Entering Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is located in Southeast Asia and borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. The Gulf of Thailand is part of the Andaman Sea, which is part of the Indian Ocean. The country is home to around 70 million inhabitants and attracts numerous visitors from all over the world every year. Tourists appreciate Thailand as a vacation destination for its azure blue sea with its long sandy beaches, numerous exotic islands, mountains with tropical rainforests, mystical temples and lively cities. Thanks to the flourishing tourism industry, tourist areas of the country have an infrastructure that meets the needs of Western vacationers.

Thailand's tropical monsoon climate is characterized by a long rainy season and high temperatures all year round. The rainy season lasts from May to October and provides an average of 17 to 22 rainy days per month. The European winter months from November to March are considered the best time to visit. During this time, it only rains 3 to 5 days a month in Thailand. Nevertheless, the kingdom in Southeast Asia is a popular travel destination all year round. Under normal circumstances, entry is possible throughout the year.

To enter the Land of Smiles, travelers may need a residence permit in addition to their passport. We will be happy to assist you in obtaining your visa. Thanks to our many years of experience and good contacts with embassies all over the world, we can provide you with comprehensive and professional support in obtaining your desired residence permit. We will not only help you fill out the necessary application forms, but will also forward your application to the authorities. This gives you the opportunity to relax before your trip.

German nationals do not require a visa for a tourist stay in Thailand of a maximum of 30 days. When entering the country, you only need a passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months on the day of arrival. In many cases, it is possible to leave the country via a national border after the 30 days have expired and re-enter immediately afterwards. In this way, it is possible to obtain a second residence permit. As re-entry is not always guaranteed and can be refused, it is advisable to obtain a visa in advance instead. The visa can be applied for at the earliest 3 months and at the latest 2 weeks before departure through a professional agency, at the Thai embassy or at the Thai consulate.

You should obtain a tourist visa before entering the country if you:

• want to stay in Thailand for longer than 30 days
• are entering by land or sea and wish to stay longer than 30 days
• are entering Thailand without a ticket to leave the country
• plan to enter the country several times within a shorter period of time.

The tourist visa is currently available in two different versions:

• 1 entry with a stay of 60 days, with a validity of 90 days
• Multiple entry, with stays of 60 days each, with a validity of 180 days.

Regardless of the type you choose, you will need the following documents to apply for the visa:

• a passport with a validity period of at least 6 months beyond the date of entry
• two recent passport photos
• a fully completed visa form
• a travel ticket
• hotel confirmation.

There are currently no mandatory vaccinations for entry into Thailand from Germany. There are also currently no COVID-related entry restrictions. This means that you do not need to show proof of vaccination or a negative antigen or PCR test when entering the country. As the entry regulations can change quickly, we recommend that you check with the Federal Foreign Office before you travel.

If you have been in a yellow fever area within the last ten days before your arrival, you must provide proof of vaccination against yellow fever when entering Thailand. This currently applies to some countries in Africa and Central and South America.

Before traveling, it is recommended that you have your current vaccination checked and, if necessary, refreshed. If in doubt, you can seek advice from a tropical medicine specialist about recommended vaccinations. All travelers are advised to have the standard vaccinations recommended in Germany. It is particularly advisable to have an effective vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, measles, pertussis and poliomyelitis. People over the age of 60 are advised to be vaccinated against pneumococcus and influenza.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is also often recommended for stays in South East Asia. For longer stays, vaccination against hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies and Japanese encephalitis may also be advisable. As the costs for vaccinations can be high, you should check with your health insurance provider beforehand.

Entering Thailand with a child is usually not difficult. Every child, regardless of age, needs their own passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. It is advisable to apply for a passport well in advance of the trip, as processing usually takes several weeks.

Children may only enter the country with a passport; it is not possible to enter Thailand with a child ID card. Holders of blue and gray travel documents (passport replacement for asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons) must apply for a visa before traveling.

Entering Thailand with a dog is possible under certain circumstances. Many major airlines allow smaller dogs to be transported in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. The animals must be placed in a transport crate with the dimensions permitted for hand luggage. Depending on the airline, the crate may weigh a maximum of six or eight kilograms. Larger and heavier dogs can only be transported in the baggage compartment of the aircraft. When purchasing your flight ticket, you should state that you are planning to transport a dog. You should also contact the airline again about a week before departure and confirm that you are taking your dog with you.

With the Thai airline Thai Airways, dogs can only be transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Animals must not weigh more than 32 kilograms including their crate. However, some dog breeds are completely excluded from transportation as checked baggage. However, guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs for the deaf can be transported in the cabin.

In order to enter the country, dogs require an EU pet passport with an accompanying chip and an official health certificate. This must be issued in advance by the official veterinarian. The document must be available in German and English. A version in Thai is not required. It will be checked by the airline at check-in and by the Thai authorities on arrival.

When you arrive at a Thai airport, you will encounter green and red corridors. The green corridor is for travelers who are only bringing goods within duty-free limits. The red corridor is used if you are carrying goods that are subject to customs inspection or require a special import permit.

Duty-free import:

• Personal items worth up to 20,000 baht (approximately €515)
• One camera and one video camera per person
• 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages

Foreign currency: The import of foreign currency is not restricted, but amounts over 20,000 USD (or the equivalent) must be declared.

Strictly prohibited imports:

• Electronic cigarettes and vape devices (new regulation: importation is subject to a fine of up to 30,000 baht or imprisonment of up to 5 years)
• Pornographic material
• Items on which the Thai flag is depicted
• Drugs and certain medicines without proper authorization
• Counterfeit money, securities, seal of the King of Thailand
• Counterfeit goods
• Meat products and sausages

Medication: A permit from the Thai authorities is required for the import of medicines, foodstuffs and food supplements. Medication may only be imported for personal use up to a 30-day supply. A medical certificate in English confirming the necessity and dosage is required.

Optional:

• Registration is required for the import of drones
• Antiques and valuable Buddha statues may only be exported with official authorization.
• The import of elephant, crocodile or snake skin products and alcohol with inlaid snakes or scorpions is prohibited.

Remember that violations of customs regulations can result in heavy fines or imprisonment.

There are 6 major international airports in Thailand. The country also has a large number of smaller commercial airports.

Bangkok International Airport (BKK) is one of the largest and most important airports in Asia. The airport is served by numerous airlines such as Thai Air Asia, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Lufthansa. Most travelers reach the country via the capital's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The metropolis also has a second airport, Bangkok Don Mueang, which is also served by numerous international airlines.

Phuket International Airport (HKT) is the most important airport in the south of the country. In terms of passenger numbers, it is the second largest airport in the country. It is primarily used for tourism in the region and is served by numerous international and national airlines such as Condor, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways. Other important international airports in the south of the country are Ko Samui Airport (USM) and Krabi Airport (KBV). Both airports are primarily used for tourist flights and are served by national and international airlines, including Lufthansa, KLM and Thai Air Asia.

In total, the Kingdom has more than 50 commercial airports. More than 30 of these are passenger airports. If you want to visit different, far-flung places on your trip, there is a good network of flight connections available. Most tourist destinations have an airport, which ensures a quick and comfortable arrival and departure.

Special regulations apply for transit (onward flight) from Thailand to a third country. Travelers who wait a maximum of 12 hours and exclusively in the transit lounge area of the Thai airport for their onward journey to a third country do not require a visa for their short stay. However, travelers waiting more than 12 hours for their onward flight or wishing to leave the airport transit lounge area must go through immigration control.

In some cases, it may be worth applying for a transit visa in advance. Depending on requirements, the transit visa can be issued for up to four entries to Thailand with a maximum stay of 30 days per entry. A single-entry visa is only valid for 3 months, while a visa for two, three or four entries is valid for 6 months.

Transit visas can be applied for as e-visas via buch-dein-visum.de. In addition to a scan of the first page of your passport, you will need a current passport photo and a completed "Declaration" form. You will also need a booking confirmation of your flight ticket, proof of accommodation in Thailand, financial proof of at least EUR 500 and a scan of the pages of your passport containing all travel records from the last year. In addition, applicants must upload a photo of themselves holding their ID card and passport photo next to their face.

Germany maintains several diplomatic missions in Thailand, which provide assistance and support to German citizens and deal with visa policy and the development of bilateral relations.

German Embassy in Bangkok:

Address: 9 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120

Telephone: +66 2 287 9000

Tasks: The most important diplomatic representation of Germany in Thailand. Responsible for all consular matters, including visa issuance, assistance to German nationals, cultural and economic relations.

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Chiang Mai:

Address: 199/163 Moo 3, Baan Nai Fun 2, Kan Klong Chonprathan Road, T. Maeihia, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50100

Telephone: +66 53 838 735

Functions: Serves the northern provinces of Thailand. Provides consular services, including assistance to German citizens in emergency situations.

German Honorary Consulate in Phuket:

Address: 96/1 Moo 1, Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road, Kathu, Phuket 83120

Telephone: +66 76 610 407

Duties: Provides limited consular services, mainly for German citizens living or traveling in the Phuket region.

German Honorary Consulate in Pattaya:

Address: 197/41 Moo 5, Soi Watboonsampan 11, Pattaya-Naklua Road, Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150

Phone: +66 38 225 383

Duties: Provides basic consular services for German citizens in the Pattaya region.

These offices offer the following services:

• Issuance and renewal of passports
• Assistance in emergency situations
• Notarial services
• Legal and social counseling
• Registration of German nationals residing in Thailand

Please note that some services may require an appointment.