The coronavirus pandemic has caused tons of troubles for numerous countries around the world, and Thailand is not an exception. As a result of this virus, vaccination has become a necessity when traveling to lots of countries. But do you need COVID-19 vaccination when visiting Thailand? What other vaccinations do you need to visit Thailand?
Yes, you need vaccination to visit Thailand as the country is trying to curtail the spread of COVID-19. However, it is important to understand that it is not only the COVID-19 vaccine that you need to get. The country also recommends vaccination for other diseases such as yellow fever, rabies, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, cholera, and Japanese encephalitis.
So, if you are visiting Thailand, you need to bear in mind that you have to get the vaccination. It is often recommended that you get the vaccination before leaving your home country as you may be denied entry into Thailand if you have not been vaccinated. Nevertheless, let’s shed more light on getting vaccination when you want to visit Thailand.
Getting COVID-19 vaccination to visit Thailand
Every traveler must be vaccinated for COVID-19 before entering Thailand. However, depending on the country you are coming from and your vaccination status, you may be required to go through a period of quarantine. According to the Thai Embassy, this new rule started on November 1, 2021 and will continue until there is any need for an amendment. This new regulation is a part of Thailand’s move to open up to foreigners that want to visit the country for tourism.
Based on the new rule, fully vaccinated people from 46 approved countries can visit Thailand without going through any quarantine. These countries include the USA, the UK, Australia, Netherlands, UAE, South Korea, Canada, Japan, China, Belgium, Hong Kong, Italy, Austria, Spain, Israel, and Germany. Check out this website for the other countries on this list.
To show proof of your vaccination, you need to submit A Certification of Vaccination. The vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) of Thailand. See the approved COVID-19 vaccines on the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Other conditions for traveling to Thailand with vaccination include:
- Travelers need to stay for 21 days or more in their country of origin before traveling to Thailand.
- They must stay at least a night at a SHA+ accredited hotel when they get into the country. This hotel should require a drive of 2 hours or less to the international airport of arrival. The travelers must also pay for the mandatory RT-PCR COVID-19 test.
- The COVID-19 test must be done at the hotel. Also, the traveler must not leave the hotel until the result has been released. Notably, the result is usually ready in about 24 hours.
Nevertheless, if young persons (below 12 years old) traveling with their guardians or parents don’t have to be vaccinated. As long as their guardians or parents are vaccinated, such young travelers are not required by law to get the vaccination. However, they need to present a Medical Certificate that has an RT-PCR lab result issued less than 72 hours before embarking on the journey.
Traveling to ‘Blue Zone’ destinations with COVID-19 vaccination
If you are not coming from one of the approved countries, you can still visit Thailand. Generally, travelers from unapproved countries must be fully vaccinated before visiting Thailand and can only visit the ‘Blue Zone’ destinations. As stated by CNN, the ‘Blue Zone’ includes 17 locations in Thailand:
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai – Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng
- Trat – Ko Chang
- Phuket
- Phetchaburi – Cha-Am
- Chon Buri
- Buri Ram
- Phang-nga
- Ramong
- Udon Thani – Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han, and Prachaksinlapakhom
- Surat Thani – Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao
- Samut Prakan
- Rayong
- Chon Buri – Banglamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, and Sattahip – Na Jomtien and Bang Sarey
- Prachuap Khiri Khan – Hua Hin and Nong Kae
- Nong Khai – Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai, and Tha Bo
Can you still visit Thailand if not vaccinated?
Assuming you are not vaccinated and don’t want to take the vaccination, you can still visit Thailand. According to the Thailand Tourism Authority, you have to be quarantined in the country for 7 days. This quarantine must take place in an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) accommodation.
What other vaccines do you need to get before traveling to Thailand?
Before traveling to Thailand, you should also get vaccines for the following diseases:
- Typhoid
A shot of typhoid vaccine can last for 2 years while the oral vaccine can be effective for 5 years. With this vaccine, you don’t have to worry about contracting typhoid during your stay in the Land of Smiles.
- Japanese encephalitis
If you are traveling to rural areas in Thailand, you should also consider vaccines for Japanese encephalitis. The disease is most common in the rural regions in the northern parts of the country. Notably, Japanese encephalitis usually affects people from May to October.
- Yellow fever
It is noteworthy that yellow fever is not common in Thailand. Nevertheless, there is a risk of getting the disease when you are visiting the country. Like malaria and Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever spreads through the bites of infected mosquitos. So, don’t hesitate to be vaccinated against yellow fever prior to your visit to Thailand.
- Rabies
When it comes to rabies, Thailand is a high-risk country as the disease is common there. This disease usually spreads through the saliva of infected animals. Therefore, you need to be vaccinated against it when traveling to Thailand.
Vaccination for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B may also be necessary.
In conclusion, you should not joke with COVID-19 vaccination when you are visiting Thailand. This is because the country has established various rules to ensure that tourists don’t spread the disease in the country. Besides, there are other diseases that you may need to get vaccinations that will prevent you from contracting them during your stay in Thailand.
