News Forum - Test & Go registration suspended – Here’s what we know about entry to Thailand

[Thaiger]

Just 7 weeks after introducing (almost) quarantine-free re-entry into Thailand, the Thai government announced it is suspending registration for the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme as well as the “Sandbox” scheme, with the exception of the Phuket Sandbox. Those who have registered, and been approved, under the Thailand Pass system can still enter the country under Test & Go or the Sandbox scheme. The decision was made due to the increasing number of Omicron cases involving travellers entering Thailand from overseas, according to the deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natapanu Nopakun, speaking during a press briefing […]

The story Test & Go registration suspended – Here’s what we know about entry to Thailand as seen on Thaiger News.

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[TV7]

If they cancelled everything to make sure the new virus won't enter Thailand, a sandbox model doesn't make any sense at all. You arrive, you test negative, you can roam around the island freely and on day 7 you could be positive and you had 6 days to give it to a dozen other people who give it to a dozen other people. So, better just open or just close. This is just making some money on the short term during the holidays and probably a full blown lockdown around 20 January unfortunately. Maybe just open and accept the consequences, living like this is not an option for - especially - many Thai people.

[vvdb.fr]

Until the people of Phuket have all received the boost, bringing in foreigners is risky. 

A foreigner arriving negative may be incubating COVID Omicron and be in contact with many many people before testing positive on day 7.

The entire population of Phuket will be reached by Omicron in a short time.

In second time, you have to convert the Thailand Pass to COE for all valid Thailand Pass

Edited December 22, 2021 by vvdb.fr
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[Stonker]

1 hour ago, TV7 said:

If they cancelled everything to make sure the new virus won't enter Thailand, a sandbox model doesn't make any sense at all. You arrive, you test negative, you can roam around the island freely and on day 7 you could be positive and you had 6 days to give it to a dozen other people who give it to a dozen other people. So, better just open or just close. This is just making some money on the short term during the holidays and probably a full blown lockdown around 20 January unfortunately. Maybe just open and accept the consequences, living like this is not an option for - especially - many Thai people.

 

39 minutes ago, vvdb.fr said:

Until the people of Phuket have all received the boost, bringing in foreigners is risky. 

A foreigner arriving negative may be incubating COVID Omicron and be in contact with many many people before testing positive on day 7.

The entire population of Phuket will be reached by Omicron in a short time.

In second time, you have to convert the Thailand Pass to COE for all valid Thailand Pass

Agreed absolutely. 

At best a minimal, limited short term gain to fill some opera-goers' seats, at the risk of a massive long term problem.

The open-uppers will say that it will make no difference as Covid will come anyway, but the difference is buying time.

That time will not only allow more people to get a third / booster dose but allow time for more people to be able to get a booster dose after their second - particularly if their second was Sinovac or even AZ which means they're as good as starting from scratch.

So some tourists would have been inconvenienced, as they will be elsewhere - that would be a price worth paying.

I don't envy those on Phuket.

[AnoMoss]

So how does one take care of this new +7 day RT-PCR testing requirement for 'Test and Go' if no testing locations are near your destination?

We will be taking off in just a few days and I am very worried about this.  We will be staying in Koh Lipe around this 7 day timeframe... I do not see any testing locations on the linked site on Lipe.  What does this mean for people in a similar situation as us?

Any info, suggestions, or insight would be greatly appreciated!  I've asked our hotel on this but it seems a stretch that they would be able to help.

[Michael0510]

8 hours ago, vvdb.fr said:

Until the people of Phuket have all received the boost, bringing in foreigners is risky. 

A foreigner arriving negative may be incubating COVID Omicron and be in contact with many many people before testing positive on day 7.

The entire population of Phuket will be reached by Omicron in a short time.

In second time, you have to convert the Thailand Pass to COE for all valid Thailand Pass

Do you even know, what the word ‘risky’ means?

In the first seven weeks there were 121 out of more than 105,000 travellers tested positive on arrival under test&go. Let’s say one out of thousand was tested positive on the second test after a first negative test days before. What do you think, how high the risk is, that a traveller is tested positive on a third test after two negative tests the days before, without getting infected in Thailand? It’s lower than one out of a million. With 105,000 travellers in seven weeks, there will be less than one traveller within 365 days who is infected on arrival but tested negative two times. Is that risky? Really?

Thailand has a lot of legal and illegal workers coming from neighbor countries without getting tested and with a high risk of being infected.

Thailand isn’t testing the population in many provinces enough to protect the people there from infections.

These both facts are risky. 

[AussieBob]

8 hours ago, Stonker said:

Agreed absolutely. 

At best a minimal, limited short term gain to fill some opera-goers' seats, at the risk of a massive long term problem.

The open-uppers will say that it will make no difference as Covid will come anyway, but the difference is buying time.

That time will not only allow more people to get a third / booster dose but allow time for more people to be able to get a booster dose after their second - particularly if their second was Sinovac or even AZ which means they're as good as starting from scratch.

So some tourists would have been inconvenienced, as they will be elsewhere - that would be a price worth paying.

I don't envy those on Phuket.

Agreed with all that.  Plus Thais can freely travel into and out of Phuket without being tested.  Same Bangkok.  The virus will spread all across the country - the hope is that it is less deadly than previous strains and there are less people are in ICU and far less deaths. 

[Stonker]

3 hours ago, AussieBob said:

Agreed with all that.  Plus Thais can freely travel into and out of Phuket without being tested.  Same Bangkok.  The virus will spread all across the country - the hope is that it is less deadly than previous strains and there are less people are in ICU and far less deaths. 

Absolutely.

All indicators are that it's "less deadly", but as it's so much more contagious the indicators are that ICU's and hospitals will be swamped so people won't just be dying from Covid but from anything else that hospitals aren't in a position to treat.

 

[stapoz]

5 hours ago, Michael0510 said:

In the first seven weeks there were 121 out of more than 105,000 travellers tested positive on arrival under test&go.

About 490,000 Thai people became infected at the same time (on average 10,000 / day). So what are they protecting themselves from? Will these 121 extra people make a difference? Is this imaginary protection worth throwing people who earn money from tourism into poverty?

[Stonker]

26 minutes ago, stapoz said:

About 490,000 Thai people became infected at the same time (on average 10,000 / day). So what are they protecting themselves from? Will these 121 extra people make a difference?

Assuming for the sake of argument that your figures are correct, although they're some three or four times higher than the known rate in Thailand,  they're protecting themselves from people who are known to be more infected and infectious than they are, and who are also likely to be far better protected.

What's unreasonable about that?

Those coming here have little to worry about as they're all fully vaccinated, most with effective vaccines, many with a third / booster dose.

Half the Thais, on the other hand, aren't fully vaccinated and less than half of those have been fully vaccinated with effective vaccines.

26 minutes ago, stapoz said:

Is this imaginary protection worth throwing people who earn money from tourism into poverty?

There's nothing "imaginary" about it - you can do the maths for yourself, using your own figures.  Whatever else they might bring, they're bringing more Covid at a higher rate than is already here.

As for "throwing people who earn money from tourism into poverty", what do you think those people have been doing for the last two years?

What real difference will those 105,000 "travellers" make to them when that's only 2% of the tourist rate two years ago?

Nobody's getting "thrown" anywhere they haven't been for the last two years, and while I sympathise with the small minority who do earn their living from tourism they're risking the lives and livelihoods of  the large minority who don't. 

The numbers will hardly make things better for those who do "earn money from tourism", but why make things worse for those who don't?

[Rangers]

Or here's a thought, maybe we could all just start treating it like a cold. Does anyone know anyone with any symptoms from Omicron? No me neither, not even a sniffle. The scaremongering on here gets worse. 

Edited December 23, 2021 by Rangers

[yasar]

 

You will regret it very much.
 This season will have started with disappointment for my tourism.

 

[Jayce]

2 hours ago, Stonker said:

they're protecting themselves from people who are known to be more infected and infectious than they are, and who are also likely to be far better protected.

The first part is simply not correct (at best wild speculation to suit your narrative) and the second part makes no sense whatsoever.

@stapoz is pretty much spot on in his assessment.

[Michael0510]

3 hours ago, Stonker said:

Half the Thais, on the other hand, aren't fully vaccinated and less than half of those have been fully vaccinated with effective vaccines.

72,64% of the Thais are vaccinated at least 1 time. 64% are fully vaccinated. 

Sinovac and Sinopharm are effective vaccines, even if they are less effective than Moderna or BioNTech.

[Rain]

3 hours ago, Rangers said:

Or here's a thought, maybe we could all just start treating it like a cold. Does anyone know anyone with any symptoms from Omicron? No me neither, not even a sniffle. The scaremongering on here gets worse. 

The manufactured scaremongering and panic is far worse then the current variant. Could easily be applied to all the other splinter strains as well as the original. 

And so it goes. 

 

[Rain]

11 minutes ago, Michael0510 said:

72,64% of the Thais are vaccinated at least 1 time. 64% are fully vaccinated. 

Sinovac and Sinopharm are effective vaccines, even if they are less effective than Moderna or BioNTech.

Not too bad, actually. Considering the bungled and mismanaged programs that were in evident from the start. Yet, seemed to have directed the vaccination schemes in a continuous and solid manner. 

Currently, Thailand [and many other Asian countries] has a better rate of vaccination percentage than much of the "civilised" West. 

[LoongFred]

Tourism isn't an end all in Thailand.  The Thai  government allows it to bring in money and foreign exchange. They allow tourists and expect them to contribute. Many here forget they are allowed but have no rights. The feeling that things aren't fair to tourist is very entitled, you are only allowed. 

As far as those in the tourist industry, they need to adapt to the new situation and not expect things to be the same as before. Tours that stress Thailand's beauty and history will thrive, along with things uniquely Thai such as crafts, food, and traditional entertainment. 

[Rain]

12 minutes ago, LoongFred said:

Tourism isn't an end all in Thailand. 

There ya go. 

And shouldn't be hypnotically promoted and engaged in any such matter as a vital aspect of the economy.

Because it's not.

[RobInNYC]

I am confused... I was approved under Test and Go 1 hour before the cutoff for a Jan 21 arrival. It says those already approved can come in under the original plan but only until Jan 10. If so, why was my application approved under Test and Go???

[Stonker]

3 hours ago, Jayce said:

The first part is simply not correct (at best wild speculation to suit your narrative)

More Thais were infected during the seven week period (247,000 out of 70 million vs 121 out of 105,000), but 10 % of those "travellers" were infected with Omicron which is known to be at least five times as infectious as Delta.

That isn't "wild speculation" but simple fact.

3 hours ago, Jayce said:

and the second part makes no sense whatsoever.

The "and who are also likely to be far better protected"?

Those arriving will all be 100% fully vaccinated. Most, given the breakdown of where they've come from, will have had Pfizer or Moderna, while only a small minority will have had Sinovac.

Thais are only 63% fully vaccinated, and of those out of 99 million doses given 51 million are Sinovac or Sinopharm, with the vast majority (around 75%) being Sinovac.

How can 100% fully vaccinated, with only a small minority being vaccinated with Sinovac and the rest mainly with Pfizer and Moderna, not be "far better protected" than 63% fully vaccinated with half of those doses being Sinovac or Sinopharm, mainly Sinovac?

 

[Stonker]

2 hours ago, Michael0510 said:

Sinovac and Sinopharm are effective vaccines, even if they are less effective than Moderna or BioNTech.

Most cases in Thailand, as with the rest of the world, are Delta which Sinovac isn't effective against.

Even with a third AZ booster after two doses of Sinovac, that's still less effective than two doses of AZ - which in turn is less effective than two doses of Pfizer or Moderna.

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-study-finds-2-doses-of-sinovac-cant-beat-delta-variant-astrazeneca-can/

[Stonker]

1 hour ago, RobInNYC said:

I am confused... I was approved under Test and Go 1 hour before the cutoff for a Jan 21 arrival. It says those already approved can come in under the original plan but only until Jan 10. If so, why was my application approved under Test and Go???

At a guess, because having had approval in time that gives you the opportunity to change your plans to arrive before 10 January if you want to and still come in without quarantine.

If you can and if you want to, I'd strongly advise you to check with the Embassy now (today, before they close for the Xmas break) if that's the case and if it is and you want to change your plans then you've got time while leaving it until after the New Year may be too late to change flights, etc.

[Faz]

3 hours ago, RobInNYC said:

I am confused... I was approved under Test and Go 1 hour before the cutoff for a Jan 21 arrival. It says those already approved can come in under the original plan but only until Jan 10. If so, why was my application approved under Test and Go???

New requirements now officially announced in the Royal Thai Government Gazette - no mention of Jan 10th as a deadline date to enter for those already approved and having the Thailand Pass.

UPDATED! Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme from 22 December 2021 - TAT Newsroom

 

This information has been updated on 23 December, 2021.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update on the latest announcement published last night (22 December, 2021) in the Royal Thai Government Gazette that officially orders a temporary suspension of the Thailand Pass for all new applications under the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme, effective from 22 December, 2021.

Travellers, who have already received a Thailand Pass QR code, who will be entering Thailand before 24 December, 2021, will be allowed to enter under the existing conditions of the scheme.

Travellers, who have already received a Thailand Pass QR code, who will be entering Thailand from 24 December, 2021, onwards will be subject to the added requirements as follows:

• They must undergo their second COVID-19 test using the RT-PCR technique (not ATK self-test) at government-designated facilities on Day 5-6 of their stay in Thailand, or when they experience respiratory symptoms (no additional cost).

Existing conditions

• Eligible travellers
  • Thai citizens
  • Foreign travellers, including but not limited to diplomats, guests of the government, Thai work permit holders, students and their family, and patients seeking medical treatment.
• Eligible countries
  • Currently, there are 63 approved countries/territories under the TEST & GO scheme where travellers must have stayed for 21 days or more before travelling to Thailand.
  • Returning Thais and eligible foreign expatriates, who previously travelled from Thailand to these approved countries/territories, are exempt from this requirement.
• Points of entry
  • By air at Thailand’s international airports.
  • By land. *This has been postponed until further notice.
  • By water, provided that everyone on board the vessels meet the vaccination, testing and entry requirements.

Pre-Arrival Requirements

All eligible travellers travelling from eligible countries must have the following documents for entering to Thailand:

• A Thailand Pass, which can be applied via https://tp.consular.go.th/. *The system is currently closed for all new TEST & GO applications.
• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
  • Travellers under 6 years of age, travelling with parents with a negative RT-PCR test result within 72 hours before travelling, are not required to have a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result and can have a saliva test when entering the Kingdom.
  • 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 timeframe. 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$50,000.
  • Thais and foreign expatriates under Thailand’s national healthcare coverage are exempt from this requirement.
• A confirmed payment for at least a 1-day stay at a SHA++ hotel that also includes the expenses for the RT-PCR and self-antigen (ATK) tests. *The ATK self-test has been changed to an RT-PCR test at no additional cost.
• A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination/Recovery
  • Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand.
  • Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least one 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 the history of COVID-19 infection who have recovered by medical treatments 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 Requirements / During the Stay

• All travellers must undergo ‘entry screening’ including body temperature check at the point of entry           
• Present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
• Proceed to the prearranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route within a 5-hour journey from the point of entry. 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.
  • If testing negative for COVID-19, travellers are free to go anywhere in Thailand. They will receive an ATK for a self-antigen test on Day 5-6. *The ATK self-test has been changed to an RT-PCR test at no additional cost.
  • If testing positive for COVID-19, travellers will be referred to a healthcare facility for appropriate medical treatment, for which the expenses must be covered by the required insurance, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates.
• All travellers must download and install the MorChana application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application.

Guidelines for International Departure

It is the responsibility of travellers or their organisations to make sure that the travellers meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.

Kindly note the information is to serve as reference only and is subject to change without prior notice. It is especially important to check in regularly on www.tatnews.org to stay current on what remains a very fluid and fast changing situation.

 

[darkcountry]

So my gf got her Thailand QR code and was set to leave on the 18th. But because of insanely strict Philippines immigration policy, she was not allowed to go because I paid for her flight and she needed an affidavit from me in order for her to get on the plane. We decided that we were going to apply for a new pass for her and she was going to pay for her own flight. It took a while for us to get the money transferred and flights booked (since we wanted her now to pay for her own flight, or at least appear that way) which is why the first day she was eligible to apply for the pass again they banned it. She is insured for the trip, and I have booked another Test and Go facility including my hotel with a very nice lady that works here.  Is this under "the current scheme" that they are talking about? I read that the flight needs to have been changed within 72 hours. Is this correct? Is she f***ed? Otherwise we'll apply for the Phuket Pass and go there. But more questions arrive, do i have to apply for that pass as well? I also read something that said I can't fly directly from another city in Thailand to Phuket. So I would have to fly out of the country to fly back into Phuket? All of this is insane. Would appreciate some accurate answers. Thanks ya'll

[gundam0315]

19 hours ago, AnoMoss said:

So how does one take care of this new +7 day RT-PCR testing requirement for 'Test and Go' if no testing locations are near your destination?

We will be taking off in just a few days and I am very worried about this.  We will be staying in Koh Lipe around this 7 day timeframe... I do not see any testing locations on the linked site on Lipe.  What does this mean for people in a similar situation as us?

Any info, suggestions, or insight would be greatly appreciated!  I've asked our hotel on this but it seems a stretch that they would be able to help.

best that you ask your hotel that question on day 1, as about 100% of the people on this forum have absolutely no idea