Thailand revokes Day 5 Pre-Paid Hotel & PCR Test from 1st March On its Test & Go Scheme
Also opens its land borders at Nong-Kai and Songkhla
Thailand opened its doors on the first of February a little easier for international travel by dipping the quarantine for various sets of travelers and is now waiving off the Day 5 stay at an SHA + Hotel and prebooked RT-PCR test and replacing it with a self-rapid antigen test from the 1st of March in their Test and Go scheme.
Reaching to Thailand does not need filling of so many forms anymore as it has scraped off the 2nd RTPCR test on Day 5 to a self ATK test and reduction of the insurance value to $20,000 with effect from the 1st of March in the Test & Go Scheme. However, do keep in mind that the systems can be subject to change, and it is always a good idea to keep updated with the latest from the airline and official authorities. In Thailand, a CT value below 40 implies the examined individual is COVID positive and should take treatment and isolate immediately. Perhaps a good idea is to upload your certificate of recovery on the Thai Pass as an additional document if you have recovered recently. That said, I extremely advocate that when you get your test results prior to travel, one, get the test done as close as possible to the travel date, and two that you confirm your CT Value is above 40 before arriving in Thailand to ensure you make the most of your vacation in Thailand.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
· You can travel if you have been fully vaccinated with any of these Covishield or AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, and Pfizer–BioNTech.
· RT-PCR tests are required one before boarding and then another one on arrival, never mind whatever your vaccination status is.
· You need to have a CT value of 40 to be Negative in Thailand as against a CT Value of 35 in India, so do ask your Lab for your CT score if you have recently recovered from the Coronavirus and even otherwise.
· You need to check-in at a hotel licensed by the government until the Day 1 RT-PCR test results come out.
· The hotel will not honour any RTPCR report from any other Lab except the hospital it is associated with.
· Children below the age of 18 do not need a vaccination certificate if they are with their parents, but they definitely need to apply for a Thailand pass.
· Currently Air India is operating flights on certain dates from India. IndiGo is coming up with various options from the 11th of March from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok, Chennai & Bengaluru. Thai Airways has announced that flights will soon resume under the bubble arrangement between the two nations.
THE DOCUMENTS
Thai Pass
A ‘Thai Pass’ is a mandate to enter Thailand
Test and Go
This option was initially only accessible for tourists from low-risk countries, From the 1st of February, this permits fully vaccinated voyagers from almost every country across the globe, counting India of course to enter Thailand and travel locally with negligible limitations and consents for more elasticity as you are permitted to travel amid provinces from the second day itself. The lone obligatory prerequisite is to take a one-day quarantine + RT-PCR test at your hotel on Day 1 of landing, post which you are free to travel anywhere in Thailand. You need to take a Rapid Antigen Test yourself on Day 5.
SHA EXTRA + HOTELS ; AQ HOTELS
THAI PASS
The Processing time mentioned on the website is 3-7 days, though it comes within 3 days. There is no fee. Keep jpegs of your passport copy, full vaccination certificate, confirmed flight tickets, travel insurance with a minimum of $20,000USD coverage (including COVID). Day 1 hotel reservation in an ‘SHA Extra+/AQ hotel, specifically including airport pick-up and one RT-PCR test and meals to upload for your Thai pass. Please check if you may need to upload a medical certificate post covid recovery. From the 1st of March, the Day 5 RT-PCR test will be replaced with a Rapid Antigen Test to be taken yourself.
More FAQs on the Thai Pass .
VISA
You can opt for a regular stamped visa via VFS beforehand or, instead, apply for an e-visa online. The visa-on-arrival is an option as well; however, I would endorse taking it beforehand for faster and hassle-free immigration.
INDIA TO THAILAND
Carry print outs of your Thai Pass, Vaccination Certificate, Negative RT-PCR test report with QR Code with a 72-hour validity window preceding flight departure as well as your Health insurance. Once you arrive in Bangkok, your Thai Pass QR Code is scanned before allowing you over to immigration. The rest of the process is the same as before. At exit lookout for your hotel representative who will take you to your transport. It is obligatory to take this pre-booked airport transfer. Once you reach the hotel room you are allowed to check in to your room post the RT-PCR test and wait there until the results come out. Once you get a negative report, you can continue with your regular holiday anywhere in Thailand.
ON DEPARTURE FROM THAILAND
An RT-PCR is not needed prior to boarding or on arrival if you are fully vaccinated for India. Fill out the Air Suvidha form 48 hours prior to your return flight. Just remember to fill the form on a laptop and keep pdfs of your passport and vaccination certificate ready. Also, you will need to fill in your seat number so you can check-in before filling out this form.
THAILAND RIGHT NOW
Just like universally in the planet, most trades in Thailand have writhed extremely owing to the pandemic. Though quite a few restaurants, shops and night markets have shut, some of the popular ones are now open. Shopping malls have opened up, tuk- tuk’ and cabs run as usual. Mask directives and temperature checks are monitored severely in the bigger cities and eateries and bars are open till about 11pm. That said, it is a good idea to check timings before planning dinners.
Rupali Dean is a trained hospitality professional, nutritionist, an ex-chef, travel, lifestyle, and food columnist, an Events Specialist, and a lifestyle photographer
