How to Travel to Thailand in 2021

Foreign visitors who need to visit Thailand must comply with the measures and entry requirements enforced by the Thai government to prevent and control the spread of COVID 19 in Thailand. Here are 5 easy steps on how to enter Thailand in 2021.

1. Apply for the Thai Visa

The foreigner must determine the appropriate visa to enter Thailand. Here are the most common types of visa you may obtain:

  • Visa Exemption (for visiting Thailand for tourism purpose not longer than 45 days)

  • Tourist Visa (for visiting Thailand not longer than 60 days)

  • STV or Special Tourist Visa

  • Non-Immigrant Visa (for visiting Thailand based on different purpose of stay and the visa is valid for 90 days and it can be extended in Thailand up to 1 year

  • Thai Elite Visa

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2. Book your Flight, COVID 19 Insurance and ASQ Hotel

Book your Flight to Thailand

At present, certain airlines such as Qatar, Emirates and other major airlines are permitted to operate semi-commercial flights to Thailand whether it is on a daily or weekly basis. Before booking flights to Thailand, travelers should ensure that they study the different categories of visas granted to foreign nationals at this time to determine the possibility of travel.

Book your ASQ Hotel

Normally, the ASQ hotel package includes 3 meals per day, complimentary WiFi, private car transfer from the airport to the ASQ hotel, a 24/7 on call nurse, and health checkup twice a day. The package also includes two COVID-19 testing kits that take place on the 5th and 13th day of your quarantine. All ASQ bookings are subject to specific terms and conditions of the hotel so make sure to read them carefully before making a booking.

Secure your COVID-19 Insurance

You’ll need to secure COVID-19 Insurance that meets the requirements of the Thai authorities such as:

  • Coverage of up to THB 3.5 million (equivalent to at least USD $100,000) for medical expenses due to injury or sickness including COVID-19

  • The insurance policy must cover the length of your stay in Thailand. It can be 60 days, 90 days, 6 months or even 12 months.

3. Apply for the COE or Certificate of Entry

The foreign traveler must apply for the COE or certificate of entry from the local Thai Embassy or consulate at least 5 to 15 working days prior to the intended date of travel.

  • To apply for the COE, please visit https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ and register by filling in your personal details, and upload supporting documents such as a copy of passport, copy of the valid visa, and COVID-19 travel insurance. The Embassy will screen and pre-approve the applicants who meet the requirements. Please check the status of your application after 1-3 working days.

  • The applicants can check their status online if they have been pre-approved. The applicants who received the pre-approval will upload the copy of the flight ticket and the ASQ hotel booking confirmation. Please check the status of your application after 1-3 working days.

4. Obtain Fit-to-Fly Certificate and COVID-19 Test

After receiving your COE or certificate of entry, you must obtain the following:

  • Fit-to-Fly health certificate, issued within 72 hours before departure – this is a statement by a doctor that you are free from symptoms and fit to fly. This certificate is separate from the COVID-19 medical certificate.

  • Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. The COVID test must be by the RT-PCR method, within 72 hours before departure. Some airlines do not accept home kit tests so please check specific requirements with the airlines you are traveling with.

5. Prepare your documents before departure

You should print and present these documents to your airline before departure:

  • Certificate of Entry (COE)
  • Valid visa in your passport
  • Declaration Form
  • Fit-to-Fly health certificate, issued within 72 hours before departure
  • Printed Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. The COVID test must be by the RT-PCR method, within 72 hours before departure.
  • COVID 19 travel insurance certificate
  • Copy of confirmed ASQ Hotel booking
  • T8 Health Form
  • Download ThailandPlus mobile app on your phone

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Thailand Travel Guide 2021

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Siam Legal Visa and COE Application Assistance

Package 1: 395 USD
  • Unlimited Online Visa Consultation
  • Assistance in visa application (non-immigrant O visa and tourist visa)
  • Assistance in COE application
  • Assistance in booking an ASQ hotel
  • Assistance in booking insurance
  • Assistance in booking the flight
Package 2: 200 USD
  • Unlimited Online Visa Consultation
  • Extensive checklist of required documents
  • Assistance in visa application (non-immigrant O visa and tourist visa)
  • Assistance in COE application
Package 3: 100 USD
  • Visa Consultation for the best visa suitable to the applicant
  • Extensive checklist of required documents
  • Assistance in COE application (including visa exemption)
 

How to Book ASQ Hotel

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai Ministry of Public Health has required that any Thai or foreign nationals traveling to Thailand must undergo a mandatory quarantine at any accredited Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facilities.

Here are some of the highly recommended ASQ Hotels:

How to Obtain COVID-19 Insurance

This COVID-19 travel insurance is required to be allowed into Thailand so you will be purchasing this before you travel. The easiest way to buy your policy is online from one of the above providers who will then provide you with the all-important certificate of coverage to present to the authorities when you arrive (and you will also need to present it to the airline before they will allow you onboard). It’s quick and easy to do online, and you can choose your length of policy from 60 days to one year. Be sure that the policy covers the entire period that you are planning to stay in Thailand or you may be refused entry.

You may purchase COVID-19 travel insurance within a few minutes. Check them below.

You can buy budget insurance here: https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

For travelers who are 75 years old and above, get your Health Insurance here: https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-health-insurance

Thailand Elite Visa

The Thailand Elite Visa is a long-term Thai visa under privilege entry visa program managed by the Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited. The purpose of the program is to promote Thailand to affluent and high-earning foreigners through the issuance of a privilege entry visa and offers an opportunity to obtain a long-term multiple entry visa and the right to live in the country for up to 20 years. This includes individuals such as digital nomads that don’t want to do visa runs, retirees who don’t want to be stressed with the new complicated regulations that have been regularly changed, or investors and business people who need to travel in and out of Thailand several times a year.

How to Get Thai Elite Visa?
  1. Start your Application and Due Diligence Process
    You can start the application for the Thai Elite Visa wherever you may be, whether you are in Thailand or abroad. All you need to do is to send a scanned copy of your passport and application form to an accredited Thai Elite Visa agent. The due diligence process may take 1 month for most nationalities and up to 2 months for special nationalities.
  2. Approval and Payment of Membership Fee
    Once the due diligence process is complete, an approval letter is issued along with instructions on how to remit payment for the Thai Elite Visa cost. The membership fee ranges from 500,000 Thai baht to 2 million Thai baht depending on the membership package the applicant has applied for. The payment for the membership fee can be made through local or international bank transfer or online payment.
  3. Membership Acceptance and Visa Issuance

    After completing the payment or bank transfer, the applicant will receive the Membership ID and instruction on how to receive the visa.

    During this time of the pandemic, the applicant will be provided a Letter from Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd to apply for the Thai Elite Visa and Certificate of Entry from the local Thai Embassy or consulate to be permitted to travel to Thailand.

    In case that the Thailand Elite member is already staying in Thailand or entered Thailand as tourist, the Thailand Elite agent may arrange the cancellation of the previous visa and Thai Elite Visa issuance at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

How to Open a Bank Account in Thailand

Siam Legal offers and provides assistance for a smooth and hassle-free way in opening up a Thai bank account.

  • You will receive assistance in opening up a savings/current bank account
  • You will receive a Bank book and a debit/ATM card
  • Online Banking (Thai mobile number is required)
Requirements
  • Passport
  • Guarantee letter (to be provided by Siam Legal)
Process
  • The applicant may book for our service online.
  • Our staff will prepare the application and necessary documents for the bank and arrange an appointment with the applicant.
  • The applicant will collect the application form and documents from Siam Legal Bangkok office and will proceed to the specific bank branch. The process of opening the account at the bank takes 1 to 2 hours.
Service Fee

Our service fee is 150 USD for opening a Thai savings account.