Around the world tens of thousands of foreigners who ordinarily reside in Thailand have been chomping at the bit trying to get home after inbound air travel was banned for non-Thai citizens in March.
As Thailand continues to repatriate its citizens from around the world on the few flights still operating, it has identified five categories of people it is prepared to admit, but, only if there are seats available after all Thai citizens wanting to get on the same flight have done so.
The previously required pre-flight COVID-19 testing, fit-to-fly certificate, and medical insurance of no less than $100,000, including coverage for COVID-19, still applies.
The five groups of non-Thai nationals permitted to return to Thailand now are:
- Non-Thai nationals who are spouses, parents or children of Thai nationals
- Non-Thai nationals who have certificate of residence or have been permitted to take up residency in Thailand
- Non-Thai nationals who have a work permit or have been granted permission to work in Thailand, including their spouses or children
- Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational establishments in Thailand approved by Thai authorities, including their parents or guardians
- Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment in Thailand, except for treatment of COVID-19, including their accompanying persons (not exceeding 3 persons)
In an attempt to ease the workload of Thailand foreign missions abroad, and that of foreign diplomatic missions in Bangkok, the Thailand Public Relations Department has produced these colourful and informative infographics covering each of the five groups.
The individual cards guide each category of exempted non-Thai national on the steps necessary to return to Thailand. Once you have returned to Thailand, the five steps at the top of the page will help ensure you stay safe.
Foreign embassies in Thailand are not advised of repatriation flights being organised in foreign countries, nor involved in who is permitted to board. All arrangements for foreigners who wish to return to Thailand are handled by the local Royal Thailand Government foreign mission in your country.
Ed: These images have been uploaded at 1120 pixel resolution, should you wish to download them for printing or reference later.
Photos Thailand PRD
John Le Fevre
He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.
He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.
In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.
Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.
In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.
Latest posts by John Le Fevre (see all)
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- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 24 — Asean tops 230,000 cases, nudges 90,000 active – July 24, 2020
- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020