COVID-19 THAILAND
NEW UPDATE EFFECTIVE FROM THE 1st of June!
The CCSA has canceled Thailand Pass for Thai nationals, who may freely enter Thailand with just their valid Thai passports from June 1.
Foreigners are still required to apply for Thailand Pass prior to traveling to Thailand, but the CCSA announced today that they have “streamlined” the Thailand Pass for foreigners, with the changes commencing on June 1.
The improved and simplified system will automatically issue a Thailand Pass QR code for the applicants after submitting the application.
Here to go to the official website: https://tp.consular.go.th/
Thailand Pass requirements (Fully Vaccinated travelers):
Here’s an article explaining the contents of your Thailand Pass QR code:
https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/thailand-pass-qr-code
Foreigners are still required to apply for Thailand Pass prior to traveling to Thailand, but the CCSA announced today that they have “streamlined” the Thailand Pass for foreigners, with the changes commencing on June 1.
The improved and simplified system will automatically issue a Thailand Pass QR code for the applicants after submitting the application.
Here to go to the official website: https://tp.consular.go.th/
Thailand Pass requirements (Fully Vaccinated travelers):
- Passport
- Vaccine certificate or Vaccine card (vaccinated at least 14 days before travel)
- COVID-19 Insurance covering at least 10,000 USD
- Passport COVID-19 Insurance covering at least 10,000 USD Negative RT-PCR or professional Antigen test result taken
- 72 hours before traveling to Thailand.
- Upon arriving in Thailand, travelers must undergo entry screening, and will then be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in Thailand.
Here’s an article explaining the contents of your Thailand Pass QR code:
https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/thailand-pass-qr-code
STEP BY STEP BEFORE DEPARTURE
1/ Book your flight and the hotel of your choice (for the fully vaccinated)
If you are not vaccinated, you're still required to stay in an SHA+ or AQ hotel for mandatory quarantine and still required to undergo the RT-PCR Test on Day 5 . To avoid the mandatory quarantine and Day 5 test, unvaccinated travelers can upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours before traveling to Thailand via the Thailand Pass system, they – just like those fully vaccinated – will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in Thailand.
- There are many SHA+ hotels (in these hotels 70% of the staff are vaccinated), for all budgets, but in general the hotels are much better value for money than before the Covid. You can find a list by destination on the SHA government website, thaiembassy.com, as well as on Agoda & booking.com.
Book your RT-PCR test (to be done at the airport upon landing)
You have to book it yourself by this link: thailandpsas.com
2/ You must have travel or health insurance minimum coverage of $10,000 or equivalent, specifying that COVID 19 and related illnesses are covered by the insurance policy, valid for the duration of your stay in Thailand. If you have a Visa Premier or Gold Master card, that is probably sufficient (the Visa Premier and Gold Mastercard ceiling is €155,000.) Emirates Airlines include the required travel insurance in the price of their tickets, the majority of insurance trips are enough too. Otherwise here an easy to use comparison.
3/ Register in the Thailand Pass system, you should receive an automatic QR code. You will need the test and hotel booking receipt to make this request, as well as the vaccination and travel insurance certificate (covering Covid).
4/ You must take a COVID PCR test before departure and request the negative certificate in English, issued less than 72 hours before your first departure flight.
1/ Book your flight and the hotel of your choice (for the fully vaccinated)
If you are not vaccinated, you're still required to stay in an SHA+ or AQ hotel for mandatory quarantine and still required to undergo the RT-PCR Test on Day 5 . To avoid the mandatory quarantine and Day 5 test, unvaccinated travelers can upload proof of a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours before traveling to Thailand via the Thailand Pass system, they – just like those fully vaccinated – will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in Thailand.
- There are many SHA+ hotels (in these hotels 70% of the staff are vaccinated), for all budgets, but in general the hotels are much better value for money than before the Covid. You can find a list by destination on the SHA government website, thaiembassy.com, as well as on Agoda & booking.com.
Book your RT-PCR test (to be done at the airport upon landing)
You have to book it yourself by this link: thailandpsas.com
2/ You must have travel or health insurance minimum coverage of $10,000 or equivalent, specifying that COVID 19 and related illnesses are covered by the insurance policy, valid for the duration of your stay in Thailand. If you have a Visa Premier or Gold Master card, that is probably sufficient (the Visa Premier and Gold Mastercard ceiling is €155,000.) Emirates Airlines include the required travel insurance in the price of their tickets, the majority of insurance trips are enough too. Otherwise here an easy to use comparison.
3/ Register in the Thailand Pass system, you should receive an automatic QR code. You will need the test and hotel booking receipt to make this request, as well as the vaccination and travel insurance certificate (covering Covid).
4/ You must take a COVID PCR test before departure and request the negative certificate in English, issued less than 72 hours before your first departure flight.
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 travelers.
Entering Thailand under the “Sandbox”
Sandbox area: Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and ko Tao), Chonburi (only Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Si Racha and Sattahip only Tambon Na Chom Tien and Bang Sare) and Trat (only Koh Chang)
Required documents for Thailand Pass “Sandbox” registration
-Passport
-Full vaccination certificates (except for children under 18 traveling with their fully vaccinated parent).
-SHA Extra + or AQ certified hotel reservation confirmation for 7 nights, including payment for a PCR test.
- Arrival flight details in Thailand.
-Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 20,000. (not required for Thais)
Arrival flights:
-Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga: You must take a direct flight from abroad to Phuket or transit through Bangkok using only the following dedicated flights: PG5275, PG5279, TG2750 or WE8750.
The SHA Extra+ or AQ certified hotel in Phuket, Krabi or Phang-nga must arrange transport for your transfer from the airport directly to the hotel.
-Sandbox Samui: You must take an international flight that lands directly in Samui or one of the flights PG5125, PG5151 and PG5171 from Bangkok to Samui for those who make a stopover in Bangkok.
Steps to follow:
-Before departure: present to the airline your Thailand Pass QR Code and your COVID-19 test result by RT-PCR method in English, issued less than 72 hours before the first departure flight (except for children under 6 years old).
-When you arrive in Thailand: stay in one or more SHA Extra+ hotels for 7 nights. You must do a PCR test on the first day of your arrival and you will receive an ATK test kit for your self-test on the fifth day, the result of which must be uploaded to the Mor Chana app. If the COVID-19 test is not included in the hotel package for Sandbox Phuket, Phang-nga and Krabi, you will need to book them at: https://www.thailandpsas.com/.
For the Sandbox Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga, you can travel to the Sandbox area and change a maximum of 3 hotels during these 7 nights.
Sandbox area: Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and ko Tao), Chonburi (only Pattaya, Bang Lamung, Si Racha and Sattahip only Tambon Na Chom Tien and Bang Sare) and Trat (only Koh Chang)
Required documents for Thailand Pass “Sandbox” registration
-Passport
-Full vaccination certificates (except for children under 18 traveling with their fully vaccinated parent).
-SHA Extra + or AQ certified hotel reservation confirmation for 7 nights, including payment for a PCR test.
- Arrival flight details in Thailand.
-Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 20,000. (not required for Thais)
Arrival flights:
-Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga: You must take a direct flight from abroad to Phuket or transit through Bangkok using only the following dedicated flights: PG5275, PG5279, TG2750 or WE8750.
The SHA Extra+ or AQ certified hotel in Phuket, Krabi or Phang-nga must arrange transport for your transfer from the airport directly to the hotel.
-Sandbox Samui: You must take an international flight that lands directly in Samui or one of the flights PG5125, PG5151 and PG5171 from Bangkok to Samui for those who make a stopover in Bangkok.
Steps to follow:
-Before departure: present to the airline your Thailand Pass QR Code and your COVID-19 test result by RT-PCR method in English, issued less than 72 hours before the first departure flight (except for children under 6 years old).
-When you arrive in Thailand: stay in one or more SHA Extra+ hotels for 7 nights. You must do a PCR test on the first day of your arrival and you will receive an ATK test kit for your self-test on the fifth day, the result of which must be uploaded to the Mor Chana app. If the COVID-19 test is not included in the hotel package for Sandbox Phuket, Phang-nga and Krabi, you will need to book them at: https://www.thailandpsas.com/.
For the Sandbox Phuket, Krabi and Phang-nga, you can travel to the Sandbox area and change a maximum of 3 hotels during these 7 nights.
Entering Thailand under “Alternative Quarantine or AQ”
Travelers who do not wish to enter Thailand under "Test and Go" or "Sandbox" and those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated may enter Thailand under AQ: strict hotel quarantine for 7 nights for fully vaccinated people or 10 nights for non-vaccinated or not fully vaccinated travelers.
The documents to be provided for the Thailand Pass "AQ" registration
-Passport
-Complete vaccination certificates (for travelers who wish to quarantine for 7 nights)
- QA certified hotel confirmation of 7 nights or 10 nights with both tests by RT-PCR method included.
- Arrival flight details in Thailand
-Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 20,000 (not required for Thais)
Steps to follow:
-Before departure: present to the airline your Thailand Pass QR Code and your COVID-19 test result by RT-PCR method in English, issued less than 72 hours before the first departure flight (except for children under under 6 years old and Thai passport holders). You are requested to contact your airline for their specific measures in this regard.
-When you arrive in Thailand: stay in the hotel room for 7 or 10 nights and do 2 tests by RT-PCR method during your quarantine.
Travelers who do not wish to enter Thailand under "Test and Go" or "Sandbox" and those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated may enter Thailand under AQ: strict hotel quarantine for 7 nights for fully vaccinated people or 10 nights for non-vaccinated or not fully vaccinated travelers.
The documents to be provided for the Thailand Pass "AQ" registration
-Passport
-Complete vaccination certificates (for travelers who wish to quarantine for 7 nights)
- QA certified hotel confirmation of 7 nights or 10 nights with both tests by RT-PCR method included.
- Arrival flight details in Thailand
-Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 20,000 (not required for Thais)
Steps to follow:
-Before departure: present to the airline your Thailand Pass QR Code and your COVID-19 test result by RT-PCR method in English, issued less than 72 hours before the first departure flight (except for children under under 6 years old and Thai passport holders). You are requested to contact your airline for their specific measures in this regard.
-When you arrive in Thailand: stay in the hotel room for 7 or 10 nights and do 2 tests by RT-PCR method during your quarantine.
Before arrival requirements
- A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
For arrivals by water, everyone on board the vessels must have a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected within the officially specified time frame. Anyone on aboard with a history of COVID-19 infection within a period between 14-90 days must have a medical certificate of recovery.
- An insurance policy with coverage no less than US$20,000.
Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
Travellers 6-11 years of age, travelling with parents, are exempt from this requirement.
For arrivals by water, everyone on board must be fully vaccinated. This is except for travellers under 18 years of age, travelling with parents or guardians.
Travellers with a history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatment, and travellers who have received at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine after post-infection must have a certificate of COVID-19 recovery.
All travellers must undergo ‘exit screening’ at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter and present the required documents to the person-in-charge to carry out the checks.
On arrival and during the stay requirements
All travellers must undergo ‘entry screening’, including body temperature check at the point of entry.
Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation.
During receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge.
After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery.
All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
- Present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
- They will give You an antigen test kit when they arrive in Thailand (at the airport) and you can do this test on board on the 5th, 6th or 7th day. It will be possible to send the results by internet between day 5 and 7 as requested.
- Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the first RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route. Then, all travellers must wait for the test result within the hotel only. Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents, can have a saliva test.
Travellers whose test result returns as positive will be referred for appropriate medical treatment in accordance with Thailand’s Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 (2015). The expenses must be covered by the required insurance for foreign travellers, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
Pending on their conditions, they may be medically advised to receive treatment in either hospital hotel isolation or community isolation.
During receiving the medical treatment – at least 10 days, they must remain in their accommodation only. They should not leave their accommodation unless utmost necessary, and must notify the Communicable Disease Control officer in-charge.
After having recovered from COVID-19, they will receive a medical certificate of recovery.
- While in Thailand, travellers are advised to strictly follow standard, good personal hygiene practices; such as, wear a mask in public, maintain hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer), and keep a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others.
All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
How to Deal With Rejected Thailand Pass?
For travelers who have submitted a Thailand Pass application, whether under Test and Go, Sandbox, or Quarantine programs, who have been rejected, you may now amend your application. You do not need to re-apply on the Thailand Pass application website. You may submit the corrected information as follows:
- Subject: Thailand Pass Denied
- Name
- Passport No.
- E-mail Address
- Access Code
- Reason of Rejection
- Attach the Document
How to Book RT PCR Test for Phuket Sandbox?
Travelers who are applying for the Phuket Sandbox are required to submit a receipt of the pre-paid COVID 19 RT PCR tests in Phuket. The Phuket Sandbox program requires two RT PCR tests; the first test will be conducted at Phuket Airport and the second test will be conducted at any of the swab test centers in Phuket.
After payment, you will receive an email with a unique link to download the receipt. Please download the receipt and submit it together with your Hotel Confirmation Letter when you apply for the Phuket Sandbox Thailand Pass.
- Go to www.thailandpsas.com and sign up.
- Provide flight details and hotel information. You will be asked for your flight and SHA+ accommodation details.
- Input your personal information like your gender, date of birth, nationality, and passport number.
- Choose your swab test locations. Because the first swab test will be conducted at the Phuket International Airport, you can only choose the location for the second swab test. The swab test date will be automatically shown from the details you input in Step 1.
- Pay the fee. The fee for the RT PCR tests is THB 4,200.
After payment, you will receive an email with a unique link to download the receipt. Please download the receipt and submit it together with your Hotel Confirmation Letter when you apply for the Phuket Sandbox Thailand Pass.
Sample RT-PCR Receipt
