Thailand is Slowly Opening Up International Flights

On the same day that the first tourists from China began arriving in Bangkok on the Thai government’s new Special Tourist Visa program, the Ministry of Transport also announced that they had approved 10 airlines to begin flying into the Kingdom. It’s a small step but a sure one as Thailand is slowly opening up international flights. There are not a lot and travellers will have to work to be accepted, but it is a start.

The airlines which have received approval are:

  • Emirates Airlines EK 384 (daily)
  • Qatar Airways QR 830 and QR 836 (daily)
  • Etihad Airways EY406 (daily)
  • Cathay Pacific Airways CX 653 (four flights per week starting from October 7)
  • Singapore Airlines SQ 976 (three flights per week starting from October 16)
  • Lufthansa Airlines LH772 (three flights per week starting from October 16)
  • Swiss International Airlines LX 180 (three flights per week starting from October 17)
  • Austrian Airlines flight OS 025 (three flights per week starting from October 17)
  • EVA Air BR 211 (two flights per week starting from October 25)
  • KLM Airlines (starting from October 25)

All passengers will be required will be required to follow procedures set by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine in alternative state quarantine (ASQ) facilities, plus travellers are required to present detailed documentations.

All travellers require:

  • “Fit to Fly” health certificate (issued no more than 72 hours before departure)
  • RT-PCR test, indicating a negative COVID-19 test result (issued no more than 72 hours before departure)
  • Certificate of Entry (COE) must be present at the time of check-in, immigration, and with health authorities upon arrival in Bangkok.
  • Valid visa or re-entry permit
  • A confirmed Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ), self-paid hotel booking on the arrival date.
  • Passengers can select their ASQ from a list of approved hotels on hsscovid.com.

As of this time, Thai Airways hasn’t announced the resumption of any of their international flights as they say local airport conditions at foreign destinations would not support routes. Stay tuned for more updates.