Australians in Thailand
Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 26 November
Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 20 November
Ambassador McKinnon’s video message for 19 November
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. Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines group are flying to Australia.
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.
Thai Airways will facilitate flights from Bangkok to Sydney every Sunday until the end of March 2021. These flights will depart at 18:50 in the evening on Sundays and will arrive in Sydney at 08:10 the following Monday morning.
Each flight will only be able to carry thirty-two (32) passengers. Please ensure you are registered with the embassy to ensure you receive further details on the price 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 announced on 14 October that the visa amnesty would expire on 31 October. Thai Immigration advised that foreigners who could not depart Thailand by this date could apply for a further extension of stay - 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 will not be issuing any 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
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
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)
