ThailandSri Lanka: eTA

ThailandSri Lanka

Do Thailand passport holders need a visa for Sri Lanka?

eTA

Thailand passport holders need an approved electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Sri Lanka, but no embassy visa.

An electronic travel authorisation must be approved online before departure. No embassy visit.

Source: eta.gov.lk (checked July 17, 2026).

RequirementeTA

Maximum stay30 days

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-14

Distance2,383 km, straight line (~3h 18m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Sri Lanka242 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Sri Lanka passport holders visiting Thailand: Visa required.

Other visa-free destinations for Thailand passport holders

See all Thailand destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Thailand passport holders need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Thailand passport holders need an approved electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Sri Lanka, but no embassy visa.

How long can Thailand citizens stay in Sri Lanka without a visa?

Up to 30 days, for tourism, ordinary passport.

How far is Sri Lanka from Thailand?

About 2,383 km in a straight line, roughly ~3h 18m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).

What is the emergency number in Sri Lanka?

110 / 119.

What time zone is Sri Lanka in?

Colombo (UTC+5:30).

What is the nearest airport to Colombo?

Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML), about 12 km away.

How many countries can enter Sri Lanka without a visa?

242 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Sri Lanka visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Thailand

Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, and formerly known as Siam, is a country located in Mainland Southeast Asia. It shares land borders with Myanmar to the west and northwest, Laos to the east and northeast, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south. Its maritime boundaries include the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, and it shares maritime borders with Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Thailand has a population of nearly 66 million people and covers an area of approximately 513,115 km2. The capital and largest city is Bangkok.

CapitalBangkok

RegionSouth-Eastern Asia

Population71.6M

Area513,120 km²

CurrencyThai baht (1 USD ≈ 33.58 THB)

LanguagesThai

Calling code+66

Drives on theleft

TimezoneBangkok (UTC+7)

Nearest airportDon Mueang International Airport (DMK), 22 km

Emergency number1669 / 191 / 199

UNESCO sites10

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$8,057 (2025)

Tourist arrivals39.9M (2019)

Travel guide

Thailand is among the most visited countries on Earth, and for good reason. You can find thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean, and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Bustling, yet safe; cheap, and equipped with every amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beachfront backpacker hostels to some of the best luxury hotels in the world.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ban Chiang
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
Historic City of Ayutthaya
Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex
Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period
Si Thep historical park
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wat Phra Mahathat

Full source list on About.

About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with the Maldives to the southwest and India to the northwest, and lies across the Bay of Bengal from Bangladesh and Myanmar to the northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India to the east. Its executive and judicial capital is Colombo, which is also its largest city and the political, financial and cultural centre of the country; neighboring Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital. Sri Lanka's population is 22 million. About 74% of the population are Sinhalese, who speak the Sinhala language, and about 15% are Tamils who speak the Tamil language. Other long-established ethnic groups include the Moors, Indian Tamils, Burghers, Malays, Chinese, and Vedda.

CapitalColombo

RegionSouthern Asia

Population21.8M

Area65,610 km²

CurrencySri Lankan rupee (1 USD ≈ 331.10 LKR)

LanguagesSinhala, Tamil

Calling code+94

Drives on theleft

TimezoneColombo (UTC+5:30)

Nearest airportColombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML), 12 km

Emergency number110 / 119

UNESCO sites9

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$5,002 (2025)

Tourist arrivals540K (2020)

Climate in Colombo

Warmest March, coolest December, driest January, sunniest March. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, August, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Colombo, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	30.6°C	23.2°C	20mm	351h
February	32.2°C	24.1°C	24mm	337h
March	31.6°C	24.7°C	49mm	357h
April	31.3°C	24.8°C	153mm	331h
May	29.9°C	25.9°C	287mm	254h
June	29.2°C	25.9°C	264mm	293h
July	28.7°C	25.2°C	252mm	250h
August	28.7°C	25.4°C	209mm	303h
September	27.9°C	24.7°C	388mm	209h
October	28.6°C	25°C	109mm	328h
November	29.2°C	23.8°C	374mm	250h
December	28.8°C	23.1°C	152mm	267h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. It is known for its natural beauty, with stunning beaches all along its coastline, great wildlife and biodiversity, tea plantations, orchards, temples, monuments, and a cultural heritage dating back several millennia. Sri Lanka's cultural landscape includes the Sinhalese and the Tamil ethnic groups, with substantial Muslim and Christian communities.

Full source list on About.