What is important to know about moving to Thailand from Russia
Miscellaneous / / April 23, 2022
We tell you how to get into the country and what to do to stay in it for a long time.
The hot country in Southeast Asia is a popular tourist destination. There are many beaches and ancient Buddhist temples, cheap food and an abundance of tropical fruits. All this makes Thailand an ideal holiday destination. But those who decide to move here will have to face difficulties.
Documentation
There is a visa-free regime for Russians in Thailand, but due to the coronavirus, it is not so easy to enter the country. Kingdom authorities are planningThailand cancels the requirement for PCR tests for all tourists from April 1 / Association of Tour Operators gradually lift the restrictions. Because of this, the requirements are constantly changing, so check them before you travel. Online embassies. The last indulgence is the cancellation of the PCR test before entry. The rules we will talk about next are effective from April 1, 2022.
Foreigners can enter the country under three different programs: Test&Go, Sandbox (“Sandbox”) and Alternative Quarantine. The latter is suitable for those who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus and are ready for a five-day quarantine. Each program will require health insurance with coverage of at least $20,000 and a Thailand Pass, a QR code to enter the country.
The Thailand Pass must be obtained at least 7 days prior to departure. To do this, apply on the site tp.consular.go.th and upload translated into English and notarized documents.
For the Test&Go program, these are:
- international passport;
- certificate of vaccination in English;
- confirmed hotel category reservation SHA Extra+In such hotels, 70% of the staff is vaccinated against coronavirus, and the cost of booking may immediately include the cost of transfers and PCR tests. or AQThese are hotels suitable for quarantine. They also have special booking packages with transfers and PCR tests. on the day of entry;
- proof of prepayment for PCR test, antigen test in Thailand and airport transfer.
For Sandbox:
- international passport;
- certificate of vaccination in English;
- a confirmed SHA Extra+ hotel reservation for 5 days;
- proof of prepayment for PCR test, antigen test in Thailand and airport transfer.
For Alternative Quarantine:
- international passport;
- a confirmed AQ hotel reservation for 5 days;
- proof of prepayment for PCR test, antigen test in Thailand and airport transfer.
Category hotels SHA Extra+ and AQ look in the lists for links.
Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson&Johnson, Moderna, COVILO, Sputnik V, Covaxin and Medigen vaccines are eligible for the Test&Go program. In the list for the "Sandbox", in addition to these drugs, there is "Sputnik Light". Persons under 18 years of age do not need a vaccination, and a child under 6 years of age may not even have a PCR test upon arrival, instead a saliva test is taken. Adults enter these children into their application for the Thailand Pass.
Once you have obtained the Thailand Pass and have flown to Thailand, the following steps must be followed.
For the Test&Go program:
- Install a mobile application to track the movement of Morchana.
- Immediately after arrival, take the booked PCR test.
- Take a booked transfer to the hotel and wait for the test results in the room, they should come within 24 hours.
- If the result is negative, then you can freely move around the "blue zone" of the country - regions with a favorable epidemiological situation.
- On the fifth day in Thailand, take an antigen test, you can do it yourself.
For the Sandbox program:
- Install a mobile application to track the movement of Morchana.
- Immediately after arrival, take the booked PCR test.
- Take a booked transfer to the hotel and wait for the test results in the room, they will be ready within 24 hours.
- If the result is negative, then you can navigate through the "sandbox" zone - the regions that are available for this program.
- On the fifth day in Thailand, take an antigen test.
- After a week in the "sandbox" zone, you can move outside it, in the "blue zone".
For Alternative Quarantine:
- Install a mobile application to track the movement of Morchana.
- Immediately after arrival, take the booked PCR test.
- Arrive on a booked transfer to the hotel and spend five days in it without leaving your room.
- Pass a repeat PCR test.
- If the test is negative, then you can freely move around the "blue zone" in the country.
Borders "blue zone" and "sandbox zones» can be found on the official tourism portal of Thailand.
It is allowed to stay in Thailand without a visa for 30 days, after which you can put a “covid stamp” and extend the period for another 60 days at the nearest immigration office. To do this, you need to pay 1,900 baht ($57), bring copies of your passport, a 4 x 6 cm color photograph and fill out forms TM7, STM2, Affidavit Covid-19, TM30. You can get a “covid stamp” until May 24, 2022.
If you are going to stay in Thailand longer, apply for a visa. You can find out how to get it Online embassies of Thailand.
Road
The only way to get to Thailand is by plane. So far, there are no direct flights from Russia to the country. You will have to make at least one transfer, for example in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul. On the road may take from 14 to 36 hours.
Economy class tickets with one transfer from Moscow to Bangkok for the next dates are from 60 204 rubles.
From the capital of Thailand, by domestic flights or by bus, you can get to popular tourist locations - Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui. Airfare from Bangkok to Phuket from 3 485 rubles. Travel by bus from there to Pattaya costs 119 baht ($3.6).
You can take tickets from Moscow directly to Pattaya, Koh Samui, Krabi, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Flight price starts from 67 189 rubles.
If you want to save money, buy tickets in advance, keep track of airline offers. For example, in the second half of April, you can fly to Phuket for 48 637 rublesand in Bangkok for 39 773.
Language
Thai is spoken in Thailand. Even despite the large number of foreign tourists, the locals do not speak English very well. Therefore, try to learn at least the most necessary phrases in Thai.
There are many Russian-speaking residents in the country, in an emergency you can turn to them for help. Or just use interpreter in phone.
Money
The official currency of the country is the Thai baht. The official exchange rate as of March 31, 2022: 1 baht - 2.47 rubles. In souvenir shops, hotels and other tourist places it is possible to pay with dollars. 1 dollar equals 33.25 baht.
Russian cards do not work in the country now. Exception - co-badged cards UnionPaybut they can be used not everywhereUnionPayThailandso in any case it is better to come with cash. Currency should be changed in large banks, so there is less risk of running into scammers. Euros and dollars are more likely to be accepted there than rubles. If possible, take large bills with you, they are exchanged in Thailand at a more favorable rate than small ones.
Foreigners can open an account and get a card from a Thai bank such as Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Kasikom Bank. To do this, it is enough to have a local SIM card and apply to the office with a passport and a resident certificate - a certificate confirming the address of residence in Thailand. It is issued at any immigration office, it will take about 3 days to process. The list of required documents for obtaining a certificate is Online.
Depending on the bank, they may additionally require you to purchase insurance and present affidavit letter from the Russian consulate.
Housing
Housing prices in Thailand depend on the season and the popularity of the area among tourists. Daily options can be found on Airbnb, Booking, Agoda. Now a night in a small one-room apartment in Phuket and Bangkok costs from 1,100 rubles.
For long term rental use the sites dot property and hip flat. A month in a one-room condo - an apartment in a private high-rise building - in Pattaya costs from 4,000 baht (120 dollars), in Phuket - from 4,500 baht (135 dollars), in the central districts of Bangkok - from 6,000 baht (180 dollars).
1 / 0
2 / 0
3 / 0
Add $20-$40 for utilities to your rent. Good options directly from the owners can be found in thematic Telegram channels and groups on social networks. Or try to drive around the area of interest on your own and look for houses with Rent signs.
If you plan to rent a house for a long time, be sure to conclude treaty with the landlord and take a picture of the condition of the apartment.
Get ready that there will most likely not be a washing machine in the house. In Thailand, they can be found right on the street or in laundries. The price for washing 1 kg of laundry is 30-50 baht (0.9-1.5 dollars).
Food
There are large supermarket chains in Thailand: 7/11, Tesco Lotus, Big C, Tops Market, Makro. Many of them have their own delivery. The assortment in stores is quite large, but not quite familiar to Russia. There is a lot of fresh seafood and fruits, but few vegetables, dairy products and cereals. Here are the prices for some items in Tesco:
- 1 kg of carrots - 32 baht (1 dollar);
- 1 coconut - 29 baht (0.9 dollars);
- 1 kg of grapes - 119 baht (3.6 dollars);
- 1 kg of pork ribs - 168 baht (5 dollars);
- 1 kg salmon fillet - 769 baht (23 dollars);
- 1 kg of fresh shrimp - 269 baht (8 dollars);
- 1 kg of cane sugar - 23 baht (0.7 dollars);
- 1 liter of vegetable oil - 85 baht (2.55 dollars);
- 5 kg of rice (in Thailand it is sold in large packages) - 159 baht (4.8 dollars);
- 30 eggs - 120 baht (3.6 dollars);
- 250 g of hard cheese - 210 baht (6.3 dollars);
- 1 liter of milk - 43 baht (1.3 dollars);
- 1 liter of apple juice - 69 baht (2 dollars);
- 1 package of white bread - 38 baht (1.1 dollars);
- 1 pack of pasta - 36 baht (1 dollar).
For tropical fruits, fish and seafood, it is better to go to the market, the prices there are much lower. For example, kilogram mango can be purchased for as little as 25 baht ($0.75).
The country has a developed street food culture, so there are many eateries and street cafes everywhere. A serving of tom yam in such establishments costs about 150 baht (4.5 dollars), pad thai - fried rice noodles with vegetables, egg and chicken - will cost 50 baht (1.5 dollars), a fresh fruit shake will be made for 20 baht (0.6 dollar).
In order not to overpay for lunch, look for cafes where locals eat, they are usually located away from the beaches and busy streets. Dinner for two with drinks at a good restaurant catering to European tourists will cost approximately 1,000 baht ($30).
Connection
You can buy a SIM card at the airport and supermarkets, sometimes sellers may ask for a passport, so it's better to take it with you.
There are three major mobile phone operators in Thailand: AIS, DTAC and true move. Tariff conditions are described on their websites, but on average, you will have to pay 200-300 baht ($6-9) for unlimited mobile Internet per month. You can replenish your account at the checkouts of supermarkets or using the bank's mobile application. The validity period of the SIM card is automatically extended for a month after each recharge.
Work
Let's say right away: the best option for a foreigner is to work remotely. Establish or start a business with a tourist visa will not workGeneral information about the country / Consular Information Portalbut for work without permission mayThailand Work Permits: New Penalties for Illegal Employment / Legal.co.th deport, ban entry into the country and even give prison time.
You can get a place in Thailand only if you have a Non-Immigrant visa with the opportunity to conduct professional activities and a Work Permit - a work permit. The latter is drawn up by the employer, but Thai companies are usually not interested in this.
Health
To use medical services, you will definitely need insurance. Its presence is a prerequisite for entry. You can independently choose a private clinic, and make an appointment. A day in the hospital costs about 10,000 baht ($300), an appointment with a therapist is 800 baht ($24), a complete blood test is 400 baht ($12), a PCR test is 2,100 baht ($63).
Foreigners in Thailand can get the coronavirus vaccine. To do this, sign up for the procedure in advance. Online. Choose from Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinopharm and Sinovac. There are vaccination points in hospitals and medical centers.
Services
Taxi can be called using applications grab, InDriver and Bolt. A trip from the airport to the hotel costs from 700 baht ($21). Taxis in the country are quite expensive, the public transport system is poorly developed, and there are almost no sidewalks along the roads, so walking is difficult.
If you plan to move around the city often, rent a moped. You can do this literally at every step, you need to conclude an agreement and leave a deposit. A day of rental costs 200–350 baht (6–11 dollars), a month - from 3,000 baht (90 dollars), depending on the model. But keep in mind that Thai roads are completely not safeThailand’s Road Safety Country Profile / Global Road Safety Facility, so get a category A license in advance, wear a helmet and remember that there is left-hand traffic here.
Food delivery can be ordered through Grab apps, AROI DEE, Food panda, foodioo.com and Line Man. To avoid problems, place orders with a local SIM card.
The quality of beauty services in Thailand is much lower than in Russia. Therefore, it is better to do manicure and other procedures on your own. An alternative option is to spend time and find proven masters on the advice of friends.
There are cinemas, bars, karaoke and fitness clubs in the cities, in the resort areas they offer a lot of entertainment for tourists: excursions, fishing, diving and surfing lessons.
Read also✈️🌎⛵️
- Is it possible to get a card in a foreign bank
- What is important to know for those who are planning to move to Serbia
- What is important to know for those who are planning to move to Turkey
- What to install on your smartphone before traveling to Thailand
AliExpress Birthday Sale: 7 Items You Should Look Out For