FAQs: Guide on COVID-19 Vaccination for Expats in Thailand

MBMG try to answer these questions in this blog post.

Please be informed that the government’s policy, as well as vaccine plan and supply can be changed overtime.

Nowadays, there are many brand of vaccines in the worldwide market, but not in Thailand.

There are three brand of vaccines legally available right now which are from AstraZeneca, Sinovac.

For Johnson & Johnson, and Modena while the other brands are still in the process of acquiring a license from FDA.

Yes, the government provides vaccine for Thai citizen free of charge. Anyway, since the availability of vaccine is still very limited, our government still cannot provide vaccines to all.

However, the Ministry of Public Heatlh stated that they have a plan to give vaccine to all residents who living in Thailand as well.

The good news is all foreigners who residing in Thailand are eligible for these vaccines according to the government’s vaccination plan and it’s free for all.

However, if you prefer to get a vaccine beside such vaccines, you have to travel abroad and get it from any country that offered the vaccine which you prefer.

For the other people will be able to register on July 1. The registered people will start getting the vaccine on June 7 and Aug 1 respectively.

Alternatively, if you do not want to wait for a massive waiting list, then you may contact any private hospital that offered your preferred vaccine and get that vaccine at your own expense.

According to news reports, some expats around the world are planning to return home for a coronavirus vaccination.

For those who plan to travel out of Thailand, please make sure that your visa, work permit and/or residency permit will not expire during the time that you are away. At the moment, applying any type of visa at Thai Embassy/Consulate is very complicated. !! (New procedure keeps update and change over the time.)

There are a lot of procedure and requirement that you need to fulfill before entering Thailand such as covid free test, certificate of entry, etc.

Also, some Thai Embassies,Consulates are still closing due to a massive covid pandemic i.e. India, some countries in South America and South Africa. Unfortunately, Thailand has already raised up the quarantine period back to 14 days for all Thai and Non-Thai passengers who entering Thailand due to recent wave of covid widespread although you are vaccinated with 1 or 2 doses.

If you are working in Thailand and having social security fund, then you can register for a free covid test at your selecting hospital when you register the social security fund. However, a waiting list is very long in some hospitals, it might take a week or couple weeks to get the test. Alternatively, you can go to any private hospital that offered the covid test and get it done with the result within 2-5 days at your own cost.

In case of “positive” covid-19 result, you must not go to the hospital by yourself, it is illegal action according to Health Ministry Annoucement. Just wait at your residence and the hospital team will coordinate with you and find the best solution in accordance with your situation:

3 facility options, that you need to know

1. Escorting you to the hospital if you are symptomatic,
2. Escorting you to the hospitel if you are less/mild symptomatic, or
3. Escorting you to the field hospital if you are asymptomatic.

All the treatment and transportation costs are “free of charge” if you have “the rights with social security” and admit into public hospital, hospitel or field hospital.

For any direct admission into private hospital or hospitel, you have to pay at your own cost, then claim the insurance in the later after you dismissed (if your insurance does cover all costs).

Most insurance companies require claimant form, medical certificate and receipt of treatment for claiming.

So, Does your health insurance cover all of these costs for covid treatment in Thailand? 

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Disclaimers:

1. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, MBMG Investment Advisory cannot be held responsible for any errors that may occur. The views of the contributors may not necessarily reflect the house view of MBMG Investment Advisory. Views and opinions expressed herein may change with market conditions and should not be used in isolation.

2. Please ensure you understand the nature of the products, return conditions and risks before making any investment decision.

3. An investment is not a deposit, it carries investment risk. Investors are encouraged to make an investment only when investing in such an asset corresponds with their own objectives and only after they have acknowledge all risks and have been informed that the return may be more or less than the initial sum.

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