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What are the current entry requirements and potential fees for traveling to Thailand for US passport holders in August 2023?
Thailand entry requirementsUS passport travelvisa exemptiontravel insuranceThailand immigrationentry fee updatesThailand travel advice
Jul 15, 2023
3 years ago
Zachary ********
ORIGINAL POSTERTraveling to Thailand in August on a US passport. Just gonna use the visa exempt. From what I’ve read it looks like there aren’t any restrictions to entering Thailand anymore. Looks like they’ve dropped the insurance requirements. I read starting June 1st they are charging 300 baht entry fee which includes travelers insurance. Is the 300 baht just part of your airline ticket or do you pay when you arrive? I know you can read a lot of articles about what’s happening in Thailand and they can change the next day so I figured I’d ask on here cause I know a lot of you are experts on this stuff. Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers from the US planning to enter Thailand using a visa exemption in August 2023 have recently been informed that there are no longer specific insurance requirements for entry. However, there are discussions regarding a new 300 baht entry fee, which may or may not include travel insurance. Some commenters suggest that the fee might not be in effect yet, as it has been postponed without a clear collection mechanism. Travelers are advised to ensure they have travel insurance, despite some opinions suggesting that medical care in Thailand is affordable for minor issues. Additionally, an important reminder for visa-exempt travelers is to have a forward or return ticket, as it may be requested during check-in.
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Richard *********
THe ONLY problem u will have flying in and looking to get a visa exempt is if ur traveling on a one way ticket an they ask u when u check in for a forwarding or return ticket and you Dont have one :-)
Zachary ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Richard ********
never been asked for one but I have one so it’s covered either way.Edna *******
@Richard ********
I wasn’t asked on trip two weeks ago.Reply to
Edna *******
Reply
Bob ***********
This is the best place for current info:
****************************
Thomas *******
Don't worry, you can save your $7.85 American
Zachary ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Thomas ******
Yes, you got me. I am flying to Thailand and worried about 300฿.Edna *******
@Thomas ******
reread please, before your sarcasm, or better yet don’t!Reply to
Edna *******
Reply
Lisa ********************
Insurance may not be mandatory but is foolish to not have any. Medical bills are high, and accidents happen. A lot.
Zachary ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lisa *******************
it always amazes me how people try to hijack a post with their opinion instead of just answering the simple yes or no question. Simple facts are much more useful than people’s personal opinions.Steve **********
Jade Opal Jasper if you're on the edge of a ' go fund me' you shouldn't be here.
Steve **********
@Lisa *******************
medical bills here are negligible, unless your coming with serious condition, on which case, don't come. For anything minor, or pharm it's very cheap.
OOP cheap
Lisa ********************
@Steve *********
if you have a motorbike accident for example, costs are high. Any admission to hospital is expensive.Alistair **********
@Lisa *******************
it's not that expensive here, ICU in private hospital, room cost 10,000B/night.Lisa ********************
@Alistair *********
more than a hostel or hotel. And way over many peoples budget. Add on cost of operations, medication , physio and repatriation. All adds up.Steve **********
@Alistair *********
Private Hospital !Steve **********
@Lisa *******************
Been living here for over 20 years, Please share your hospital " admission " experience.
Don't spread false info.
Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Bob **********
If the have travel insurance for 300 baht it wouldn’t pay for a headache
Edna *******
@Bob *********
perhaps not, but calculate that by a million travelers plus, and the percentage using the insurance. That’s a lot of moola.Bob **********
@Edna ******
that’s not how things are done in ThailandReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Brandon ************
There's no 300 entry fee. They don't know how to collect it so keep postponing it. It also isn't going to include travelers insurance. They are just planning on using the money to reimburse hospitals when foreigners stiff them for the bill.
Kool *******
@Brandon ***********
you are aware there is already a bt700 exit fee built into all international tickets. The problem right now is who will handle the insurance part. The fee, when it is put in place, will be added to the ticket price the same as the exit fee.Richard *********
"....There is no problem on how to collect it."
OH yes there is as thai's, those on diplomatic passports and those holding Non B visa's are exempt>
OH yes there is as thai's, those on diplomatic passports and those holding Non B visa's are exempt>
James ***********
@Kool ******
This is the opposite of what I read about a month ago… I can’t post any articles or links because not sure where I read it ....but it was a Thai gov. Official post and said that the 300 is delayed for now and will start in approx.September/oct. 2023 I don’t think it’s going to be added to the ticket price it’s just my own intuition of being here I don’t know for 37 years.Thai government is much much more organized than the Nepali government, where I live much the last 30 years
In 🇳🇵 we pay the ‘visa’ harvest at the ticket counter in cash ( $60-$120 )depending on if it’s a one or three month visa ....there’s nothing at all to do with insurance
Richard *********
@Kool ******
NO IT WONT as the 300 baht excludes Thai'sBrandon ************
@Kool ******
no one has agreed that the fee will be added to anything. That's why it's not being collected. It's going to only be for tourists but there's no way to enforce that if it's added to ticket prices.Kool *******
@Brandon ***********
the same as the exit fee is added, if you enter Thailand on a foreign passport. You've got to use your passport number to buy any plane ticket into the country, and the same passport to exit. There is no problem on how to collect it. The holdup is which insurance company will handle it, as it's a pretty big chunk of money.Edna *******
@Kool ******
the insurance claims should be split up by the top four companies. Divided by four each month or three months. After all other administrative fees. Other companies could merge with the top four, or remain private for nationals.Jeffrey *********
@Kool ******
Airlines do not have any way to charge fees for some passengers but exempt others, and they have stated this publicly several times. Some carriers do request nationality and passport information during booking, but many others don't ask for it until check-in. The 700 baht charge (which is an airport user fee) is charged to every passenger, so it's very easy to add to the ticket price.Brandon ************
@Kool ******
do you have an article that shows this? Everything I've read says that the airlines refuse to collect a fee that's pick and choose and not for everyone. Especially since the government said it's only for tourists and not foreigners on long term visas or with work permits. And I've never seen it said that it will actually be for insurance I've only read that it will reimburse hospitals when foreigners can't pay but they'll be asked to pay first.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Andy *******
no fee yet
Reply to
Andy *******
Reply
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