Test and Go – Quarantine Free Travel to Thailand Begins.

On 1 October under the “Sandbox Scheme” Thailand took its first tentative steps to reopen the tourist destinations of Phuket and Koh Samui to vaccinated tourists from select countries. On 1 November, after almost 18 months of restricted entry to the country, Thailand further opened its borders to international travellers with the TEST AND GO initiative. Now fully vaccinated visitors from 63 countries can enter Thailand without quarantine. Great news for those keen to come back to their favourite holiday destination but also great news for the hard hit tourism industry.

Plan 1,2,3,4 ….

As one would expect travel is not yet back to the way it was pre-pandemic and there are requirements for entry. Under the TEST AND GO scheme travellers will need to have been in one of the 63 approved countries for 21 consecutive days before travel. To enter the country you will also need to get a THAILAND PASS (formerly known as the Certificate of Entry). Register for the pass online through Thailand's Consular service Here you will upload, along with information on a valid visa or re-entry permit (for long stay returnees), the following documents:

1.  A Certificate of Full Vaccination with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before your travel date. If you have been infected within 3 months you need to show proof of having received 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travel. Those under 12 years of age, travelling with their parents or guardians are exempt.

2.  All travellers must provide a medical certificate showing a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result issued no more than 72 hours before travel.

3. Proof of payment for a 1-night stay at a SHA Extra Plus (SHA++)*hotel including the fee for a RT-PCR test to be conducted on arrival. (SHA = Safety and Health Administration)

4. A medical insurance policy with coverage including COVID-19 treatment for no less than US$50,000. 

The approval process takes about 3-5 days. A final confirmation will be sent by email with your THAILAND PASS QR code. The entire process will take up to seven working days.

Arrive 1,2,3,4......

Once you arrive in Thailand there is set protocol for the first 24 hours of your stay.

1. At the airport present your THAILAND PASS QR code to Health Control staff (a separate code for each person over 12 years of age travelling together with you).

2. Once the health check is completed proceed through immigration and proceed to your booked SHA Extra Plus accommodation by the pre-arranged airport transfer.

3. You will be now be given a RT-PCR COVID-19 test. A saliva test will be administered to children under 6 years of age. At this time you will be required to download the MorChana tracking app on to your phone, which must be active throughout your stay. The result of the test should be known within 24 hours – during which time you are required to remain in your hotel room.

4. Finally each traveller will receive an Antigen Test Kit (ATK) for COVID-19 which you will need to self administer on day 6 or 7 of your stay and then record the result on the MorChana app. A reminder will be sent so no need to worry about forgetting.

After step 3, once you have received your negative RT-PCR test result, your holiday really can begin and you are free to travel anywhere in the country. So relax and enjoy.

For more details and updates on TEST AND GO please check the Tourism Authority of Thailand Website