The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand has just announced that they will replace the Certificate of Entry (COE) system for international air travelers from November 1, 2021 and replace it with a digital solution called “Thailand Pass”.
Travelers will fill in particulars through an application that is going to be available at a later point this month for their travel to the Kingdom although the COE system will remain in place for certain categories of travel.
Those who travel as part of of group arrivals, by sea (yacht & cruise ships) as well as Alternative Hospital Quarantine (AHQ) stays will continue to use the established COE system for the time being.
This was presented during a press conference that’s available online where the following chart was produced:
Required information for the app to produce an entry code as per this chart will be:
- Passport Information
- Vaccination Certificate
- Covid-19 Health Insurance Coverage
- SHA+/AQ Hotel Booking
What’s obviously missing from this list is the requirement of pre-paid COVID-19 PCR tests which have previously been mandatory.
As there has always been the talk of “opening the country” on November 1st it’s still somewhat unclear what this will entail and under what framework. The last part of required information for this suggests that SHA+ hotel bookings are still required even for those who have a residence in Thailand such as a house or an apartment.
Here is the official summary:
In related news, media has reported the CCSA meeting which was chaired by the Prime Minister today (Thursday) has NOT revealed any additional list of countries eligible to travel to Thailand under eased condition per November 1st.
As I wrote a couple days ago when this was first announced, originally the list was supposed to include ten countries but so far it only includes five: United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, China and the United States.
Meanwhile the the CCSA meeting has given the green light to reduce the curfew time to 11pm-3am to help the people and prepare for the re-opening of the country, effective 16th October. This considerably improves life in the areas where the curfew was actively enforced such as Bangkok. To have everything close as early as 8pm in order for people to get home on time was rather inconvenient and unusual.
Conclusion
The Certificate of Entry System as we know it will soon be history soon for most travelers which will make the organization of trips slightly easier, not that I had much trouble getting mine in advance.
It’s certainly going to take a lot of work load off the MFA that was tasked to process these COE’s and was working extended hours to get them issued after checking (and often refusing) the applications.
For some reason it’s still not possible for the various agencies to come out with a clear policy and list of who will eventually be allowed to travel back to Thailand under some construct of freedom again as of November 1st and every week they keep this in limbo will cost them in bookings.
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] VIRGIN AUSTRALIA Sydney to Bali from $998/A$1,356](https://cdn4.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xbali-g495bf9857_1280-120x86.jpg.pagespeed.ic.pPEZaFLUj6.jpg)
oh for the love of god…
Trying to figure out how to enter phuket and they keep changing it daily…
So frustrating!
I’m supposed to fly NOV 1. It’s comforting to know the Government will have that website operable about that time frame (+/-). !@*$?
Hope it all goes well for you mate, hang in there
Thanks….
They always leave the official announcement always to the very last minute.
There are already reports that the app won’t be ready by Nov 1 so you still might still need a COE.
I hear ya. I’m just wondering if I show up at the airport with a vaccination card, negative test, proof of covid insurance…and a hotel reservation — whether Japan Air Lines will let me board. Stay tuned….
Not a chance.
im right there with you, only my flight is on Nov 26
I threw in the towel…..and will look to re-book early January (I can’t go December).
I was never going to expend the time/energy for the CofE process. . Plenty of banter immediately after the Thailand Pass announcement; silence for the next 4 days…although…I acknowledge it will take some time to set up.
Can you re-book a week/2 later?
Why would anyone want to go trough this sh$t unless has a family or lives there? Sri lanka opens from November and none of this crap is necessary
Sri Lanka is very different experience compared to Thailand. You really cannot compare these two destinations.
Can you give me a suggestion please? I was thinking to go there. Food is great too. Some nice beaches i think too. Highlands, colonial history, temples. Infrastructure is not as developed as in Thailand and i think you should be more careful (scams). I like Thailand miss the friends but all this bureaucracy i do not want go trough. Thank you
I have only been to Colombo half a dozen times when starting and ending trips (airfares from CMB used to be fantastic). I need to explore other parts of the country.
New name for COE.
So im flying out on the 28th booked 7 day quarantine package in BKK. do you think i will be letvout early on the 1st November now the rules have changed no one seems to have an answer for me. Any help guys ?
i want to go to Bangkok and also Pattaya…. but still got the 7 day quarantine. Now if i book the AQ hotel, and the country opens up shortly afterwards, will i be able to get a refund and go to my choice of hotel? There are so many variables and unanswered questions………. Now they are changing the COE!!?? WOW
What about expats going back to UK for a family visit and then returning here on a re entry visa do the same rules apply for COVID insurance and a one night stay why can’t you have a rapid test at the airport
Got the same question Tony, leaving for Belgium in a few weeks, Can’t wait anymore, my 80 year old mom is not well. I also live in Thailand, got my own yellow Tabian baan , Re entry permit, but we will be treated like any other tourist?