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Thailand has introduced a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda, effective Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The measure was put in place due to an active Ebola outbreak in both countries, and applies to everyone regardless of nationality or reason for travel.
Who Is Affected
Anyone flying to Thailand from DR Congo or Uganda must complete a full 21-day quarantine on arrival. There are no exceptions based on nationality or travel purpose. All flights from these two countries are required to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport only. No other entry points into Thailand are permitted for travelers coming from either country.
Where Quarantine Takes Place
Travelers will be quarantined at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi Province. Anyone showing suspicious symptoms on arrival will be transferred immediately to a hospital rather than the quarantine facility.
Who Pays
Travelers who arrive within 72 hours of the policy announcement have their quarantine costs covered by the Thai government. Those arriving after that 72-hour window are responsible for covering all quarantine costs themselves.
Why Thailand Acted Now
Health officials noted a rise in daily arrivals from both countries. Where 5 to 7 people per day had been arriving previously, numbers climbed past 10 per day, with a single-day peak of 19 arrivals. Around 100 visitors had previously been required to report their symptoms daily to health authorities, but some failed to comply and did not stay at their declared hotels. Hotels later refused to accommodate travelers redirected by officials. Five visitors proved particularly difficult to track, though all were eventually located and showed no fever or symptoms.
Dr. Yongchuea Laosirithaworn, Director-General of Communicable Disease at the Department of Disease Control, stated that Ebola infections were growing in both DR Congo and Uganda, increasing the risk to Thailand, and that compulsory quarantine would effectively prevent transmission to Thai people.
About the Ebola Strain
The World Health Organization has confirmed there is no available vaccine for the latest strain of Ebola involved in this outbreak. The virus spreads through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids and is not airborne.
What This Means for Travelers
The policy essentially acts as a strong deterrent to travel from DR Congo or Uganda to Thailand. The previous voluntary daily check-in system has been replaced entirely with full institutional quarantine. Anyone planning travel from either country should factor in the full 21-day quarantine period and be prepared to cover costs if arriving outside the initial 72-hour window.
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.