Entry Rules for Russians to Thailand

The high season in Thailand lasts from November to April, after which the rains begin, so our winter is the best time to go to the Land of Smiles. You'll escape the cold, swim in the azure sea, and try durian (but that's optional). And to buy Moscow – Bangkok tickets and ensure you get on board, we suggest first making sure your documents are in order according to Thailand's entry rules.

Do Russians Need a Visa for Thailand?

No! This is the main joy for tourists and a significant reason for the country's immense popularity among our compatriots. Russian citizens can stay in Thailand for 60 days, which is substantial in itself. Moreover, this period can be extended by 30 days if you apply to the immigration office before the first 60 days expire. Rumors regularly circulate that the number of days will be reduced to 30, but there is no confirmation of this yet, and the visa-free stay period in Thailand remains enticingly long. The extension fee is 1,900 baht.

What Documents Are Needed for Entry to Thailand?

There are only two main ones – your valid international passport and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Filling it out became mandatory from May 1, 2025. You can do this either within 3 days before arriving in Thailand on the website tdac.immigration.go.th, or directly at the airport at a special terminal marked TDAC.

This task is not difficult: the website has a Russian version, but you will need to fill in the fields using Latin letters. At the end, you will receive a QR code, which you should save to your phone or print out (or preferably both). You will then need to present it at the airport at the border.

Medical insurance is not requested upon entry, but it is still better to have one. There are many opportunities and chances to get injured or fall ill in the country, and the cost of medicine here is high, so it's better to have a policy.

How to Fill Out the TDAC

The card has three pages in total – personal information, travel and accommodation information (how you will arrive and where you will stay), and a health declaration.

On the first page, fill in the fields for last name, first name, patronymic (if applicable), passport number, nationality. Next – year of birth, month, and date (in that specific order), profession, gender, visa number (skip if not obtained), country of residence, city of residence, and phone number. Some fields have dropdown lists where you can find the required number or name.

On the second page, fill in information about the trip itself. First, arrival: date, country you are flying from, purpose of visit (if you are traveling for leisure, choose Holiday), mode of transport (by air, land, or water), type of transport (options here depend on the previous choice, but for tourists from Russia, an airplane is most likely, and therefore its types – commercial flight, private, other) and flight number. Next, similar information about departure: date, mode of transport, type of transport, flight number.

The second part on this page is about your accommodation. You indicate the type of accommodation in Thailand (hotel, hostel, guesthouse, friend's house, apartment, other), province, district (region, area), sub-district (sub-region, micro-district), and address.

Finally, the third page – health. Passengers traveling to and entering Thailand must be vaccinated with vaccines approved by Thailand or the World Health Organization (WHO), or other vaccines authorized by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand. Here you need to list the countries you have been in during the two weeks prior to arrival. If you are flying direct, you can only list Russia.

Next, double-check that you have filled everything out correctly, enter your email address, and tick the box confirming that you have read and accepted the terms and conditions:

• You agree to the use of your provided personal data for profile creation, submission of documents to TDAC on your behalf and/or on behalf of fellow travelers, and for immigration control.
• You hereby confirm that the information provided is true, accurate, and complete.
• You understand that providing false, inaccurate, or incomplete information in this form may result in liability for offenses related to these actions.
• You consent to the transfer of data to the Immigration Bureau of Thailand and other government agencies.
• You have read and agree to this statement.

Done!

Entry Rules for Children

According to regulations, children under 14 do not necessarily need their own international passport to enter Thailand. Younger children can be included in a parent's old, five-year-valid passport. In this case, you need to bring the child's birth certificate and fill out a separate migration card for them. Nevertheless, if you have the opportunity, it is better to obtain a personal document for the child. This will simplify border crossing.

If a child is flying with only one parent, the consent of the other is not required. This even applies to divorced couples. What should be checked in this case is a travel ban for a minor abroad from the second parent. This can be done through the "Gosuslugi" portal.

Importing Pets to Thailand

If you are flying to Thailand for the winter and plan to bring your cat or dog, carefully study the rules for importing animals into the country, and also read reviews from people who have already lived there with their four-legged friend.

First, take your pet to the vet, check its health, and update its vaccinations. For dogs – against rabies, leptospirosis, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and adenovirus infections. For cats – against rabies, calicivirus, viral rhinotracheitis, and panleukopenia.

The animal must be microchipped: this is a mandatory procedure for crossing the border. The chip must be certified and preferably checked several times with different devices to ensure at this stage that everything is working correctly and the information is readable. Then, gather the necessary documents:

• veterinary passport with a clinic seal confirming that the animal can be transported. It must contain records of administered vaccinations;
• veterinary health certificate – a document confirming the animal's safety for international transport and preventing the spread of diseases. It can be obtained no earlier than 5 days before departure. It (Form No. 1) is issued by state or accredited veterinary clinics. At the airport, during veterinary control, it will be exchanged for an international certificate;
• animal import permit – submitted to the Ministry of Livestock Development of Thailand 14-45 days before departure. The application must include copies of your international passport, the animal's veterinary passport with vaccination records, and the microchipping certificate.

At veterinary control in Thailand, you will need to pay 500 baht in cash + a duty depending on the animal's breed (1,000-3,000 baht).

Which Bank Cards Work in Thailand

Here, it's sadly familiar: Visa and MasterCard issued in Russia do not work. However, similar cards from Belarus, Kazakhstan, or other countries are accepted without issues. "Mir" cards are not suitable. A vacation in Thailand is a good reason to get a UnionPay card. There should be no problems with cards from ATB and Rosselkhozbank. Payment via QR code is also actively developed in the country, you can try it out. If you don't want to bother with foreign bank cards, good old cash will always save you.

How to Get to Thailand from Russia

Directly or with a layover. Aeroflot has direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket, departing , St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk. Flights with one or more layovers will even be cheaper. En route, you will need to make a stop in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah. During the season, there are many charter flights from tour operators in conjunction with carriers like Azimuth or Red Wings. Or try to build a complex route yourself via China. Currently, you will not need a visa to exit the airport in any Chinese city. So you can make a long and comfortable layover – stretch your legs and even get some sleep.