Songkran 2022 Festivities Allowed as Thailand relaxes Covid-19 curbs

The Royal Thai Government has announced the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions nationwide from 1 April 2022. Songkran festivities will be allowed albeit under stringent health and safety standards.

The designation of ‘Blue Zone’ provinces has been increased from 8 to 10 and maintained 16 other provinces with ‘Blue Zone’ districts.

Areas Under Stringent Surveillance or yellow zone has been increased from 25 to 47 provinces while the Controlled Areas or orange zone has been adjusted from 44 to 22 provinces. Meanwhile, the Emergency Decree has been extended for the seventeenth time until 31 May 2022.

Click here for more information on the three main entry schemes for international travellers travelling to Thailand.

TEST & GO Rules from 1 April 2022 (updated 31 March 2022)

Travellers who have applied for and obtained the TEST & GO Thailand Pass or Certificate of Entry with scheduled arrivals from 1 April 2022 will be allowed to enter Thailand without the need to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of travel. Points of entry include

• By Air – Direct international flights to Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Chiang Mai, U-Tapao, Hat Yai (New) International airports, or transit domestically via dedicated flights.
• By Land – via border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Songkhla, and Satun (new).
• By Water – Eligible types of vessels include private yachts and ships of Thai government agencies, while Thai crew members on cargo ships will also be allowed to enter Thailand

Eligible travellers / countries:

• For arrivals by air and water: Fully vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travellers from all countries/territories.
• For arrivals by land: Fully vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travellers from neighbouring countries connecting with the reopened border checkpoints (Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Songkhla, and Satun).

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:

1. A Thailand Pass (via https://tp.consular.go.th/) for arrivals by air and land; or a Certificate of Entry(via a Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General) for arrivals by water.
2. An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$20,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
   • *TAT recommends that travellers make sure to check the small print of any COVID-19 insurance policy before purchasing. Ultimately, the policy should cover the cost of treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation, hospital isolation, hotel isolation, or related quarantine. The insurance policy should also cover the whole duration that travellers are planning to stay in Thailand, plus at least 10 extra days as a precautionary measure in the event that the traveller’s second test result returns as positive.
3. A proof of prepayment for 1 night of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) on Day 1, which should also include the expenses for 2 COVID-19 tests: an RT-PCR test upon arrival (Day 0-1) and an antigen self-test on Day 5. 
4. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination
   • Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
   • Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
   • Travellers under 12 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement.
   • For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians.
   • Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine post-infection must have a medical certificate of COVID-19 recovery.
5. A Certificate of COVID-19 Recovery
   • Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period of 14 days to 3 months and has yet to receive any vaccine post-infection must have a medical certificate of COVID-19 recovery.

On Arrival Requirements / During your Stay

1. All travellers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks.
   • At the point of entry for arrivals on a direct flight to Thailand’s international airport, and for arrivals with domestic connecting flights at either the first point of entry before boarding the transit flight, or at the final airport.
   • Also, at the point of entry for arrivals by land and water. 
2. Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the Day 1 RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route within a travelling time of no longer than 5 hours. Then, all travellers must wait for the test result within the hotel only. *Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, can have a saliva test.
   • Travellers whose test result returns as negative are free to go anywhere in Thailand, but will be provided with 1 Antigen Self-Test Kit for a self-test on Day 5 and be required to report/record the result via the MorChana application or another specified application.
   • Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance / own expense for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
     • Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation.
     • During receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge.
     • After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery.
3. While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser), and keep physical distance of at least 1 metre from others. *Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive they must get appropriate medical treatment.
4. All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the self-ATK result on Day 5 in the application.
   • *The self-ATK on Day 5 will not be required if the traveller’s length of stay is less than 5 nights, or his/her scheduled international departure date out of Thailand is on Day 5 or before. For example, if the traveller plans to stay in Thailand for 3 days, then he/she does not have to report the self-ATK result, but he/she must leave for another country immediately. However, the traveller may be required to take another test depending on the airline and the final international destination.

Guidelines for Domestic / International Departure

Domestic departure – Travellers must show proof that they have received a negative result for their Day 1 RT-PCR test.

International departure – It is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.

Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only. Check regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast-changing situation.

Celebrating Songkran in 2022

Anyone planning to enjoy the Thai New Year are advised to get fully vaccinated and undergo a self-ATK at least 72 hours before joining group activities.

Water splashing, powder smearing, and foam parties are prohibited both at Songkran locations and in public areas. Sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are also prohibited at the event’s location.

Activities should focus on the traditional and cultural aspects of the celebration; such as, Song Nam Phra (a ritual that involves the pouring of scented water onto a temple’s sacred Buddha images), Rot Nam Dam Hua (a ritual where young people prepare jasmine water and Nam Op scented water with which to wash their parents’ or elders’ hands to ask for blessing), traditional performances and processions, and music performances.

Blue Zone Provinces and Districts

All businesses and activities in the Blue Zone provinces/districts can resume “New Normal” operations under stringent health and safety standards.

Central Region: Bangkok, and Ayutthaya (Mueang district only), Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan (Mueang, Hua Hin, and Nong Kae districts only), and Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport only).

Eastern Region: Chanthaburi (only for Mueang and Tha Mai districts), Chon Buri, Rayong (Ko Samet only), and Trat (Ko Chang and Ko Kut districts only).

Northeastern Region: Buri Ram (Mueang district only), Khon Kaen (Mueang, Khao Suan Kwang, Poei Noi, Phon, Phu Wiang, Wiang Kao, and Ubolratana districts only), Loei (Chiang Khan district only), Nakhon Ratchasima (Mueang, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chok Chai, Pak Chong, Phimai, Sikhio, and Wang Nam Khiao districts), Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts only), Surin(Mueang and Tha Tum districts only), and Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Prachaksilpakhom, and Nong Han districts only).

Northern Region: Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai (Mueang, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, Mae Sai, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Kaen, and Wiang Pa Pao districts only).

Southern Region: Krabi, Phang-nga, Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam only), and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao only).

47 Areas under Stringent Surveillance or Yellow Zone Provinces

Nearly all businesses and activities in the yellow zone provinces can also resume “New Normal” operations. Meetings, events, and fairs can be also held with the number of attendees capped at 1,000.  

Central Region: Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, and Suphan Buri.

Eastern Region: Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi*, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, and Trat*.

Northeastern Region: Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Chaiyaphum, Loei*, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai*, Kalasin, Khon Kaen*, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin*, Ubon Ratchathani, and Yasothon.

Northern Region: Chiang Rai*, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Nakhon Sawan, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, and Uttaradit.

Southern Region: Chumphon, Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, Trang, and Yala.

^{NOTE: * denotes except for areas designated as "Blue Zone" pilot tourist destinations.}

20 Controlled Areas or Orange Zone Provinces

Malls, markets, convenience stores, and cinemas can resume “New Normal” operations in a COVID-free setting. Amusement parks and water parks within shopping malls, department stores, community malls, and similar venues can resume operations for open-air facilities.

Restaurants and eateries in the orange zone provinces can resume normal opening hours, but will not be allowed to serve dine-in customers alcoholic beverages. This measure applies to all restaurants and eateries, both standalone and those situated in shopping malls, department stores, community malls, and similar venues.

Meetings and events in hotels, trade centres, convention halls, and similar venues can be organised for less than 1,000 attendees

Beauty and aesthetic clinics, hair salons and barbershops, tattoo shops, massage and spa shops, and Thai traditional massage shops can open until midnight.

Central Region: Ayutthaya*, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan*, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan*, and Samut Sakhon.

Eastern Region: Rayong*

Northeastern Region: Buri Ram*, Nakhon Ratchasima*, and Udon Thani*.

Northern Region: Tak.

Southern Region: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Ranong*, Songkhla, and Surat Thani*.