Thailand
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border:
- Pattani Province
- Yala Province
- Narathiwat Province
- southern Songkhla Province – south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.
This is due to regular terrorist attacks in the provinces by the border with Malaysia.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Heavy rains and flooding in Thailand
Thailand is currently facing heavy rains and flooding in parts of the country, including widespread flooding in northern Thailand. Local authorities have issued warnings related to areas near the Ping River, including in central Chiang Mai. Remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-04-02 09:08
Removal of information about earthquake in Thailand (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-03-28 14:42
Addition of emergency hotlines provided by the local authorities following earthquake with strong tremors reported across Thailand and damage to buildings in Bangkok (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-03-28 09:14
Information about an earthquake with strong tremors reported across Thailand and damage to buildings in Bangkok (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-02-14 13:21
Updated information on same-sex marriage (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-12-27 13:54
New information on new Thai Police service for tourists to access support via an app (‘Getting help’ page).
2024-11-27 14:53
Information added about the risks of methanol poisoning (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-18 10:38
Updated information about illegally carrying cannabis when leaving Thailand (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-10-25 12:35
Removal of information about heavy rains and flooding in parts of the country (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-09-24 13:59
Information about heavy rains and flooding in parts of the country (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-08-15 16:46
New information on visa entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-07-29 15:37
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy.
2024-07-16 11:20
New information on visa requirements when arriving in country (See ‘Visa requirements’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-07-02 09:46
Updated assessment that terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Thailand (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-04 09:18
Updated information on visa requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-05-30 15:59
Updated information on visa requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-01-19 14:23
Information that while cannabis is legal in Thailand, be aware of the next place you are travelling to, where it may be illegal (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-12-12 09:46
Removal of information about Thailand’s general election (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-14 12:43
Advice on avoiding protests following Thailand’s general election (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-14 10:51
Updated information on political situation (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-07-12 17:47
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand
2023-06-22 10:10
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-05-18 09:46
New information about scams and the lifting of the ban on alcohol sales following the election (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Summary’ pages).
2023-04-28 09:24
New information about general elections and smaller scale advance voting on 7 and 14 May (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-03 09:15
Updated information on time limit on visa exemption (‘Entry requirments’ page)
2023-02-20 12:35
Updated information on the number of British Nationals visiting Thailand (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-14 17:02
Updated information on terrorism (‘Terrorism’ page).
2023-02-13 10:44
Updated information on the standard of health care in Thailand (‘Health’ page) and additional information on drug possession (‘Local laws and customs’ page). Added details on violent sexual assaults in tourist destinations, and finacial scams (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-01-09 13:12
New information on requirement for medical insurance prior to arrival in Thailand if then travelling to a country that requires a RT-PCR test for entry (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-12-22 09:38
Updated information on COVID-19 restrictions as they have now been lifted (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-12-08 10:15
New information on the FCDO advising against using the Hat Yai to Pedang Besar train line (‘Summary’ page)
2022-11-11 09:18
New information outlining updates to emergency travel documents (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-11-08 12:38
New information that Bangkok is hosting Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting 16-19 November 2022, with details of road closures (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-07 10:43
Updated information on entry requirements following Thailand reclassifying COVID-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance. This reduces protocols and restrictions on COVID-19 (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-03 12:04
New information on scams and updated information on visa exemption (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2022-09-28 09:44
New information about Thyphoon Noru, forecast to cause heavy rain and strong winds across Thailand from 28 September 2022 to 1 October 2022 (‘Summary’ page).
2022-09-13 13:59
New information about Land Traffic Act – all passengers in vehicles, including backseat passengers, must wear seatbelts (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-08-10 10:32
New information about Monkeypox (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-08-04 11:47
Updated information on entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-06-24 12:37
Updated information on local restrictions on mask wearing and entry requirements for Thailand (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-14 15:51
Addition of information on Thai government policy on cannabis usage and registration (‘Local laws and customs’ page)
2022-06-09 16:51
Updated information on local COVID-19 restrictions and entry rules for unvaccinated travellers (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-05-06 12:28
Update to information on quarantine requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-27 10:02
Updated information on entry rules if you’re fully vaccinated or not fully vaccinated (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-04 11:53
Removal of information on PCR testing requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-28 14:10
Update to information on travel insurance coverage requirements if you’re transiting through Thailand (‘Entry requirements’ page)