The headline states that you need a PCR Test for Covid to travel back to the United States and that is surely acceptable, but-----the United States only requires the Rapid Antigen Tests for Covid to return which can be done quickly and for less money in many countries---not the PCR test which usually takes five hours or more unless someone has the faster test machine which I think is rarer in Thailand. For instance, when traveling back from the Europe to the US, many drugstores etc. offer this rapid antigen test for $20 or so---takes 20 minutes----but the US does NOT require the PCR test to return home---just at least the rapid antigen test for Covid (although as I said PCR is of course acceptable---but takes more time and money). I have used the rapid antigen test multiple times when returning to the US from Europe (note when traveling TO Europe I still need to get a PCR test fpr most countries). But----the main note here is to realize that a RAPID antigen test WILL suffice when returning to the US if done within 24 hours by a licensed facility and can be done quickly if you can sort out the location to do it.
A note an Abbott Binax Test (Rapid Antigen) which US airlines like United and Delta sell-- and can be used if bought in the United States and Registered to the Navica App (which you HAVE to get before and register on before leaving the US and then you dont even need to leave your hotel or residence to get tested. To use it you open up the packet online with an Abbott operator and do the test and it will show positive or negative within 15 minutes and then they will send you a proof of your test results that you can use when returning to the US. But again, buy it before you leave the US). But it's the Abbot Binax AG test (abbott sells one home test kit that is just for your use only---not shared with government authorities. Here's a link to that below (note the link showed 3 days testing prior but we know that changed to 1 day this past week). Note I have nothing to do with this company or the testing but I actually travel with their kit (I bought the kits via United Airlines).
https://www.emed.com/airline-travel?gclid=Cj0KCQiA47GNBhDrARIsAKfZ2rBTM5FqvmG5riDTiPgdbb1n0ZKp2eZf0xqAb0K7fzggeXF-Hlh3jC8aAu1mEALw_wcB
