Weekly Updates

Updated Thailand Entry Requirements: Test & Go Program; Sandbox Program; Quarantine Program

This Weekly Update was originally posted on December 17, 2021. For the most recent update, click here.

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December 16: Updated Thailand Entry Requirements

Thailand has eased entry rules for international arrivals, including returning Thais and foreign residents, under all three schemes: Test & Go, Sandbox Program, and Quarantine – from 16 December 2021.

Test & Go Program:

Travelers will still be required to take the RT-PCR test upon arrival and the self ATK test on the 6th or 7th day on arrival.

Sandbox Program:

Travelers are still required to stay for 7 days in Sandbox cities or provinces before traveling to other parts of Thailand. They are also required to take the RT-PCR test upon arrival and self ATK test on the 6th or 7th day on arrival.

Quarantine Program:

Travelers are required to stay in a mandatory quarantine for 7 days for partially vaccinated travelers and 10 days for unvaccinated travelers. The two RT-PCR tests (Day 1 and 7) will also be required.

My Test & Go Experience

Below is the Test & Go experience by one of our clients:

I spent my “Test And Go” quarantine stay at a budget hotel in Bangkok. All things considered, I was pleased by the experience and would recommend it.

1. Booking the Test and Go

The package was arranged through Agoda. Quarantine packages (both Test & Go and AQ) are available. I made sure that the Agoda package includes RT-PCR test and airport transportation. The cost for my package was 5,000THB (roughly $150).

2. Airport Pick-up

Upon clearing immigration at the Bangkok airport, I found a hotel representative in a cordoned-off area of the arrivals level. All incoming passengers meet their shuttle drivers here. We walked outside the (guarded) exit and were ushered into a van. Traffic was very light and we made it in a record time of 30 minutes (at least in my experience).

3. Check-In at the Hotel

Arriving at the hotel, we were directed to a health screening area outside the ground-level elevators. First, a man took my passport, glanced at it, then handed it back to me and asked me to sign the folio. A woman in a hazmat suit seated at the next table gave me one of the worst nasal swabs I have ever endured. Not only did she swab both nostrils, but she stuck it way up deep and swabbed for far too long. I was also given a rapid antigen test and I was told to administer it myself after a couple of days.

4. The Room

After the swab test, I was escorted up to my room. The room itself was nice, with a great view of the city, a comfortable bed, and a functional bathroom. I was not given a room key, because I would not be allowed out of my room during the one-night quarantine.

5. Meals

The meals were ordered via the hotel’s mobile app. Included in the quarantine package are three meals per day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meal is placed on a table outside your door. A pair of knocks indicated dinner was ready. I did appreciate the large menu with Thai and international cuisine, plus plenty of vegetarian choices. When finished, you place your plastic containers in a refuse bin outside the door.

I spent the night inside my room awaiting the result of my RT-PCR test.

6. Getting the Test Result

I was awakened in the morning by a telephone call. My test came back negative and I was free to go, about 14 hours after arriving. I asked if I could come downstairs and was told, no, that someone would need to come up to pick me up for check-out.

7. Check-Out

When it came time to check out, I was presented with a paper copy of my PCR test, which I would use to fly to other parts of Thailand or whenever it is required.

Conclusion

The Test And Go Stay was very easy and convenient. This one-night stay in a quarantine hotel should not deter any tourist from traveling to Thailand.

List of Test & Go Hotels in Bangkok

Test and Go Hotels (Budget)

Test and Go Hotels (Deluxe)

Test and Go Hotels (Luxury)

Where to Stay After your Test & Go?

Budget Hotels

Deluxe Hotels

Luxury Hotels

COVID Insurance for Thailand

Based on experience, the common problem for Thailand Pass applications being rejected is that some insurance policies are not properly worded. Your COVID-19 insurance must expressly state that it covers up to 50,000 USD medical expenses including COVID-19 while in Thailand. You may use your own health insurance or purchase an insurance from your own country, however, it is recommended to purchase from an insurance company in Thailand such as AXA Insurance Thailand to make sure that you meet the requirement in obtaining the Thailand Pass successfully. To purchase the most reliable insurance that has never had any problem in the Thailand Pass application, please click the link below:

https://www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance

Siam Legal Visa and Thailand Pass Assistance

Package 1: 200 USD (Visa + Thailand Pass)

Online Visa Consultation
Extensive checklist of required documents
Assistance in Thai e-visa application (non-immigrant O marriage visa and 60-day TR visa)
Assistance in Thailand Pass application
3 to 4 weeks process
Available in the US, UK, and Canada visa applications only

Package 2: 100 USD (Thailand Pass)

Consultation with our Immigration Specialist
Extensive checklist of required documents
Assistance in Thailand Pass application (including Visa holders and Visa Exemption)
5 to 7 days process
Available for Thai and foreign nationals

Siam Legal

Siam Legal is an international law firm with experienced lawyers, attorneys, and solicitors both in Thailand law and international law. This Thailand law firm offers comprehensive legal services in Thailand to both local and foreign clients for Litigation such as civil & criminal cases, labor disputes, commercial cases, divorce, adoption, extradition, fraud, and drug cases. Other legal expertise of the law firm varied in cases involving corporate law such as company registration & Thailand BOI, family law, property law, and private investigation.