Australians in Thailand
Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 29 October
Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 26 October
Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 22 October
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 and you\'re travelling or living in Thailand, you may wish to register with the Australian Embassy.
If you have already registered with the Embassy via email since March 2020, do not complete an online registration. For those who have not already registered with the Embassy, please do so here: 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.
Flights to Australia
If you wish to return to Australia, please look for commercial options. The Singapore Airlines group are flying to Australia. Please contact them directly if you do not have any success with online booking.
Please note: Qatar Airways announced on 29 August that they are not accepting any new bookings on flights to Australia until passenger caps are lifted, in order to reduce the back-log of existing ticket holders. This announcement does not affect those with existing bookings. Please contact Qatar Airlines directly if you have any questions.
Please note: Cathay Pacific have also announced that they have closed their bookings for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to reduce the back-log of existing ticket holders. This announcement does not affect those with existing bookings. Please contact Cathay Pacific directly if you have any questions.
The Thai Airways/Embassy "Sunday special flights" will continue from Bangkok to Sydney each Sunday until the end of December. These flights will depart each Sunday at 18:50 and will arrive in Sydney at 08:10 the following Monday morning.
Each flight will only be able to carry thirty-two (32) passengers. The Embassy continues to receive strong interest in these flights and many people that apply will not be successful in securing a seat. As such, we encourage you to also explore commercial options.
Please ensure you are registered with the embassy to ensure you receive further details on the price of these flights and how to register interest.
Entering Australia
From 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members (with exemption) 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 started to introduce their own quarantine arrangements and costs.
Some have an exemption period, where if you purchased your ticket before a certain date you will not be charged for quarantine.
Most states are offering payment plans, fee reductions and/or fee waivers for those experiencing financial hardship.
Visit your state or territory website for more info on quarantine costs and arrangements:
NSW: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/quarantine
VIC: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/information-overseas-travellers…
NT: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/quarantine/quarantine-fee
SA: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions#arrivingos
TAS: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/keeping-yourself-safe/quarantine
Check out our website for general COVID-19 information for Australian travellers. www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19-australian-travellers
Please review the Australian Government website https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice-and-restrictions-faqs#other-states for information on state or territory’s interstate travel or quarantine.
Visa for Thailand
The Thai Government has announced a further extension of stay to foreigners who are unable to depart Thailand before the current visa amnesty expires on 31 October - More info on the Thai Immigration website. This applies to all visa types. A letter from the Embassy is not required and therefore the Australian Embassy will not be issuing any visa support letters.
You must apply for an extension of your stay directly to Thai Immigration authorities. The length of time your extension will be granted is at the discretion of Thai authorities but would not exceed 60 days.
Applications should be lodged immediately at your local Thai Immigration Bureau Office (In Bangkok you will need to make an appointment via the Immigration website). All extensions will start from 1 November regardless of when you apply.
Short stayers (e.g. tourists) without visas should continue to make plans to depart Thailand OR 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
Financial assistance
Please note: the Australian government announced recently that if you have exhausted all possible options to fund yourself until your flight to return to Australia departs or need assistance to pay for a flight you can apply for financial assistance via this link https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19/covid-19-overseas-financial-assistance.
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
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)
27 May 2020
The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Thailand launched Thailandlearning.org
The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Thailand launched Thailandlearning.org, a new online learning portal for Thai students and educators affected by COVID-19. Educational institutions in Thailand are closed until July 2020, disrupting learning chances for more than 13 million students. (More)
30 April 2020
‘Study with Australia’ to open doors to education globally
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) has partnered with social learning platform, FutureLearn.com to provide free online courses and help students stay ahead of the learning curve. (More)
25 April 2020
The Australian and New Zealand Embassies jointly host 2020 virtual Anzac Day Commemorative Service
Today, the Australian and New Zealand Embassies jointly host the 2020 virtual Anzac Day Commemorative Service at the Australian Embassy, Bangkok, in commemoration of those Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The recorded service was broadcasted via the Embassy’s Facebook Page ‘Australia in Thailand’ at 07:00am on 25 April. (More)
To view the service, please visit https://www.facebook.com/australiainthailand/videos/2969347456483641/
15 April 2020
Financial support to help Australian exporters bounce back
Media release by Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment: Financial support to help Australian exporters bounce back (Eng)
15 April 2020
Australian Government\'s COVID-19 Export Capital Facility
Australian exporters affected by COVID-19 can now access loans between $250,000 to $50 million from a $A 500 million capital facility that the Australian Government has established. Export Finance Australia will administer the fund.
Who is eligible for support?
An Australian business that exports or operates in an export supply chain and
o Has traded for at least two years
o Has generated a profit in either of the two financial years preceding the COVID-19 outbreak
o Cannot secure finance from the private sector as a result of COVID-19
o Has an annual turnover of at least $250,000.
The facility supports:
o Working capital needs – to finance against supplier invoices or international purchase orders
o Capital investment – to purchase new equipment and expand export operations
o International expansion – to establish or grow international operations
o Online growth – to invest in eCommerce and increase sales in international markets
Other assistance Export Australia Finance Australia offers
o Bank guarantees
o Bonds to assist with fulfilling export contract terms
o Loans less than $250,000 via the Small Business Export Loan program
How to apply
Visit https://www.exportfinance.gov.au/covid19/ and check out the COVID-19 Export Capital Facility Factsheet https://www.trademinister.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/export-finance-australia-covid-19-facility-factsheet.pdf
3 April 2020
The Australian Government launched an A$110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism, in response to the COVID-19 crisis
On 1 April, the Australian Government launched an A$110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The initiative will secure air cargo flights for exports of high-value Australian agricultural and fisheries products destined for key markets, and bring vital medical supplies back to Australia. Initially, the support is available for flights departing from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, destined for China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
For Thailand, Australian Government officials are liaising with freight companies to explore the options for increasing air cargo flights from Australia. If your company has a need for air freight services from Australia to Thailand (or in the opposite direction, from Thailand to Australia), please register your interest, including details about the type(s) of products, indicative quantities and frequency of orders at [email protected].
Australian exporters can also express interest in the new freight mechanism by visiting https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/international-freight-assistance
