Thailand entry rules cause confusion as country changes Covid requirements

11 January 2023 , 16:46

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Thailand ditched plans to check visitors for Covid vaccination proof (Image: Getty Images)

Thailand has clarified its Covid entry policies after the country changed them twice in the space of two days.

Brits travelling to the Asian country do not need to show proof of their coronavirus vaccination status to be allowed in, it has been announced.

This comes after aviation authorities in Thailand said that proof of vaccination would be required for inbound passengers.

Just two days later the government reversed this decision, dropping all Covid jab related restrictions.

The decision and then its reversal came as China opened up its borders to the rest of the world and ditched quarantine requirements for travellers.

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Thailand was expecting a large number of visitors from China who are now allowed to travel more freely.

Thailand's tourism sector is a major part of its economy (Getty Images/age fotostock RM)

Thailand, like many other nations, had raised concerns about how a spike in Chinese tourism would affect Covid cases in the country.

Later Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's health minister, said a panel of health experts agreed to withdraw the new rule because global immunization of the virus was sufficient.

He described the process of checking for "proof of vaccination" as "inconvenient".

While visitors to Thailand do not need to get their Covid paperwork in order, if they are travelling to a country which requires a test before entry, they must have adequate health insurance prior to entering Thailand.

The return of visitors from China has been lauded by officials in the country, which is very reliant on tourism.

In 2019, Thailand saw 40 million international arrivals, of which 11 million were from China alone.

Thai government officials welcomed Chinese tourists in person at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday.

Brits entering Thailand must have a passport with a least six months’ validity remaining from your date of entry into the country.

Those who arrive by air or land can enter Thailand for 45 days without a visa, after which point you will need to obtain one.

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Failure to do so will see you landed with a 500 baht (£12) a day fine.

Travel rules can change quickly during the pandemic, so always check the latest Foreign Office travel advice before booking a trip.

Milo Boyd