Qatar Airways sent an email earlier today promoting its two daily flights to Bangkok.
Included in the email was some useful information on travel eligibility into Thailand.
The current travel restrictions announced by the authorities of the Kingdom of Thailand allow the following categories of passengers into Thailand – albeit conditionally:
Thai Nationals
Exempted Persons (permitted or invited by the Prime Minister or Chief Official)
Diplomats and International Organization Officers
Family of Thai Nationals
Certificate of Residence Holders
Work Permit Holders
Students
Foreigners with Medical Appointment
Foreigners under Special Arrangement; Non-immigrant Special Tourist Visa, Tourist-TR Visa (single entry), B Visa (Business and Investors), O-A Visa, O-X Visa, APEC Card Holder.
For further information on entry procedures, passengers who wish to return to Thailand, should contact the nearest Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates in their respective countries.
Passengers will need a Certificate of Entry for Thailand (COE) – see below.
At the airport they are required to present their COE, a “Fit to Fly Health Certificate” and a medical certificate* with a laboratory result indicating a negative COVID-19 test, using a RT-PCR test that is issued no more than 72 hours before departure.
(*Thai Nationals travelling to Thailand are currently exempted from presenting an RT-PCR test medical certificate. This is subject to change without prior notice. Again check the regulations before travel.)
The Certificate of Entry (COE) will also be required at immigration and with health authorities upon arrival in Bangkok.
The Certificate of Entry or COE is a letter issued by the Thai Embassy or Consulate to allow a foreign visa holder to enter Thailand onboard a special repatriation flight, chartered flight, or semi-commercial flight. This letter will be presented to the airline personnel before departure and to the immigration officer upon arrival in Thailand.
The main requirement for the COE is that the applicant qualifies to enter Thailand based on the list of eligible travelers. The applicant must secure the appropriate Thai visa before applying for the COE. Once the visa has been obtained, the applicant must prepare the following documents for the COE application:
Copy of passport
Copy of the STV, non-immigrant visa, or extension of stay with a re-entry permit
Copy of a Health Insurance Policy covering treatment and medical expenses related to COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD.
Copy of confirmed flight booking
Copy of confirmed Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel booking
Procedures for applying for the Certificate of Entry (COE) are detailed on this web site.
The Thai government recommends that you give apply for the COE at least 15 working days before the travel date. The Certificate of Entry is valid only for the intended date of travel….if you need to change your date you need a new COE.
Once you have received your COE, you have to prepare the following documents for your trip to Thailand. The documents will be presented to the airline before departure:
Certificate of Entry (COE)
Valid visa in your passport
Health Declaration Form
Fit-to-Fly health certificate, issued within 72 hours before departure – this is a statement by a doctor that you are free from symptoms and fit to fly. This certificate is separate from the COVID-19 medical certificate.
Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. The COVID test must be by the RT-PCR method, issued within 72 hours before departure. Some airlines do not accept home kit tests so please check specific requirements with the airlines you are traveling with.
Copy of insurance policy that covers COVID and no less than 100,000 USD. Please print the insurance certificate and all pages of the terms and conditions on the COVID-19 coverage and medical benefits. You may be refused to board the flight if you could not show that the insurance meets this requirement. The insurance must cover the whole duration of the proposed stay in Thailand.)
Copy of confirmed ASQ (Alternative State Quarantine) hotel booking – a self and pre-paid hotel booking on the arrival date. Passengers can select their ASQ from a full list of approved hotels on hsscovid.com
At present, certain air operators are permitted to operate semi-commercial flights to Thailand, including
– Austrian Airlines (VIE-BKK: OS025);
– Air France (flight details are not yet available.)
– Cathay Pacific (HKG-BKK: CX653).
– Emirates (DXB-BKK: EK384);
– Etihad Airways (AUH-BKK: EY406);
– EVA Air (TPE-BKK: BR211);
– KLM (flight details are not yet available.)
– Lufthansa (FRA-BKK: LH772);
– Qatar Airways (DOH-BKK: QR 830 & QR836);
– Singapore Airlines (SIN-BKK: SQ976);
– Swiss Air (ZRH-BKK: LX180);
– Thai Airways (flight details are not yet available.)
As well as the above semi-commercial flights – there are also a small number of repatriation flights organised by and for the Thai Government for Thai nationals to return to Thailand
November 2020 flights are:
Arriving in Thailand on 5 November 2020 – Asiana Airlines
Arriving in Thailand on 7 November 2020 – Korean Air
Arriving in Thailand on 12 November 2020 – Cathay Pacific
Arriving in Thailand on 14 November 2020 – Qatar Airways
Arriving in Thailand on 19 November 2020 – Asiana Airlines
Arriving in Thailand on 20 November 2020 – All Nippon Airways
Arriving in Thailand on 28 November 2020 – Korean Air
Just as a note – and not in anyway promoting Qatar Airways – the airline has partnered with selected hotels in Bangkok to offer exclusive ASQ packages. Passengers can directly contact the following hotels to check availability and make reservation by showing a confirmed booking from Qatar Airways;
Anantara Siam Bangkok
AVANI Atrium Bangkok
Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Terminal 21 Bangkok
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G
None of this is especially clear – and it is clearly time consuming and expensive. Also note that the travel regulations could change at any time. Airlines that are flying to Thailand must be doing so with very limited passenger loads.