1. Latest News:

Thailand has now officially announced that beginning March 1, 2022, the requirement for a PCR test and a hotel stay on day 5 will be removed, and the mandatory health insurance coverage will be reduced from $50,000 USD to $20,000 USD.

Due to the length of time, it takes to process a Thailand Pass, the changes will apply to arrivals beginning on March 7th. Those who have already applied for a Thailand Pass will be eligible for an exemption, which will include a refund for the hotel stay and PCR test on day 5.

Please keep in mind that details are subject to change during the COVID era, as they are with everything else. Please return to this page for the most recent information.

2. Current Entry Schemes in Brief:

Test & Go: This program allows fully vaccinated travelers and unvaccinated children 17 and younger to enter and explore Thailand after passing a PCR test and staying one night within 5 hours of their arrival at the airport. On days 5 and 6 of their trip, guests only need to submit a self-administered rapid antigen test.

Sandbox: now that Test & Go is open to all nations, Sandbox is being viewed as a “backup plan” in case Test & Go is paused again. This program allows fully-vaccinated travelers from any country to enter and explore ‘Sandbox’ destinations quarantine-free for seven days before being allowed to travel anywhere else in the country. There are currently eight Sandbox areas available: Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.

Alternative Quarantine: this is for travelers who are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, and entails a 10-day stay in a hotel before being allowed to travel and explore.

3. MUST DO STEPS

All visitors to Thailand will adhere to the following requirements, regardless of whether they are participating in Test & Go Sandbox, or Alternative Quarantine.

Pre-arrival:

  • Prior to travel, apply for a ‘Thailand Pass’ at tp.consular.go.th by submitting the required documents (below). Guests will receive their Thailand Pass QR code once their application has been approved
  • At least 14 days prior to arrival, submit proof of full vaccination (if applicable)
  • Anyone who has been infected in the previous three months and has received at least one vaccine dose can submit a medical certificate of recovery and proof of at least one vaccination 14 days before traveling to Thailand.
  • Except for children under the age of six, who only need to submit a saliva test upon arrival, proof of negative PCR test results must be submitted 72 hours before departure to Thailand.
  • Medical insurance with at least $20,000 in coverage valid for in-patient hospitalization, hospital isolation, hotel isolation, or related quarantine in Thailand for at least 10 days longer than the planned travel period must be submitted (in case of medical complications).
  • For the first day, there is a fee for lodging.
  • One PCR test is paid for.
  • Vaccination requirements are waived for children under the age of 18 traveling with their parents.
  • Guests can now transit through Bangkok’s international airport on sealed Bangkok Airways flights to reach Phuket and Koh Samui. Note that this must be booked as a through a ticket in advance, not as a transfer once you arrive in Bangkok.

Arrival:

  • Prior to immigration procedures, show the health officials your Thailand Pass QR code.
  • Upon arrival at the airport, take a PCR test.
  • Children aged 6 to 17 must-have PCR tests performed prior to flying and upon arrival. Children aged 6 to 6 will have saliva tests performed upon arrival.
  • For at least one night, use pre-arranged transportation from the airport to a SHA++ certified hotel.
  • At the hotel, you can get MorChana, a contact-tracking app.
  • When you arrive, wait for the results of the first PCR test (up to 24 hours, but normally less than 12 hours).

During Stay:

  • Wear masks in public places including outdoor areas

4. Steps And A Scheme For Entry:

In addition to the steps outlined above for all visitors to Thailand, travelers participating in specific travel schemes will be subject to the following protocol:

1. ‘Test & Go’ Procedures:

  • On day 1, there was no quarantine other than confinement to a hotel room while awaiting the results of PCR tests.
  • On the first day, guests can stay in a SHA++ hotel within 5 hours of arriving at the airport.
  • The official list of SHA++ hotels can be found here.
  • Guests are free to travel once they receive negative PCR test results.
  • Families with unvaccinated children are welcome to participate in Test & Go if they meet the following criteria:
  • A pre-departure PCR test is not required for children aged 0 to 5. Upon arrival in Thailand, you must take a free saliva test.
  • Children aged 6 to 11 must have a pre-departure PCR test as well as a PCR test once they arrive in Thailand.
  • Children aged 12 to 17 must have a pre-departure PCR test as well as a PCR test once they arrive in Thailand. They must be vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine if traveling without their parents.
  • On days 5 and 6 of the guest’s trip, they took a self-administered ATK test. Upon arrival, the rapid test will be provided by the PCR test supplier (guests cannot bring their own). The Morgana App will be used to submit the results.

2. Sandbox – for fully vaccinated travelers from all other countries:

  • No quarantine besides hotel room confinement while waiting for results from PCR tests on day 1.
  • Guests are free to travel anywhere within the following Sandbox destinations within the first 7 days of their trip: Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao (Surat Thani Province), Krabi and Phang Nga, Chonburi (Pattaya), and Trat (Koh Chang, Koh Kood).
  • Guests will need to show confirmed payment for at least 7 days at approved SHA++ hotels within the Sandbox destination they enter.
    • Guests may change accommodation up to 3 times throughout their Sandbox stay.
  • Guests will need to show proof of payment for 1 PCR test:
    • Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket: Guests can reserve and prepay for the mandatory RT-PCR test upon arrival (2,100 Baht/test). The test will be conducted at Phuket International Airport.
    • Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, and Ko Tao): Guests can book and prepay for the RT-PCR test when booking and prepaying for accommodation at SHA+ hotels (2,200 Baht/test, or 4,400 Baht / 2 tests). The test will be conducted at Samui International Airport.
  • Self Administered ATK test on days 5-6 of the guest’s trip. The rapid test will be provided by the supplier of their PCR test upon arrival (guests cannot bring their own). Results will be submitted via the MorChana App.
  • Children under 18 years do not have to be vaccinated.

3. Alternative Quarantine – for travelers who haven’t received all of their vaccinations:

  • On arrival, there will be a 10-day quarantine at the hotel, and a transfer will be arranged by the hotel.
  • During the quarantine, travelers should be able to use some hotel facilities.
  • After receiving a negative result for the second COVID test (ATK rather than PCR) on days 8 or 9, I was able to travel around Thailand.
  • TAT’s official information on Alternative Quarantine can be found here.

We will continue updating this page as details arise. Please watch this space or reach out to our team with questions via: https://mettavoyage.com/contact-us/