Fit to Fly
Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, every non-Thai national must present a health certificate named “Fit to Fly” before entering Thailand. As its name suggested, a Fit-to-Fly certificate is a medical document certifying that you are free of symptoms and fit to fly. You can get it from a hospital by informing that you want to get the “Fit-to-Fly” certificate. The certificate must be issued by a doctor no more than 72 hours before departure. For example, if your flight is on 14 January 2020, your Fit-to-Fly certificate must be issued on 11, 12 or 13 January 2020. The certificate is required upon check-in with the airline and on your arrival in Thailand later. Do note that failure to present it may result in being denied boarding.
Inside ASQ Paradise
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and Locanation, Thailand’s top real estate reviewer, have cooperated to launch a project named “ASQ Paradise” (https://asq.locanation.com/) aiming to provide information about Thailand’s regulations during the outbreak of COVID-19. Apart from the basic information regarding the required steps for entering Thailand, the website also provides an in-depth search function for choosing ASQ and ALSQ hotels for your two weeks quarantine. Let’s take a look at it!
Source of ASQ finder
Thailand Elite Card: The Next Level Privilege
What is Thailand Elite Card?
Thailand Elite Card was introduced in 2003. The project is owned by “Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited” which is a state-owned enterprise under the care of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It is a membership package that offers benefits and privileges to non-Thai nationals who wish to stay in Thailand for a term longer than the visa permitted term.
What are the benefits?
Elite members are offered exclusive service in exchange for a membership fee. Some examples are:
1) Stay in Thailand up to 20 years and renew every 5 years.
2) Multiple entries.
3) One-year extendable length of stay.
4) Complimentary high-end service including golf courses, spas, hotels, clubs, and medical facilities.
Note: details of the benefits are different from packages to packages.
How many types of the Thailand Elite Card are there?
There are currently 7 program options for the Thailand Elite residence visa:
- Elite Easy Access
- Elite Superiority Extension
- Elite Family Premium
- Elite Family Excursion
- Elite Family Alternative
- Elite Privilege Access
- Elite Ultimate Privilege
In conclusion, the Thailand Elite Card is an interesting choice for non-Thai nationals who plan to stay in Thailand for more than 60 days and 90 days; a specified date for a tourist visa and special tourist visa respectively. The offers come with many benefits and privileges to enhance visitors’ experience in Thailand.
For more information, check out:
Types of Thai Visa & STV
According to the Department of Consular Affairs, there are 7 types of Thai visa as follow:
- Courtesy Visa
- Diplomatic Visa
- Long Stay O-A , O-X Visa
- Non-immigrant Visa
- Official Visa
- Tourist Visa
- Transit Visa
As of December 2020, non-Thai nationals from all around the world can apply for a tourist visa to enter Thailand. Tourist visa lasts 60 days starting after two weeks quarantine is done. Apart from the tourist visa, a new type of visa was introduced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in an attempt to promote tourism that was bettered by the outbreak of COVID-19.
The Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV)
What is STV?
The STV visa targets long-stay tourists and allows non-Thai nationals to enter Thailand under the condition that they comply with Thailand’s quarantine regulations.
Duration
With STV, tourists can stay in Thailand up to 90 days. It can be extended twice for further 90 days each time.
Effective date
STV was officially published on September 29, 2020. It is effective from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. Non-Thai nationals who complete the application procedure in time are free to enter Thailand.
Cost
The fee for issuing STV visa is 2,000 THB (about 65 USD). The extension for another 90 days also costs 2,000 each time. The visa fee is non-refundable.
*Note: The cost only covers the visa fee. Tourists still have to pay for other fees such as flight ticket, ASQ hotel, and accommodation after the two weeks quarantine at their own expenses.
Who can apply for STV?
Up until November, the STV visa is only available for non-Thai nationals who arrive from low-risk to medium-risk countries. However, the latest announcement was published by the Royal Thai Government Gazette on December 9, 2020, with immediate effect that all long-stay visitors from around the world is eligible to apply for STV—tourists, business travelers, investors, and others, as well as travelers and crews of foreign yachts.
Where to apply for STV?
Non-Thai nationals should contact the Royal Thai embassy/consulate in their country of origin to declare your intent for a long-stay visit in Thailand. Requirements and documents for each country’s Thai embassy/consulate may be different. Please check with your local Thai embassy/consulate for further details.
Important note
Always check with your local Thai embassy/consulate before making a decision as the regulations are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 situation.
YSK: What to consider when planning a trip?
It is undeniable that COVID-19 has changed how we used to live. The widespread pandemic affects our lives in many different aspects, including how we travel. Before COVID-19, tourists only have to worry about VISA, passport, insurance, money and whatnot. In this day and age, however, tourists have to worry about other matters apart from the usual ones to ensure a safety trip. Stated below are some basic but important guidelines one should follow before planning a trip to a country.
1. Be sure to check the latest news of the country you plan to visit.
It is crucial to know the country’s situation in advance, especially information regarding the COVID-19 situation such as travel advice or necessary regulations to follow. The website WHO and the country’s Ministry of Health are a good starting place.
2. Avoid high-risk destinations or high-density destinations.
High-risk destinations are an area which has a high number of COVID-19 cases. It goes without saying that traveling to such a place increases the odds of contracting the virus, so it is highly advised to avoid it. Similarly, it is also in your best interest to avoid high-density destinations because of the same reason.
3. Don’t forget a hand sanitizer.
Pack a travel-sized hand sanitizer in your suitcase so you can disinfect your hands wherever you go. Proper hand sanitation is a secret technique to beat COVID-19!
4. Wear a face mask in public.
Be responsible to the society and wear a face mask every time you are in public. Be sure to wear it properly for your safety and everyone else.
The four guidelines mentioned above will ensure tourists a safety trip. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had made it so that we can’t live the way we used to be, but we can make it better by taking a part in preventing it from further spreading; for yourself and for the world.
*Noted: These are only a general guideline on what to consider before planning a trip to a country. It is advised to check with the embassy before traveling for further detailed information.
YSK: What to prepare before entering Thailand?
Are you interested in visiting Thailand but absolutely have no clue on what to prepare? Worry not! The following guide will show you what documents are needed. Thailand, similar to other countries, requires some necessary documents in addition to the usual travel documents before entering the country. It is officially announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), the Royal Thai Immigration Police Bureau, and other Embassies abroad, that tourists must prepare four new documents if they wish to enter Thailand.
1. Certificate of Entry (CoE)
All non-Thai nationals who wish to enter Thailand must submit this certificate. Each application’s reasons and urgency will be inspected case-by-case before granting permission. To obtain the certificate, visit https://coethailand.mfa.go.th and follow the instructions. The application process should be done 7 to 14 days before the date of travel. Don’t confuse the Certificate of Entry with visa as they are a different document.
* It is advised that tourists own Thai visa before submitting the CoE application as you may have to provide it on the CoE platform.
*Another necessary documents that tourists have to provide for issuing CoE are booking confirmation from your chosen ASQ hotel and travel insurance that covers COVID-19.
2. Fit-to-Fly Certificate
As its name suggested, Fit-to-Fly Certificate is a medical document certifying that you are fit to travel because you don’t have any symptoms. Before entering Thailand, be sure to obtain the certificate signed by a doctor and issued no more than 72 hours before departure.
3. COVID-Free Certificate
Unlike the Fit-to-Fly Certificate, this is a laboratory result specifically certifies that you test negative for coronavirus and that you are free of COVID-19 symptoms. The test uses the RT-PCR method and must be done by eligible medical or testing institutions no more than 72 hours before departure.
4. Insurance
All foreigners who wish to enter Thailand must obtain insurance, preferably one with coverage of 100,000 USD or more for COVID-19 related health issues. Be careful when choosing the insurance plan, because most travel insurance doesn’t cover pandemics. So, make sure that yours covers COVID-19 before buying.
The added documents may require more time and money for preparation, yet they are mandatory for ensuring a safe trip and preventing the spread of COVID-19. Beyond these requirements, the amazing Thailand waits for you.
