Are health insurance and entry authorizations still required for Brazilian citizens visiting Thailand?

Aug 20, 2023
a year ago
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've been in Thailand for two years and I'm returning next week. At the time I went, health insurance was required and we needed to get an authorization to enter the country through the embassy website.

Do these bureaucracies still exist?

Country of origin: Brazil
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The requirement for health insurance and entry authorizations, such as the Thailand Pass, has been lifted for Brazilian citizens as of now. Travelers can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 90 days due to a bilateral agreement. However, while health insurance isn't mandatory, it is strongly advised. Additionally, proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required upon entry.
Paul *******
No, but coming from Brazil, you may be required to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. This requirement seems to be applicable to Brazilians every time they enter Thailand, regardless of where they are coming from. The logic is, that your country is located in a yellow fever endemic zone, hence you need proof of vaccination to enter Thailand, regardless of the fact you may not be living there or you departed the country more than 10 days ago.

Now I'm not 100% sure on how this is interpreted by Thai health quarantine officials at the port of entry exactly.

It could be they only ask, if you were in Brazil within the last 10 days prior to entering Thailand.

I don't know anyone who is a citizen of Brazil or any other country in the yellow fever endemic zone that has traveled to Thailand or lives in the country. Many years ago, I did meet a Brazilian school girl who was doing an AFS exchange at a school in northern Thailand, but back in those days, I was neither aware of the yellow fever vaccination requirement nor was I interested in it, so that topic never came up in our conversation.
Paul *******
@Marcos *********
Oh OK. NO. You're good to go in any case!
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Thanks a lot for the clarification. Yes, the first time I went to Thailand they demanded a yellow fever vaccination certificate. I still have this certificate. I think it's valid for 10 years
Paul *******
@Marcos *********
Obviously you have to decide what you want to do. If I were you, I'd be reluctant to go for another yellow fever shot, but that's just me.

I'd imagine a certificate of exemption would be accepted in lieu of an actual yellow fever certificate and seeing you've had the shot (even if long ago) that should be enough to convince airport quarantine.

I can't say for sure as fortunately, it doesn't apply to me nor do I know anyone who's ever had to experience this.

I do hope everything works out for you
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
I got the vaccine 2 years ago. The yellow fever vaccine certificate is from August 2021. Do you think I should renew anyway?
Paul *******
@Marcos *********
OK, so this could be proof they targeted you based on your nationality. There aren't any direct flights from Brazil to Thailand after all and never have been.

It also means that even if you come back from a side trip to Vietnam, you could be asked for vaccine proof (and also in Vietnam). Possibly also the same thing if traveling by land to Laos and back.
Graham ******
@Marcos *********
While the WHO has stated the yellow fever vaccine provides lifetime immunity, some countries still require proof of vaccination within the last ten years. This means if you got your vaccine 11 years ago, you may need to receive it again for entry. Be sure to check with your travel destination on their specific requirements for older yellow fever vaccine administration.
Paul *******
@Graham *****
Yes its supposed to be valid for life. Thailand only recognizing it for 10 years is a violation of human rights but given how they flagrantly abused babies by shoving nasal swabs up into their brain stems during the lockdown period (even China used only saliva swabs for everyone), this doesn't surprise me.

Thailand is extremely close with pharma and in any medical emergency, the response is among the world's most authoritarian.

If we jump to mask wearing you'll find Thais had the highest compliance with mask wearing on the planet (yes, even higher than Korea and Japan) and this is still the case in this post-Covid period (well, assuming it really is a post Covid period, as they're starting to run virus variant scare campaigns again).
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
Okay, thanks for the tips.
Tony *********
If you can afford to travel . You can afford travel insurance 👍
Gregor **********
@Marcos *********
You spent two years in Thailand during a pandemic, this special time went with certain extra rules, which have been discontinued after Thailand opened for travellers, again

As a Brazil citizen, you are participating in the visa exemption scheme, you will be allowed for 30 days admitted stay, which you can extend ONCE on Immigration for 1900 THB fee, for another 30 days.

For Tourist visa (for a stay longer than what you can get by visa-exempt entries) and visa-exempt schemes, no more health insurance requirement are in effect, no more “Thailand Pass” and Covid19 checks.

However, as others here have emphatized – you should not travel abroad without a travel insurance that will cover fully any medical treatment and hospital stays due to illness and accidents
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Thanks for the answer, but Brazil has a bilateral agreement with Thailand and the visa is exempt for 90 days. I agree with the rest of your answer.
Gregor **********
@Marcos *********
oops, sorry, I forgot the bilateral agreement with Brazil was extended from diplomatic passports to ordinary passports. YES, you will get 90 days, and you can do at least one border run that will get you another 90 days admitted stay
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Great 👍🏻 Thanks a lot
Lisa ****
Not a requirement anymore as far as I know, but traveling without health or travel insurance is a very bad idea. Just look at all the GoFundMe requests that are posted all the time from people in hospital without insurance and huge medical bills.
Jo **********
@Lisa ***
very well said
Ken ********
You still need travel insurance for the period you stay. Citizens from listed countries can enter without a visa, see the list.
Steve *******
@Ken *******
You DON'T need travel insurance!
Gregor **********
@Ken *******
nobody needs any travel insurance for a 30-days visa exempt entries or a single entry 60 days tourist visa. It is neither a requirement for visa application, nor for entering Thailand. It is, however, strongly advised to have one - for your own protection
Ken ********
@Gregor *********
My mistake. Last I heard was that arrivals needed to have insurance for the duration along with a return ticket for the period.
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gregor *********
Thank you for the explanation
Marcos **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken *******
where is the list?
Brandon ************
No
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