The following new rules will be in effect from 1 March, 2022 (travellers can enter into Thailand on 7 March, 2022). Points of entry: By air (direct international flight or transit domestically via dedicated flights.) By land (at the border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla.) By water (yachts.) Eligible travellers / countries: For arrivals by […]
Thailand Test & Go update: No more Day 5 pre-paid hotel or PCR test
The following new rules will be in effect from 1 March, 2022 (travellers can enter into Thailand on 7 March, 2022).
Points of entry:
- By air (direct international flight or transit domestically via dedicated flights.)
- By land (at the border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla.)
- By water (yachts.)
Eligible travellers / countries:
- For arrivals by air and water: Thai citizens and foreign travellers from all countries/territories.
- For arrivals by land: Thai citizens and foreign travellers from neighbouring countries connecting with the reopened border checkpoints (Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla).
Entry registration system:
- For arrivals by air and land: Thailand Pass system.
- For arrivals by water: Certificate of Entry system.
Quarantine requirement:
- For arrivals by air and land: No quarantine, but on Day 1 must wait for the COVID-19 test result within an approved SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) or alternative quarantine facility.
- For arrivals by water: No quarantine, but on Day 1 must wait for the COVID-19 test result on board the travelling vessel (yacht).
Accommodation requirement:
- A proof of prepayment for 1 night of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) on Day 1.
Health insurance:
- An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$20,000. Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
COVID-19 testing requirements:
- For arrivals by air and land: First test on Day 1 by an RT-PCR method (wait for the result within the hotel), and the second test on Day 5 by a self-ATK method (must report/record the result via the application).
- For arrivals by water: First test on Day 1 by an RT-PCR method (wait for the result on board the vessel), and the second on Day 5 by a self-ATK method (must report/record the result via the application).
Existing requirements/rules remain unchanged:
- A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
- A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery.
From the start of March, the requirement for the 2nd pre-paid PCR test on Day 5 after your arrival in Thailand will be dropped. But it will instead be replaced with a rapid antigen test you can take yourself (freely and cheaply available at any convenience store).
In addition, the required ‘Covid’ insurance will be reduced from $50,000 to $20,000.
The requirement for a second PCR test was put into place due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Thailand on February 1. But the additional test, at the traveller’s expense, as well as the mandatory stay at a certified SHA+ hotel while waiting for results, discouraged many potential travellers from planning a trip to Thailand. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration approved the revision of the test requirements today.
Hotel reservations will only be required for the 1st day as travellers wait for the results of their PCR test. Travellers won’t need to book for a second hotel night on the 5th day after their arrival. So, it’s back to the same requirements when Test & Go was originally launched back on November 1 last year.
The Test & Go program is one of three re-entry programs available for people wanting, or needing, to travel to Thailand at this time. The other two options are the Sandbox and an Alternative Quarantine program for unvaccinated travellers. Registration for a Thailand Pass is compulsory for everyone entering Thailand at this time, even Thais.
For land travellers, the borders at Nong Kai, Udon Thani and Songkhla will be opened to enter by land. This will also occur from the start of March.
In other news, the provincial colour zoning will remain the same and schools will now be allowed to operate on-site classes. More news on the changes as they come to hand this afternoon.