The COVID-19 Guide to Thailand. Where before you only needed your plane ticket, it is now a bit more complicated with all the measures. But don't let this stop you! The is a fantastic country and there are only a few things you need to take care of beforehand. We have explained all these points step by step so that you are prepared for your trip!
Update 30 April 2022! Entry rules for Thailand have been relaxed from 1 May 2022. The requirement of Test & Go or Sandbox stay for vaccinated travellers will be dropped. The requirement of COVID insurance remains, but the mandatory coverage amount is reduced to USD 10,000. Travellers will still need to have a Thailand Pass applications.
General information on Thailand
Are you working on a travel plan for Thailand? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and transport. You can find all the information you need about Thailand here.
Table of contents
Updated Thailand access rules from May 2022: NO Test and Go!
Thailand entry rules relaxed from 1 May 2022! From 1 May 2022, RT-PCR testing immediately upon arrival and stay in a Test & Go hotel for vaccinated travellers will expire. Alternative quarantine requirements for unvaccinated travellers will remain as it is now (five days of quarantine). Mandatory health insurance will be reduced from a minimum of USD 20,000 to a minimum of USD 10,000. Below is a list of all the new measures from 1 May 2022:
- Cancellation of Test & Go: The “Test & Go” for international travellers to Thailand has been cancelled due to boosting the tourism sector and economy.
- Testing on arrival: The COVID-19 test/ RT-PCR test has been dropped. This means you also do not need to book a SHA Extra Plus or Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel as before. After arriving in Thailand, vaccinated travellers can go anywhere. However, it is recommended to take a Self-ATK test during your stay in Thailand.
- The insurance cover amount is reduced to USD 10,000: All foreigners must have COVID-19 insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment, including treatment for COVID-19 during their stay in Thailand.
- Unvaccinated travellers: Travellers who have not been vaccinated or do not meet the criteria to be fully vaccinated have 2 options.
1) Non-vaccinated travellers can provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test result no later than 72 hours before departure to Thailand. After registering such proof in the Thailand Pass system, unvaccinated travellers can enter Thailand in the same way as vaccinated travellers.
2) Non-vaccinated travellers, who can produce a negative RT-PCR test result no later than 72 hours before departure for Thailand or choose to enter quarantine, may enter Thailand under the AQ schedule with quarantine for 5 days and RT-PCR testing day 4-5 as it is now.
Tip for non-vaccinated: You can now also apply for the Thailand Pass 3 days in advance. Previously, it was recommended to apply for the Thailand Pass at least 7 days before departure, so timely submission of a negative test result issued within 72 hours before departure was hardly possible. However, with the latest changes, they expect to significantly speed up the Thailand Pass approval process. On the official website of the Thai government now stands:
*From 29 April 2022, Thailand Pass consideration will take no more than 48 hours (2 days)*
Thailand's covid measures for update 30 April 2022!
The covid measures in Thailand.
Update 30 April 2022! The requirement of Test & Go or Sandbox stay for vaccinated travellers will be dropped. Thailand has had the Test and Go programme for some time now. With this programme, if you are fully vaccinated, you can travel to Thailand from the Netherlands without quarantine requirements. However, there are some rules attached to this programme. For instance, on day 1 and day 5 you have to be in an SHA+ hotel and you have to be tested for COVID-19 on these days. After a negative test result, you are then allowed to travel across the country.
What is an SHA+ Hotel?
SHA+ stands for Amazing Thailand Safety & Health Administration (SHA). It is a certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) & the Ministry of Health. An SHA+ hotel has received this certificate and meets pandemic-level safety and health standards.
In addition, wearing a mouth mask is mandatory throughout Thailand. However, we noted that especially in the big cities, this measure is taken seriously. Here, everyone wears the mouth mask inside and outside. On the islands, this is already a lot less and the mouth mask is only worn in the supermarket or public areas. So make sure you bring enough mouthguards with you on your holiday to Thailand.
What is Thailand's ”Test and Go” programme?
The “Test and Go” programme, also known as “Quarantine Exemption”, is one of the latest programmes implemented by the Thai government to encourage travellers to visit Thailand. You are eligible for this programme if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
What is the difference between the ”Test and Go” and Sandbox programme of Thailand?
The ”Test and Go‘ programme allows you to travel throughout Thailand immediately after day 1 after receiving a negative test result. On the fifth day, you must then take a self-test ’ATK' (AntigeenTestKit) and report your test result on the mobile Morchana app.
Test and Go programme: Click here for the official website of the Thai Embassy in the Netherlands
If you opt for the Sandbox programme, you have to stay in one of the designated areas for 7 nights. You will then stay at the same SHA+ Hotel for 7 days and have an RT PCR test on day 1 and an ATK test on day 5. After this, you may travel to other parts of Thailand. This programme is available in Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga & Surat Thani (only in Ko Samui, Ko Chang, and Ko Pha-ngan).
Sandbox programme: Click here for the official website of the Thai Embassy in the Netherlands
Step-by-step guide to travelling to Thailand
Now that you know what options there are, it's useful to know what steps to take. We have worked out these steps for you and added extra tips so you won't face any surprises! Always check the official websites. We try to keep this blog up-to-date but covid measures change quickly!
* All official websites do not contain affiliate links. If you want to support us, book your hotel through our booking.com links!
1. Check that you meet all the requirements to enter Thailand.
Check whether you can meet all the new requirements. You can find this information here on the Official website of the Thai Embassy in the Netherlands.
2. Book your plane ticket
After that, it is important to book a plane ticket so you know when you will arrive in Thailand. This is because you will need this information to apply for the Thailand Pass.
3. Arrange medical insurance + statement
In the Netherlands, we are all insured for costs related to Covid-19. However, the Thai government wants an additional confirmation of this when you apply for your Thailand Pass.
Since we are well insured in the Netherlands, we can easily request a letter from our insurer stating that we are insured for all costs surrounding Covid-19. Unfortunately, our insurer (ZilverenKruis) could not produce a letter stating that we were insured for a minimum of USD 50,000 (now USD 10,000). Our letter said ‘all expenses are reimbursed’. This is obviously better but unfortunately the Thai government does not agree. Our travel insurance (Centraal Beheer) also did not have this option so we had to switch.
In the Netherlands, there is currently (as far as we know) 1 insurance company that can easily prepare this letter for you, namely the ANWB travel insurance. You can opt for either short-term or long-term travel insurance with the latter being the cheapest option.
Once you have completed your insurance, you can email them to ask them to prepare the letter for you. Keep in mind that this may take 2 to 3 working days.
4. Choose and book a hotel
Next, book a hotel. You will also need these details when applying for your Thailand Pass. After all, you need to specify the address where you will be staying in Thailand. Are you making a round trip? Then enter the address of your first hotel.
5. Thailand Pass registration
The next and final step is the Thailand Pass registration. Usually you will receive your Thailand Pass within 3 days, but keep in mind that this process can take 3 - 7 working days. Once your details have been processed, you will receive a QR code, which is needed to enter Thailand. Read our blog This is what you need to know about Thailand Pass Registration for a step-by-step explanation.
Direct link to Thailand Pass registration website: Click here for the official registration website.
Tip: Vaccinated international travellers entering Thailand are not required to show proof of a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure. Non-vaccinated travellers wishing to escape alternative quarantine must submit a negative RT-PCR test result when applying for Thailand Pass.
We try to keep this blog about the COVID-19 Guide Thailand as up-to-date as possible. However, measures change quickly! Should anything have changed, please let us know via [email protected].
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