Answered4 years ago
Will Thailand require vaccine passports for entry again?
Is it just a rumour that we will soon need to show vaccine passports to enter the kingdom yet again?, many thanks
Answer summary
Currently, the requirement for vaccine passports to enter Thailand seems to be more of a rumor than an imminent policy change. Most comments suggest that while there may be random testing for Covid-19 at airports, especially for Chinese arrivals, the broad imposition of vaccine passports for all international travelers is unlikely. Observations indicate that the situation will be clearer after January 5, when further guidelines may be released. Previous responses indicate a general optimism that Thailand may not revert to strict vaccination requirements that could harm tourism.
46 repliesnewest first
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Paul *******
Doesn't look good. A lockout of the unvaccinated is planned:
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Steve ******
OP@Paul ******
Looks like a rewrite of what was in the Bangkok post to me.Paul *******
@Steve *****
Yes, it does indeed. Looks like a rewrite of the Bangkok Post article from December 31. Since January 1, aside from this Pattaya Mail article, all references to requiring vaccination proof for all have been scrapped. It appears as though they're no longer planning that. Only for Chinese.That being said, being Thailand, a flip flop is not out of the question.
However, it would be very strange for Thailand to impose new curbs on everyone, because it would be the only country in the world to suddenly require everyone to be vaccinated at a time when most countries have opened up or are about to.
Even neighboring Laos just scrapped their vax/test mandate, which was actually rarely enforced at land borders anymore. Several land borders report no checks since July, even though the official rule was only lifted on December 27.
John *******
I think it is for Chinese arrivals
Paul *******
@John ******
That's what the Bangkok Post said yesterday but now the Pattaya Mail is suggesting everyone will have to suffer, the only country in the world to propose new curbs on everyone right now.Steve ******
OP@Paul ******
we will know on the 5thPaul *******
@Steve *****
We will indeed. Pattaya Mail article is indeed a rehash of the BP article from Dec 31, with a little bit of personal opinion inserted.
Bobby ********
It's starting to look that way. Vax certificate required for ALL foreign arrivals, but thankfully no mandatory insurance and no PCR test
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John-Paul ******
Perhaps Thailand will require from China like the US and Italy. However... good idea to travel with it anyway... just like the old days.
Paul *******
@John-Paul *****
Not everyone is vaccinated or wants to be. This proposal is medical tyranny and if implemented, would make Thailand's entry protocols stricter than even last year and the strictest in SE Asia.Watch as tourists head elsewhere.
John-Paul ******
@Paul ******
oh come on... get over it already. How is it tyranny? Don't carry one or carry one. I couldn't carel less. Remember that you just might have to show. Negative test result like for the past 2.8 years. Move on.Paul *******
@John-Paul *****
These measures do nothing, since the vaccine doesn't prevent transmission but it was never about health from the beginning was it?Also, until April last year everyone had to undergo quarantine but this time around, I strongly believe they'll introduce the vaccination requirement and make it permanent, locking out the unvaccinated.
If so, they can kiss tourism goodbye while freedom lovers visit Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia instead.
Besides, Thailand is still stuck in a state of fear.
Scanning the Vietnamese news, I can barely find any fear mongering article, whereas on the Thai news, every 2 hours it's "Covid" "Chinese are coming, put on your masks" "New curbs" etc.
Paul *******
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4Paul *******
@John-Paul *****
It's tyranny and totally backward and NO, this time it's vaccine only. Read the article:
Steve **********
No guidelines until the 5th
Paul *******
Strictest curbs in 2023, when compared with what other countries are doing
Paul *******
Do you believe us non-Chinese will be subjected to travel curbs? I'm worried that Thailand may impose the strictest restrictions of any country, since the rumors are that they would apply to everyone.
Peter *********
Rumors
S *******
They will check for Chinese Arrival and Random testing soon
Paul *******
Yes sounds like it.
Paul *******
If they did impose a vaccination requirement to enter the country they'll destroy the economy so probably it won't happen except for Chinese arrivals.
Roberto *********
@Paul ******
The vax certificate won't destroy the economy. Most people are vaxxed. What will slow down tourism is things like insurance and quarantine, not just flashing the covid passPaul *******
@Roberto **********
Errr....no, insurance on it's own wouldn't slow things down by much at all. I could accept it as a travel requirement, but vaccination or a Covid test would be a deal breaker.Paul *******
@Roberto **********
It will slow things down as not everyone is vaccinated or wants to be. It's medical tyranny.Showing proof of vaccination will at minimum, reduce visitor numbers by 10-20%.
Roberto *********
@Paul ******
@Paul ******
Medical Tyranny?? It's freedom of choice. And you'll be surprised how many invincible cheap Charlies out there don't want to buy insurance. Anyway, it doesn't bother me, I'm always insured and I've got the vax pass, so I'm right!
Robert ************
@Paul ******
Hope so.Paul *******
It's a rumor but according to today's news probably not. For Chinese arrivals possibly, but not for the rest of us. Random airport testing could happen for a month or two though
Robert ************
@Paul ******
Hope so.Paul *******
@Robert ***********
Yep, fingers crossed.Lynnette *******
I always carry my vaccine certificates. Especially useful if taken ill and hospital needs to know what I'm covered for.
Steve **********
Good idea to gave your photo of Immigration Vaccine Doc. on your phone
Paul *******
Happy New Year to you too. Unfortunately, the sentiment right now is back to uncertain.
Steve **********
@Paul ******
as is all.Paul *******
No, it isn't. Firstly it's not required and secondly, when they were checking these documents it was health control doing it at a separate desk not immigration. Immigration isn't interested in health documents so don't burden them with this please. It will only result in lengthier queues and while immigration officers can't demand documents not prescribed in the immigration act or by the ministry of health, if everyone showed such documents aside from wasting everyone's time it would discriminate against the unvaccinated.
Steve **********
@Paul ******
Many things will change this week Jan 5 will have ( ? ) new or announce current requirements as China's doors open the 9th.Right now , no requirements, but with everything here...it'll change
Steve **********
@Paul ******
HNYPaul *******
@Steve *********
Exactly, as they always do.Steve **********
Paul *******
@Steve *********
Wow. Hope things go well for them. Like you, I expect some controls for them, hopefully not for the rest of us.Some sources seem to suggest these temporary controls may last about a month, until the end of the month or around February 5th, though anything is possible.
Steve **********
@Paul ******
Have Chinese friends enroute on 9th from Shanghai . ( pre covid ) lived here 6 mos , Bejing 6 mo'severy year, so will keep me up to date on trip.
Have been stuck in Shanghai 2.5 years.
Paul *******
@Steve *********
Could change, not will change. For the Chinese, likely to be insurance and maybe vaccination or testing requirement.Lynnette *******
@Steve *********
in UK the downloaded vaccine certificate is valid for 30 days after you log in on line. So to keep an up to date one you have to log in to the nhs app. Its stupid but it's how they do it. Just got to remember to log in and download every 30 days if travelling.Steve **********
Lynnette *******
@Steve *********
the covid vaccine wasnt on my uk vaccine history. But I've got the app.
Wolfgang *******
On 5th January is it a topic after we know more
Brandon ************
Yes it's just a rumor. They said they might randomly test arrivals but only to determine how much covid is in the wild and nothing else. The only mention of people possibly having to show vaccine is Chinese arrivals, but even that is just a rumor at this point.
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