Thailand: Officials cancels nightly 21:00-04:00 domestic flights from July 12 /update 52

Event

Authorities are suspending domestic flights between 21:00 to 04:00 daily from July 12 due to increased COVID-19 activity. Some airlines have announced flight cancellations. Thai AirAsia (FD) has suspended local flights July 12-31, while Bangkok Airways (PG) has canceled flights from Bangkok to Chiangmai, Lampang, Phuket, Trat, and Sukhothai provinces July 13-31. Bus services between Bangkok, Phuket, and southern provinces designated as Dark Red zones also remain suspended.

Officials have imposed a 14-day lockdown in Dark Red zones from July 12. As of July 12, the Dark Red zones include Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala. Residents in the affected areas must remain at home 21:00-04:00. Officials urge people to stay at home unless for essential reasons. Shopping malls are closed; exemptions are in place for supermarkets, food establishments, and other essential businesses located within such locations through 20:00 daily. Restaurants and food stalls located outside of shopping malls may only offer takeaway services through 20:00. Public gatherings are limited to five people. Public transport services are suspended from 21:00-03:00 daily; exemptions are in place for emergencies or vehicles transporting essential goods. Workers must continue to telecommute as much as possible. Facemasks are mandatory in public areas. Authorities have instructed security forces to enforce the protocols.

Less stringent measures remain in place across other parts of Thailand. Officials continue to classify other localities nationwide as Red, Orange, and Yellow zones, in decreasing levels of COVID-19 activity and strictness of protocols. As of July 12, authorities are implementing restrictions according to the following designations:

• Red: The rules are in effect for Ang Thong, Chachoengsao, Chainat, Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Lopburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Singburi, Suphan Buri, Tak, and Uthai Thani provinces. Gatherings of up to 100 people can occur. Food establishments can open through 23:00 nightly.

• Orange: These measures are in place in Buriram, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Nong Bua Lamphu, Phatthalung, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Satun, Sisaket Sukhothai, Surat Thani, Surin, Trang, Trat, and Udon Thani provinces. Gatherings are capped at 150 people. There is no limit on the opening hours of food establishments.

• Yellow: The protocols are in effect in all other provinces. Up to 200 people can participate in a gathering. There is no limit on the operating hours of food establishments.

Local authorities in some areas require arrivals from Bangkok and other Dark Red zones to quarantine for up to two weeks. A nationwide state of emergency remains in effect through September 30.

Travel Restrictions
The government permits travelers from most locations, and limited inbound tourist flights are operating. Cargo, emergency, and repatriation flights and government aircraft remain operational. Authorities allow travelers from multiple locations, including Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK, the US, and Vietnam, to enter Thailand without a visa. Foreign nationals traveling from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan remain banned from entering due to concerns over new COVID-19 variants.

All foreign nationals must obtain a Certificate of Entry from the nearest Thai diplomatic mission before traveling. Authorities require incoming foreign nationals to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel, provide evidence of a booking at a quarantine facility, and quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities. Arrivals by air and sea must pay for their quarantine costs regardless of nationality from July 1.

The government allows fully vaccinated international travelers from 63 countries and three territories to enter Phuket without on-arrival quarantine under the “sandbox” scheme as of July 1. Authorities require arrivals under the program to reside in a permitted country for at least 21 days before departure and stay in Phuket for at least two weeks before traveling to other parts of Thailand. Travelers must also present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and have a minimum USD 100,000 medical insurance policy covering COVID-19 treatment.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

State COVID-19 Portal
Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (Thai)
World Health Organization (WHO)