The Thailand Pass system has now been abolished. There is no need to apply for a Pass to visit Thailand.
The mask wearing mandate has also been scrapped. It is recommended, but not mandated, to wear one in crowded areas, in large groups of people, and in poorly ventilated places.
For entry rules concerning vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors, please visit the following page:
Option 1: Vaccinated
There is no RT-PCR test requirement for vaccinated visitors, neither before travel or upon arrival. However, check with your airline as to whether they require a pre-departure test.
It is recommended that you take a self-administered antigen test if you develop symptoms in Thailand during your trip.
You will need to upload your passport, proof of vaccination, and proof of the mandatory Covid-19 insurance policy to the Thailand Pass portal.
The required insurance coverage amount is $10,000.
Option 2: Unvaccinated
The rules for unvaccinated visitors are as follows:
You must provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test or professional ATK test within 72 hours of traveling to Thailand. Children under 6 years old do not need a test.
The result of the test must be uploaded to the Pass system.
This option enables the unvaccinated to travel in Thailand under the same conditions as the vaccinated.
If you do not want to do a test, you will be required to stay in an approved hotel for 5 days before being allowed to travel around Thailand.
Please note: Thai nationals are no longer required to apply for a Pass.
Required Documentation
To clarify, here is the documentation required for each group:
Vaccinated travelers:
- Your passport profile page
- A certificate of full (2 doses) vaccination
- A medical insurance policy covering the $10,000 minimum requirement
Unvaccinated travelers:
- Your passport profile page
- A negative RT-PCR or professional ATK (not self-administered) test result issued no more than 72 hours before your travel date (in lieu of a vaccination document)
- A medical insurance policy covering the $10,000 minimum requirement
Unvaccinated travelers (Staying in Alternative Quarantine)
- Your passport profile page
- Confirmed booking of AQ or SHA+ hotel 5-day Alternate Quarantine package
- A pre-booked RT-PCR test (may be included in your hotel booking package)
- A medical insurance policy covering the $10,000 minimum requirement
Vaccination Rules for Entry
For those who are vaccinated and choosing option 1, you need to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before entering Thailand.
You don't need to be vaccinated for the Alternative Quarantine option (2).
Here’s a list of the approved vaccines under the Thailand Pass system:
- AstraZeneca
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
- COVILO (Sinopharm)
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
- CoronaVac (Sinovac)
- Sputnik V
Please note that mixed brand vaccine shots are accepted.
Required Health Insurance
The health insurance requirement is to cover your hospital bill should you fall ill with Covid-19. The policy must explicitly cover treatment to the sum of at least $10,000 (USD).
You can use any insurance company, local or international, as long as it explicitly meets the requirement.
If you are employed in Thailand you can use your Social Security card as proof of insurance, saving you from taking out a new policy.
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COVID-19 Testing Protocols
For the unvaccinated, who require a test prior to departure, proof of the test result must be provided via the original document, in English or Thai language.
If you are doing the 5-day quarantine, you will be tested on day 5 of your stay, prior to being allowed domestic or onward travel.
Nightlife
Night-time entertainment venues such as, pubs, bars and karaoke lounges will resume operation from June 1. This includes the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises up till 12 AM.
Getting a Visa for Your Trip
The large majority of foreign nationals can enter Thailand on a 30-day exemption stamp, which is provided upon entry (immigration stamp your passport with an entry stamp).
The Thailand Pass itself does not require a specific visa. However, nationals of some countries may require a visa to enter.
If you are eligible for a 30-day exemption and want to stay for more than 30 days, you should consider the visa options available at your local Thai embassy's website.
I have information on the various types of visa here.
How to Apply for Your Thailand Pass
You can apply for the Thailand Pass online, do that here.
You can apply for your Thailand Pass up to 60 days before your arrival date.
It doesn't take long, maybe 20 minutes if you have your documents to hand.
However, do the application on a laptop or desktop computer, as it will be fiddly on mobile.
Once inside the portal you will need to do the following:
- Choose the correct plan from the two options previously discussed.
- Enter personal details such as your country of origin, length of stay, date of arrival, etc.
- Upload your vaccination certificate.
- Upload a copy of your passport, hotel booking confirmation, and proof of COVID medical insurance.
Once you receive your confirmation email to say that your application has been received, you will have to wait for an approval in the form of a QR code, which is now issued automatically and shouldn't take longer than 2-3 hours.
A QR code is like a barcode that is linked to a specific piece of information, and can be scanned to reveal that information by compatible devices.
Save the QR code to your phone and print a copy out for the trip. You will need it when you arrive in Thailand and possibly at other times during your stay.
How to Contact Thailand Pass
If you have a query regarding your Thailand Pass application, you can contact the 24-hour helpline on one of the following numbers:
- +66 (0)2-572-8442 (this is the main line and the one reported to work best)
- +66 (0)65-205-4247
- +66 (0)65-205-4248
- +66 (0)65-205-4249
I would advise that you call over Skype or some other VOIP program that isn't going to charge a high international call rate like your cell or landline provider will. You will most likely have to hold for quite a while, so prepare yourself for a fairly long call.
Your Questions Answered
I've been getting a bunch of questions on this pass over the past few weeks, so here's a roundup of the most common ones.
I'll add to this section once more questions come in and the scheme matures.
1. Do I need to book a special hotel?
If you are vaccinated and arriving under the quarantine exemption, you do not need to book a specific hotel.
If you are unvaccinated and choosing to do the 5-day Alternative Quarantine (AQ), you will book into an SHA+ hotel, which is a designated hotel that handles quarantining visitors.
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2. I'm vaccinated but recovering from Covid, can I travel?
If you are fully vaccinated but were recently infected and are still testing positive you can enter Thailand. You will need a certificate from your doctor declaring that you have have recovered from Covid-19 in the last 14 to 90 days.
If you test positive on arrival you can show your certificate. However, you may still need to be cleared by a medical professional.
3. I'm a foreigner with a Non-O Visa (based on Thai spouse) and proof of residence. Do I need to book a SHA+ hotel for arrival?
No, you can return home to your usual residence upon arrival, with no need to book a hotel.
Unvaccinated expats can choose to complete the 5-day Alternate Quarantine (at an approved AQ or SHA+ hotel) or register an RT-PCR test result in the Thailand Pass system 72 hours prior to traveling and avoid the quarantine.
4. I'm a Thai National re-entering Thailand. Do I need a pass?
No. As of June 1, 2022, Thais do not need a Pass.
5. I have a Thailand Elite Visa. Do I need the pass?
Yes. All foreign nationals, regardless of a visa, need to set themselves up on the Thailand Pass system.
6. We are flying as a family. Do my kids need a pass?
There are different rules for kids. Children over the age of 12 do need a pass. Children under the age of 12 can be added to your Quarantine Exemption or Sandbox application.
7. I am arriving in Thailand but during my trip I will go to Cambodia and Laos. I will then return to Thailand. Do I to apply for another Pass when I want to return to Thailand?
The Thailand Pass is valid for a single entry to Thailand. If you leave the country and want to return you will need to apply for a new Pass.
8. Does the Pass Expire?
The Pass is for one trip only and valid for the duration of your stay. If you leave Thailand and want to re-enter, you will need to apply again.
9. Do I have to show proof of onward travel?
As noted previously, the Thailand Pass doesn't reflect your visa status.
If you arrive on a 30-day visa exemption stamp, then you need to have proof of onward travel. This is standard for all tourists.
You may be asked for proof of onward travel when checking in at the airport in your home country, and at the Thai immigration desk when you arrive.
If you don’t have this proof, you might be denied boarding at the airline counter or Thailand Immigration might not allow you to enter Thailand.
I can't remember ever being asked for this proof when leaving my home country, but perhaps they already know this because your return flight is most likely with the same airline and your ticket would be logged on the system by the carrier.
10. Do I need to register for Thailand Pass if I'm transiting to another country without passing through immigration?
No, you don't need to register. Travelers can transit through Thailand's airports for a maximum of 24 hours without passing through immigration controls.
However, you do need to have the mandatory Covid-19 insurance with at least $10,000 coverage on your policy. Carry your insurance policy document with you as proof of cover.
You most likely won't be asked for it, but you should have it regardless.
11. My flight date has changed, how can I change my Pass?
If your flight has changed to within 72 hours of your original flight time, you can arrive using the same Thailand Pass application.
If your flight date has been changed outside of the 72-hour window then you will need to apply again.
12. What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 on holiday?
If you test positive during your holiday you are expected to go to hospital. If you are staying in the home of a friend or relative, or indeed your own home, you can choose to self-isolate there.
The quarantine after a positive test is up to 10 days, but a negative test will mean an earlier release.
Quarantine or self-isolation is no longer required for high-risk contact cases.
13. I didn't receive my Pass confirmation email, what now?
This happens regularly to me with emails and it's super annoying. The first port of call is to check your junk mailbox. Gmail in particular has a horrible habit of marking legit emails as spam.
If you registered on the system with a mistake in your email address, you will need to register again.
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