Thailand cancels the Thailand Pass & removes the mandatory Covid-19 insurance requirement for foreign tourists starting from July 1st, 2022 onwards.

Thailand’s Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration (CSSA) has recently announced that the “Thailand Pass” pre-arrival and approval requirement together with the mandatory $10,000USD, Covid-19 insurance requirement for foreign tourists is to be discontinued from July 1st, 2022 which is wonderful news. Both of these requirements have already been removed for Thai nationals back in early June, 2022.

Whereas the “Thailand Pass” website itself will continue to operate and serve as a vehicle for foreign tourists to report any Covid-19-like symptoms (if any) to the authorities online post arrival in Thailand.

The CSSA, further added that they plan to reclassify Bangkok and all 76 other Provinces as “Green” a.k.a. “Surveillance” areas which will allow entertainment venues to stay open longer. Currently entertainment venues must close at midnight, however under the new classification entertainment venues will be allowed to stay open until 1am or 2am in certain areas. Also the mandatory requirement for all businesses to conduct temperature checks on their customers before allowing entry, has also been suspended. I must caution readers that the zoning reclassifications are still at the approval phase and have yet to be imposed, however in all probability, it’s thought that they will coincide with the cessation of the Thai Pass entry requirements.

As for any mask mandates (which have never been codified into Thai Law) once again the CSSA recommends that the general public continue to exercise their own discretion when it comes to the wearing of face masks in public. However the CSSA were careful to point out that private businesses still have the right to impose safety protocols (i.e. face masks & temperature checks etc.,) should they still choose to do so, when granting entry to their premises.

So starting from July 1st, 2022 onwards, foreigners who arrive at any Thai airport or land border crossing simply have to show the Thai Immigration Authorities either proof of vaccination (i.e. a vaccine certificate either in printed or in digital format) or a negative RT-PRCR or ATK test done by a professional clinician/technician within 72 Hours of travel upon request. Furthermore, compulsory documentation and health checks upon arrival have been discontinued in favor of more routine randomized checks to reduce wait times and queues given the expected rise in tourist numbers.

Any unvaccinated or partly vaccinated tourists stopped by the Thai Immigration Authorities in randomized checks MUST provide proof of a negative RT-PRCR or ATK test within 72 Hours of travel upon request as a condition of entry. Any foreign tourists failing to do so, MAY be required to  undergo a professional ATK test at the port of entry, and granted access subject to a negative test result. As to what would happen in the case of a positive ATK test result, I would assume that the foreign tourist would be required to go into some form of quarantine, however this is subject to speculation on my part.

Disclaimer: Please note that this is NOT a definitive STEP BY STEP guide and that we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you seek further clarification from the Thai authorities prior to booking any airplane tickets.