Thailand Travel Restrictions 2024

Traveling to Thailand can be a challenging decision to make amid the rising tide of travel restrictions. As a result, it’s always best to know about the restrictions that Thailand has imposed upon certain visa users or certain nationalities.

Here are the latest travel restrictions to keep track of this year:

• Travelers do not have to present proof of COVID-19 testing during their arrival or departure from Thailand.
• Travelers from certain countries are eligible for visa exemptions and new schemes related to this have been introduced. 
• A Tm30 notification of residence form is mandatory for all tourists looking to stay within Thailand’s borders.
• Face mask restrictions have been laxed and are only applicable to certain establishments (such as hospitals and the BTS/MRT). Despite this, wearing a face mask is still highly recommended.
• Travel insurance is optional, but highly encouraged. 
• Certificate of Entry (COE) and Thailand Passes are no longer mandatory.

Get your Visa Today!

There are a wide range of foreign visas to choose from, each allowing you a set amount of time to visit and scour every nook and cranny of the Land of Smiles.

• Thailand Privilege Visa
• Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa

Visa Exemptions to Keep in Mind

Some nationalities are eligible for a couple of visa exemptions. New exemptions apply to the following nationalities detailed below:

• September 25, 2023 – February 29, 2024: China and Kazakhstan (30 days).
• November 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024: Russia (90 days).
• November 10, 2023 – May 10, 2024: Taiwan and India (30 days).

Remember the TM30

It is crucial for each and every foreigner, that they will require a TM30 document whenever they are choosing to reside in an accommodation within Thailand. Your landlord will need to ready the TM30 document and they will need to report your stay within their residence to the relevant immigration authorities. 

• Landlords will need to report the stay of any foreigner to Thai Immigration on time, lest face penalties (ranging from needing to pay between 800 to 1,600 THB). 
• A TM30 document is a requirement for any foreigner that wants to undergo their 90 days reporting or to extend their visa. 
• TM30 is also a requirement when it comes to leveraging health and travel insurance in case of an accident or medical emergency.

Update on Thailand’s COVID-19 situation

Foreigners will be pleased to know that Thailand has long lifted the mandatory quarantine for foreign nationals entering the country. 

• A vast majority of all indoor and outdoor locations in Thailand have been fully open to the general public. Statistics reveal that most of the local and expat populations have been fully vaccinated. 
• It’s safe for travelers to host parties and events without needing to worry about catching the virus. 
• Those coming into Thailand no longer need to present proof that they have gotten vaccinated prior to arriving into the country. 
• There are also no curfews or temporary shutdowns any longer due to the absence of COVID-19 cases nationwide. 

Travel Insurance

Interested in traveling to some of the most exotic islands and mountainous regions of Thailand? Consider acquiring travel insurance before you go. 

• Travel insurance is not mandatory for foreign applicants. However, it is highly recommended, especially if you’re going to be staying in Thailand for a longer period of time.
• Having insurance is equivalent to having your own safety net. Travel insurance is designed to cover and insure you on high travel and medical expenses. 
• Hospital bills are high within the country and constantly on the rise. Having insurance lets you save more money and spend less in case of a medical emergency or an accident. 
• You can earn some additional benefits while on travel insurance. Some companies, such as Agoda, offer discounts on their services to those who are insured. 
• Thailand offers a plethora of flexible options for travel insurance for those who are interested in acquiring one. 
• Anyone looking to undergo RT-PCR testing as a part of the requirement when traveling to certain countries will need to have travel insurance to be eligible for it. 

If you’re unsure of which travel insurance to acquire, consider applying for AXA Insurance Thailand. As a leading insurance agency, AXA offers the best travel insurance. Getting insured by AXA nets you the following benefits:

• 750,000 THB medical coverage.
• 1 million THB disability and accident coverage.
• Start date effective immediately after immigration clearance. 
• Multiple travel insurance options on display. 

Why Consider the Thailand Privilege Visa?

There are 4 different packages for the Thailand Privilege Visa: 

• The 5-year GOLD Membership Package.
• The 10-year PLATINUM Membership Package.
• The 15-year DIAMOND Membership Package.
• The 20-year RESERVE Membership Package (by invitation only).

There are many reasons why you should consider the Thailand Privilege Visa:

• 5-year multiple-entry visas, renewable up to the duration of your membership.
• More flexibility in options.
• Offers 5-20 years of stay within Thailand.
• Access to the premium lane for immigration fast-tracking.
• Streamlined application process.
• Numerous privileges on offer.
• VIP airport and transfer services.
• Elite Personal Assistant (EPA) to greet and escort you upon arrival.
• Access to the Member Contact Center for support and advance bookings. 

Why Consider the Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa?

As an alternative to the Thailand Privilege Visa, foreigners can consider the Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa. This type of visa offers a 10 year validity as well as multiple-entries and a visa that’s renewable. LTR visas are an ideal option for digital nomads, retirees, entrepreneurs, investors, and working professionals. 

There are 4 different streams to qualify for:

• Wealthy Global Citizens
• Wealthy Pensioners
• Work-From-Thailand Professionals
• Highly-Skilled Professionals

In turn, there are also a set amount of benefits:

• A 5-year multiple-entry visa, renewable up to a total of 10 years.  
• Immigration fast-tracking upon arrival.
• Immigration reporting is every year rather than every 90 days.
• Expedited visa and work permit applications.
• Ability to acquire a work permit and work while in Thailand.
• Ability to create a business in Thailand without needing to fulfill the “four Thai’s to one Foreigner” requirement.
• Exemption from paying foreign taxes.
• Discounted personal income tax rate of 17% for Highly-Skilled Professionals.
• The opportunity to bring along up to four family members with you regardless of which stream you applied through. 

Contact Siam Legal

Hire Siam Legal as your go-to legal professional. We offer a variety of different services including:

• Consultation sessions.
• Application and documentation review.
• Application submission on the applicant’s behalf.

Siam Legal is open from Monday to Friday (excluding government holidays) from 9AM to 6PM. Contact our customer service team now at:

• Thailand: +66 2 254-8900
• US-Toll Free: 1-877-252-8831

If you have a local number you can call Siam Legal at:

• Phone: 02 254 8900
• Mobile: 084 021 9800

 

Category: Travel to Thailand