COVID-19 Travel Updates
Last updated: 30 march 2021
updates by effective date
THAILAND
1 April 2021: Guests arriving into Thailand will be subject to a shortened quarantine period of 7 days for vaccinated travelers and 10 days for non-vaccinated travelers.
7-Day Quarantine: Non-Thai arrivals who have received COVID vaccines between 14 days to 3 months before arriving in Thailand. All guests must have proof that they are COVID-free.
10-Day Quarantine: Non-Thai arrivals who have not received a COVID vaccine. All guests must have proof that they are COVID-free.
14-Day Quarantine: All travelers arriving from Africa.
1 July 2021 (Proposed, not yet confirmed): From July 1st, Phuket will welcome international travelers without quarantine.*
1 October 2021 (Proposed, not yet confirmed): Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Chiang Mai will join Phuket to welcome vaccinated travelers without quarantine.*
*Note: Travelers will be required to stay for at least seven days at the point of entry so should plan their itinerary accordingly. All travellers will have to take a Covid-19 test on arrival (at their hotel) and stay for at least seven days at the point of entry (i.e. Phuket or Chiang Mai Province) before travelling onwards around Thailand.
situation updates by country
Thailand has updated how guests can travel to The Kingdom during this time. Short-stay visitors can apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE) through their online application system at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/.
Each traveler has to register and apply individually. Parents can apply for their children.
On arrival, guests will have to quarantine for 7 days. Note: This has recently been reduced from the previously mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
The other option is the Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV). This special visa was introduced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for long-stay tourists who would like to travel to Thailand. It is one of the economic measures by the Thai government to restore the local tourism industry that has been affected heavily by COVID-19.
Special Tourist Visa Qualifications
Foreigners applying for Thailand's visas must be:
- Accept compliance of preventive measures as prescribed by the government, including submitting to alternative state quarantine (ASQ) in accredited hospitals/hotels for not less than 7 days upon arrival.
- Provide evidence of a place to stay or accommodation during the long stay visit.
- Show proof of payment for hotel accommodation or admittance to hospitals chosen as alternative state quarantine (ASQ) facilities.
It is highly recommended for those who are wishing to apply for the STV they must enquire at the Royal Thai Embassy or a consulate in their home country before making any self-bookings without the advice of a travel professional.
Our team is keeping up to date with the ongoing changes in travel policies for inbound travel to Thailand.
Thailand has begun the slow process of reopening its borders. There are currently heavy restrictions on the types of persons allowed into the country, most of which include Thai nationals, work permit holders, family members of Thai persons and permanent residents.
What is life like in Thailand right now?
Domestic travel has resumed, and passengers should expect health screening measures in place at airports when boarding trains and buses. All businesses must follow social distancing and hygiene guidelines. Face masks are compulsory on public transport and on flights. Masks are to be worn in public but all persons in Thailand.
Can I travel to Thailand?
Yes. All persons are now welcome to travel to Thailand. However, there is still a mandatory 14-day quarantine period before you can travel freely around the country.
At this time, most individuals are not permitted to travel to Vietnam.
The resumption of international commercial flights has been postponed until further notice. Authorities are still finalizing COVID-19 testing and quarantine procedures for arrivals.
At last update, only the following individuals are allowed to enter Vietnam:
- Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers.
Can I travel to Vietnam?
No. At this time, only certain individuals are able to travel to Vietnam.
What is life currently like in Vietnam?
It is currently compulsory to wear a mask in all public places in Vietnam. Domestic travel has resumed in Vietnam at a limited capacity. Restaurants and bars have now reopened.
Can I travel to Cambodia?
No, in most cases. Cambodian Embassies are only accepting applications for diplomatic, official and sponsored business-linked visas, and are not issuing tourist or other visas to enter Cambodia.
- Travelers who are eligible to enter (and have obtained a visa in advance) must provide a negative COVID-19 test result that is no older than 72 hours.
- Purchase medical insurance with minimum coverage of US $50,000.
- Travelers will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, and must wait in accommodation until test results are returned.
- Anyone who tests positive will be quarantined for 14 days at designated facilities.
- Travelers who test negative must self-isolate at their own accommodation for 14 days.
- Foreign travelers are required to deposit US $2,000 for COVID-19 service charges at the airport upon entry. Once deductions for services have been made, the remainder of the deposit will be returned.
What is life currently like in Cambodia?
Domestic travel has resumed in Cambodia. Most businesses have reopened.
Can I travel to Myanmar?
No. Myanmar and its international airports remain closed until at least 31 October 2020.
Can I travel to Laos?
No. At this time, international scheduled and chartered flights into Laos are suspended.
- Travel Information from the US State Department
- Global Health Advisory from the US State Department
- UK Government Update
Thailand
- Tourism Authority of Thailand
- US Embassy & Consulate in Thailand
- US Department of State Travel Advisory, Thailand
Vietnam
- Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
- US Embassy & Consulate in Vietnam
- US Department of State Travel Advisory, Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
What you need to know
Our team is keeping up to date with the ongoing changes in travel policies for inbound travel to Southeast Asia. While we are starting to see destinations open up for domestic travel, Smiling Albino destinations are still not in a state to welcome international guests.
Restrictions are still in place across Southeast Asia regarding international arrivals. At this time, there is no definitive date for when international travel will resume to any of our destinations.
If you require immediate assistance, please email us at mahouts@smilingalbino.com.
We also urge our partners and travelers to subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest information.
Need more information about what's happening in Southeast Asia?
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