I already spoke to you about it recently in my article concerning the Thailand to reopen on November 1, but this became even more concrete because I myself returned to the country by this means, after spending a few months in France.
So, I wanted to use my experience to explain to you the steps to follow if you were to try a trip to Thailand this year!
The latest information
From May 1, 2022 : the best news yet! The mandatory PCR test upon arrival will be canceled for vaccinated people! No need to book a mandatory night for the 1st night, greatly simplifying holidays in Thailand. In addition, the PCR test BEFORE leaving on a trip was already no longer necessary since April 1st.
In short, on May 1st, you will only need to prove your vaccination pass (3 doses normally, less depending on your possible history with covid) and take out insurance, but the amount of the ceilings is lowered to 10 usd against 000 previously. The Thailand Pass is not necessary but will have the function of verifying your documents, vaccination + insurance and that's it.
So goodbye to Test & Go and Sandbox and Welcome Back to the land of smiles!
ATTENTION: If you are not vaccinated, good news to a lesser extent, since the mandatory quarantine is shortened to only 5 days. You will also need to provide proof of a negative PCR test before departure and take another test on the 5th day before being able to freely enjoy the country.
Test and Go: a call to return to Thailand
In an effort to restart the tourism sector, hit hard by border closures, Thailand has allowed fully vaccinated travelers arriving by air from low-risk countries to travel without quarantine.
This program, called "Test and Go", is a more attractive option than the other possibilities so far with the "Phuket Sandbox" and the "Samui Plus" program. Indeed, if you have one of the nationalities of the 63 countries authorized so far to participate in this program, you will be exempt from quarantine and will have access to the entire country without constraints.
Concretely, you are eligible for a quarantine-free trip to Thailand if you are:
- A fully vaccinated traveler.
- Travel by plane
- From one of the approved countries.
In this case, there is no need to stay in a hotel for 7, 10 or 14 days as with the Phuket Sandbox. The only real constraint is the mandatory PCR test upon arrival at your hotel, to be booked in advance with a package including the test, for which you will have to wait for a negative result before being able to move freely throughout Thailand.
Here is the list of 63 countries approved so far under this program:
Small novelty from December 24, a land border with Laos will be opened at Nong Khai (which overlooks Vientiane, the Laotian capital), and the maritime borders will reopen from December 16. The conditions of entry into Thailand remain subject to the conditions of "Test and Go", namely being vaccinated, having the PCR test and a SHA plus + hotel reserved.
All the information on the changes coming on December 16th is here: https://www.tourismethai.fr/actualites/mise-a-jour-des-regles-dentree-en-thailande/
What steps should you take to benefit from the Test and Go program?
Even if the procedures are simplified and the constraints reduced, there are still a whole series of documents to obtain before being able to travel to Thailand, even if you are well vaccinated, and coming from a country approved by the authorities.
Here are the conditions to be met to travel under the program:
- A round trip flight reservation
- A valid Thailand Pass
- A vaccination certificate (fully vaccinated) with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travel.
- Persons previously infected within 3 months must have received 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travel.
- A medical certificate with a RT-PCR test result negative, delivered within a period of 72 hours before the trip (this concerns all travelers).
- An insurance policy with coverage of at least $50.
- A confirmed payment for a AQ hosting or SHA Plus + (with RT-PCR test).
To get into the details, here are some elements to prepare you as best as possible. Everything seems intimidating at first, but by simply following the steps and obtaining the requested documents, the process is not as complex as it seems.
Source BangkokPost
Thailand pass
I mentioned it in my previous article, the famous COE (Certificate of Entry) is replaced by the Thailand Pass, which has the advantage of being able to be requested online and can be validated in 24 hours if you have all the documents.
To do this, go to the official Thailand Pass website: https://tp.consular.go.th/
Small downside, the site is only available in English, and I know that some people struggle with the language of Shakespeare, so if possible, try with Google Chrome's automatic translation.
Provide all the necessary documents (some of which are listed below) by uploading a scanned version and wait for the validation of the latter, which will be confirmed with the sending of a QR code that the authorities will ask to scan at your arrival airport.
Vaccination certificate
Obviously, this is the sine qua non condition. Depending on the country where you were vaccinated, the format could vary in its form but the certificate should in all cases have an associated QR code.
Important point, but I think few of you will be concerned, the certificate will be accepted only if the vaccine is approved by the Ministry of Health in Thailand or the World Health Organization.
Another point to clarify is that you must have been vaccinated with both doses at least 14 days before your planned departure date.
For children under 12 years old, they will not be required to be vaccinated as long as their parents or guardians are vaccinated and have a vaccination certificate.
Negative RT-PCR test
It is obviously required to obtain a negative test. The test, RT-PCR only (not antigenic) must be carried out within 72 hours max before the date of your departure.
If you have had Covid, a certificate proving that you have fully recovered for at least 3 months may be requested.
Medical insurance covering Covid-19
It will be necessary to purchase medical insurance which will cover medical expenses in the event of Covid infection during your stay in Thailand.
The insurance must cover a minimum amount of $50. For my part, my choice fell on AXA which has an offer dedicated to the requirements of the Thailand Pass: AXA Sawasdee Thailand
Another good option being my blog partner insurance, ACS:
Confirmation of a reservation for an AQ or SHA Plus hotel 
+
Under the Test and Go program, it is necessary to book at least one night in one of the establishments stamped AQ (Alternate Quarantine) or SHA Plus + (Safety and Health Administration), also written SHA ++ or SHA extra plus, because hotels simply SHA + are now no longer sufficient for this program. This denomination being a certificate issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to hotels and services that meet the safety and health standards at the pandemic level.
Since the Test and Go program was introduced, several AQ and SHA Plus+ hotels have introduced overnight stays with a package that includes the items requested for this first night. This night is necessary while waiting for the result of your PCR test carried out on site upon arrival at the chosen establishment.
To be suitable for the Test and Go program, the pack must include:
- an RT-PCR test (carried out upon your arrival at the establishment
- A kit with an Antigen test (Antigen Test Kit or ATK), the latter being to be done yourself a few days after your stay in the hotel of your arrival
- A room for one night
- Transportation from the airport
List of hotels in Thailand including one night packages for Test and Go program
First, there is my choice for this upcoming return to Bangkok, where I booked the Chillax Heritage, which, besides being located not far from my home, was among the cheapest and with a very good quality/price ratio.
The next two on the list are the ones I was hesitant about and the next three (4, 5 and 6 on the list) are hotels that I normally recommend in Bangkok and also offer Test and Go packages.
The information on Agoda is clear (the price varies depending on the day, personally I paid €20 less), it is SHA Plus + certified as the image indicates and offers the pack with PCR test (carried out in a hospital between the airport and the hotel).
For the rest, it is a non-exhaustive list, there is not really an order of preference or prices, but it is a list among the first to come out when doing a search on my favorite site, Agoda.
- Chillax Heritage
- 56Surawong Hotel Bangkok
- Center Point Pratunam Hotel
- Casa Nithra
- Art Hotel
- Casa Vimaya Riverside
- Nouvo City Hotel
- Villa De Khaosan by Chillax
- GLOW Sukhumvit 5 by Centropolis
- Aspira Hana Residance Thong Lor
- Montien Riverside Hotel
- Grande Center Point Hotel Terminal 21
- Grande Center Point Hotel Ratchadamri
- Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
- Trinity Silom Hotel
- Lancaster Bangkok
- Grande Center Point Sukhumvit 55 Thong Lo
- Center Point Silom River View Hotel
- Amara Bangkok Hotel
- Maitria Mode Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok
If you have any questions or want to share your experience, don't hesitate to comment!
Francois J
Hello and thank you for this useful information.
We are planning to come with our children, however our daughter who is under 12 cannot yet be vaccinated in France. Do you know if it is still possible to come?
Have a good day
Roman
Hello,
I updated the article, It is mentioned for the test and go program that children under 12 will not be required to be vaccinated as long as their parents or guardians are vaccinated and have a vaccination certificate. So no worries to come.
Bird
Thank you for all this valuable information for our next trip.
A question about SHA hotels, we would like to arrive directly at Koh Samui, is there a hotel for the day with a test included?
Merci de votre réponse
Martine Lot and Garonne
Roman
I have not seen hotels with packages like for Bangkok, knowing that Samui is above all accessible like Phuket via a program requiring 7 nights on site and not just one before being able to move elsewhere. I am not sure in this case where to ask to book a PCR test, perhaps to see with the chosen establishment directly…
Alexandra
Hello, I am arriving in 2 months with my family, I booked the hotel before knowing about the Thailand Pass; I booked a SHA hotel in BBK for the first night but no RT PCR test or transport from the airport. Do you know how to proceed to regularize because I don't think I saw on the Booking site the possibility of booking a test?
sarah b
Hello Romain,
Thank you for this super clear article, I would nevertheless have a question concerning the sha+ hotels which offer the pack. I plan to leave at the beginning of February but I cannot find the rates on sites like booking and agoda with the Test&Go option when booking.. How did you book your night at the Chillax Heritage?
Thank you!
Sarah
Bludger
Hello,
Thank you for your comprehensive article. However, I have a question, do you know if I can take a Lys—>Bkk flight, take my test on arrival and spend the night there and then take a flight to Koh Samui the day after my arrival, and this without taking a "sealed route" flight?
thanks in advance
Roman
Hello,
The simplest I would say, first of all, try to contact the booked hotel to see if they possibly offer the package with PCR test and transport as an extra. If not, you will have to think about canceling and changing hotels... Personally I used Agoda which was very clear in indicating the prices including tests and transport.
Roman
Hello,
I booked on Agoda, which clearly indicates whether the price includes the test and transport, and I even put the link to the hotel in the article. Booking, on the other hand, does not seem to clearly offer such packages.
Roman
Hello,
Normally yes, and that is the whole point of this “Test and Go” program, since, once your PCR test is negative, you are practically free to go wherever you want, and therefore to leave for Koh Samui logically.
Buckskin
Hello,
Thanks for all this information!
Quick question, when the result of the PCR test done on arrival in Thailand is negative, can we move around freely? That is to say take a flight from Bangkok to Phuket without taking another test? Also take the boat to go to several islands without taking another test, etc.? Thank you very much in advance!!
Roman
Hello,
As previously answered, yes, it is normally possible to move around freely once the last PCR test has been carried out and returned negative. No need to take another test afterwards.
ALEXANDRA
Hello Romain
Finally an article with clear explanations, I was a bit lost with all that.
We arrive in Bangkok on January 15th.
We have to take a flight to Phuket ko Samui 1 week and a half after our arrival, when I go to Bangkok Airways to book it tells me to go to a FB page for the restrictions.
Can you tell me if my flight will be possible or not.
Have a good day
Alexandra
Key
Hello, first of all thank you for all this information. I have a small question please concerning the PCR test for children and babies, is the sample nasal or salivary?
laurent
Hello, do you know what the time frame is for obtaining the PCR test result in a sha+pak test hotel knowing that I arrive at 12 noon in BKK, and that I would like to take a flight the next morning at 6 a.m. Thank you in advance. Kind regards
Roman
Hello,
There is no reason why your flight should not be possible, at the risk of repeating myself, as long as your PCR test carried out on arrival is negative, you are free to travel within the country.
Roman
Hello,
It seems that a saliva test is possible for children under 6 years old.
Roman
Hello,
The delay is only a few hours (normally around 6 hours), having done the test around 14:30 p.m., I had the result at 20:30 p.m., so no timing issues for leaving the next day.
Camille
Hello,
Does booking at one of the Sha Plus+ hotels necessarily include the PCR package, transport, etc.? Or does it require a special booking?
It's not very clear on their sites.
Thank you very much!
Roman
Hello,
It is indicated as in the image I use as an illustration, the hotels compatible with this program clearly display that it includes the PCR test and transport, and the price is also an indication, because a hotel that is not a 5* with a night at €130, it is good because there is the pack included, whereas a "normal" night would be for example €40.
Alice
Hello,
Thank you very much for all your details and valuable advice.
I arrive in Thailand on 13/01/2021, could you tell me where you saw that the Thailand pass was probably going to change from the 1st?
thanks again
Roman
Hello,
It is mentioned among others on the official Thailand Pass website, no more no less 😉 https://tp.consular.go.th/
You also have the info here: https://www.thailande-fr.com/tourisme/116200-le-test-antigene-remplacera-le-test-pcr-a-partir-du-16-decembre-pour-entrer-en-thailande
Alice
Thank you very much for your answer
Michel
Hello,
I plan to go to Phuket on December 17th. The Test & Go is valid in Phuket, that is to say 1 night in a SHA+ hotel then after if the PCR test result is negative, I can go to the islands (Ko Phi Phi).
Thank you
Michel
Roman
Hello,
Normally, from what I understand, yes, the Test & Go is also valid in Phuket, you also have a list of hotels valid there: https://www.agoda.com/. Knowing that on your dates, the PCR test will no longer be necessary since it will be replaced by an antigen test directly at the airport upon your arrival.
ALEXANDRA
Hello
I have a question about domestic flights.
I will take Air Asia and Bangkok Airways.
Do I need to present an RT PCR, antigen test or is vaccination sufficient before boarding?
Thank you
Roman
Hello,
As far as I know, there is no requirement for domestic flights.
ALEXANDRA
Thank you very much for your answer.
Sandrine
Hello Romain,
The information changes quickly (unfortunately) and today the night at CHillax is €32 (trip in Feb) with still the Test and go logo however there are no longer all the elements that you mention. In other hotels, Sheraton, Hyatt….on their site, they do mention this pack, with a completely prohibitive price (around €260 per night) but I find that on Agoda or Booking the information on this pack is very light and I would not want to be stuck at the airport.
What do you think?
Thank you in advance.
Roman
Hello,
It's surprising... my
Roman
Hello,
It's surprising... but when you look at what's included, the PCR Test is clearly mentioned! It's written at the top: Quarantine Formula
Airport Pickup
Free Wi-Fi
3 meals a day
1 RT-PCR test
Medical report/certificate
Medical staff on call
Protective masks
Hand sanitizer
Room sanitation
And at this rate, it's a very good opportunity! If ever, call the hotel (if English is an option for you) to confirm the rate.
Jacques
Hello
Let's imagine that I catch covid during my stay in Thailand.
and what will happen if I test positive for the PCR at the end of this stay in Thailand just before my return to France? will I be banned from boarding at the airport? when I take the plane again?
I would like to point out that I have been vaccinated with 3 doses: 2 Moderna and one Pfizer.
Thank you for your reply
Roman
Hello,
In this case it goes without saying that you will not be allowed to board, if you are positive, you will be placed in isolation, depending on the degree of your symptoms, either in hospital or in a dedicated hotel, all at your expense but it is normally your insurance, obligatory to come to Thailand, which should cover a good part of the costs.
Jacques
Hello again
Thank you for your quick response.
In fact, I just discovered the following point on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior: countries in the orange zone:
entry into French territory:
a) if you are vaccinated, entry into mainland France is not subject to any restrictions.
but I also read a few lines further down: if you are vaccinated you must present proof of vaccination, etc. as well as the result of a biological examination less than 48 hours old attesting that you are not contaminated.
IN FACT: do we ask for a biological certificate, PCR test or other before boarding at the airport on return?
all this doesn't seem very clear to me
Do you have any feedback from tourists returning from Thailand? How did the check-in at the airport go? What exactly were they asked?
in fact, a mandatory quarantine in the event of a positive test implies that the 30-day limit of the authorized tourist visa has been exceeded.
hence new administrative problems
Thank you for your reply
Alice
Hello,
I see on the Thai embassy website that if you caught covid more than 14 days ago and less than three, you must present the documents below
1.3 Have a negative COVID test result by RT-PCR method in English, issued within 72 hours before the first departing flight, except
for travelers who have contracted Covid (more than 14 days but less than 3 months before the departure date) who can present both: 1. a medical certificate attesting to their recovery from Covid (certifying your recovery), 2. the result of the positive RT-PCR test (more than 14 days but less than 3 months before the departure date) and 3. the last result of their positive RT-PCR test less than 72 hours before the departure flight
Do you know if this information is still correct?
Also, won't we be quarantined in Thailand if our PCR test result is positive even though we are no longer contagious?
Merci d'avance pour your return.
Roman
Hello Alice,
I just realized that I forgot to answer you... Logically the information concerning the documents is still current, just that the Thailand Pass is not possible to obtain other than for the Phuket Sandbox and other islands/provinces that will also enter this program. Because as was unfortunately expected, the last meeting confirmed the suspension of the Test and Go...
Assuming that your application is in progress at the time of your message and is currently valid, I would like to clarify that it goes without saying that if you test positive on arrival, you will then be placed in quarantine, regardless of the fact that you have no symptoms...
Jean-Pierre
Hello
First of all, thank you for all your information!
I have a question about PCR tests, I understand that you have to do a test on the first day with a package reservation (hotel + pick-up + PCR), but. you have to do another one 1 days later in a hotel also approved by the Thai authorities. If I want to stay in the same hotel for 5 days, is it possible to do this second PCR test and if so, should we ask the hotel directly? Because on the booking sites (Agoda or others), they only talk about a PCR test and not the possibility of doing a second one on the 5th day. In fact, I want to land in BKK, do the 5 days / nights in the same hotel to do these PCR tests, and then free to go elsewhere. What do you advise me?
Thank you very much and best regards.
Marine
Hello
First of all, thank you very much for your articles, they are great and very enriching.
I have a question regarding the new test and go which will be applied on February 1st. Is a direct flight to Samui mandatory or can we have two flight coupons with a stopover in Bangkok?
In case we can't have two flight coupons can we do 1 night in Bangkok and if the test results are negative take a flight to Samui or do we have to stay 5 nights in Bangkok before we can go to Samui
Thank you in advance for your valuable help.
Marine
Roman
Hello,
This is an excellent question, actually. I think the easiest way to answer it would be to contact the hotel you are interested in directly and see how it works in this case. As for your perspective of doing the 5 days in a row and being at peace, it is all the more relevant since it is true that with this new directive we are almost more in a kind of generalized "Sandbox" than a test and go with the freedoms that it brought...
Roman
Hello,
Knowing that it is still a "Test and Go" in essence, you can indeed have a mandatory night in Bangkok upon arrival, take your flight to Samui once you have received your negative PCR test and on the 5th day, do your 2nd test from your hotel in Ko Samui. Afterwards, if your destination is only Ko Samui, it would be almost easier to opt for the Samui Plus Sandbox, because in this case you should have direct access to Ko Samui, without needing to be tested in Bangkok.
Jean Louis
Hello, By dint of reading, rereading, the changes... I have a little doubt... With the testsd and go which resumes service on February 1, 2022....
I have a doubt: Can we this time with this program, land and take a first hotel in Bangkok coming directly from France?
Thank you for your answer(s) and have a nice day everyone.
Roman
Hello, it's certainly not easy to follow with all this changing information but the answer is yes, you can land in Bangkok directly for the first night.
Jacques
Hello everyone
we're going to make it a little more complicated!…
I just caught covid. I now have a positive PCR test (it will probably stay that way for 1 or 2 months. That's how it is). But I'm cured and I just got a certificate of recovery.
from there can I enter Thailand with this certificate of recovery of more than 11 days but a PCR test still positive.
BUT ABOVE ALL to return to France 3 weeks later, will they let me leave and board at the airport with just this certificate of recovery and probably with this damn PCR test still positive?…
Thank you for reading and replying to me
Roman
Hello,
If you have been cured for at least 14 days, the certificate normally allows you to enter the country without quarantine according to what I have read as information. On the other hand, for the return, it is not Thailand that will stop you from leaving and as I do not know the exact conditions of entry into France, I do not know how it works in this case but logically it should be like with Thailand on arrival, so OK.
Jacques
to roman
Thank you for your reply.
but I just read that in some cases some people test negative again 10 to 20 days after recovery. It seems to depend on the individual.
I'm going to bet on leaving...
thanks again
Roman
Good luck! And if it works, have a great stay!
Chris
Hello, regarding the sha + hotels on agoda for the 1st night in Bangkok in the pack it seems that there is only one PCR test except there are 2 of us so for one night the amount is 300 euros with the transfer and it is the cheapest hotel on their list I do not see any hotel that offers 2 PCR tests is this normal?
Roman
Hello,
Normally the number of PCRs indicated corresponds to the number "per person", if you book for 2, there should therefore be 2 tests included in the reservation. If you prefer to be sure, sending a message to the hotel remains the best solution.