25 Mar
Thailand resumed having new applications for the country’s Test and Go Program. With this program, fully vaccinated tourists and returning residents from any country will be able to enter the country with no quarantine requirements.
In this program, travelers will only need to be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive in their SHA+ hotels and get a negative result. Then they will be able to travel to other parts of Thailand or move to their preferred accommodations. Test and Go travelers will do a self-test ATK on the fifth day and report it to the authorities through a mobile app.
What is Thailand’s “Test and Go” program?
The “Test and Go” program is, also sometimes referred to as “Exemption from Quarantine”, is one of the latest programs that Thailand’s government implemented to encourage travelers to visit Thailand.
The program began on the 1st of November 2021, and only visitors from pilot regions and countries were eligible for the program. However, the government suspended the program in December 2021.
As of the 1st of February in 2022, the government decided to recommence the “Test and Go” program. Under the renewed program, tourists from all countries traveling to Thailand via air travel and who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible for this program.
What is the difference between Test & Go and Sandbox?
Under Thailand’s “Test and Go” program, tourists can travel all over Thailand after they’ve received a COVID-free result on their first COVID-19 test. However, on your fifth day, they must do a self-performed ATK test at their own hotel or private accommodation in any province in Thailand.
However, under the Sandbox program, tourists are required to stay in the sandbox area for at least 7 nights before they can travel all over Thailand. After they’ve received a COVID-free result on their first COVID-19 test and the self-performed ATK test on the fifth day.
If the traveler is fully vaccinated, then, it is better to apply for Thailand Pass under the Test and Go program.
What are the requirements for the Test and Go program?
You will need to meet some requirements to be eligible for the “Test and go” program. These requirements include the following:
- COVID-19 Travel Insurance: Your COVID-19 travel insurance policy coverage shouldn’t be less than US$ 20 000.
- Vaccination certificate. Keep in mind that any tourists younger than 18 years old won’t need this certification if they travel with a legal guardian or a parent.
- The day one hotel confirmation letter confirmations that you’ve pre-paid for accommodation, airport transfer, and RT-PCR test. The letter needs to be issued by one of the approved Alternative Quarantine (AQ) or SHA + Hotels.
- Proof of Recovery, in case the applicant has a history of being infected by COVID 19.
Packages for Test and Go Travelers
Since Thailand resumed the Test and Go program for tourists, a list of approved AQ and SHA+ Hotels is provided to travelers.
Test and Go Bangkok
Below is a list of approved test and go hotels located in Bangkok. The hotels include the following:
- Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
- Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
- The Continent Hotel Bangkok by Compass Hospitality
- The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57 – Thonglor
- Sinsuvarn Airport Suite
- Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
- Arte Hotel
- The Sukosol
- Centre Point Silom River View Hotel
- Jasmine Resort Hotel
Test and Go Pattaya
Below is a list of approved test and go hotels located in Pattaya. The hotels include the following:
- Amari Pattaya
- Hotel J Residence
- The Green Park Resort
- Cholchan Pattaya Beach Resort
- Sunshine Vista Hotel
- Siam Bayshore Resort Pattaya
- Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
- J Inspired Hotel Pattaya
- Citrus Grande Hotel Pattaya
- Golden Tulip Pattaya Beach Resort
Test and Go Phuket
Below is a list of approved test and go hotels located in Pattaya. The hotels include the following:
- Crest Resort & Pool Villas
- Four Points by Sheraton Phuket
- Kalima Resort & Spa
- Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong
- The Nature Phuket
- Oceanfront Beach Resort
- The Lantern Resorts Patong
- The Senses Resort & Pool Villas Phuket
How to enter Thailand with the “Test and Go” program?
Step 1: Apply for Thailand Pass
You apply for the Thailand Pass Test and Go Program 2022 via https://tp.consular.go.th/.
Remember that the processing time could take three to seven business days. So you’ll need to apply at least seven business days before you plan to travel to Thailand.
To apply for the Test and Go program, you must bring the necessary documents mentioned above.
You can upload the QR code of your vaccination documents to make the application process go a lot quicker.
Step 2: Get tested for COVID-19
The second step will involve going through the COVID 19 RT-PCR test and hopefully getting a negative test result within three days of leaving for Thailand.
In some cases, airlines will request that you take the test three days before your flight to Thailand. If you’ve had COVID-19 before your trip, you will need a medical certificate stating that you’ve recovered. The certificate will need to be dated between 14 to 90 days of your departure date to Thailand.
Children younger than six years and traveling with their parents won’t need to undergo the pre-departure RT-PCR test.
Step 3: When you arrive, do the 1st RT-PCR test
When tourists first arrive at the airport or their hotel or designated venue, they have to undergo the first RT-PCR test and wait for the result in their hotel room. Children and adults must be tested for COVID-19. If the test is negative, you will travel all over Thailand and do a self-performed ATK test on Day 5.
However, if you test positive for COVID-19, officials will refer you for the necessary medical treatment. The tourists will be responsible for the medical expenses. In some cases, insurance policies might not pay for your isolation expenses.
Step 4: On day five, do the 2nd COVID test
On the fifth day of your trip, tourists will need to go through an ATK test. Just like the first test, if you test negative for COVID-19, you will be allowed to travel anywhere in the country. If you test positive, you need to receive the necessary medical treatment.
How to Follow Up on the Status of Application
Typically, the application process shouldn’t take three to seven business days. However, if this process takes longer than seven days, you can contact the Thailand Pass system via email or telephone. You will be able to send an email to the following addresses:
- support@tp.consular.go.th
- phuket.thailandpass@gmail.com (for Phuket arrivals only)
- testgo@consular.go.th
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