The Thai government is taking measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Below you can read the answers to the most frequently asked questions about these measures. Also read the travel advice for Thailand.
Help stranded travelers
Register directly at www.bijzonderebijstandbuitenland.nl. This is a joint initiative of the travel industry, insurers, airlines and the government to help stranded Dutch travelers.
This arrangement only applies to stranded Dutch travelers who have run into problems worldwide as a result of the corona virus - and who cannot return home in any other way.
- Read the frequently asked questions about special assistance abroad.
Do you not have internet or do you need help with the online registration? Then call +31 247 247 247 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). NB. Due to busy times on the phone, the waiting time can increase.
What is the current situation in Thailand?
An emergency ordinance was introduced on March 25, 2020 and will provisionally apply until April 30, 2020. As a result, almost all public places in Thailand are closed. Supermarkets and pharmacies are open. Furthermore, Thailand has closed all borders to incoming travellers, except for persons with Thai nationality, persons with a Thai work permit and persons with professions in the transport sector such as pilots. A 'fit to fly' statement is required to be able to travel into the country.
* More restrictions expected
Due to the emergency ordinance, travel between the provinces in Thailand may become more difficult or in some cases even prohibited. The restrictions are expected to be further tightened soon. If you want to travel to the Netherlands in the short term, keep this in mind.
* Health statement
If you are in Thailand and you want to travel to Bangkok, you have not health certificate required.
* Local measures
The governor of Phuket has decided that no air traffic to and from Phuket will be possible from the night of April 9 to 10. Because of this you cannot fly to Bangkok. Other local governments are also taking measures, such as imposing a curfew and closing a province. Moreover, it is expected to become increasingly difficult or even impossible to leave the Thai islands.
* Stay informed
The spread of the coronavirus in Thailand is fast. It is important to keep abreast of the latest developments through the media and local authorities.
I am now in Thailand, do I have to return to the Netherlands?
No. But we do advise you to consider whether a longer stay in Thailand is necessary. If you want to return to the Netherlands, you must take action as soon as possible. Please note that there are increasing restrictions on traveling within Thailand.
I want to return to the Netherlands, what should I do?
* You already have a ticket for the return journey
Please contact your airline even if your flight has been cancelled. Perhaps your airline can offer an alternative. It's very busy, but be patient and keep trying.
* You do not have a ticket for the return journey yet
Book a ticket for a flight to the Netherlands as soon as possible. There are fewer flights, but it is still possible to fly from Bangkok to Amsterdam. KLM flies directly twice a week. Lufthansa and Qatar Airways offer daily flights with connections. NB! Tickets can be expensive.
Read the latest information about changes in air traffic on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) English website.
* It is not possible to book a ticket
Register at www.bijzonderebijstandbuitenland.nl.
* I am not in Bangkok
Get to Bangkok as soon as possible, from where almost all international flights depart. Please note that you will no longer be able to travel to the Thai capital in the short term because the corona measures are becoming increasingly strict. Return to the Netherlands will then be virtually impossible.
I live in Thailand but am abroad. Can I still travel?
Only if you have a Thai work permit. In addition, you must have a 'fit to fly' certificate signed by a doctor. The certificate must be issued within 72 hours of the flight departure time.
Thailand has closed all borders to incoming travellers, except for people with Thai nationality, people with a work permit and people with professions in the transport sector such as pilots.
Do you have questions about the conditions you must meet in order to travel to Thailand? Then call the International Office of the Department of Disease Control (OICDDC) of the Thai Ministry of Health: +66 9-6847-8209. The English-language helpline is available daily from 08:00 to 20:00 local time (GMT+07.00).
I have a connecting flight in Bangkok. Can I still transfer in Bangkok?
No. The previous temporary exception for transit travelers has expired as of April 1, 2020.
Will there be a repatriation flight?
As long as it is still possible to travel with regular flights from Bangkok to the Netherlands, it is advisable to use this. Please contact your travel organization or airline. At the moment a repatriation flight is not an option.
* Can I join a flight from another EU country?
Usually, repatriation flights from other EU countries are primarily intended for the citizens of that country. If there are places left, they can be filled by EU citizens. If places are available, this will be announced on the Facebook page of the Dutch Embassy in Thailand.
Can I still extend or apply for a visa or passport?
* (Tourist) visa
It may be more difficult to extend your (tourist) visa, partly because so-called 'visa runs' are currently impossible. To extend your visa, please contact the Thai 'Bureau of Immigration' in good time.
Dutch citizens in Thailand whose visa is about to expire can request a letter of support from the embassy to extend the visa. The Thai government is currently looking at measures to make it easier to extend tourist visas issued after March 1, 2020.
* Apply for (emergency) passport
The consular services of the embassy are limited until April 6, 2020. The embassy remains available for Dutch citizens in acute need: a. if your passport expires, b. you need a new (emergency) passport to apply for a residence permit, c. you cannot postpone your trip for medical or humanitarian reasons.
How can I stay informed of further developments?
Stay informed via the Facebook page of the Dutch Embassy in Thailand.
All Dutch citizens in Thailand are requested to register via the Foreign Affairs Information Service.
When you are in the country, choose the option 'Apply + register at the embassy'. You can update your contact details from the same page.
Do not forget to deregister when you have left the country. You thereby help the Dutch embassies enormously to keep the database of Dutch nationals abroad up to date.
I'm staying in Thailand, the situation in Europe is no better or worse than here.
The plan is to go back to Belgium at the end of June. for a few months, but if that is not possible then that is not a problem.
Goodbye.
For your information. On the Chiang Mai – Mae Jo – Prao road, shops selling building materials, recycling plastics, etc. are also open as usual.