smart travel to thailand

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Thailand Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, thailand - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Thailand. Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reconsider travel to:

• Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to  civil unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Thailand.

If you decide to travel to Thailand:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.   
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .   
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Thailand.
• Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla Provinces – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Periodic violence directed mostly at Thai government interests by a domestic insurgency continues to affect security in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. In Songkhla, the insurgency is most active in the districts of Chana, Thepha, Nathawat, and Saba Yoi. U.S. citizens are at risk of death or injury due to the possibility of indiscriminate attacks in public places.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces as U.S government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these provinces.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, thailand map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Search Smartraveller

17 things you need to know before visiting Thailand

Oct 28, 2023 • 7 min read

Thailand is one of the easiest places to travel in Asia, but there are some top tips that first-time visitors should know © Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty Images

Thailand has a deserved reputation as one of the easiest places to travel in Asia. There’s an amazing amount to see , hassles are limited, English-language signs and menus are commonplace, and you can get around easily at almost any time of day or night. 

However, there are a few things every traveler should know. Here are our top tips for making the most of your trip. 

1. Rainy season varies depending on where you are

The June to October rainy season brings heavy showers and regular storms to northern, central and southwestern Thailand, creating dangerous conditions for travel by sea. The southeast coast and the Gulf of Thailand get soaked slightly later, from October to December. 

Rainy-season travel means lower prices and smaller crowds, but some accommodations close and many island ferries stop running, including services to the Tarutao archipelago . If this is when you decide to visit, you'll definitely want to pack some kind of wet weather gear.

2. Check for recommended vaccinations

You’ve probably already been jabbed for COVID-19, but most doctors also recommend vaccination against tetanus and hepatitis A. Also consider a rabies shot – dogs, cats and monkeys can all carry the viral disease. Malaria is present along the borders with Laos , Cambodia , Myanmar and Malaysia . If you visit these regions, use anti-malarial prophylaxis such as atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline. 

3. Sensible travelers to Thailand book ahead

If you have your heart set on a particular boat journey, train trip, trek, tour or boutique stay, book ahead for the busy tourist season from November to March or during any religious holiday. During the rainy season, call or email ahead to check if places are open.

4. Follow local etiquette when meeting Thai people

When meeting locals in Thailand, the standard greeting is the wai – a respectful dip of the head with the hands held palms together in front of the chest. Don’t shake hands unless the other person initiates the handshake. If you get invited into a Thai home, remove your shoes before you enter and avoid pointing the soles of your feet towards another person. 

5. Be respectful of Buddhism, a part of everyday life in Thailand 

Some 95% of Thais are Buddhist, and the national religion weaves through every aspect of life. To show proper respect, remove footwear before entering any Buddhist structure, and wear clothing that covers the shoulders, upper arms and upper legs. 

Never point the soles of your feet towards any Buddhist image (or monk), and don’t touch Buddha statues on the head. Give way to monks when walking on footpaths, and don’t sit next to them on public transport. It is also taboo for a woman to touch a monk or their belongings.

6. Dress modestly

Thai women and men usually avoid revealing outfits that show off a lot of skin. Swimsuits are fine for the beach, but away from the sand, throw on a sarong or fisher's pants, plus something that covers the shoulders if you visit religious sites. Topless or nude sunbathing is frowned upon and can attract unwanted attention.

7. Show respect for the king and royal family

The Thais take respect for the monarchy extremely seriously, and lèse-majesté (maligning the royal family) is a criminal offense. Never show disrespect towards the monarch or depictions of the royal family (including on money). 

8. Know what to expect at the dining table

When dining out in Thailand, everything tends to arrive on the table at the same time, usually placed in the middle of the table for everyone to share. Thailand abandoned chopsticks in the 19th century. You’ll get a spoon and fork but no knife – but most dishes come as bite-sized morsels, so you won’t need one. Sticky rice is usually bundled up into balls and eaten with the fingers. 

9. Vegetarian is a relative term in Thailand 

Fish sauce, oyster sauce and egg are widely used as cooking ingredients in Thailand. The safest bet for people who don't eat fish or meat is to seek out Indian-owned vegetarian restaurants, or restaurants serving kin jay Buddhist cuisine. If in doubt, ask the person making the food if it is jay  – the term ​​ mang sa wirat just means food that doesn’t contain pieces of meat or fish but doesn't mean it's necessarily suitable for vegetarians. 

10. Health risks include stomach bugs, mosquito bites and rabies

The most common trouble travelers face in Thailand is trip-spoiling stomach bugs. Never drink tap water, wash your hands before eating, stick to busy eating establishments and be cautious of ice, unwashed or unpeeled fruit and uncooked vegetables. If you become unwell, seek out private hospitals in larger cities rather than public hospitals.

Mosquito bites can easily become infected in Thailand’s tropical climate. Bring mosquito repellent, and use mosquito nets (or bring your own). Rabies is another risk – always seek medical attention if you are bitten by a dog, cat or monkey. 

11. Smart travelers steer clear of drugs in Thailand 

In June 2022,  marijuana and hemp were removed from the Category 5 narcotics list in Thailand. However, there are still restrictions and smoking marijuana in public is not recommended.

Crossing borders with Class A drugs carries the death penalty, and even the possession of small quantities can bring a hefty prison sentence – it’s really not worth the risk. Also note that smoking in public can attract heavy fines. If you take any prescription medicines, check that these are allowed into Thailand before you travel. 

12. Prices may well be inflated for tourists

In general, Thailand is hassle-free, but tourists are often charged inflated prices for tuk-tuks and unmetered taxi rides – ask a local how much journeys should cost and use that as a yardstick for a fair fare. 

Major tourist sites are popular stalking grounds for cab drivers and touts who will try to steer you towards dubious souvenir shops, fake "tourist offices" and second-rate places to stay, where you’ll inevitably pay more to cover their commission. Book transport directly with the operators to avoid dodgy deals from unscrupulous travel agents. 

13. You may be approached by sex workers

Thailand’s sex industry may find you whether you want it to or not. Single male travelers (and even couples) can expect to be approached by sex workers or touts drumming up business, so be ready with a firm refusal. 

Be aware that some bars, restaurants and karaoke venues are fronts for sex work – warning signs include red or pink strip lights, large numbers of skimpily dressed female staff and lots of foreign male customers.

14. Political protests can be tense and are best avoided 

Thailand can have a lot of protests. When tensions flare up between the government and opposition groups, it can lead to blockades, flight cancellations and sometimes violence. Monitor local news sites such as the Nation for information on simmering political troubles, and avoid protests and other potential flash points.

15. Some governments advise against travel in Thailand’s south 

The far south of Thailand, along the Malaysian border, has been wracked by a separatist insurgency since the 1940s. Most foreign governments advise against travel to the districts of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla.  

16. Be very cautious when riding a scooter

Thousands of travelers rent a scooter or motorcycle in Thailand, but make sure your home driving license covers you for any vehicle you hire, and carry your passport (or a copy of the ID pages) in case the police ask for it.

Wear a helmet, ride cautiously and make sure the rental comes with liability insurance – every year, hundreds of tourists are injured in motorcycle and scooter accidents in Thailand. Always give way to larger vehicles, and watch out for livestock, potholes and other hazards on the road. 

17. Follow local advice if there's a natural disaster

Thailand is vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as flooding, landslides and cyclones during the rainy season. Heed official advice in the event of a natural disaster, and contact your embassy for up-to-the-minute information on evacuation procedures. 

This article was first published January 2022 and updated October 2023

Explore related stories

Tips & Advice

Apr 16, 2024 • 12 min read

Singapore's allure goes beyond its iconic hotels, manicured gardens and world-class airport – here are the best places to visit when you arrive.

Mar 14, 2024 • 10 min read

Feb 24, 2024 • 8 min read

Feb 3, 2024 • 7 min read

Jan 29, 2024 • 8 min read

Jan 5, 2024 • 20 min read

Jan 3, 2024 • 5 min read

Dec 27, 2023 • 8 min read

Dec 16, 2023 • 9 min read

Dec 15, 2023 • 7 min read

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Thailand Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Thailand.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Thailand.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Thailand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Thailand.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Thailand take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Thailand.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Thailand. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Thailand, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Thailand. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥9 months old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites
• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Thailand, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Thailand. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Some diseases in Thailand—such as dengue, Zika, and filariasis—are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses.

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Thailand include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Thailand. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Thailand’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Thailand. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Thailand may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Thailand, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Thailand, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Thailand .

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in Thailand.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

To call for emergency services while in Thailand, dial 1669 for an ambulance, 199 for the fire department, and 191 for the police. Write these numbers down to carry with you on your trip.

Learn as much as you can about Thailand before you travel there. A good place to start is the country-specific information on Thailand from the US Department of State.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Thailand for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

All material herein © 2021 Entry Thailand. All Rights Reserved. Infrastructure Power by GDCC.

“The Land of Smiles.”

Entry requirements, from 1 july 2022, arrival and during the stay.

Contain informations, news, related websites and applications for travelers on arrival and during the stay in the Kingdom of Thailand

Before Leave

Contain informations, news, related websites and applications for travelers before leaving the Kingdom of Thailand

Before Arrival

Contain informations, news, related websites and applications for travelers before entering the Kingdom of Thailand

Traveller's Journey to Thailand.

Thailand’s entry requirements from 1 July 2022 Thailand Pass removed, Also lifting an US$10,000 health insurance requirement, thus welcoming all travellers with proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR or professional ATK test result.

Informations & Documents

Informations and Documents for Entering The Kingdom of Thailand

Hotel Booking

SHA/SHA+ Booking

COVID-19 Insurance Service

Thailand Pass

Thailand Pass Registration System (for air travel only)

Download MorChana for iOS and Android

Flight Status

Real-time in-depth flight information

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Don Mueang International Airport

Phuket International Airport

Chiang Mai International Airport

Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport

Hat Yai International Airport

OTOP Nawatwithi tourism nationwide

Nawatwithi Community-based Tourism Program

OTOP Shopping Mall

National Park Reservation

Thai Health Pass

Health Declaration Form (T.8) of Yellow Fever for Entry to Kingdom of Thailand

Travel Link

Sawasdee by AOT

SAWASDEE by AOT Application

THAI E-VISA

THAI E-VISA OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Area of Yellow Fever Virus

Thailand Information

Curabitur mollis bibendum luctus. Duis suscipit vitae dui sed suscipit. Vestibulum auctor nunc vitae diam eleifend, in maximus metus sollicitudin. Quisque vitae sodales lectus.

Cultural Calendar

Weather warning, thai disaster alert application ios.

Thai disaster alert Mobile Application

The Fine Arts Department

Thai disaster alert application android, tourism and sports volunteer (tsv), unseen heritage.

VR Unseen Heritage

Smart Museum

Virtual Museum

Virtual Historical Park

Railway Ticket Booking

Train tracking system

Sports publication

Thailand Travel Safety

contact channels for assistance

Red line station State Railway of Thailand

Bus lines of bangkok mass transit authority.

Thailand Tourism Directory

Tourist Police i lert u Application (Android)

Tourist Police i lert u

Thailand Privilege Card

Privilege Entry Visa

Reservation Home & Camp

National Park Office

VAT Refund for Tourists

Thailand vrt application.

Getting your VAT refund for tourists in Thailand faster and easier

Register your Airline

E-workforce ecosystem, thailand reopening.

Numbers of Country which eligible to travel to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Number of Travelers’ Statistics

(Test&Go, Sandbox, Quarantine)

Update 22/12/2021.

• All Articles
• Travel Stories
• Travel Tips
• North America
• Central America
• South America
• Middle East
• Job & Career Resources
• Personal Finance & Budget
• Retirement, Retiring Early, & Semi-Retirement
• Living Abroad & Long-Term Travel
• Digital Nomad Lifestyle
• Adventure Travel
• Pop Culture Travel
• Foodie Travel
• Responsible & Sustainable Travel
• Luxury Travel
• Solo Travel
• Student Travel
• Couples, Family & Group Travel

Thailand SMART Visa: Requirements & How to Apply

By: Nahla ElKazak / Sarah Stone

The Thailand SMART Visa program was introduced in 2018 to attract highly-skilled workers and investors working in specific industries . The SMART Visa holder is granted up to four years in residence and a work permit exemption.

This is different from the Thailand Digital Nomad Visa in that the SMART Visa has different application procedures and allows you to stay in Thailand for up to four years, while the new Digital Nomad Visa allows you to stay up to 10 years with different requirements.

Thailand SMART Visa Categories

The Thailand SMART Visa program includes five categories:

• Startup entrepreneur
• Spouse and legitimate children of SMART Visa holders

We’ll look at the individual requirements for applying to Thailand’s SMART Visa program, but in general, you’ll need to put together some application materials for any category, including:

• The appropriate visa application for the SMART Visa category for which you’re applying
• A copy of your passport
• A notarized and clear criminal record issued by the police authorities in your country
• A medical certificate declaring that you have no prohibitive diseases outlined by the Thai government—the certificate must be notarized and the issuance date has to be no longer than three months prior to application
• Depending on the visa, copies of your academic certificates and anything else that proves your expertise in your field—this can be recommendations, publications, or research projects and awards
• Proof of previous employment (if applicable)
• If you’re not submitting the application yourself, then you’ll need to include a power of attorney

Let’s take a closer look at the SMART Visa Categories.

Thailand SMART T (Talent) Visa

The Thailand SMART Talent Visa is for high-level professionals in specific industries related to science and technology. This is a maximum four-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand.

You must meet the following criteria to receive a Thailand SMART Talent Visa:

• You have to have a minimum income of no less than 100,000 Baht/month. If you’re an expert with an employment contract with a startup, or if you’re a retired expert with an endorsement from a relevant organization, your income must be no less than 50,000 Baht/month.
• An employment or service contract with a Thai entity that works in one of the country’s targeted industries . The contract must be valid for at least an additional year from the date of your application.

You can find the detailed requirements for the SMART Talent visa here .

You can also find the complete list of documents required for the talent visa here .

Thailand SMART I (Investor) Visa

The Thailand SMART Investor visa is for investors who are willing to invest in the targeted industries in Thailand. This is a maximum four-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand.

You must meet the following criteria to receive a Thailand SMART Investment Visa:

• Direct investment in a Thai company, either individually or via VC, for at least 20 million Baht
• Direct investment in a company endorsed by relevant Thai agencies as an incubator or accelerator, for at least 5 million Baht

You can find detailed requirements for the SMART investor visa here .

You can also find the complete list of documents required for the investor visa here .

Thailand SMART E (Executive) Visa

The SMART Executive visa is for foreigners who are executives in technology-based companies in one or more of Thailand’s targeted industries . This is a maximum four-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand.

To qualify, you need to:

• Have a minimum income of at least 200,000 Baht/month
• Hold a Bachelor’s or higher with a minimum of 10-year work experience in relevant field
• Hold a senior management role within your organization
• Have an employment or service contract with a Thai entity that works in one of the country’s targeted industries . The contract must be valid for at least an additional year from the date of your application.

You can find the detailed requirements for the SMART Executive visa here .

The complete list of documents for the executive visa can be found here .

Thailand SMART S (Startup) Visa

The Thailand Startup Visa is for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Thailand’s targeted industries . This is a maximum two-year renewable visa, and no re-entry permit is required. Your spouse and children are also granted permission to stay as long as you’re in Thailand, and your spouse can work with no prior permit required. Your 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year on this visa, and as a bonus, you can fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand. If you change your job while working in Thailand under this visa, you’ll need to report additional endorsements from a qualifying entity.

To qualify for a SMART Startup Visa, you have to:

• Establish a startup in Thailand certified as a targeted industry by the government
• Hold a minimum of 25% of the company’s capital, or hold the director position of that company
• Deposit at least 600,000 Baht in a Thai bank—and you must have held that bank account for at least three months prior to deposit
• If you’re bringing a spouse or children, you’ll need to make an additional deposit of at least 180,000 Baht per person in a Thai bank account that you’ve held for at least three months prior to deposit
• Provide proof of health insurance that covers your entire stay for you and any accompanying family members

You can find more details about the Thailand SMART Startup visa here .

The complete list of documents for the startup visa can be found here .

Thailand SMART O (Other) Visa

The SMART Other Visa category is for the spouse and children of a SMART Visa holder. Under this category, you as the spouse of a SMART Visa holder can work in Thailand without a work permit. Similar in some ways to the other SMART Visa types, there’s no re-entry permit required, 90-day reporting to Immigration is extended to one year, and can there’s fast-track service at certain international airports in Thailand. As well, you and your children can stay and work in Thailand with no work permit needed by a Thai company. If your SMART Visa holder spouse happens to change their job, you’ll need to get additional endorsements from qualifying entities.

To qualify for a SMART Other Visa, you have to:

• Be a legal dependent of a SMART Visa holder type T, I, E, or S—in this case, both spouses and children qualify as dependents
• As the child of a SMART Visa holder, be under 20 years old (although there are exceptions for children of SMART “T” visa holders)
• For spouses and children of SMART “S” Visa holders specifically: Hold an amount of deposit by your SMART Visa sponsor of at least 180,000 Bahtper person to a Thai bank account  that has existed for at least three months prior to deposit
• For spouses and children of SMART “S” Visa holders specifically: Have proof of health insurance for the entire family that covers the period of your stay

You can find more details about the Thailand SMART “Other” Visa here .

The complete list of documents for the “Other” Visa can be found here .

Thailand COVID Travel Requirements

As of October 1, 2022, Thailand has lifted its COVID travel restrictions. You don’t need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter, and you don’t have to stay in the sandbox. Of course we recommend exercising reasonable caution during travel to any destination and being respectful of your fellow humans.

Other Thailand Visa Options

• Comprehensive Guide to Thailand Tourist & Resident Visas: Digital Nomads, Semi-Retired, Investors & More
• Thailand Tourist Visa: How to Apply and How to Extend Your Stay
• Thailand Elite Visa: Cost, Requirements & Benefits
• Thailand Long Term Resident Visa (Digital Nomad Visa): Live and Work Remotely in Thailand
• Thailand Retirement Visa: Requirements & How to Apply
• Thailand Permanent Residency: Qualifications & How to Apply

Featured image via Unsplash .

Related posts:

• A Weekend in St. Petersburg, FL: Dalí Museum, Fort De Soto
• 10 Best Online Volunteer Opportunities: Smithsonian & More
• Portugal Digital Nomad Visa & Other Travel Visas: A Comprehensive Guide 
• Kangaroo Island: Australia’s Zoo Without Fences

The Thailand SMART Visa – A Guide to Eligibility & Benefits

The SMART Visa is a Board Of Investment (BOI) initiative to boost Thailand's economy through innovation.

The aim is to attract highly qualified individuals in specific areas of industry, to help the country grow through new talent and technology.

In this post, we'll take at deep dive on the SMART Visa categories and their eligibility requirements, and the potential benefits of the visa.

• SMART Visa Overview
• Key Benefits
• How to Apply
• Extending a SMART Visa
• My Personal Opinion

What Is a SMART Visa?

The SMART Visa is targeted at highly skilled workers, investors, executives, and entrepreneurs.

There are four key categories that you can apply under:

The idea is to attract highly skilled people to work in Thailand in specific industries, known as S-Curve industries. The industries are as follows:

• Automation and Robotics
• Aviation and Logistics
• Biofuels and Biochemicals
• Next-Generation Automotive
• Smart Electronics
• Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Human Resource Development in Science and Technology
• Environmental Management and Renewable Energy
• Agriculture and Biotechnology
• Food for the Future

What are the Benefits of a Thai SMART Visa?

The main benefit is a 4-year permission to stay (except the Startup Visa, which has a maximum of 2 years validity).

Immigration reports are yearly rather than the usual 90-days we are used to on Non Immigrant Visas. No re-entry permit is required to leave the country (and keep the visa active).

To make you feel that little but more important, you'll get access to a fast-track service at international airports in Thailand, helping you move quickly through immigration checks.

The visa also offers work eligibility for spouses and children of SMART Visa holders, without the need for a work permit.

SMART Visa Categories

SMART Talent Visa (T)

The Talent Visa is for science and technology experts who earn a minimum of 100,000 + Baht per month.

You will need to have an employment or service contract with a company or institution in Thailand. The remaining term of your contract must be at least 1 year when you apply.

If you have an employment contract with a startup company, or you are a retired expert with an endorsement from a relevant agency, you can have a minimum income of no less than 50,000 Baht per month.

SMART Investor Visa (I)

The Investor Visa is for investors who make a direct investment, as an individual investor or through a venture capital company, of 20 million Baht in a technology-based company that manufactures or delivers services for one of the aforementioned S-Curve industries.

Or, you can invest a total amount of at least 5 million Baht in a startup, incubation, or accelerator program endorsed by relevant agencies relevant government agencies such as the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), Digital Economy Promotion Agency, and National Science and Technology Development Agency. The investment can be spread across more than one company.

SMART Executive Visa (E)

The Executive Visa is available to senior managers that earn a minimum of 200,000 Baht per month, have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree education, and ten years work experience.

Your employee must be certified as technology-based in manufacturing or delivering services in the targeted industries by relevant government agencies (as listed previously).

SMART Startup Visa (S)

The Startup Visa is targeted at entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Thailand.

Eligibility is based on a deposit of 600,000 Baht in Thailand, or the same amount in your home country bank account for no less than 3 months.

You must set up a company in one of the ten targeted industries within the first year of your visa. You must own at least 25% of the company or hold the position of a director.

If you are accompanied by a spouse or children, an additional deposit of no less than 180,000 Baht per person is required. This can be held in a bank account in Thailand or in the country of your nationality or residence. The latter requires you to have held the equivalent balance for at least 3 months.

The visa also requires you to have health insurance, and for any family members that accompany you on the visa.

How to Apply for a SMART Visa

First you need to apply online for your qualification endorsement. You can register for this at https://smart-visa.boi.go.th .

Once registered, you need to complete an application form for the type of SMART Visa you wish to apply for (T, I, E, S, and O if any).

You will need PDF versions of the required documents to upload via the website. These documents form part of your application.

After 30 days, you will receive notification of your application. Immigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the relevant agencies will also be informed of the result. If successful, you will receive an endorsement letter, which is required to apply for your SMART Visa.

At this point you can apply for your SMART Visa. You can do this in one of three places:

• The Royal Thai Embassies/The Royal Thai Consulate Generals (in case of residing overseas)
• The Immigration at One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit(OSS), Chamchuri Square Building, Bangkok
• EEC Labour Administration Center in Chonburi

This must be done within 60 days of the issuance date of the endorsement letter.

The processing fee is 10,000 Baht per year of visa permission, and must be paid in cash.

Can a SMART Visa be Extended?

Yes. You should apply at least 60 days before your current visa expires, because it takes 30 working days to be issued a qualification endorsement. You will have to resubmit your documentation to obtain approval for your extension.

Is the SMART Visa Worth It?

To date, over 1,000 people have been issued SMART visas, since 2018.

The UK and US lead the way in terms of applicant numbers, with Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and India not far behind.

Not many people seeking a long-term visa will qualify for one of the SMART Visa categories, but it does present an additional pathway to a long-term stay in the Kingdom, particularly for those skilled in the required industries who want to work for a company in Thailand.

I think the monthly salary requirements are quite fair and not overly prohibitive, given the skill level of the workers the scheme seeks to attract. Even the investor requirements aren't as high as I thought they might be.

Additionally, as a startup, you don't have to keep your 600k Baht in a Thai bank, if, that is, you have proof of it being in a bank account in your home country or country of residence for at least 3 months prior to your application. This differs to a retirement or marriage-based visa extension, for which the money must be held in a Thai bank account.

Looking at the data, it's clear that the scheme is predominantly being used for the Talent and Startup categories. In fact, startups account for 560 visas issued to date.

I wonder if the 250 Talent visas issued to date are largely employees of those Startups. And I wonder if the 50 Entrepreneur visas issued to date are largely those for investors investing in the Startups?

I also wonder how many of those startups aren't just digital nomads working an angle for a long stay – 600,000 Baht in a Thai bank and you can start a “tech agency”.

Maybe I'm being too cynical here, as I do know of a couple of companies who have set up under the BOI previously and are doing very well.

It makes sense, though. Thailand's cheap cost of living, business expenses and labour makes it a good choice of country in which to start a business.

Potential Downsides

However, there are a couple of downsides / disappointments that spring to mind when looking at the requirements and benefits:

• The expense: If you have a wife and two children, you will have to pay a total of 40,000 Baht per year for 4 years for the visa. That's not far off the cost of a UK settlement visa on the 5-year route to residence. If you're earning a great salary I guess it's no big deal; your company is probably paying, anyway.
• The lack of long term benefit: Once your SMART visa expires there is no guarantee of it being extended, although it likely will be if you are still in the same job or your company has grown. However, if your circumstances change – you move job position or change the company's direction – you may not get your extension. Where does that leave your life in Thailand after 4 years, by which time you will be heavily invested in the country.

For some, the SMART Visa route may be a lot to take on with no permanent outcome at the end. Even if your business brings in millions of Baht a year in tax revenue, 4, 8, or even 12 years down the line you are not guaranteed any indefinite leave to remain, or similar residence benefit.

My feeling is that the scheme would be far more appealing if there was a pathway to residency, or even the opportunity to personally own land and property without restriction, after a certain period on the SMART Visa.

After all, many of the people on these visas will have invested heavily, both financially and personally, in Thailand, yet their futures will indefinitely be subject to the same visa restrictions.

Tips for an Easier Life in Thailand

Get good health insurance:.

+ Start with a quick quote from Cigna . Takes just 2 minutes.

Improve Your Thai Skills:

+ Learning Thai makes life here easier and more fun. I use Thaipod101 . It is free to get started & easy to use.

Send Money to Thailand:

+ Use Transferwise. It is fast, cheap, and gives you the market exchange rate. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.

Protect Your Online Privacy:

+ A VPN protects you against hackers and government snooping. I always use one. You should too. Read why here .

GET MY NEWSLETTER

Join thousands of others who receive my monthly roundup of content & insider tips on how to survive & thrive in Thailand.

Last Updated on October 11, 2022

Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

JamesE says

August 20, 2022 at 10:54 pm

Aug 20, 2022 at 10:54 pm

TheThailandLife says

August 21, 2022 at 3:10 am

Aug 21, 2022 at 3:10 am

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  Notify me when new comments are added.

This website is managed by Siam Legal International - a law firm in Thailand

Thailand Pass

The contents of this page may no longer be relevant. For updated information about traveling to Thailand, please go to: Thailand Travel Restrictions in 2023 . To purchase your Thailand Travel Insurance please visit: https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

What is Thailand Pass?

The Thailand Pass system is a free-of-charge web-based system designed to make the documentation process of travelers entering Thailand more efficient and faster. The Thai Pass QR code is required for all travelers entering Thailand.

The application will be approved by the central authorities in Thailand and not the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Therefore, please allow sufficient time for approval after registering for the Thailand Pass.

The goal of the system is to help support the country’s “Ease of Travel” system after it reopens and to expedite filling out information and uploading travel documents.

Required Documents for Travel to Thailand

Please have the following documents ready.

• Visa (if required)
• Buy Thailand Travel Insurance
• Flight Itinerary
• Hotel Booking Confirmation or Thailand Address

Incorrect documents will delay the entry screening to Thailand.

Buy Your Insurance Now

Travelers may join our Facebook Group to ask questions, get help and read the latest developments: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtoenterthailand

Who Can Apply for the Thailand Pass

Thai Pass is required for all travelers entering Thailand, whether they be Thai nationals or foreigners.

From May 1, 2022, Thai Pass application and approval requirements will depend on a traveler’s vaccination status.

• Fully Vaccinated travelers will be able to enter Thailand under the No Quarantine program. A vaccinated traveler does not need to book 1 night’s accommodation in an approved SHA+ hotel or complete an RT-PCR test on arrival.Fully vaccinated foreigners will need to provide proof of COVID insurance and their vaccination certificate when applying for Thailand Pass. Thai Nationals only need to provide their vaccination certificate as insurance is not required. Unvaccinated children under 18 years old may travel with vaccinated parents without quarantine. The parents must include the children’s personal information in the application.
• Unvaccinated travelers will be able to enter Thailand under the existing 5-day Alternate Quarantine program; OR
• Unvaccinated travelers will be able to enter the No Quarantine program by completing an RT-PCR test and uploading the result into their Thai Pass application. The test cannot be older than 72 hours before their departure date.

What are the Requirements for the Thailand Pass

To support “Ease of Travel’, entry requirements have been eased from May 1, 2022. You can now apply with fewer documents and obtain a QR entry code faster.

The document requirements are listed below.

Vaccinated travelers (No Quarantine)

• Your passport profile page
• A certificate of full (2 doses) vaccination or vaccine card
• A medical insurance policy with at least USD$ 10,000 minimum coverage

Unvaccinated travelers (No Quarantine)

• An RT-PCR test result no more than 72 hours before your departure date

Unvaccinated travelers doing Alternate Quarantine program

• Confirmed booking of SHA+ hotel 5-day Alternate Quarantine package
• A pre-booked RT-PCR test on arrival (if not included in your package)

You must scan your passport or take a photo of your passport profile page similar to this example:

Proof of Vaccination

For vaccinated travelers entering under the No Quarantine program, you must prepare your vaccination certificate or card. The file must be in JPG, JPEG, or PNG.

For unvaccinated travelers who would like to enter Thailand under the No Quarantine program, instead of submitting a vaccination certificate or card, you must submit a negative result of the RT PCR COVID-19 test issued within 72 hours before traveling to Thailand.

Flight Details

The next step of the process is to book your flight to Thailand. Although it is not required to submit a proof of flight booking, the Thai Pass system will require the following information of your flight:

• Country of Departure
• Date of Arrival in Thailand
• Flight Number 
• Estimated Exit Date from Thailand  

Hotel Booking or Address  in Thailand

The Thailand Pass system does not require travelers to provide a hotel booking as well. However, you will be required to provide an address in Thailand. If you will be staying in private accommodation you may provide the address.

For travelers staying in a hotel, we highly recommend using Agoda.com when booking your hotel:

• Bangkok Hotels :  https://www.agoda.com/search?cid=1897011&city=9395
• Phuket Hotels : https://www.agoda.com/search?cid=1897011&city=16056
• Pattaya Hotels : https://www.agoda.com/search?cid=1897011&city=8584
• Chiang Mai Hotels : https://www.agoda.com/search?cid=1897011&city=7401

COVID-19 Insurance

Foreigners are required to submit proof of COVID-19 Insurance with minimum medical coverage of 10,000 USD.

To purchase the AXA Thailand Insurance, you can visit: www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

Here is an example of an Insurance Certificate that you need for your Thai Pass application:

How to Apply for Thailand Pass

The Thailand Pass System is a QR code generating system. To obtain a QR entry code or Thai Pass ID, travelers will have to:

• Register at the official web portal
• Input personal details
• Upload the required documents per their vaccination status
• Receive a confirmation email after registration (within seconds after registration)
• Wait for the approval (normally within 1-3 days)

And if approved, you will receive an email with your QR Entry Code or ID, which you will use upon entering Thailand.

1. Apply for Thailand Pass by Yourself

You may apply for the Thailand Pass directly on the MFA website: https://tp.consular.go.th/

If you have already applied by yourself and you need to check the status, please go to: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/check-status

If you already applied and you still did not get the QR code or you were rejected, please email: [email protected]

2. Thailand Pass Application Service by Siam Legal

Application for the Thailand Pass is free-of-charge and you do not need any assistance to apply for it. However, there may be instances where some individuals may voluntarily choose a paid service provider such as a law firm to provide consultation, assist them to prepare their documents, and submit them on their behalf.

Individuals may encounter problems with their documents that are not being uploaded properly or are deemed unacceptable to the Thai embassy or consulate. This may cause delays or rejection of your application, so it may be helpful to retain a service provider to assist you with the application. These paid Thailand Pass services offered by Siam Legal are listed below.

Step-by-Step Guide for Thailand Pass Application

Thailand has recently reopened the country to travelers, both Thais and foreigners whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. In this newsletter, you will learn about the Step-by-Step Process of Applying for a Thailand Pass.

Step 1: Visit the official website

You may go to the official website: https://tp.consular.go.th/

Once there, you may choose the option of Air Travel or Land Travel.

After that, you will be directed to a page where you can begin your registration:

When you begin the registration, you will be directed to the entry program which is No Quarantine:

No Quarantine program for fully vaccinated travelers entering any international airport or selected land borders in Thailand or unvaccinated who have RT PCR test results issued within 72 hours before departure to Thailand. Unvaccinated children below 18 years old must be added to their parent’s or guardian’s application.

Step 2: Details of your Arrival

In this part, you will provide the purpose of travel to Thailand whether for tourism or if you are a returning resident.

You will also provide your country of departure, airport of arrival, flight number, date of arrival.

Step 3. Provide your Personal Information

In this part, you will provide your full name as stated in your passport or travel document, nationality, passport number, date of birth, contact number, and email address. Please make sure that you check the correct spelling of your personal information before you proceed to the next step. Also in this part, children under the age of 18 years will be added to the parent or guardian.

Step 4. Upload Proof of Vaccination or RT PCR Test

In this part, you will provide your vaccination information. You will provide the name or brand of your latest vaccination. You will be able to upload a JPG or PNG file of your proof of vaccination.

For faster processing of your Thailand Pass, it is recommended to also upload the QR code of your vaccination document if it is available.

Note: If you are you are not fully vaccinated, you may upload a copy of your RT PCR or professional ATK test result in lieu of a vaccination certificate issued within 72 hours before departure.

Step 5: Provide Your Hotel Details or Address in Thailand

In this part, you will be required to provide the details of your address in Thailand or your hotel reservation.

If you are staying in a hotel, you can also validate your reservation if you booked through Agoda.com :

Step 6: Submit your Travel Insurance

In this part, you will provide the COVID 19 Insurance. You must upload the certificate of insurance. Based on experience, it is recommended to use AXA Thailand Insurance as it is the best insurance provider and they will issue a one-page document written specifically for your Thai Pass application.

Step 7: Review the Summary of your Thailand Pass Application

This is the last part of the application process. You will have a summary of your application. Please check all information that you have provided and if everything is correct, you may submit the application.

You will then receive your 6-digit access code which will appear on your screen and it will also be sent to your registered email.

How long does it take to Process the Thailand Pass

The processing time for the application is up to 2 hours depending on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Disease Control office. There are instances when the registration will take a couple of minutes to a couple of hours. It is recommended to apply for the Thailand pass at least 2 days before your intended departure.

How to Check the Status of Your Application

To check the status of your Thailand Pass application, you may go to: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/check-status

If the status states ‘Reviewing’, it means you need to wait a day or two for the result.

If the status states ‘Approved’, you can download the file or save it on your mobile phone.

Once you have been approved, you can download your Thai Pass QR code or you will also receive it through email. For vaccinated travelers and their dependents, they may use the Thai Pass QR code within 3 days after the estimated arrival date in case of flight delays.

Take note that Thailand Pass is not a visa and it is not a permit to stay in Thailand. It is just a permit to enter Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sample Thai Pass QR Code

Recommended Thailand Pass Insurance

Based on experience, the common problem for the applications being rejected and travelers being denied boarding their flight is that some insurance policies are not properly worded.

Your COVID 19 insurance must expressly state that it covers up to $10,000 USD medical expenses, including COVID 19 related incidents, and it must cover your whole stay in Thailand.

The Thai Pass system only accepts one attachment therefore it is important to have a one-page Certificate of Insurance with all the required information. To purchase the most reliable insurance that has never had a problem with the Thai Embassy or airline, please click the link below:

Siam Legal Visa and Thailand Pass Application Assistance

Package 1: 200 usd (visa + thailand pass).

• Online Visa Consultation
• Extensive checklist of required documents
• Assistance in Thai e-visa application (non-immigrant O marriage visa and 60-day TR visa)
• Assistance in Thailand Pass application
• 3 to 4 weeks process
• Available in the US, UK, and Canada visa applications only

Package 2: 100 USD (Thailand Pass)

• Consultation with our Immigration Specialist
• Assistance in Thailand Pass application (including Visa holders and Visa Exemption)
• 5 to 7 days process
• Available for Thai and foreign nationals

Thailand Pass Support: https://www.siam-legal.com/thailand-pass

Top 20 Questions on Thailand Pass

Do we still need rt-pcr on arrival after april 1.

Unvaccinated travelers who do not want to do a mandatory 5-day quarantine will need to complete a pre-departure RT-PCR no less than 72 hours before their arrival date and will need to upload the result into their Thailand Pass application.

Is there a list of SHA+ hotels in Bangkok?

When should i begin the thai pass process will the pass expire, what is the minimum age children need to do an rt- pcr test, do i need to upload proof of purchase for an atk kit as part of my thai pass application, am i allowed to leave the hotel room while waiting for my rt-pcr negative result, how long will i need to quarantine if i test positive for covid while in thailand, can i use an old thai pass qr if it has passed the original date of approval, if i am a returning expat, how long should i get insurance, why do i have to use a sha+/aq hotel, what cities in thailand do i get an rt-pcr test at the hotel, what cities do i get an rt-pcr test at the airport, how much is an rt-pcr test if i have to book it myself, can i receive assistance with preparing documents for my thailand pass, can i land in bangkok and fly straight to krabi, can i book a flight to chiang mai if i land in bangkok, do i have to stay at sha+/aq hotels for my entire stay in thailand, thailand embassies near you.

Contact your local Thai Embassy for more details on how to apply for a tourist visa to Thailand:

United States – Washington DC

Royal Thai Embassy Washington DC Consular Section (Kalorama Rd.) 2300 Kalorama Rd. N.W., Washington, DC 20008 Tel: +1 202-684-8493 Monday-Friday : 9:00 am – 12:00 pm EST https://thaiembdc.org/contact/

United Kingdom – London

Royal Thai Embassy 29-30 Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5JB Phone: 0207 589 2944, 0207 225 5500 ext 5505, 5526 / 0207 225 5507 (for visa matters) from 1400 – 1700 hours [email protected]

Australia – Canberra

The Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra 111 Empire Circuit Yarralumla ACT 2600 Tel: +61 2 6206 0100 Visa and Thailand Pass Section +61 2 6206 0100  to 120 or 122 [email protected]

Germany – Berlin

Thai Embassy Berlin Lepsiusstrasse 64/66 12163 Berlin Tel: 030 794 810 [email protected] [email protected]

Royal Thai Embassy 370 Orchard Road Singapore 238870 Telephone: (+65) 6737 2475, 6737 2476 Email: [email protected]

Most Visited Pages:

Related posts.

How to Travel to Thailand in 2024

Best Places to Retire in Thailand for Couples

How to Retire in Thailand for Couples

Thailand Travel Restrictions 2023

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This form collects your name, email and content so that we can keep track of the comments placed on the website. By submitting this form, you accepted and agreed on our privacy policy and terms .

1,338 Comments

1. Is it mandatory to obtain Thailand Pass now? I intend to reach Thailand early 10th January 2023 for 8 days.

2. The official website for applying for Thailand pass ( https://tp.consular.go.th/ ) is down. How to apply for Thailand Pass, if needed now?

Regards. Lian

1. Thailand Pass has already been abolished. 2. You do not need Thailand Pass anymore.

Thailand has no COVID restrictions.

Hi confused going to Thailand on 11 august for 2 week holiday full vaccinated some websites say need pass others so no longer needed

Hi Anthony,

Thailand Pass has been waive since July 1st, it is not necessary now.

For more information about travel to Thailand, please check this link: https://www.siam-legal.com/legal-guide/how-to-enter-thailand-2022-guide.pdf

We will go for travelling thailand by 24 dec 2022.for 8 to 10 days . Thai pass is needed or direct visa ? As per website here july 2022 onwards pass is no more needed. Right?

Hi Indranil,

Thailand Pass has been waived since July 1st, it is no longer necessary.

Hi, I’m flying to Bangkok on 4th of August from Albania and will arrive on the same day. Will I be required to show the Thai Pass?

Thailand Pass is no longer required since July 1st.

Hi, I will be travelling to Thailand this September with my wife and 9 months old baby. Both my wife and I are fully vaccinated. There’s no vaksin for baby yet. Can we bring our baby with us into Thailand without the need to do PCR test on the baby prior to arrival? Harmond

Hi Filharmond,

If parents are fully vaccinated , children can enter without test.

Hi.. Did you cancel a thaipass ?

Thailand Pass has been waived since July 1st.

May I checked still need to apply Thailand pass during my travel visit on September ?

Hi Jennyfer,

Dear Thai Embassy

I read that as of 01 July 2022 this Thailand Pass is no longer required, however this page does not reflect it. I am travelling on 10 July. Do I still need to apply for this pass?

I landed today from Munich by Thai airways and I have a flight back today evening in Thai airways – I have my both boarding pass from Munich to bangkok and bangkok to chennai – my check in baggage as checked in Munich

I like to go to bangkok city and come back to the airport

Do I need Visa and Thai pass

Thanks & Regards K.S.Senthil Kumar

Hi Senthil,

If you plan to return within month of June, you need to get Thailand Pass. Check this site if your country is included in the visa exemption , then no need to get visa. https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thai-visa-exemption-and-bilateral-agreement

Hi! I will visit Thailand this weekend. I recently renewed my passport from my maiden name to my husband’s last name. I’m still using my maiden name when I was vaccinated. Would I encounter any problem for my pass approval due to the differences on my passport name and vaccination name? Should I just attach my marriage cert? Thank you.

Use the name indicated in your passport. For Vaccination certificate , bring copy of marriage contract.

I applied for the tourist visa and got accepted but then the visa’s entry are no longer required for Saudis and my flight is 2 weeks still. How can I get a refund if I’m not going to use the visa?

Please coordinate it to the Embassy where you applied your visa.

I’m flying to Bangkok on 30th June from Manila and will arrive on the same day at 9pm. Will I be required to show the Thai Pass?

Hi There is a problem in thaipass for land travel. We cannot select the arrival boundary.

Please try again , https://tp.consular.go.th/

i try to submit thailandpass but for land after choosing malaysia First Arrival Boundary in Thailand (City) is empty, there is no location to choose…. i try to call up helpline but no body answer….. Please help urgent

Check this https://tp.consular.go.th/

I have read that from 1st july 2022 a Thailand pass and proof of medical insurance is no longer needed. That is great news. We are travelling to Thailand on 2th of august with 3 children. My wife and I are fully vaccinated.

The change in meassures speak about lifting the rules concerning Thailand pass and insurance but I cannot find any confirmation that the rules concerning children travelling with their parents have stayed the same.

Can you confirm that the travel rules for my kids are still the same and that they can enter the country without PCR test.

I hope you can help me with this question.

You’re correct, if you are fully vaccinated , the entry procedure of your children will be the same as yours.

HI I AM DIWAKAR FROM INDIA I WISH TO TRAVEL ON 04TH JULY THAILAND , HOW I CAN GET THE THAI PASS , CAN YOU SEND ME ANY LINK SO THAT WE CAN FILL THE FOAM FOR THAI PASS .

Hi Diwakar,

Here’s the link if you want to apply Thailand Pass https://tp.consular.go.th/ . However, effective on July 1 Thailand Pass will be removed.

Hi, my travel insurance is complimentary/part of my credit card benefits. As long as I have spent a minimum of $500 towards holiday-related expenses on my credit card (I booked our flights and accommodation), then I qualify for free travel insurance (including unlimited medical). But I don’t have any sort of letter to prove this. When I complete the Thai Pass application, what should I supply as proof that I have suitable travel insurance? Can I just upload the policy booklet?

You should have a policy indicating that covid insurance is covered and it meet the requirements of USD 10,000.

Hi I fly into BKK on 27 June then a week later will travel to Vietnam and Cambodia before returning to Thailand via land border mid July. Do I need to apply for two Thaipasses? If so, can I apply for the second pass this far in advance? Thank you in advance

On June 27, yes. If your next travel will be July 1 onwards, Thailand Pass will be removed so it’s not necessary.

My Malaysian passport has 5+ months validity and I am unable to renew before the trip to Phuket. Am I able to still get the Thailand pass and enter Thailand if my intended stay is only 2 weeks?

The immigration requires atleast 6 mos validity of Passport.

Hi, I fly out of London on 30th June 2022 and land in Bangkok on the 1st July at 7am. Will I still need the Thailand Pass?

No need for Thailand Pass, but if you’re still concern, you can still apply for it only takes 30 minutes to get the QR code.

No, but if you are still concern , you can apply QR code will take only 30 minutes.

hello I’ll land in Thailand on July 1st. Do I need a Thailand pass?

As per latest updates, effective on July 1st , Thailand Pass will be removed. So no need.

When applying for a Thailand Pass and it’s asks for “first port of entry “ do they mean my final destination? Or do they mean the first city in Thailand I land? I am going to Ko Samui but I change planes in Bangkok (without leaving the airport)

Hi Desiree,

If you will be recheck in your luggage at immigration in Bangkok ready for next flight that will be your first port of entry.

Thai pass..PCR are NOT TEST..they are not meant to be used as test you can find anything if you cycled the machine 23 times

Hello, My mom’s thai pass is until 18th of June. But she wants to stay until 20th as I will be here until 20th ( we are at bkk) when we arrived we wrote down that she will leave on 18th on the immigration paper as well. Will she be able to stay until 20th without a problem? Are there something that needs to be done?

That’s okay, Thailand Pass is an entry requirements.

hi ，my 5days trip travel to bangkok thailand from 23th june until 27th june . During the trip i had booked for 2 hotels and I can’t add on 2 hotels when applying the pass . My thailand pass get approval but the valid date for entry until 26th june only which is the checked out date for 1st hotel stay . What should i do for this issue ? I need to reapply the thailand pass not ?

That’s okay, no need to re apply. Thailand Pass is an entry requirements.

I am from Belgium, I am going to Cambodia on 21 June. And i need to transit in BKK Airport during 1Hours so do I need a Thailand pass?

If you will recheck in your baggage at immigration in Bangkok , you need Thailand Pass.

Hello. I had the third dose (booster) of vaccine at the beginning of March but after a few days I got Covid and I was totally recovered at the end of March. Please note that I plan to enter in Thailand three months after the certified date of recovery. Is it enough to upload only the third dose certification or do I need to submit the recovery certification too? Do I need to take a test just to be sure not to have any problem at the border controls? Thank you for your kind help.

Just vaccination certificate and certificate of recovery.

Olá from Portugal! I will arrive at Bkk on Aug 12, and pass some days in the city. After i will fly to Vietname and Singapore for a couple of days. And then i’ll return to Krabi or Samui to end my 25 days of holydays. 1 – The Thailand Pass that i will present at the Bkk Aiport will be valid to re-enter in the country? Or should i do another one? 2 – The same for the insurance?

Thailand Pass will every enter same as well with the insurance.

Hello, i applied for air travel, can i change to land travel? or i can just use the air travel, but enter by land?

You can reapply, it takes only 30 minutes to get a QR.

Hi I am traveling to Phuket on 20rd June…then travelling to Bangkok from Phuket on 23rf June…I am there for 4 days till 27th june…but I have pass till 23rd June.only…thaipass…will it be a visa will getting the visa and travelling…and from how and when I can change number of days

That’s ok. Nothing to worry , your Thailand Pass is an entry requirements.

If you’re country was included in the visa exemption , you can travel inside the country without visa not more than 30 days. Check it here https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thai-visa-exemption-and-bilateral-agreement

Smart Visa’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

After being notified of the result of qualification endorsement, the qualified applicant must proceed with applying for Smart Visa issuance at one of the following places, The Immigration Bureau at One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS), 18 th Floor, Chamchuri Square Building, Bangkok OR the Royal Thai Embassies/the Royal Thai Consulate Generals overseas.

Guidelines for the request of a qualification endorsement of Smart “T”

  how do i receive an endorsement for being engaged in the targeted industries from relevant government agencies mentioned in qualfication no.4 ,   if my income exceeds 50,000 baht but does not reach 100,000 baht, what qualifications are needed in order to be able to submit an application for a smart “t” ,   smart “t” applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree or higher; yes or no ,   what documents are examined when considering the expertise of an applicant ,   if i work in a government agency, do i need to have an income of over 100,000 baht ,   smart visa holders are able to work in 2 companies; yes or no ,   if an applicant did not graduate from the field of science and technology, will they still be able to apply for a smart “t” ,   if i am not an employee for a company in thailand but was assigned to work in thailand, will i be able to apply for a smart visa ,   if my work has not started but i have a scheduled date to work, will i be able to apply for a smart visa ,   if i hold an executive position, will i be abe to apply under the catetory of smart “t” , guidelines for the request of a qualification endorsement of smart “e”,   i am currently holding a different type of visa, am i able to change to a smart “e” type visa ,   i am presently holding a smart “e” visa from company a, will i be able to take up an executive position in company b ,   if i have to work in a new company that has already been endorsed by smart visa, can i continue on using the same smart visa that i already have ,   if the applicant holds other types of educational qualifications that are equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, will they still be able to apply for a smart visa ,   if the applicant is unable to apply for a smart visa in person in thailand, can they ask someone else to apply for them ,   if my income does not reach 200,000 baht/month, but i have other extra source of income that comes with my job position, can i include them in my total ,   if i hold an executive position in company a (in a foreign country), and was assigned by company a to work in comapny b (in thailand) under a contract between 2 companies, but was not appointed to hold an executive/management position or have binding authority in comapny b, will i be able to apply for a smart “e” ,   if i currently hold a smart “t”, but i am about to be promoted to a management/executive position, can i go ahead and apply for a smart “e” ,   senior management/executives refers to which levels of management ,   in the event where there are more than one executive directors in a company, can they all apply for a smart “e” , guidelines for the request of a qualification endorsement of smart “i”,   how much money must be invested in order to be eligible for a smart “i” .

• At least 20 milliom Baht in a technology-based business in manufacturing or service.
• At least 5 million Baht in a startup or an incubator or accelerator program endorsed by relevant agencies. The investor can invest in more than 1 business, but must maintain the amount invested throughout the validity period of holding a Smart Visa.

  What types of businesses can be invested, in order to be eligible for a Smart “I”

• Next-Generation Automotive Industry
• Smart Electronics Industry
• Affluent, Medical and Wellness Tourism Industry
• Agriculture and Biotechnology Industry
• Food for the Future Industry
• Automation and Robotics Industry
• Aviation and Logistics Industry
• Biofuels and Biochemical Industry
• Digital Industry
• Medical Hub Industry
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Industry
• Human Resource Development in Science and Technology Industry
• Environmental Management and Renewable Energy Industry

  The amount of money invested is the only criteria when applying for a Smart “I”, yes or no ?

  if i invest in a company based in foreign land, will i be able to apply for a smart “i” ,   can i invest under the name of a company ,   can i submit more documents to attest my investements ,   in the event where an applicant has provided a list of shareholders of a comapny based in foreign land where the applicant is the owner/shareholder of that company, can they apply for a smart “i” ,   does the company that i’m going to invest in, have to be promoted by the board of investment (boi) ,   on the day of submitting my application, how old does the list of shareholders (form boj.5) have to be ,   if the company that i am going to invest in, is already an affiliate of a big comapny based in foreign land, can i still apply under a smart “i” , guidelines for the request of a qualification endorsement of smart “s” (6-month type visa),   after receiving a 6-month type smart “s” visa, if i am still in the process of setting up a company in thailand, do i need to have a thai person as one of the partners in order to set up my company ,   in the event where my company has not been established, can i still apply for a 6-month type smart “s” visa ,   before proceeding to submit an application, does the pitch deck for startups have to be endorsed by relevant agencies ,   what topics must be included the pitch deck for startups ,   what are the criterias for the required health insurance policy, and can the travel insurance (which covers medical treatment) be used instead ,   after receiving a 6-month type smart “s” visa, can it be extended for another 6 months ,   how much is the processing fee for a 6-month type smart “s” visa, and is there an application fee ,   can i apply for a 6-month type smart “s” visa if i still do not have health insurance ,   if there are no team members or if there is only one person in a team, can they still apply for a 6-month type smart “s” visa ,   if i receive a 6-month type smart “s” visa, do i have to pay income tax , guidelines for the request of a qualification endorsement of smart “s” (1-year and 2-year type visa),   can the financial evidence showing 600,000 baht deposit, be from a bank account based in a foreign country ,   can the financial evidence of 600,000 baht deposit from a bank be under a stock account, retirement fund, or pension fund account ,   which incubation and accelerator programs are included ,   which other types of smart visa can be extended after receiving a 1-year smart “s” visa ,   if i hold less than 25% of the shares in a startup company, can i still apply for a 2-year smart “s” visa ,   what elements are examined when requesting for an endorsement of a startup ,   when applying for a 2-year smart “s” visa, is it mandatory to have thai people as majority shareholders, or can the company be fully 100% owned by foreigners ,   can i extend my visa for another 2 years after already receiving my 2-year smart “s” visa ,   most incubation and accelerator programs are mainly based in bangkok. in the event where a startup company of my interest is based in other provinces, will it be allowed to be included in the program ,   how can applicants who wish to apply for a smart “s” visa participate in incubation and accelerator programs how do i apply to join/participate once i’ve joined the program, do i need to wait for it to end before i can proceed to apply for a smart “s” visa , guidelines for the request of a qualification endorsement of smart “o”,   what language does the evidence of family relationnship documents have to be in can it be in the home language of the applicant ,   can the dependant be the father, mother or any other person that are not spouse and children of the main smart visa holder ,   can the dependant (who is married to the smart visa holder) be the same sex ,   will the dependant receive the same visa duration as the main smart visa holder ,   if the dependant is a child, how old is the maximum age in order to be eligible to apply for a smart “o” ,   if the dependant wishes to work, is it mandatory that they work in a company that is engaged in the targeted industry ,   does the dependant of a smart “s” holder need to have 180,000 baht deposited in their personal bank account ,   in the event where the dependant is a spouse and has a child from another marriage or an adopted child, can they apply for a smart “o” visa for the child ,   if the dependant wishes to work after receiving their smart “o” visa, what would they have to do ,   do dependents have to submit a clearance certificate for a criminal background check , guidelines on notifying the results of qualification endorsements and facilitating the visa,   the 3 documents that smart visa will be providing after receiving a qualification endorsement are as follows:.

• Notification of qualification endorsement of a Smart Visa, which is a document specifically for those who are eligible to receive a Smart Visa.
• A copy of the notification of qualification endorsement for those eligible to receive a Smart Visa from the Department of Consular Affairs.
• A copy of the notification of qualification endorsement for those eligible to receive a Smart Visa from the Immigration Bureau.

  The 7 documents required for foreigners requesting for a Smart Visa in Thailand are as follows.

• A notification letter to the Immigration Bureau notifying the result of the qualification endorsement for those eligible to apply for a Smart Visa.
• TM 90 Form – Application for Smart Visa, along with a 4 x 6 cm. white background photograph of the applicant.
• STM6 Form – Criteria and Conditions Acknowledgement for the Temporary stay Permit in the Kingdom (Smart Visa).
• Acknowledgement Form of Terms and Conditions for Permit of Temporary stay in the Kingdom of Thailand (STM.)
• Acknowledgement Form of Penalties for a Visa Overstay.
• A certified true copy of the first page of passport, and a copy of all pages that contains arrival stamp.
• A certified true copy of TM.6 form (Departure Card).

  Within how many days must eligible Smart Visa applicants proceed to apply for the visa? (Counting from the day the result of qualification endorsement was notified)

  is it possible for the eligible applicant to apply for a smart visa at the passport office at the department of consular affiars in chaengwattana ,   in the event where an eligible applicant has worked in a company that has not been supported by the boi (as a general business type), they must proceed to inform the dismissal of their duties to an immigration officer at either division 3, immigration division 1, or center for visa and work permit at chamchuri square building. they must also prepare the following documents..

• A letter to the Immigration Bureau notifying the termination of a foreigner’s employment. (The date of termination must be clearly specified. If the date is not specified, then the date of the issued letter will be considered instead). The letter must also be signed by authorized directors with binding power to the company or limited partnership.
• A copy of company registration certificate or limited partnetship . Copy of the registrar must not be older than 6 months.
• A copy of the latest month of witholding tax (P.N.D. 1) certified by a registrar from the Revenue Department.
• A certified true copy of the authorized directors with binding power to company’s national Thai ID card, or passport.
• Passport of the employment-terminated foreigner. (An officer will provide an employment termiantion stamp in the passport).
• Original version of the employment-terminated foreigner’s work permit.

  If the eligible applicant has worked in a program that is supported by the BOI, what should they do before proceeding to apply for a Smart Visa? (In order to be able to work with a new company/employer).

  within how many days must foreigners return their work permit to the office of foreign workers administration, the ministry of labour, and/or the office of employment .

• Fill out, sign and make a copy of the Form for Work Permit Cancellation
• The original work permit

  Can credit cards or cash cheques be used for paying the visa processing fee ?

  how will i be notified of the result of qualification endorsement, and what should i proceed to do after receiving it ,   can smart “s” applicants submit their proof of health insurance after receiving the visa , guidelines on services provided through the ‘smart visa online web service’,   where do i make an inquiry or report any system usage crashes ,   what are the steps to creating a smart visa account through the ‘smart visa web service’ system .

• Fill out the registration form on the Smart Visa website at https://smart-visa.boi.go.th/register.php
• Wait for the confirmation email and the link to activate through the email address you have provided in the registration form. The email should be in your inbox within 5 minutes after filling out the registration form. If the email does not show up in the inbox, please check in your Junk Mail.
• Click on the ‘Activate Link’ to confirm that it is the same email address that you have provided when filling out the registration form.
• After clicking the ‘Activate Link’, it will take you to a login page https://smart-visa.boi.go.th/signin.php
• Fill in your username and Password, click ‘Sign In’ to immediately enter to use the system

  What are the procedures in submitting the application form into the system ?

• Download the application file (file is in pdf format) according to your desired visa type that you would like to apply for.
• Fill in the details into the application form (the pdf file allows you to fill in the deails from your computer right away), and upload the PDF file back into the systen.
• After uploading all documents back into the system, the Smart Visa unit will examine all the documents. If all documents are completely correct, Smart Visa applicants will receive an answer for the qualification endorsement from the Smart Visa unit and related agencies within 3 working days. But if the documents are still incomplete, the Smart Visa unit will contact you for more documents and paperwork.
• Related agencies and units will notify the results/examine the application within 20 working days. If the related agencies and units still needs more documents/paperwork or more information, they will contact you back.

  Applicants who received a qualification endorsement and already resides in Thailand can proceed to make an appoint to issue their Smart Visa within 60 days. Appointment can be made through the ‘Smart Visa Web Service’ system. The procedures are as follows.

• Visit this website https://smart-visa.boi.go.th and click on ‘ VISA ISSUANCE ’.
• The very bottom of the webpage will contain a section called ‘Book your Smart Visa Appointment’. Fill in all the required information of the applicant wishing to make an appointment to issue their Smart Visa.
• The system will send you an email to the email address provided in the ‘Book your Smart Visa Appointment’ form.
• The email sent to you will contain information and details on the documents that you must prepare and bring on the day of your visa issuance. The documents required on the day of visa issuance will differ depending on the type of visa applied.
• Applicants must report to issue their visa on the requested date and time specified in the system. They must proceed to do this at the Smart Visa Unit, One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS), Chamchuri Square Building, 18th floor, 319 Phayathai road, Pathumwan, Bangkok.

  How will I know whether I have successfully submitted all required documents ?

• After uploading all required documents specified in the system.
• The status in the system will automatically be updated as “Submitted”.
• A Smart Visa officer will proceed to examine all documents and will change the status to ‘Reviewing by BOI’.
• If the documents submitted are incorrect or invalid, the system will be updated as “Not Submitted”, and will notify the applicant to re-submit the documents once more.
• If the documents are all correct, your status in the system will change to “Processing”. This means that the Smart Visa unit has already issued the applicant’s document number, and is forwarding the documents to be processed.

  How do I check the status of my application ?

• Not Submitted : You did not submit all required documents, or did not submit any documents into the system.
• Submitted : You have submitted all required documents.
• Reviewing by BOI : A Smart Visa officer is currently examining your documents.
• Processing : A Smart Visa offider has forwarded your application to be processed and has issued a document number for your application.
• Approved : You have been approved for a Smart Visa.
• Not Approved : You have not been approved.
• Uploading Additional Documents : The Smart Visa unit has contacted you through email requesting for more documents because the documents submitted prior are not enough.
• Visa Received : You have already received your Smart Visa

  I have already uploaded the required documents but my status still hasn’t changed. Why is this so ?

• You did not successfully upload all the required documents.
• The uploaded documents did not meet the requirements, the file is too big (file size cannot be larger than 20MB) or not in the correct file formats allowed which are; PDF, JPG and PNG.

  What should I do if I am unable to register with my email address or entered an incorrect password ?

• Incorrect/invalid email addresses or entering an email address already used to register into the system could be the reasons to why you were unable to register.
• Conditions for creating a the password is as follows. The password must be in either Thai, English letters or numbers. You can also use both numbers and letters in Thai and English. When confirming your password, you must enter the same password that was written on the first time.

  What should I do if I did not receive a verification email after I’ve registered.

  what should i do if i have already registered, but is unable to enter into the system .

• Check whether you have clicked on the ‘Activation Link’ that was sent to you in the verfication email
• Check whether you have written the same username and password that was provided during the registration process.
• If you have done both of the above and is still unable to login, we recommend you to contact our staff for help through email or phone call to notify your issue.

  What should I do if I have forgotten my login password or would like to change my password ?

Guidelines of considerations made from related agencies,   how will my company be endorsed by the related agencies do i have to directly contact these agencies myself ,   what type useful proof should be provided for ‘technology-based manufacturing or service’ companies during the process of requesting for a qualification endorsement ,   my company uses technology and machinery from our mother company based in a foreign country where a research has also been developed. can this factor be used as a consideration that my company is technology-based ,   can i apply for a smart visa if my company imports products from foreign countries and provides installation services to customer in thailand ,   if my company is a production-based factory that uses robots in the production line, can this be counted as a targeted industry (automation and robotics industry) ,   what is the definition of a “startup” ,   what types of smart visa requires applicants to submit a certificate of criminal background check ,   how do i obtain a certificate of criminal background check ,   what are the forbidden occupations for foreigners .

• Wood Carving
• Driving motor vehicles or vehicles which do not use machinery or mechanical devices, except piloting aircrafts internationally or forklift driving jobs.
• Grinding or polishing diamond and gemstones
• Haircutting, hairdressing, or beautification
• Cloth weaving by hand
• Mat weaving or making utensils from rattan, jute, hay, bamboo, grass plants, chicken feathers, cconut tree branch, fiber, wire or other materials.
• Making rice paper by hand
• Lacquer work
• Making Thai musical instruments
• Niello work
• Goldsmith, silversmith, or gold/copper alloy smith work.
• Making Thai dolls
• Making alms bowls
• Making silk products by hand
• Making Buddha images
• Making peper of cloth umbrellas
• Brokerage or agency except in internarional trading
• Thai massage
• Cigarette rolling by hand
• Tour guiding or conducting
• Hawking of goods
• Thai typesetting by hand
• Unwinding and twisting silk by hand
• Clerical or secretarial work
• Providing legal services or engaging in legal work, except for
• Arbitration work
• Work relating to defense of cases at arbitration level, provided the law governing the dispute under consideration by arbitrators is not Thai law, or it is a case where there is no need to apply for the enforcement of such arbitration award in Thailand.

  Is there a fee when applying for a qualification endorsement? If so, how much ?

Guidelines on consideration of status report,   whom is incuded in the criteria of having to do a smart visa status report ,   how does the status report process work, and when is the deadline ,   are ‘status reports’ and ‘notification of residence’ the same thing ,   what extra documents must be submitted for those holding a smart “t” visa ,   what extra documents must be submitted for those holding a smart “i” visa ,   what extra documents must be submitted for those holding a smart “e” visa ,   what extra documents must be submitted for those holding a smart “s” visa ,   if a smart visa holder is currently in a foreign country on the status report date, do they still have to proceed to do a status report ,   what will happen if i don’t do my status report, or fail do my status report on the due date ,   what will happen if the status of a smart visa holder no longer meets the eligibility criteria , guidelines for requesting to change work details,   under what circmstances must i request to change my work details .

• Change of address/location of workplace
• Change of company name (but still using the same Juristic ID)
• Requesting for dependant (Smart O holder) to work

  In the event where I request to change the address of my workplace, what documents of evidence must be submitted ?

• Smart Visa Qualifications update form
• Document showing evidence of relocation/address of workplace
• Copy of passport

  In the event where a dependant notifies additional work, which departments are in charge of endorsing this ?

  if i have changed the name of my company, what documents of evidence must be submitted to the smart visa unit ,   what procedures must be done, if a dependant (spouse or child of a smart “t” holder) wishes to work .

• Company registration certificate from the Department of Business Development
• copy of employment certificate or employment contract
• copy of passport

  Under what circumstances are foreigners allowed to authorize others to pick up documents and request for stamps ?

• The case of changing address/location of workplace and changing the company’s name (using the same juristic ID number)
• The event where a dependant (Smart “O” visa holder) requests to notify additional work

  In the event of changing the address of my residence, do I have to inform the Smart Visa unit ?

  for those wishing to apply for a smart visa, where can they download the ‘smart visa qualifications update form’ ,   the department of employment is in charge of considerations and endorsements of dependants (smart “o” holders) wishing to work or notifying additional work. will endorsement considerations be based on occupations relating to the 13 targeted industries,   how many days does it usually take for the process of changing work details to be done ,   if an endorsed company has changed its name by establishing a new company and changing its juristic id number, what must i do to request to change the details of my occupation , guidelines on requesting to cancel smart visa,   where can i download the request form to cancel my smart visa ,   what are the procedures and what documents are needed to request the cancellation of a smart visa .

• The Smart Visa Unit’s required documents for the cancellation are:
• Smart Visa Termination Request Form
• Termination of employment form
• Copy of Passport
• The Immigration Bureau’s required documents for the cencellation are:
• Passport of those wishing to cancel
• Letter of Authorization (In the event where the Smart Visa holder is unable to complete this process themselves, a representative must provide a letter of authorization/letter of power of attorney in order to proceed).

  In the event where a Smart Visa holder is unable to proceed to cancel the visa themselves, can they issue a letter of authorization/letter of power of attorney, and have a representative proceed this step for them ?

  how long will it take to receive a smart visa cancellation stamp at the immigration bureau ,   in the event where the main smart visa holder has cancelled their visa, will the dependants’ visa be automatically cancelled as well is it mandatory for dependants to also request to cancel their smart visas ,   in the event where a smart visa holder has changed the name of their company or changed the address of their workplace, will they have to proceed to cancel their smart visa ,   under what circumstances must a smart visa holder proceed to request the cancellation of their visa .

• Resignation or termination of your current occupation position in your company or organization.
• Qualifications no longer meets the criteria
• Intending to move out of Thailand
• Wishing to change your Smart Visa to other different types of visa which are Non-B and Non-O. Both of which are under the investment promotion program
• Dependants (Smart O) of primary holders whose visa priviledges have been terminated according to circumstance no.1 and no.3

  Is it possible to apply for a visa cancellation in advance? How many days can it be done in advance ?

  if a smart visa holder wishes to change the type of their smart visa such as changing from type t to e or vice versa, do they need to proceed to cancel their existing visa first ,   is there a fee for cancelling a smart visa , guidelines for requesting to remain in the kingdom under a smart visa,   will the same documents (when applying for a smart visa) be examined, in the event of foreigners holding a smart visa (which still has not expired) requesting to contintually remain in the kingdom under a smart visa ,   what are the criterias for requesting for a 6-month and/or a 1-year continual stay in the kingdom for smart s and startup entreprenuers .

• You must be a recipient with an endorsed startup establishment plan. The business operation of your startup in Thailand must be technology or innovation-based, or engage in activities promoting startup businesses similar to Startup Camp by NIA depa.
• You must have progress in establishing your business in Thailand, and be able to provide proof which are as follows; form for reserving juristic person’s name and memorandum of association. You will be able to extend your visa for another 6 months if you weren’t unable to set up your company in time (where you must hold at least 25% of the registered capital in your company). If you are a director of a company and have already established your company, you then will be allowed for a 2-year extension.
• You must have health insurance throughout the period of your stay in Thailand, covering medical expenses for illness and accidents of at least 500,000 Baht.

  How many times can a Smart S holder request to extend their stay in Thailand? Will they still be eligible to receive the same type of Smart Visa if they were to request to extend their stay after their initial extension date has been expired ?

  what documents are required for a smart visa extension stamp .

• TM7 Form – Application for extension of temporary stay in the Kingdom
• TM8 Form – Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions for Permit of Temporary stay in the Kingdom of Thailand
• Passport or travel document and a copy passport or travel document
• Notification letter from the Board of Investment to the Immigration Bureau within 60 days from issuance date of the endorsement letter
• STM6 Form – Criteria and Conditions Acknowledgement Form for the Temporary Stay Permit in the Kingdom (Smart Visa)

  Where can Smart Visa holders download the request form for extension of stay ?

  is it mandatory to provide financial proof, in the event of smart s dependants requesting to extend their stay ,   what considerations will be made, in the event of a foreigner (who has changed their occupation) holding a smart visa requests to extend their stay ,   when would be an appropriate time for smart visa holders to request for the extension of their stay ,   can i extend my visa after the existing one has already expired .

1) In the event where an Alien surrenders:

• Aliens overstaying in the Kingdom (counting from the visa expiration date) must pay a fine of 500 Baht/day but not excceeding 20,000 Baht at the immigration. The fine must first be paid before receiving a stamp for the visa extension or being able to leave the Kingdom of Thailand.
• Aliens overstaying in the Kindgom (counting from the visa expiration date) for over 90 days will be forbidden to re-enter the Kingdom for 1 year starting from the day the Alien departs out of the Kingdom.
• Aliens overstaying in the Kingdom (counting from the visa expiration date) for 1 year will be forbidden to re-enter the Kingdom for 3 years starting from the day the Alien departs out of the Kingdom.
• Aliens overstaying in the Kingdom (counting from the visa expiration date) for more than 3 years will be forbidden to re-enter the Kingdom for 5 years starting from the day the Alien departs out of the Kingdom.
• Aliens overstaying in the Kingdom (counting from the visa expiration date) for more than 5 years will be forbidden to re-enter the Kingdom for 10 years starting from the day the Alien departs ouf of the Kingdom

2) In the event where an Alien has been arrested and prosecuted

• Aliens overstaying in the Kingdom (counting from the visa expiration date) for less than 1 year will be forbidden to re-enter the Kingdom for 5 years starting from the say the Alien departs out of the Kingtom.
• Aliens overstaying in the Kingdom (counting from the visa expiration date) for over 1 year will be forbidden to re-enter the Kingdom for 10 years starting from the day the Alien departs out ouf the Kingdom.

  Fees for Smart Visa holders, in the event of requesting to extend your stay.

Smart visa unit.

One Stop Service Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS)

18 th floor, Chamchuri Square Building (MRT Sam Yan Station)

Phayathai Road, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +66(0) 2209 1100 ext. 1109-1110 Fax: +66(0) 2209 1194

© 2019 Smart Visa All Right Reserved.

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘conan o’brien must go’ review: conan’s max travel series is smartly stupid fun.

In his four-episode show, Conan O'Brien meets with fans and has new experiences in Norway, Ireland, Thailand and Argentina.

By Daniel Fienberg

Daniel Fienberg

Chief Television Critic

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Email
• Show additional share options
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Pinit
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Tumblr
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Print
• Share this article on Comment

Max ‘s Conan O’Brien Must Go is a travel show with a twist.

Conan O'Brien Must Go

Related stories, 'conan o'brien must go': where to watch the new travel series online, jean smart to receive the hollywood reporter's trailblazer award at the seattle international film festival.

Conan O’Brien Must Go is a smartly dumb show — or a stupidly smart show — focused (loosely) on what is essential about travel. It’s a series about arriving in a new place open to meeting new people, learning new languages, tasting new foods and experiencing uncomfortable new circumstances … and then making fun of them, when all the while you’re mostly mocking yourself and the fears people have about stepping outside of their comfort zones.

Or maybe it’s just a show about Conan O’Brien making fun of travel shows. However expansive or limited your perspective, and however expansive or limited O’Brien’s perspective, Conan O’Brien Must Go is a very silly and occasionally illuminating series that’s still finding its rhythms and its comic voice as the fourth episode concludes. That leaves the show’s biggest takeaway as “Wait, that’s it? I want more.”

Although O’Brien has done travel-centric material in the past — I’d argue that the international jaunts were the pinnacle of his TBS show — Conan O’Brien Must Go is more an extension of his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Fan .

Conan O’Brien Must Go finds the host heading abroad to meet with and provide assistance to listeners/viewers/fans from around the world. That gives the impression of something more structured than what actually occurs.

The visits — deemed “surprise visits” in some cases — really set a tone more than anything else, something along the lines of “playfully combative” in a vein that will be familiar to podcast listeners. O’Brien likes busting chops and admires people who are prepared to fight back. One of the things that O’Brien is best at is never seeming to be punching down — which isn’t easy on a literal level, given that O’Brien towers over his guests, but it isn’t easy on any level since O’Brien will always be a generally famous, Harvard-educated TV personality and his new friends tend not to be. It takes astonishing calibration to go to a foreign country, find somebody for whom English may not be a first language, and keep the joke from ever being as facile as, “Ha, ha, I’m making fun of you and you don’t get it.” Sure, that might be a layer of the humor at times, but the host is careful to situate himself and his own discomfort as the real target of the joke.

When O’Brien wants to have somebody he can make fun of mercilessly, that’s where somebody like longtime collaborator Jordan Schlansky comes in. Schlansky plays a key part in the Argentina episode, taking on the much more traditional role as the travel host who did his research and knows bits of trivia about nearly everything, so O’Brien ribs him mercilessly for doing his homework. Even then, the joke tends to be that Schlansky is right and Conan just doesn’t care.

O’Brien is an appreciator of the genre, and Conan O’Brien Must Go is an appreciative tweaker of the genre, in some of the same ways the host used to treat the talk show format back when he was a Young Turk. The Norway episode is dominated by O’Brien and company’s enthusiastic over-reliance on drone shots, going so far as to have him running around carrying the drone in Oslo, where flying such crafts is apparently illegal. There are multiple occasions — the street food scene in Bangkok and a butcher’s shop in Dublin — where O’Brien makes sure to sample “extreme” foods, while acknowledging that that’s what travel hosts do. I’ve seen more travel hosts than I could count navigating the floating markets of Thailand, but I’ve never seen a host do it with a squeaking rubber chicken and an Angry Birds hat, clutching a carved dildo.

And then sometimes Conan just wants to be really goofy! He performs a song on a popular Thai variety show, attempts the tango and Muay Thai boxing, and goes on a quest for Bono in a public park in Dublin. He’s game for anything as long as he can look ridiculous. Not everything works, exactly, but you can always sense O’Brien and his writers restlessly scanning the horizon for the next fun thing to do along their journey.

Or maybe that’s just not something Conan O’Brien Must Go aspires to. In that same Hot Ones segment, O’Brien described his goal, again disingenuously, as making viewers dumber after each 40-minute episode than they were when they began. He’ll have to settle for “more entertained.” Bring on season two.

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

‘thank you, goodnight: the bon jovi story’ review: hulu rock doc is more leisurely victory lap than deep dive, black panther party founder huey p. newton gets the hollywood treatment in ‘the big cigar’ trailer, investigation discovery to probe nick carter allegations, rift with late aaron carter in docuseries ‘fallen idols’, steve carell to star opposite tina fey in netflix’s ‘the four seasons’ update, ‘the veil’ review: steven knight’s fx/hulu thriller series can’t keep up with star elisabeth moss, ‘outlander’ prequel sets cast, begins filming.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.