On 1 November 2021, Thailand ended quarantine for foreign nationals entering the country by air, depending on their vaccination status and country of departure.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a list of 63 countries and territories from which individuals are permitted to enter Thailand according to the Royal Thai government's plan to reopen the country.1.
In addition, the previous Certificate of Entry (COE) system has been replaced by a new Thailand Pass system from 1 November 2021 onwards.
(For prior coverage, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2021-265 (20 October 2021) and 2021-231 (3 September 2021).)
WHY THIS MATTERS
These measures should help relieve restrictions around travel into and out of Thailand and encourage economic recovery and less uncertainty around travel for business and pleasure.
Travel restrictions have considerable impact on globally-mobile employees moving between Thailand and the rest of the world. However, awareness is vital as travellers will still need to comply with certain rules to be able to enter the country as tourists.
In light of the evolving changes to the travel, testing, and quarantine rules, it is important for organisations and their globally-mobile employees to keep apprised of this very fluid situation and plan accordingly.
More Details
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Thailand is to admit foreigners from 63 countries without quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated with vaccines approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or the World Health Organisation (WHO) and have evidence of pre-flight negative COVID-19 test results.2 However, travellers must stay at a hotel for one night until they receive a negative result from a RT-PCR test. If their test result is positive, they will be sent to a hospital or a quarantine hotel and then meet a doctor to evaluate their condition. Their time spent in the quarantine hotel or hospital will vary on a case-by-case basis.
The Thailand Pass3, 4 replaces the previous Certificate of Entry (COE). The Thailand Pass System is a QR code generating system. In order to obtain a QR entry code or Thailand Pass ID, travellers will have to:
- register at https://tp.consular.go.th/;
- input personal details;
- upload the required documents.
Once these have been approved, they will receive an email with their QR Entry Code or Thailand Pass ID which they will use upon entering Thailand.
The processing time for the Thailand Pass application is three to five days depending on the Thai embassy or consulate where the application has been submitted.
KPMG NOTE
These steps could help Thailand to revive its vital tourism industry and may be a good sign for business travellers.
We, at KPMG in Thailand, highly recommend foreign nationals to keep in touch with the Thai embassy/consulate at their location to follow the regulations for entering Thailand and apply for the Thailand Pass at least seven days before their intended departure.
FOOTNOTES
1 List of countries/territories according to the Notification of the Operation Centre for Measures on the Entry into and Departure from the Kingdom, and Protection of Thai Nationals Abroad at: https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/updatelist301064?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c3060006842.
2 See the Schemes for Entering Thailand (by Air) effective 1 November 2021 by clicking here.
3 For Thailand Pass registration system, see: https://tp.consular.go.th/.
4 For Thailand Pass FAQs, see: https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2.
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Thailand.
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