Immigration update: Thailand | International flight ban lifted from 1 July
Immigration update: Thailand | International flight ban lifted from 1 July 2020
The CAAT (Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand) has lifted the international flight ban by virtue of Section 27 and 28 of the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497, effective 1 July, 2020.
Who will be affected?
Travelers who meet the requirements for entering Thailand
Background
Thailand imposed its international flight ban from 3 Apr, 2020 until 30 Jun, 2020 in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The pandemic situation has been relatively stable in the Kingdom, though the virus has been spreading rapidly in some parts of the world.
The CAAT has decided to lift the international flight ban from 1 Jul, in accordance with restrictions and screening measures in place to prevent a new breakout of infections.
Impact
1. The following aircrafts had been allowed access to Thai airports during the flight ban. They will be allowed to continue to fly to Thailand.
- State or military aircraft
- Emergency landing flights
- Technical landing flights without disembarkation
- Humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights
- Repatriation flights
- Cargo flights
2. Passenger aircrafts will be allowed to fly to Thailand carrying passengers from the below categories:
- Thai nationals
- Persons with exemption or invitation by the Prime Minister or other government agencies to enter the Kingdom.
- Non-Thai nationals who are a parent, spouse, or child of a Thai national.
- Non-Thai nationals holding valid permanent residence certificates.
- Non-Thai nationals holding a valid work permit or being allowed to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse and children.
- Carriers of necessary goods, subject to immediate return after completion.
- Crew members who are required to travel into the Kingdom on a mission, and have a specified date and time for return.
- Non-Thai nationals who are in need of medical treatment in Thailand, and their attendants. However, this doesn’t include medical treatment for COVID-19.
- Individuals on diplomatic missions, consular affairs, international organizations, government representatives, foreign government agencies working in Thailand, or individual in other international agencies as permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including their spouse, parents, and children.
- Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country.
Passengers entering Thailand under the 2nd category must comply with the Thai immigration laws, communicable diseases regulations and the screening measures in place to detect and control and spread of coronavirus in the Kingdom. A 14-day quarantine will be required upon their arrival.
This notification will take effect from 1 July, 2020 onwards.
Santa Fe Analysis
Coronavirus is still spreading rapidly in some parts of the world. Santa Fe advise all our clients to take health and safety measures while they travel.
This notification brings good news to foreigners who have been waiting to come to Thailand. Please reach out to your local Santa Fe consultant for more information and guidance details released by the authorities are unclear.
For more information or assistance please contact:
Ada Zhou
Immigration Manager – Thailand
Santa Fe Relocation
Thailand
D: +66 2742 9890 ext.146
M: +66 98 267 6975
E: Ada.Zhou@santaferelo.com
Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
D: +44 7990 021125
Email: Robert.Day@santaferelo.com
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