1. Categories of persons permitted to enter Thailand

In accordance with the Regulation issued under Section 9 of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005), as amended, the following persons are permitted to enter Thailand:

(1) Thai nationals

(2) Persons with exemption or persons being considered, permitted or invited by the Prime Minister, or the head of responsible persons accountable for resolving state of emergency issues to enter the Kingdom, pertaining to necessity. Such consideration, permission or invitation may be subject to specified conditions and time limits.

(3) Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under International organizations, or representatives of foreign government performing their duties in the Kingdom, or persons of other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pertaining to necessity, including their spouse, parents, or children.

(4) Carriers of necessary goods, subject to immediate return after completion.

(5) Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission, and have a specified date and time for return.

(6) Non-Thai nationals who are spouses, parents, or children of Thai nationals.

(7) Non-Thai nationals who hold a Certificate of Residence, including their spouses and children.

(8) Non-Thai nationals who have work permit or have been granted permission to work in the Kingdom in accordance with Thai laws, including their spouses and children, or foreign workers who have been granted exemption from the government to temporarily stay in the Kingdom and permitted to work through their employers or licensees who are permitted to bring in foreign workers to work in the Kingdom.

(9) Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including their parents or guardians, excluding students of non-formal educational institutions in accordance with the law on Private schools and of other similar private educational institutions.

(10) Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their accompanying persons. However, this shall not include medical treatment for COVID–19.

(11) Non-Thai nationals who have been granted permission to enter into the Kingdom under special arrangements between Thai government agencies and other countries, or persons or groups of persons who have been granted permission by the Prime Minister upon the submission for consider after the examination and review by the Ad Hoc Committee for the Consideration of the Relaxation of the Enforcement of Measures to Present and Suppress the Spread of the Communicable Disease Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), and shall comply with disease prevention measures determined by the Ad Hoc Committee.

UPDATE: LONG-STAY TRAVELLERS

• From 29 September 2020, the following non-Thai nationals are permitted to enter Thailand under exempted Category (11):
  • 1) Holders of Non-Immigrant ‘O-A’ (Long Stay) Visa;
  • 2) Holders of Non-Immigrant ‘O-X’ (Long Stay) Visa (applicable only for nationals of Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada and United States); or
  • 3) Holders of APEC Card (from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and China)

Special Tourist Visa (STV)

• The Royal Thai Government has recently announced its plan to allow tourists from low-risk areas to apply for a Special Tourist Visa (STV) and a COE for entering Thailand under exempted Category (11), subject to specific requirements.
• The new rule is expected to enter into force during the first half of October 2020 and last until 30 September 2021. Kindly note that, at present, travellers from Israel are not qualified for the STV as Israel is classified by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand as high-risk areas (as of 15 September 2020).