The Prime Minister has canceled the visa-on-arrival (VOA) and visa-free travel schemes for a number of countries to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Thailand has suspended the visa on arrival (VOA) facility for citizens of 18 countries and has scrapped visa free access for those from Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong with immediate effect.
The 18 countries are Bulgaria, Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Vanuatu.
In order to enter Thailand, the interior minister explained that citizens from these countries will now have to apply for visas at Thai embassies or consular offices in their own countries and they will be required to show a doctor’s certificate, confirming that they are not infected with coronavirus.
This increased control measure will become effective immediately and remain until the virus situation has eased, said Anupong, adding that citizens of these countries arriving in Thailand, by whatever means of transport, will be quarantined for 14 days at the Novotel Hotel at Suvarnabhumi international airport and, if they do not want to be quarantined, they can elect to return home.
