Flying to/from Thailand (Covid Era)

[HHTel]

scrapping mandatory RT-PCR tests for foreign visitors

I assume 'foreign' includes returning Thais.

[B6PTW]

We arrived back on the 6th, plane to city hotel 1hr 20 mins, fastest ever. Airport was empty as was my flight. Mostly because almost everyone deplaned at Phuket. Everything felt more relaxed than our entry in November.
But hopefully it will end soon.

[migrant]

I applied for my Thai pass at 7:55 am Tuesday Thai time (5:55 pm California time) and received my Thai pass at 12:08 am Wed, again Thai time, less than 24 hours! Not bad.

Anyone applying the hardest part for me was many of my required documents were pdf so I took pictures with my phone and emailed them to myself which came as jpeg. One can add additional pdf files (I did) but you have to have jpegs, or pnf too.

Other than that found it very easy to do.

[STEVE G]

I used an online converter to change PDF files for the Thai Pass. I forget which site I used but there are loads of them if you do a search.

[Dannie Boy]

I used an online converter to change PDF files for the Thai Pass. I forget which site I used but there are loads of them if you do a search.

When I had to do mine back in November I could find converters that would change a single pdf into a single jpeg, but I couldn’t fine one that would change a multi-page pdf into a single jpeg file - at the time the test and go system would only allow you to submit one file!!

[buksida]

Test & Go may be binned soon
The government will next week consider scrapping the Test & Go entry scheme and Thailand Pass registration as it aims to pull in more visitors to help the tourism sector.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Wednesday the ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will put forward a proposal for the cancellation at a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on April 22.

If approved, the changes are expected to take effect on May 1, meaning tourists would be able to enter the country using vaccine passports instead of having to wait 3-5 days for their documents to be approved, as required by Thailand Pass, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... inned-soon

Then again they "may" get it back out of the bin when they see the post-Songkran covid surge.

[caller]

Then again they "may" get it back out of the bin when they see the post-Songkran covid surge.

I think the ever increasing pre-songkran surge is enough of a worry.

[STEVE G]

There has been a small change to the Thai Pass system:

"Applicants can use their approved Thailand Pass QR Code to enter Thailand on different date of arrival if the new date of arrival is within 7 days before or after the original date of arrival as indicated on the QR Code (no need to re-apply or modify your application). Please note that applicants are required to show proof of revised hotel accommodation that corresponds to the new travel dates, and non-Thais are also required to show proof of insurance with at least 20,000 USD coverage for medical treatments in Thailand for the entire duration of their revised travel itinerary. Failure to produce these documents may result in denied boarding. Further note that each Thailand Pass QR Code can be used only once."
https://tp.consular.go.th/home

[Meerkat]

I have a question concerning returning to Thailand, if I may.

My situation is that I am in Thailand, retired on a valid Non-O extension to my visa and am looking at a visit to Australia in July. Once I have flights booked I will get a re-entry permit, as normal. I have health insurance, but not with any of the companies listed by Thailand Pass. As Thailand Pass appears to be set up for tourists, what does a returning expat do to satisfy the requirements of the Thailand Pass?

I realise (and hope) that by July the Thailand Pass may be consigned to history, but that is no basis for planning.

[Mikeyb]

I applied with standard travel insurance from my bank in the UK and was approved.

[Dannie Boy]

From 1st May the insurance cover is being reduced to US$10,000 - the details are here.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publi ... vid-19-tra


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nereus]

Airlines informed of new arrival rules

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ival-rules

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has informed airlines worldwide of new arrival rules to be imposed this Sunday, including an end to compulsory Covid-19 tests upon arrival.

CAAT announced on Wednesday that from May 1 inbound passengers with full Covid-19 vaccinations could enter the country without an additional Covid-19 test. However, they will be advised to take antigen tests if they develop any suspicious symptoms.

Those who are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated can undergo RT-PCR tests within 72 hours before travelling. If they do not have a prior RT-PCR test result, they must be quarantined for five days and undergo an RT-PCR test on the fourth or fifth day of the quarantine.

All air arrivals must have Covid-19 insurance with coverage worth at least US$10,000 during their stay in Thailand.

All visitors by air must provide evidence of their vaccination status or RT-PCR test results and their Covid-19 insurance to the Thailand Pass system before travelling. When their documents are verified, they will receive a QR code of the Thailand Pass system. Airline staff can deny boarding to any passengers without a QR code.

The airlines concerned must take responsibility for returning passengers without a QR code to the countries of origin, CAAT said.

[handdrummer]

Airlines informed of new arrival rules

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ival-rules

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has informed airlines worldwide of new arrival rules to be imposed this Sunday, including an end to compulsory Covid-19 tests upon arrival.

CAAT announced on Wednesday that from May 1 inbound passengers with full Covid-19 vaccinations could enter the country without an additional Covid-19 test. However, they will be advised to take antigen tests if they develop any suspicious symptoms.

Those who are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated can undergo RT-PCR tests within 72 hours before travelling. If they do not have a prior RT-PCR test result, they must be quarantined for five days and undergo an RT-PCR test on the fourth or fifth day of the quarantine.

All air arrivals must have Covid-19 insurance with coverage worth at least US$10,000 during their stay in Thailand.

All visitors by air must provide evidence of their vaccination status or RT-PCR test results and their Covid-19 insurance to the Thailand Pass system before travelling. When their documents are verified, they will receive a QR code of the Thailand Pass system. Airline staff can deny boarding to any passengers without a QR code.

The airlines concerned must take responsibility for returning passengers without a QR code to the countries of origin, CAAT said.

Once again, it is assumed that everyone has a smartphone.

[migrant]

I arrived a couple hours ago. I had printed out the Thai pass which has a QR code. No problem with the paper version.

[migrant]

For anyone interested.

Flew in to Swampy from Los Angeles having transferred in Seoul.
Getting on in LA was easy, show my Thai Pass (paper copy) and get on.
I had a 5.5 hour layover in Seoul which was spent with 2 cigars and the lounge. As I was handing over my boarding ticket for this last leg the steward pulled me out of the line. It seems they need to rebook transfer tickets (wtf??) no mention was made of this before. He asked for Thai Pass, passport, insurance cert and hotel reservation. I told him all that was part of my Thai Pass but he still wanted to see them. Done, re ticketed and off.

On arriving at Swampy the first stop was a check of the Thai pass and passport, relatively quick. Walking towards immigration there were signs of temperature check, everyone must stop. Got to the tables set up and a Woman sitting there, but no one stopped so I passed also. Airport, while not real busy, was fairly full. Lines at immigration, when I got there, were 4 deep so not too bad a wait. My luggage was the first 2 out so grabbed those and headed out holding my breath by customs (of course nothing to declare, if I declared it I'd be in trouble!!), Customs didn't give me a glance but were xraying a Thai couples luggage.

Out and entered pandemonium! 7-8 tables set up at the exit all showing different hotels, the SHA+ partners. Problem was there was no master list. In their defense there were many list holders wandering around that could tell you which table your hotel was at. After asking 3 times I was directed to the right table, about 100 meters down the aisle. The Lady asked for my Thai pass, passport and hotel confirmation and took a picture of me. She found me on the list (but still wanted to see my hotel confirm). I was approved and directed to some chairs, she said for 10-15 minutes. Actually 10 minutes later I was collected and directed to a van along with 2 others. What a change from when I arrived 2 years ago on the second flight into Thailand, Everyone then was accompanied by a employee and walked directly to the van.

The van stopped at a hospital, I didn't catch the full name but it was a familiar sound. The van followed others in and someone gave us a test tube for the current sample, and a kit for the 5th day check. The van pulled farther up and a person did the nasal swab. Never needed to get out of the van.

Stayed at Holiday Express soi 11 and first surprise was the hotel was non smoking now despite having smoking rooms on the agoda website. No big deal for me, just a delay for a cigar. They asked for my hotel confirmation also and eventually I got a key. Got to my room around 4pm and cleaned up. About 6:30pm I noticed there were no menus around and I was getting hungry. I called the operator and she said my meal was delivered 10 minutes ago. I told her I never was asked what I wanted but it seems I had no choice, everyone got the same thing, a coke and fried rice with 4 miniscule shrimp on top with a small salad. I ate half which satisfied me but wasn't great.

In booking through agoda there was a 80$ surcharge to the room rate which, I'm sure, is supposed to cover the additional costs, it would be interesting to see the itemization to see how much my 40baht dinner actually cost.

This morning waiting on results and my surprise breakfast. I always travel with my own coffee maker and coffee (hate instant coffee) so at least at peace. Once I get a (hopefully) negative result I'm free to go out.