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    Special Tourist Visa

    Chief tourism official confirms Special Tourist Visa remains open despite outbreak

    Foreign tourists can still enter Thailand using the Special Tourist Visa during the current outbreak, provided they secure the required documentation.

    VMVisa Manager Desk12 Jun 2026✓ Verified 12 Jun 20261 min read1 sources
    The short version
    • A chief tourism official confirmed the Special Tourist Visa (STV) program remains active.
    • Foreign tourists can still enter Thailand despite the ongoing outbreak and global pandemic.
    • Travelers must ensure they have all required documents before attempting to enter.

    Thailand is keeping its doors open to long-stay visitors. According to a recent update highlighted by The Holiday and Travel Magazine, a chief tourism official has confirmed that the Special Tourist Visa (STV) program is still active despite the ongoing outbreak.

    There has been uncertainty regarding border policies during the current global pandemic. However, authorities have clarified that the STV route has not been suspended for those willing to travel.

    What this means for you

    If you are planning a relocation or an extended vacation in Thailand, the STV remains a viable option. The official noted that foreign tourists are still welcome "as long as they have all the required documents."

    To utilize this route, travelers should expect the following:

    • The STV is active: The program has not been paused by the current outbreak.
    • Paperwork is strictly enforced: You must gather and present all required documentation before travel.
    • Pandemic protocols apply: Travelers must be prepared to manage international travel during a global pandemic.

    Next steps

    While officials haven't detailed the specific paperwork in this latest update, prospective travelers should contact their local Thai embassy or consulate. Visa requirements and entry protocols often fluctuate during outbreaks, so verifying the exact current document checklist directly with the embassy is essential before booking flights.

    Why it matters
    Expats and long-stay tourists planning to enter Thailand can still rely on the Special Tourist Visa route, provided they strictly follow current documentation requirements.

    How we cover this: we monitor official Thai government sources and Thai & English press, cross-check every claim, and link the originals. Updated twice daily.

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    Sources

    Every claim above traces to these. We link the originals so you can verify.

    T
    The Holiday and Travel Magazine: WE ARE OPEN: ‘SPECIAL TOURIST VISA’ IS STILL ON DESPITE OUTBREAK · 11 Jun 2026
    Foreign tourists willing to brave the global pandemic and spend a vacation in Thailand are still welcomed, as long as they have all the required documents, a chief tourism official

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