Important Updates
Important Updates
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
August 18, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Updates to National Innovation Visa Programs in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
August 18, 2025 | United StatesPittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers
August 18, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Advertiser Permit Required for Some Social Media Promotional Content
August 14, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
August 18, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Updates to National Innovation Visa Programs in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria
August 18, 2025 | United StatesPittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers
August 18, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Advertiser Permit Required for Some Social Media Promotional Content
August 14, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
August 14, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Dubai Introduces ‘One Free Zone Passport’ Across Free Zones
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Heavy-handed Yet flexible: The Thai Government’s Adaptability in the Face of COVID-19

July 8, 2020

Country / Territory

  • ThailandThailand

Related contacts

Porthole Headshot Image Fragomen [Singapore][Partner][KennethLau]

Kenneth Lau

Partner

Singapore, Singapore

Email

[email protected]

T:+65 6854 5168

Related offices

  • Singapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole Headshot Image Fragomen [Singapore][Partner][KennethLau]

Kenneth Lau

Partner

Singapore, Singapore

Email

[email protected]

T:+65 6854 5168

Related offices

  • Singapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole Headshot Image Fragomen [Singapore][Partner][KennethLau]

Kenneth Lau

Partner

Singapore, Singapore

Email

[email protected]

T:+65 6854 5168

Related offices

  • Singapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Kenneth Lau, Charmaine Leow

As COVID-19 continues to unfold across the globe and governments worldwide have taken on a range of containment strategies, we have quietly observed the Kingdom of Thailand rolling out a decisive response through the implementation of its Emergency Decree, B.E. 2548.

The almost-immediate implementation of the Emergency Decree shuttered large sectors of the Kingdom’s economy, surprising many observers (and foreign nationals in Thailand, of course). What followed was the imposition of a strict set of curfews and severe limitations of movement within and into the country, followed eventually by some measure of flexibility.

Government Responses (and the Evolution of those Responses)

The rapid changes saw Thai government offices adapting quickly to the new social distancing norm. For example, the Employment Department swiftly limited the number of physical applications being submitted to its office to avoid potential contact between applicants and government staff. This drastically reduced the number of visitors. The officers at the Board of Investment (BOI), which also accepts applications for work authorisation for certain companies in Thailand, implemented similar restrictions and encouraged the shift to online for queries and applications. In the government’s view, these actions allowed for the continued functioning of operations as best as possible (i.e., to minimise or avoid a backlog of applications), while also ensuring the enforcement of social distancing measures. This meant essential, on-the-ground staff were able to work, ensuring applications continued to be processed within that framework.

In the midst of these changes by the Employment Department, the Immigration Bureau was faced with the issue of foreign nationals who were stuck in the Kingdom with expiring visas. Initially, the government allowed these individuals to apply for a visa extension (even if they normally would not be eligible for it), but they were required to apply in person. Reports surfaced that foreign nationals were congregating at the Immigration Bureau for these extensions, representing a potential risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a result, the government made the visa extensions automatic, no longer requiring foreign nationals to flock to the Immigration Bureau office to apply.

The key takeaway from this has been the flexibility of the Thai authorities in responding to challenges. For example, there were cases in which foreign nationals had yet to apply for their long-stay visas (as their cases were caught in the middle of the pandemic) and had to apply for the concession, but could not. After the Immigration Bureau acted relatively quickly in refashioning the visa extension into an automatic one, these individuals’ situations were rectified.

Practical Exceptions to the Travel Ban

The Emergency Decree was also mirrored in the regulations and rules promulgated by other government agencies. One of these agencies was the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), which introduced a ban on all non-essential flights into and out of Thailand. When the Emergency Decree and travel ban were later extended, the Thai authorities then introduced “softer” concessions to allow some entry into Thailand, again, highlighting the flexibility of the government, including for work permit holders or other foreign nationals who had been granted permission by a government agency.

However, foreign nationals keen on entering the Kingdom during the travel ban would also have to produce several documents, such as a Certificate of Entry into the Kingdom of Thailand and a Declaration Form from the Thai Embassy in their country of origin, a Fit-to-fly Health Certificate and health insurance (covering at least USD 100,000 in medical expenses). By allowing a pathway for foreign nationals to enter the Kingdom, albeit in a very document-heavy fashion, the Thai authorities are slowly easing their lockdown measures, while being deliberate in minimising the potential to increase exposure to the virus from abroad.

What’s Next?

In anticipation of the upcoming lifting of the Emergency Decree (now planned for the end of July) and the lifting of (some parts of) the international flight ban from 1 July 2020, we will certainly find ourselves juggling the government’s role in managing containment of the virus and the desire for, and of, foreign nationals to re-enter the Kingdom. As indicated above, the initially strict measures are now being relaxed incrementally. This is an especially significant move in reviving a heavily tourism-reliant economy.

However, it would be quite safe to assume that the supporting document requirements that have so far been introduced for those wishing to avail of the concessions, such as the Consular-issued certifications and the proof of health insurance, will continue far beyond the end of the Emergency Decree. Indeed, it will be important to keep in mind that quarantine and safe-distancing measures are likely to still remain in place, and look to be the new normal, even after foreign nationals are permitted to return to the country. Thailand’s handling of the pandemic, which initially was quite severe with respect to restrictions, and which was followed by a gentle easing with some carefully balanced concessions, gives us hope that the new normal will be here soon.

This blog is part of Fragomen’s APAC Insight Series, which aims to help navigate the uncertainties as borders reopen and remobilisation of workforce resumes. Please stay tuned for more regionally focused blogs and videos. If you have any comments, would like us to share any topics or have any questions on Thailand immigration to be addressed in our COVID-19 series, please do not hesitate to contact your Fragomen immigration professional, Kenneth Lau, at [email protected], or Charmaine Leow, at [email protected].

This blog was released on 8 July 2020 and, due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our COVID-19 microsite, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn

 

 

Country / Territory

  • ThailandThailand

Related contacts

Porthole Headshot Image Fragomen [Singapore][Partner][KennethLau]

Kenneth Lau

Partner

Singapore, Singapore

Email

[email protected]

T:+65 6854 5168

Related offices

  • Singapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole Headshot Image Fragomen [Singapore][Partner][KennethLau]

Kenneth Lau

Partner

Singapore, Singapore

Email

[email protected]

T:+65 6854 5168

Related offices

  • Singapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Porthole Headshot Image Fragomen [Singapore][Partner][KennethLau]

Kenneth Lau

Partner

Singapore, Singapore

Email

[email protected]

T:+65 6854 5168

Related offices

  • Singapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Podcast

New Roots: Pathways to Canada - Economic Mobility in Action - Canada's EMPP Unpacked

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.

Learn more

Blog post

Restored Citizenship: What Former South Africans Need to Know

Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.

Learn more

Blog post

From Advocacy to Action: Vietnam’s New Work Permit Decree Takes Shape

Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Podcast

New Roots: Pathways to Canada - Economic Mobility in Action - Canada's EMPP Unpacked

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi are joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Program Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries, to explore Canada’s EMPP.

Learn more

Blog post

Restored Citizenship: What Former South Africans Need to Know

Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba explains the legal process and key considerations for individuals seeking to regain South African citizenship after renunciation or loss.

Learn more

Blog post

From Advocacy to Action: Vietnam’s New Work Permit Decree Takes Shape

Partner Kenneth Lau discusses the development and implications of Vietnam's updated work permit regulations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.