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Australians in Thailand

Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 18 January

Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 11 January

Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 5 January

For more Ambassador McKinnon’s video messages click here

*IMPORTANT*

Regular updates on the situation in Thailand and travel opportunities to Australia are posted to the Australian Embassy’s Facebook page; Australia in Thailand

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident travelling or living in Thailand, we strongly encourage you to subscribe to travel advice for Thailand via the Smartraveller subscription service.

If you are in Thailand and are trying to return to Australia, you can register with the Embassy via https://covid19.dfat.gov.au. When prompted to provide your address, provide the address of your current location in Thailand, not your residential address in Australia.

If you are registered with us, you will receive emails alerting you to additional flight opportunities. Note, however, that registering your details with the Embassy does not guarantee we can facilitate your return to Australia.

If you have already registered with the Embassy via email since March 2020, do not complete an online registration.

New measures for return to Australia

Following the decision by National Cabinet (8 January 2021) and announcement from the Prime Minister, if you’re travelling to Australia you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline when checking in for your flight at the departure point.

This applies to all travellers five years of age or older departing on flights on or after 22 January 2021.
You must be tested 72 hours or less prior to departure and present a negative result when checking in prior to boarding your flight.
If you transit through a third country on your return journey to Australia, you should check on any local requirements at your transit destination and follow the advice of local authorities on social distancing and mask wearing while in transit.
If you or a member of your travelling group tests positive, you won’t be allowed to travel to Australia.
Exemptions to the COVID-19 (PCR) testing requirements will only be applied in extenuating circumstances such as where there is no access to testing.

Anyone who has a negative test result and enters Australia must still complete mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities in your port of arrival.

Some airlines may already have pre-flight testing in place. You should contact your airline on the requirements for your specific flight. Local authorities may have additional requirements in place for departures.

Accredited medical testing laboratories in Thailand (Thai Ministry of Public Health website)

Masks must be worn on all international flights, including at airports.

Frequently asked questions on these new measures can be found here:

FAQs for International Passengers (PDF 131.78 KB)

International arrival caps will be reduced from 15 January 2021. This will be reviewed by 15 February 2021. This could affect your flight into Australia. If you’re scheduled to fly home to Australia in the coming weeks, confirm your itinerary and travel plans with your airline or travel agent.

Flights to Australia

If you wish to return to Australia, please look for commercial options. Availability is extremely limited.

Singapore Airlines group is currently flying to multiple Australian capital cities. Other airlines are also operating flights to Australia, although these are less frequent and/or direct. We encourage you to speak to the airline directly to make your booking.

Thai Airways is facilitating flights from Bangkok to Sydney every Sunday until the end of March 2021. These flights will depart at 17:50 in the evening on Sundays and will arrive in Sydney at 07:10 the following Monday morning.

Due to caps on the number of passengers coming into Australian airports, passenger numbers on Thai Airways facilitated flights are also extremely limited. Please ensure you are registered with the Embassy to receive further details on the price and how to register interest.

Entering Australia

Currently, only Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members (with exemptions) can travel to Australia. For further information, including how to apply for an exemption, please go to https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Quarantine on arrival in Australia

Everyone arriving in Australia must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel), at their port/city of arrival, regardless of final destination. If you’re due to arrive back in Australia soon, you may have to contribute to the cost of quarantine.

Individual states and territories have their own quarantine arrangements and costs.

State and territory COVID-19 information

ACT: Travel advice
NSW: COVID-19 Travel and transport advice
NT: Border controls
QLD: Self-quarantine
SA: Travel restrictions
TAS: Coming to Tasmania
VIC: Information for overseas travellers - coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
WA: COVID-19 coronavirus: Travel advice
COVID-19 Restriction Checker
States and territories COVID-19 information

Refer to the Returning to Australia page for further information.

Visa for Thailand

More info on the Thai Immigration website. This applies to all visa types.

We have been informed by the Thai authorities that a letter from the Embassy is not required and therefore the Australian Embassy no longer issues visa support letters.

You must apply for an extension of your stay directly to Thai Immigration authorities. In Bangkok you will need to make an appointment via the Immigration website. The length of time your extension will be granted is at the discretion of Thai authorities but will not exceed 60 days. Applications lodged after 31 October may incur a fine.

Short stayers (e.g. tourists) without visas should continue to make plans to depart Thailand OR where possible convert to a long-term visa. Long stayers with visas (e.g. expats, retirees) should ensure their visa status is compliant with Thai Immigration requirements.

If you have any questions regarding the visa extension process or your own visa circumstances, please direct them to Thai Immigration authorities: Hotline 1178 or www.immigration.go.th

Travel to Thailand

Australian Government’s Travel advice for Thailand

Australian Government’s COVID-19 Travel Advice

Permission to enter Thailand - Royal Thai Embassy Canberra

Overseas financial assistance

If you’ve been unable to return to Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions and are experiencing financial distress, you may be eligible for interest-free loans to cover living costs while you wait for a flight to Australia and/or to help cover the costs of the flight.

Read more:

Please read the information on the website carefully noting that you will need to meet strict eligibility criteria and all assessments for assistance will be completed in Australia. The Embassy is not involved in this process.

Any questions should be directed to [email protected] or call +61 2 6261 3305

Passport and Notarial Services are by appointment ONLY, Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 12:30pm (subject to appointment availability and excluding Embassy public holidays).

Further information about booking appointments is available here.

Passport Fee Structure and Notarial Service fees (from August 2020)

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Latest news

13 November 2020

Strategic Partnership with Thailand

Australia has a longstanding friendship with Thailand, stretching back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952. Today, with my Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, I have elevated our relationship to that of a Strategic Partnership. (More)

12 November 2020

LGBTQI+ APCOM Community Summit 2020 Press Conference held at the Australian Embassy Bangkok

On 11 November 2020, APCOM (Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health) held a press conference for APCOM Community Summit 2020 at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok. The Summit will run from 23 to 27 November, comprising of RRRAP Con (Rights, Resources and Resilience Asia Pacific Conference), the first-ever Thailand LGBTQI+ Biz 2020 and HERO Awards. (More)

25 September 2020

Australian Embassy Direct Aid Program invites applications

ทุนสนับสนุนโดยตรงสถานทูตออสเตรเลียประจำปี 2563-2564 เปิดรับใบสมัครแล้ว

21 September 2020

Australian Embassy promotes environmental action through “Clean Up the World 2020” activity

The Australian Embassy Thailand recently organised a “Clean Up the World” activity to raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation. (More)

1 September 2020

The first time for Indigenous bark paintings to be exhibited in Thailand

Rare and meaningful Aboriginal bark paintings from the National Museum of Australia’s collection are making its Thailand debut in Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, showcasing the oldest continuing traditions of art Australia at one of the most artistic space in Thailand. (More)

15 June 2020

A New Children’s Library Opens in Makkasan Railway Community: A Safe Space for Children to Read and Learn

H.E. Allan McKinnon PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand recently presided over the opening ceremony of a children’s library at the Makkasan Railway Community in Ratchathewi District, Bangkok. The project is a collaboration between the Learning Management for Community Association (LMCA) and the Makkasan Railway Community. (More)

Travel Advice for Australians in Thailand