BANGKOK, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued an advisory to inbound travelers including Thais and foreigners, on the steps to take before being granted the permission to enter Thailand.
"There have been lots of confusion from travelers about necessary steps to take before entering Thailand, therefore we have come up with this advisory," said Natapanu Nopakun, deputy director general of the Ministry's Information Department.
"First of all, you need to check with the Thai Embassy or consulate of the host country to see if you are eligible to enter Thailand," said Natapanu.
The entry to Thailand is not open to general tourists, but opened to Thai returnees, foreigners with Thai spouses or with work permit and business travelers, among others.
Natapanu said that those wanting to fly into Thailand need to contact the Thai Embassy to book a seat on a repatriation flight.
Foreigners must book a room at an alternative state quarantine site, get a fit-to-fly health certificate as well as a COVID-19 test that is negative and has been taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
Foreigners are also required to have insurance coverage specifically for COVID-19.
Thais, on the other hand, only need to provide a fit-to-fly certificate.
Upon arrival at a Thai airport, foreigners will need to undergo health screening before they are transported to the alternative state quarantine site.
"However, on the third to fifth day of quarantine, individuals will undergo COVID-19 tests. If negative, a second test will be applied between the 11th and 13th day of quarantine to confirm the end of the virus's incubation period," advised Natapanu.
Inbound travelers meanwhile can travel around Thailand, provided they notify health authorities of their whereabouts, strictly follow health instructions as well as download and use the government sponsored COVID-19 tracing app. Enditem
