IMPACT – HIGH

Thailand recently extended its ban on inbound commercial flights to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key Points:

  • The inbound commercial flight ban has been extended until further notice. During the extension, foreign nationals will only be permitted to travel for repatriation flights and cargo flights to Thailand.
    • Exceptions exist for the following types of flights:
    • State or military aircraft.
    • Emergency landing flights.
    • Technical landing flights with no passengers disembarking.
    • Humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights.
    • Repatriation flights.
    • Cargo flights.
  • Exceptions also exist for the following types of aircraft passengers:
    • Thai nationals.
    • Individuals with permission or an invitation from the Prime Minister. Individuals with permission from an authority responsible for emergency management who are considered necessary for the resolution of emergencies.
    • Individuals performing diplomatic or consular missions or who are working for international organizations.
    • Foreign government representatives who are performing their duties in Thailand.
    • Representatives of international agencies who are performing necessary duties within Thailand and their family members.
    • Persons transporting necessary goods who will return immediately after completing their work.
    • Crewmembers with a need to enter the country because of their work who also have a specific return date and time.
    • Non-Thai nationals married to a Thai national or who are parents or children of a Thai national.
    • Non-Thai nationals with a valid permanent resident certificate or who have permission to establish residency.
    • Non-Thai nationals with work permits or permission from government agencies to work in Thailand, including their spouse and/or children.
    • Non-Thai national students at educational institutions approved by authorities in Thailand. This exception includes the students’ parents or guardians.
    • Non-Thai nationals who require medical care in Thailand and persons traveling with them. This exception does not include medical care for COVID-19.
    • Non-Thai nationals who have a special arrangement with a foreign country.
  • The foreign nationals listed above must enter 14-day quarantine at their own expense in an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) upon entering the country.
  • Foreign nationals referred to in the list above must communicate with a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate before their departure date to apply for a Certificate of Entry (COE).
  • The local Thai Embassy in the departure country should confirm the list of required documents used to obtain the Certificate of Entry.
  • Foreign nationals are required to present the following documents to enter Thailand:
    • A Certificate of Entry into the Kingdom of Thailand (COE).
    • A valid non-immigrant visa.
    • A completed and signed Declaration form.
    • A Fit to Fly health certificate.
    • A COVID-19 medical certificate with a negative lab result from an RT-PCR test issued within 72 hours before departure.
    • A copy of a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of US$100,000 for COVID-19 in Thailand.
    • Documents used to enter the country such as the following:
      a valid work permit, or a letter of work permission from a relevant government agency or a pre-work permit approval letter issued by the Department of Employment (DOE), Board of Investment (BOI), or Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). For students, a confirmation letter issued by the applicant’s school is required.
    • Confirmation of a 14-day Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) reservation at the applicant’s expense and arrangement of personal flight tickets.
    • A T.8 form.
    • An in-country itinerary so the applicant can be tracked within Thailand.

Analysis & Comments: The travel ban extension and requirements for foreign national entry will restrict and slow movement into Thailand. Employers should take note and arrange plans for affected employees accordingly. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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