Emirates Resumes Daily Flights to Bangkok, Thailand

Few flight resumptions have ignited quite as much online discussion as Emirates' flights to Bangkok, Thailand.

The Dubai-based airline announced last week that it would resume a daily passenger service to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) on 1 September 2020, despite there currently being a CAAT ban on scheduled passenger flights into the Kingdom.

The ban, which started in March, covers incoming passenger flights but does allow special flights to repatriate people, military and cargo etc. It does not cover outgoing passenger flights, and a few airlines continued to operate scheduled flights departing BKK despite the low numbers, carrying cargo to the city and then taking off with cargo and passengers.

Some labeled Emirates' announcement as a PR stunt, whilst others suggested that the airline was just trying to get money from bookings. However, when TravelNewsAsia.com asked the airline for clarification, we were told that Emirates has full clearance and it would indeed resume flights as planned on 1 September. Which it now has.

Emirates' flights between Bangkok and Dubai are being operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering seats in First, Business and Economy class.

First and Business Class customers will be able to enjoy Emirates’ Chauffeur Drive service on departure from Bangkok, in Dubai, and relax in Emirates’ Lounge facility at Dubai International Airport.

Flight EK384 is timed to depart Dubai daily at 01:50 and arrive in Bangkok at 11:30. The return flight, EK385, is scheduled to leave Bangkok at 03:25 and arrive in Dubai at 06:35, from 2 September.

Whilst Emirates' resumption of flights to Thailand is exciting news, not everyone is allowed in.

Those who are currently allowed to fly to Thailand include:

- Thai nationals;

- Persons with exemption or being considered, permitted or invited;

- Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under international organisations, or representatives of a foreign government;

- Non-Thai nationals who are a spouse, parent, or child of a Thai national;

- Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of permanent residency or permission to take up residence;

- Non-Thai nationals who have a work permit or have been granted permission by government agencies to work in the Kingdom, including their spouse or children;

- Non-Thai nationals who are students of educational institutions approved by Thai authorities, including the parents or guardians of the students, except for students of non-formal educational institutions under the law on private schools and of other similar private educational institutions;

- Non-Thai nationals in need of medical treatment and their attendants; and

- Non-Thai nationals who are permitted to enter the Kingdom under a special arrangement with a foreign country.

All nationalities, except Thai nationals, require a visa to enter Thailand. Tourist and transit visas are not allowed.

There are also numerous other restrictions and requirements that must be met before travellers are allowed to board their Emirates flight. These can include a Certificate of Entry (COE); fit to fly health certificate; negative COVID19 PCR test certificate issued not more than 72 hours before arrival; health insurance covering COVID19 treatment of not less than USD 100,000 and a letter of approval on quarantine accommodation by Thai authorities.

As these requirements could change without notice at any moment, travelers are urged to visit Emirates' website for details and to check with local Thai authorities and this Thai website before making any booking.

COVID19 PCR tests are also mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers arriving to Dubai (and the UAE), including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are travelling from.

Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of COVID19 safety measures at every step of the customer journey, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

The airline has also committed to cover COVID19 related medical expenses, free of cost, should a customer be diagnosed with COVID19 during their travel while they are away from home. This cover is immediately effective for customers flying on Emirates until 31 October 2020 (first flight to be completed on or before 31 October 2020), and is valid for 31 days from the moment they fly the first sector of their journey.

See latest Travel News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: COVID19, Emirates, Bangkok, Thailand.