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What do I need to know about visa options and entry requirements for Thailand as an American?

Visa TypesVisa ExemptionThai PassEntry RequirementsImmigration ProceduresTest and GoCovid-19 Regulations
Mar 24, 2022
3 years ago
Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay everyone. I made it to Cambodia. I'm headed to the Thai embassy tomorrow but I just spoke with a British national who told me that they're doing visas on arrival at the airport. This threw me off because I thought I had to go to the Thai embassy to get a Visa. Does anyone know the whole story on this? Also to register for the test and go how long does that normally take? My goal is to be back in Bangkok as soon as possible.

Edit- I am American
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is in Cambodia and is interested in returning to Thailand. They are confused about visa options, as they heard from a British national about visas on arrival at the airport, while they believed they needed to visit the Thai embassy for a visa. Community members clarified that Americans can enter Thailand visa-exempt for 30 days, and must register for the Thailand Pass regardless of the visa method. They discussed the importance of documentation, including proof of accommodation and onward travel, and shared updates about the changing Covid-19 testing requirements, particularly the anticipated removal of the pre-flight PCR test requirement starting April 1.
Pelle Eriksson
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Monika *******
Everybody coming in to Thailand must have Thai Pass no matter which vise
3 years ago
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Osama ************
I read that Thailand are to cancel Preflight PCR test on April 1st as Cambodia has done on 16 of this month.
3 years ago
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Falcon *******
DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE ON THIS...GO GET THE FACTS FROM THE EMBASSY....
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do I take the PCR test upon arrival from Cambodia or do I have to go to a hospital here within 72 hours of arrival to Bangkok and have it ready?
3 years ago
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Osama ************
@Bruce ********
 you probably are staying in dirty/dusty Phnom Penh now and you seem to be unhappy staying in Cambodia for any length of time because of that.

May I suggest you take 2-day trips outside Cambodia? It is easy and cheap travel.

I would recommend you visit:

1) Kampot & Kep city ( I lived in this area for 4 years)

2) Siem Reap (I have been many times to this city)

3) Battambang (I currently live in this city)

Those are nice "country like" areas with a lot of greenery.

You can ask your hotel about the bus ticket and schedule.
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I believe I understand this.
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Bruce ********
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Bruce ********
 you can change the flight to an earlier day but your Thailand Pass is only good for your day you applied and 72 hours after. You cannot arrive earlier than your Thailand Pass says.
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I can always change flight to an earlier day. Say April 2nd. This way I can see if the PCR test is not necessary and save $130 in testing fees.
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Bruce ********
 Thailand Pass is for a specific day and flight so you have to plan it out.
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MarGuyvin **
 My ticket is for a return flight on April 6th but I want to cut my trip short once I get my Thai pass. April 1st or the day after seems likely.
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Bruce ********
 That depends. Are you waiting until after 1-April to return to Thailand? If you do that, all indications are that they are proceeding with removing the PRE-TEST requirement beginning in April. That will save you about $130 (what I heard is the going rate for RT-PCR in Cambo). If you return sooner, then for sure you will need that pre-test. The on-arrival test in Thailand is still in place...no avoiding that yet. ;)
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Marguyvin **********
Hi Bruce...nice work making out there to Cambo. Just clearing the air on some things regarding your intentions to return to Thailand eventually. As an American, you are eligible for 30-day visa exempt entry to Thailand, with ability to extend one-time additional 30-days while in country, with the caveat that I.O.'s have the discretion on approving you to enter. On your arrival at border entry point (for example, at the airport), when you hand your passport the I.O. will then determine both from your previous travel patterns and from their evaluation upon asking you questions(e.g. financial viability) whether they judge you as "OK" to approve. ALL OF THIS WAS IN PLACE both B.C. and until now A.C. The new stuff you are referring to, (Test&Go, ThailandPass, ASQ) is related to your health status. Health status a second gating factor to entry and is not evaluated by travel patterns, financial viabilty, etc. It is evaluated by a covid test and vaccination history. With all of this said, you can be denied entry from failure to pass health status(you'll be quarantined), OR failure to be deemed eligible to enter by an immigration officer.

IO = Immig Officer, BC = Before Covid, AC = After Covid
3 years ago
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Nirmal *******
thanks for the response šŸ‘
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Nirmal ******
 Yes of course you still need to register with T-Pass because that is how the health authorities are screening to control virus spread. Even if you had the almighty(and expensive) Elite Visa, you get no special privileges to avoid having to prove you are "virus safe". ;)
3 years ago
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Nirmal *******
@MarGuyvin **
 do you need a TP to enter on visa exemption? proof of test & go?
3 years ago
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Nirmal *******
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Shayne **********
Check out this post of a person with a visa.
3 years ago
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Todd *********
@Kevin *****
 Tenerife for a European island, is amazingly cheap. Vietnam also. Laos cheap, but not nearly as beautiful as Thailand or Vietnam
3 years ago
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Kevin ******
@Todd ********
 and cheap of course. Thailand really isn't cheap anymore. If I was to pick somewhere in S.E Asia think I would go to Vietnam. Even laos great countries
3 years ago
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Todd *********
@Kevin *****
 I like it a lot! Can understand living there!
3 years ago
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Kevin ******
@Todd ********
 lived there in tennerife over 20 years ago selling timeshare.
3 years ago
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Todd *********
@Kevin *****
 Canary Islands is a great option too!
3 years ago
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Kevin ******
About wage increase that is
3 years ago
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Kevin ******
@Bruce ********
 talk it will never happen
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin *****
 I'm thinking about going to Oaxaca Mexico for a month to try it out. I've also heard nothing but good things about Costa Rica.
3 years ago
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Kevin ******
@Todd ********
 all I keep seeing is South America from people, diving is great to apparently. just gotta get my thai partner amd 2 year old son back to UK now. Next hurdle of tbis crazy world. Then who knows !
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
 there is talk of raising the minimum wage from 330 baht a day to 490 baht a day. That's going to raise the price of things.
3 years ago
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Todd *********
@Kevin *****
 haha, fair enough. Iā€™m happy to stay and less people make it cheaper!

Colombia is a great option, Chile is interesting and Argentina has some magic for sure.
3 years ago
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Kevin ******
@Todd ********
 non runners more like. So many people are fed up with Thailand and they just don't see it. They have no sense whatsoever I've lived here 9 years and had enough. The country is gonna be totally fucked soon. South America is the place right now. And will be for the next decade for sure.
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Bruce ********
 I wouldn't worry too much.... these guys had been in Thailand for 2 years.... they had a decent run... I mean, every country has it's immigration laws, I'm not sure about the US but it's actually quite hard for a thai to get in to the UK. Dress smart, have the 3 Proof ofs. Be polite, have a good story
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is making me nervous. I do plan on leaving at the end of May. I just have to take care of a few things first.
3 years ago
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Shayne **********
3 years ago
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Shayne **********
3 years ago
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Shayne **********
3 years ago
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Todd *********
@Shayne *********
 the new era of visa runs!!
3 years ago
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Shayne **********
Let's just say they weren't happy at the end of the day. I don't know where they went but they didn't come back to Thailand.
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Shayne *********
 what happened to this person..... s
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
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Bill ********
They do visas at immigration, not at the embassy. The convenient location in the city is closed
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill *******
 I went to the Thai embassy here in Cambodia and they told me what to bring to get my Visa.
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Bill *******
 Not entirely correct
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I just left the Thai embassy here in Cambodia. They told me what I need to bring. It's this whole test and go that really has me on edge because I hear about people being denied entry.
3 years ago
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Jimmy ***********
@Bruce ********
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Bruce ********
 Test and go has nothing to do with being denied entry.. If the IO thinks you're up to no good in thailand OR working illegally he MAY deny you entry.... make sure you have the three proof ofs....that is... 20,000thb in cash, onward ticket and proof of accommodation. Best of luck
3 years ago
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Wylie *******
@Bruce ********
 I think you are confusing test and go with the Thailand Pass. Everybody entering needs to apply for the Thai pass, test and go is just one of the schemes you can select. You won't even be able to board the plane without it
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Bruce ********
 the test&go has nothing to do with people being denied entry. The people being denied entry are people who were on Covid extensions and left and returned immediately.

And yes they are denying many people because of this right now. Half a plane of people were denied recently.
3 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Nigel *********
What passport do you have. Makes a difference as to what answer you get. This is where,boring and pedantic as it seems,correct terminology matters.
3 years ago
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Alastair ******
@Bruce ********
 Visa Exempt will only give you 30 days. If you want 50 days, you must apply for a Tourist Visa from outside Thailand.
3 years ago
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Suchanya *********
@Bruce ********
 Onward ticket.
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Bruce ********
 sorry, i don't know any... try the search facility
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
 any sites you might suggest to get a rental ticket? Maybe I can get one for 30 days out and one for 60 days out
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Bruce ********
 It may be that your carrier will want to see an onward ticket within the initial 30 day period.... if so you can just buy a "rental" ticket quite cheaply on line
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
 I was told to have a flight booked out about 50 days from when I arrived back in Bangkok on April 6th so they give me a 60 day Visa. What are your thoughts on that?
3 years ago
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Nirmal *******
@Nigel *********************
 Thanks Nigel, sorry if this is a stupid question but do I still need a TP to enter?, am also currently in Cambodia & want to get to Bangkok asap
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Nirmal ******
 Everyone likes Canadians...yes, have have 30 days visa exempt upon arrival. can extend 30 days
3 years ago
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Nirmal *******
@Nigel *********************
 how about Canadian passport holders?
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Bruce ********
 You can get visa exempt 30 days extendable for 30. Visa on Arrival is a whole different beast that I shan't bore you with.
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
 American
3 years ago
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Bruce *********
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Stuart *********
As for the ThailandPass that can take anywhere from a few minutes to 7 days or more.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
As a British citizen you can get a visa exempt entry for 30 days.
3 years ago
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Stuart *********
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