Thailand has announced the resumption of visa-free travel for citizens from 56 countries including Maldives.
The announcement was made on December 21. In addition to Maldives, Malaysia, UK, USA, France, Australia are among those countries which do not require visa to travel to Thailand.
According to a spokesman for the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), although selected travelers can visit Thailand without a visa, they are still required to provide negative test result 72 hours before their flight and undergo the mandatory quarantine in an Alternative State Quarantine. Moreover, CCSA said all travellers must undergo three COVID-19 tests while in quarantine, up from two required previously. They added that more testing could potentially lead to shorter quarantine periods in the future.
Before border closures due to COVID-19, Maldivians were able to travel to Thailand without visa. Thailand implemented the visa exemption policy for Maldivians traveling to the country for tourist purposes effective from April 14. However, the duration of the stay shall not exceed 30 days.