Thailand Relaxes Entry Requirements for Foreign Tourists

Thailand is relaxing entry requirements for foreign tourists even further by eliminating a registration scheme and a $10,000 health insurance requirement.

From 1st July, international arrivals will only be required to show proof of Covid vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours of travel.

Sadudee Sangnil, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in London, stated: “This is the news we have been waiting to share. 

“The removal of the online Thailand Pass application simplifies travel to Thailand once again and removes what was a barrier to travel for some. 

“Although bookings to Thailand have considerably picked up in the last few months, the removal of pre-departure requirements makes Thailand accessible to everyone once more.”

TAT has launched a ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023’ campaign with the slogan ‘Amazing New Chapters – A to Z, Thailand has it all,’ which corresponds with a smart tourism strategy aimed at increasing Thai tourism’s competitiveness in areas such as food, film, fashion, and festivals.

The promotion was detailed at the first Thailand Travel Mart in Phuket after a two-year hiatus, attracting 277 buyers from 42 countries and 264 sellers from Thailand’s four regions.

The event facilitated 8,000 business meetings, which are expected to generate approximately 1.29 billion Baht for the Thai economy.

Sangnil continued: “Our UK buyers said it was great to be back in Thailand again, nurturing business relationships and discovering new and exciting products. 

“Together we are confident travel demand will resume in Q4 this year through to Q1 in 2023 and I am excited by the immediate potential for summer travel with the removal of the Thailand Pass.”

Thailand has set a target of 7 million-10 million international tourists and 160 million domestic trips this year, with tourism revenue of 1.5 trillion Baht.

In the first five months of 2022, there were 1.23 million international arrivals.

With the lifting of the Thailand Pass on 1st July, TAT expects at least 500,000 international arrivals per month, more than doubling to 1 million per month during the winter months of October to December.

Tourism revenue is expected to reach 2.4 trillion Baht in 2023 and 3 trillion Baht in 2024.

Thailand Travel Mart 2023 is tentatively scheduled to be held in Bangkok from 31st May to 2nd June 2023.