Coronavirus: The government of Thailand tightens prevention measures

published on 14 July 2021 | reading time approx. 4 minutes

Since April 2021, Thailand is experiencing a new wave of Covid-19 cases, including several variant strains such as the UK and Indian variant. The government has responded by tightening the prevention measures.
 

• Current Situation »

• Entry Thailand »

• Vaccination »

 
CURRENT SITUATION

Under the current regulations, Thailand is divided into five zones. Each zone has different control measures.

• DARK RED ZONE (maximum and strict controlled areas), including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon, Narathiwas, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla;
• RED ZONE (maximum controlled areas), including the provinces Chonburi Chainat, Trak, Nakorn Nayok, Nakorn Ratchasima, Nakorn Sawan,  Chachoengsao, Prachineburi, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Ranong, Rayong, Ratburi, Lopburi, Samut Songkhram, Singburi, Suphanburi, Angthong, Uthaithani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Saraburi, and Kanchanaburi, Kabi;
• ORANGE ZONE (controlled areas), including the provinces Chanthaburi, Kalasin, Kampaengpetch, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphumi, Chumporn, Trang, Trad, Buriram, Patthalung, Pichit, Pitsanuloke, Mahasarakham, Roi Et, Loei, Srisaket, Satool,  Sa Kaeo, Suratthani, Surin, Nongbualumphu, Udonthani, Ubonratchathani  and Sukhothai;
• YELLOW ZONE (close surveillance areas), other 18 provinces of Thailand including the provinces Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket etc.;
• Currently, there is no GREEN ZONE in Thailand.
   

The applicable control measures depend on the zone. As of 12 July, dark red zones are subject to lockdown measures again. The public has been asked to stay indoors as much as possible, and a curfew has been introduced between 9 pm to 4 am. Public transportation will only service between 4 am to 9 pm. Schools and other educational institutions have been closed. Public gatherings are limited, and risky venues (e.g. entertainment venues, etc.) have been closed. Indoor dining is restricted.
 

For Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, the governor has announced even stricter regulations, such as closure of spas and massage parlors. Public parks, convenience stores, flea markets, malls and shopping centers have to be closed at 8 pm. The opening hours of markets and malls are tightly regulated.

Travelers should always carefully check the applicable regulations which might differ from province to province. For domestic travel, certain provinces require quarantine when travelling from a dark red zone, unless the traveler can provide evidence of having obtained two vaccine jabs.
 

All provinces have announced mask mandates. Fines vary from first to third violation: The first violation is usually fined with THB 1,000, the second violation has a range from THB 1,000 – 10,000 and the third violation can be fined with THB 20,000.

ENTRY THAILAND

General entry to Thailand

In addition to a visa, travelers are required to present the following:

• Certificate of Entry issued by the embassy/consulate of the departure country; nota bene that CoEs are only issued to certain groups of people, for example, Thais, foreigners holding a permission to work in Thailand, diplomats, etc.;
• Negative Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours prior to departure;
• Health insurance covering Covid-19 with a coverage of at least USD 100,000;
• Reservation of quarantine hotel; please note that travelers are required to undergo a mandatory 14 days quarantine. Should the traveler be tested positive for Covid-19, they have to go to a medical facility;
• Travelers have to download an application on their smartphones to track their whereabouts.

Please note that travelers from certain countries (including Germany) do not have to apply for a tourist visa, and may stay in Thailand under the visa exemption scheme for up to 45 days. However, travelers should check if the exemption is currently granted as it may be suspended for health reasons anytime.
 

Phuket Sandbox

Under the “Phuket Sandbox” scheme, authorities re-opened Phuket for vaccinated travelers as of 1 July 2021 under the following conditions:

• Coming from one of the approved 66 low to medium risk countries including Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE, UK, USA, Vietnam;
• Staying in the approved country for at least 21 days prior to entering Thailand;
• Registration for the scheme
• Payment evidences e.g. receipt of payment for hotel and Covid-19 tests during the stay in Thailand must be presented for registration;
• Certificate of Entry;
• Negative Covid-19 test (RT-PCR document) not older than 72 hours prior to arrival in Thailand;
• Downloading a tracking app for mobile phones;
• Health insurance covering Covid-19 treatment (at least USD 100,000);
• Vaccine certificate for an WHO/Thai FDA approved vaccine issued within 14 days prior to traveling;
• Booking for an approved hotel, including the required further testing;
• Temperature check and Covid-test at the airport;
• Additional tests on days 6 and 12 of the stay are necessary for travelers staying 14 days or more.

Should all tests be negative, travelers may travel onwards to other destinations in Thailand after 14 days in Phuket. They will be required to present RT-PCR documents permitting onwards travel.
 
Should a test be positive, the tourists are required to go to a hospital for treatment. Upon departure, a last Covid-19 test shall be administered.
 
Current information and useful links »
 

Opening of other provinces

Under the current plan, Thailand targets to open within October. However, the final decision will depend on the health situation.
 

VACCINATION

Thailand has started to administer vaccines to citizens and ex-pats working in Thailand. As of 7 June 2021, registration has been opened for the general public. People can apply on various websites by providing some personal information. As of 1 July, it seems that registering is subject to having either a Thai-ID card number for Thais, or a Pink Card number (foreigner ID) or social security number. Similar to other countries, the roll-out has seen some technical difficulties. The authorities mainly administer the vaccines “Sinovac” and “AstraZeneca”.
 

An alternative vaccine currently imported and administered is “Sinopharm”. Other vaccines such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik V and Moderna will be available within the fourth quarter of 2021. As of today, many hospitals offer pre-registrations (mostly for Moderna).
 

The government has declared that the vaccine will be available to foreigners too. However, the specifics remain to be seen. Overall, the rollout will depend on the availability of vaccines, and it seems to be the case that, as of 13 July 2021, registration for ex-pats is not generally possible.