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For the first time since April, Thailand has opened its borders to travelers once again, and for many travel-hungry Singaporeans, this news couldn’t be better.
But before any of your fellow travelers start dumping their belongings in their dust-covered luggage, there are a number of criteria to meet before anyone can enter Thailand.
As of October 7, a Special Tourist Visa (STV) is required for anyone who wants to enter the country.
According to the Royal Thai Embassy in Singapore, to be eligible for STV, residents of Singapore (both citizens and permanent residents) must meet several strict conditions.
First of all, they must stay in Thailand for a minimum of 90 days (yes, 90!) And they must not have a criminal record in any of the countries nor have they been barred from entry as provided by the Immigration Law. Nor should they be carriers of a prohibited disease (such as tuberculosis).
The statement adds that “employment of any kind is strictly prohibited”, which means that one would not be able to work in Thailand while on the visa.
If eligible, applications for the STV, as well as an entry certificate, must be submitted to the embassy’s Online Visa Application at least 10 business days prior to take-off.
Even if you can take a long vacation of at least three months and meet the above conditions, there are other requirements.
On the one hand, passports must be valid for 12 months from the date of travel.
And applicants will also need to book a flight with Singapore Airlines, specifically.
Apart from that, they would also have to provide one of the following to ensure they have a place of residence during their stay:
- A bank statement showing a monthly deposit of 500,000 baht (S $ 21,700) for the past six months
- A certificate of ownership of a property in Thailand, or
- A contract for a property in Thailand that they had bought or rented, with proof of 25 percent of the property value already paid
There is more. Other requirements include:
- A copy of a 14 night reservation at a government approved hotel or hospital in Thailand for quarantine, full payment
- Travel and medical insurance worth at least $ 100,000 (Singapore $ 135,600)
- Additional Thai medical insurance covering hospitalization and emergency for the entire period of stay, with a minimum coverage of 400,000 baht for inpatient treatment and 40,000 baht for outpatient treatment
More details can be found on the embassy’s website.
Once you’re all set, all that’s left is to wait for approval (and pack).
However, it is worth noting that while the STV is technically valid until September 30, 2021, the Thai Ministry of Public Health will continue to review your eligibility every 15 days.
Considering how expected this trip can be, those looking to extend their stay in the country can renew their STV in blocks of 90 days for a nominal fee of 2,000 baht. Extensions can only be done twice.
For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.
