Booking a holiday break in 2022 may seem overwhelming, especially if it is the first time you’re planning a holiday since the pandemic gripped the world a couple of years ago. UK travel rules have been relaxed since March of this year and many countries across the world are continuing to relax travel restrictions further.
A recent change in travel rules to Thailand means entry to the country will now be faster and easier. There are different travel rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, so you will need to make sure you meet the correct requirements before you set off.
New rules affecting holiday-makers have been in effect since June, 1, 2022. They impact the Thailand Pass system which means approvals are now automatic.
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What is a Thailand Pass?
Along with a valid passport, a Thailand Pass is one of the mandatory requirements to gain entry to Thailand. You need to apply online for a Thailand Pass before travelling to Thailand.
Previously, the Thailand Pass could take approximately seven days to be issued. With the new relaxed travel rules, there are fewer documents to check and therefore approvals are much quicker.
Here is a list of what Thailand travel rules have changed and what that means for your holiday to Thailand
Thailand travel for fully vaccinated travellers
- If you’re fully vaccinated, you can apply to enter Thailand via the Thailand Pass system
- Thailand Pass approvals are now automatic and take between 1-2 hours to be granted
- Previously mandatory quarantine periods have been removed
- RT-PCR tests before and upon arrival are not required
- You must have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before your date of travel and the vaccines must be approved by Ministry of Public Health
- If you enter Thailand through land border (Thailand shares boundaries with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar) you will also need to apply on the Thailand Pass website
Proof of vaccination status
Vaccinated travellers aged 18 or over will have a vaccination certificate. Thailand will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record.
- A digital certificate or a screenshot of evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status should be accepted
- Your final vaccine dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior to travel
- Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status
Thailand travel for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers
- Unvaccinated travellers can enter Thailand under the Alternative Quarantine Scheme but will have to quarantine
- You are exempt from quarantine if you have a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure
- You must quarantine at a State Quarantine or Alternative State Quarantine ( ASQ ) facility
- You may be required to download the Thai Chana COVID-19 tracking app when you arrive
If you are not fully vaccinated, have had COVID-19 and you've had at least one vaccine dose, you may be able to enter Thailand by showing a medical recovery certificate.
