring/transiting through Thailand to other destinations outside Thailand (subject to measures in place at their final destination)
– Previously infected passengers with a COVID-19 recovery certificate showing the date of infection is more than 7 days and less than 6 months from the date of departure
– Passengers previously infected twice with COVID-19 recovery certificates for both infections. The latest date of infection must be more than 7 days from the date of departure
– Previously infected passengers with a recovery certificate who have had a single dose of vaccine against COVID-19. The date of infection must be more than 7 days from the date of departure
– Unvaccinated passengers with a medical letter providing reasons for COVID-19 vaccine exemption
Notes:
Vaccination Certificate
– Fully vaccinated means someone who has had complete dose(s) of accredited vaccines according to manufactures’ recommendations, at least 14 days from the date of departure
– A mix of vaccines is accepted
– The certificate can be either a hard copy or in digital format
The Tourism Authority of Thailand said the only entry requirement was that visitors coming from or continuing on to countries which require a negative COVID test must have COVID travel insurance as a condition of entry to Thailand.
