on 27 May 2022
As of June 1, it will become faster and less complicated to bring a yacht into Thai waters. Nightclubs, bars, and karaoke venues have also been approved for reopening
Thailand’s Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced the country is revising its rules and easing Covid entry requirements. The new regulations come into force on June 1, and are good news for foreign-flagged vessels wanting to cruise in Thai waters.
From June 1, 2022, the Thailand Pass will only function as a pre-arrival registration system, and will no longer be used as an approval system.
“We are happy to share the news that effective 1 June 2022, Thailand has revised arrival rules and relaxed Covid measures for foreign-flagged vessels, creating much less entry and cruising stress. This is wonderful news and based on interest received, it’s great to see that Thailand hasn’t lost its appeal,” say Gordon Fernandes and Captain Charlie Dwyer, co-founders of Asia Pacific Superyachts. “[It’s] a milestone in Thailand’s Covid-19 recovery; we’re thrilled to be welcoming more visiting yachts in the months ahead.”
The news comes after the megayacht of Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis was seen in Pattaya last week. The party on board Aviva are understood to be the first group of tourists to visit Koh Samui since the Thai government scrapped ‘Test & Go’ entry requirements on May 1.
New requirements for entering Thailand, effective 1 June 2022:
Entry requirements for travellers entering Thailand will be adjusted starting 1 June 2022, including the registration for Thailand Pass, which the CCSA said has been made simpler and more convenient.
In particular, effective 1 June 2022, foreign travellers to Thailand will only need to provide the following information for entry:
1. Covid-19 vaccination certificates or Covid-19 test results;
2. A minimum of US$10,000 equivalent of travel insurance that covers medical expenses related to Covid-19; and
3. A copy of a valid passport.
The Thailand Pass QR code will be auto-generated immediately after registration, and airlines are required to pre-check for the Thailand Pass QR code prior to issuing boarding passes to travellers. Upon arrival in Thailand, travellers are required to go through a health screening process at the airport. Your yacht agent will handle all arrangements for arriving international vessels.
Foreign travellers are reminded to ensure they upload the correct documents and carry them along, in case they are required to show the documents for verification.
Effective 1 June as well, the Pass will only function as a pre-arrival registration system, not an approval system. Foreign visitors need to make sure they upload the correct documents and carry them along, in case they are required to show the documents for verification.
Additionally, nightclubs, bars, and karaoke venues have been approved for reopening. However, the CCSA cautioned: “The endemic designation does not mean the disease is no longer dangerous. The government will continue to ensure the healthcare system remains capable of handling [any] emergency situation.”
Finally, the CCSA shared the state of emergency will be extended for two more months, from 1 June to 31 July 2022, with all necessary public health measures to stem the spread of Covid-19 remaining in place, until the country is ready to enter the endemic phase, which will be determined by the relevant public health authorities.