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    Thailand – COVID-19: Fully-Re-open Entry Policies for Travelers to Be Maintained

    GMS Flash Alert 2023-014 | 19 January 2023

    Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority has announced new measures for international tourists, including those from the People’s Republic of China (“China”).1  From 10 January 2023 onwards, passengers do NOT need to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19, or proof of recovery, before boarding flights to Thailand.

    Contrary to recent press reports on restrictions for travelers from China, the Thai authorities have further evolved their policies in recent days in terms of COVID-19 and travelers into Thailand.  We describe the new policies in this GMS Flash Alert. 

    Why this matters

    Incoming passengers are no longer required to show proof of vaccination.  This should ease travelers’ anxiety and reduce preparation time and documentation requirements.  However, under the new rules, travelers from countries that have COVID-19 restrictions in place, such as China and India, still need to be in possession of a relevant and valid health insurance policy. 

    As part of the full re-opening, Thailand has also been offering a longer period of stay for visitors.  Effective from 1 October 20222 until 31 March 2023, the period of stay is extended to 45 days (from 30 days) for tourists from countries/territories under the Visa Exemption scheme, and to 30 days (from 15 days) for those eligible for a Visa on Arrival (“VOA”).  This should make planning for trips more flexible and reduce stress regarding limitations on time spent in Thailand.

    More Details

    On 10 January 2023, the Department of Disease Control (“DDC”), Ministry of Public Health (“MoPH”), issued “Public

    Health Measures for Foreign Travelers Entering Thailand” as per the following:

    1.      Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is NO longer required.

    2.      Travelers from the listed countries requiring negative RT-PCR test results before departure from Thailand should have health insurance which has at least US$10,000 coverage for COVID-19 treatment for a period including the full duration of the stay in Thailand plus seven additional days.

    o   Those with business arrangements, including flight crews and students, may present an official letter from their host, or another form of insurance, which fulfils the same requirements.

    o   Quarantine officers will randomly check travelers from listed countries for proof of insurance and if a traveler does not have proof of insurance, he or she will have to purchase health insurance before being allowed through Immigration.

    3.      Holders of Thai passports and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from health insurance checks.

    4.      The airlines must adhere to related regulations and comply with guidance as appropriate, e.g., asking passengers to wear a mask at all times except during meals or emergency situations.

    5.      Any passenger with symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival shall be advised to get a COVID-19 test in the arrival hall.

    Notice to Air Missions

    Also on 10 January 2023, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (“CAAT”) issued a Notice to Air Missions (“NOTAM”) to airlines flying into Thailand.3  The NOTAM aligns with the Public Health Measures for Foreign Travelers Entering Thailand issued on the same day by the DDC, and outlines advice on health insurance and other health-related recommendations.

    The NOTAM is advisory in nature and is not compulsory for airlines.  Airlines may use their discretion with regard to their passengers coming into Thailand.

    Effective Dates

    The DDC’s Public Health Measures for Foreign Travelers Entering Thailand, and the CAAT’s Notice to Air Missions, are effective from 10 January 2023 until further notice.  According to the MoPH, once a country lifts its requirement for a RT-PCR before entry, the health insurance requirement will automatically be lifted.

    KPMG Insights

    An IRP Stamp 1G is granted based on a relationship with a principal employment permit holder and is therefore not an independent immigration permission.  The validity and renewal of an IRP Stamp 1G will remain contingent on the relationship between the parties, continued joint residency in Ireland, and the immigration status of the principal employment permit holder.

    Individuals should be aware that the application processes for family reunification remain unchanged by this update.  By way of example, General Employment Permit holders are usually required to have worked in Ireland for 12 months before they may seek to enjoy family reunification with their spouses or partners and children.

    If employers have questions regarding this notice, family reunficiation requirements, or the conditions attached to an IRP Stamp 1G, they should contact their usual immigration counsel or a member of the Immigration and Employment Law team with KPMG Law in Ireland (see the Contact Us section).

    Contacts

    Tanittha Cha-Um
    Tanittha Cha-Um

    Associate Director

    KPMG in Thailand

    Wanpratueng Ramgomut
    Wanpratueng Ramgomut

    Associate Director

    KPMG in Thailand

    ruangrit-khantapaet
    Ruangrit Khantapaet

    Tax Manager

    KPMG in Thailand

    Additional Resources

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    Footnotes

    1  Public Health Measures for Foreign Travelers Entering Thailand at: https://ddc.moph.go.th/idcp/pagecontent.php?page=1198&dept=idcp .  Also, for additional information, see the Bureau of Information, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health at: https://pr.moph.go.th/?url=pr/detail/2/04/184448/ .

    Also see, “Thailand maintains ‘fully-reopen’ entry rules” published in TAT Newsroom (online) at: https://www.tatnews.org/2023/01/thailand-maintains-fully-reopen-entry-rules/ .  Please note that by clicking on this link you are leaving the KPMG website for an external site (non-governmental, non-KPMG), that KPMG is not affiliated with nor does KPMG endorse its content.  The use of the external site and its content may be subject to the terms of use and/or privacy policies of its owner or operator.

    2  See the webpage "COVID-19 Situation in Thailand" on the website for the Royal Thai Embassy in the United States at: https://thaiembdc.org/covid-19inthailand/  .

    Also see “Summary of Countries and Territories entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand” issued by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 30 September,2022” at MFA.

    See J. Read, "Thailand Lifts All Covid Border Restrictions And Makes Long Stays Easier" in Forbes (online) (October 21, 2022) at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/johannaread/2022/10/01/thailand-lifts-all-covid-border-restrictions-and-makes-long-stays-easier/?sh=64fc86ee7492 .  Please note that by clicking on this link you are leaving the KPMG website for an external site (non-governmental, non-KPMG), that KPMG is not affiliated with nor does KPMG endorse its content.  The use of the external site and its content may be subject to the terms of use and/or privacy policies of its owner or operator.

    3  For the announcement (in Thai) see: https://www.caat.or.th/th/archives/70604 .

    Disclaimer

    * 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.

    GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

    © 2024 KPMG Phoomchai Tax Ltd., a Thailand limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

    KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”) is a Swiss entity.  Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm.