The government of Thailand has lifted many restrictions on incoming foreigners, now making multiple exceptions and allowances starting on July 1, 2020.
Thailand is now issuing an International Flight Permit, effective July 1, which gives certain tourists and non-nationals the ability to have first access to the country.
Here are the exceptions the International Flight Permit allows for foreigners entering Thailand:
- Thai nationals
- Persons with exemption or persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, as necessary. Such consideration, permission or invitation may be subject to specified conditions and time limits
- Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parents, or children of a Thai national
- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of residence, or permission to take up residence in the Kingdom
- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid work permit or are allowed to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children
- Carriers of necessary goods, subject to immediate return after completion
- Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission and have a specified date and time for return
- Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students
- Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their attendants. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19
- Individuals in diplomatic missions, consular affairs, international organizations, government representatives, foreign government agencies working in Thailand, or individual in other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including their spouse, parents, or children
- Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country
These new rules starting July 1st will allow certain types of foreigners, like those seeking medical tourism, to enter Thailand, as well as allowing non-Thai nationals to finally reunite with their Thai spouses or children.
Entry Requirements for International Flight Permit
Of course, all normal immigration and travel regulations will still apply like Visa requirements, duration of permitted stay, etc.
If you are a non-Thai national looking to travel to Thailand, you should contact your consulate or embassy to check all of your entry requirements before you book your trip.
Any traveller using the International Flight Permit to enter Thailand on July 1st must also abide by COVID health and entry requirement protocols like:
Travellers arriving with travel health insurance that also covers COVID
A pre-screening health declaration card filled out before the departure
The wearing of masks mandatory on in-bound flights and in the airport
Thermal scans and temperature checks upon arrival
The conditions for the international flight permit comes after the June 25 news the Government of Thailand approved a draft plan for relaxed measures for foreigners entering Thailand, which could see the general reopening of international tourism as of August 1, 2020.
Thailand’s draft plan includes three phases of reopening:
- Phase One: Business travellers, investors, skilled workers, people with Thai family members, teachers, etc.
- Phase Two: Medical tourism travellers 3. Phase Three: General tourists
The International Flight Permit includes measures under Phase One and Phase Two of Thailand’s reopening plan.
Phase 3, Thailand’s general reopening for tourism, is planned to start on August 1, 2020.
