Thai authorities prepare measures to screen inbound travellers to prevent the spread of COVID-19

[bangsaenguy]

To be very clear, ASQ and insurance is only required if you have money. The Burmese paid zilch

[metisdead]

Troll posts have been removed. 

[Suua]

10 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Title of the OP makes no sense as all travelers incoming, whether Thai or foreigner have been being tested every since they started this system of testing and quarantine.  And as the article states the Thai's can have free ASQ and testing.  That may be a shock to some on TV who insist they have to pay for the quarantine and do not get it free.  They pay for an ASQ location but not a Thai Government location.  If memory serves me correctly there was a Samut Prakan ASQ foreigner who had completed the quarantine and was released after being negative only to a few days later to be found positive for Covid as well as the virus being found inside of the ASQ on surfaces.  Who is to say that this outbreak we are seeing now did not move around slowly and then mutate into what we are seeing now.  I know the strains of the virus have been determined, but do we really want to believe that all had been traced and tested as well as those coming in from the Northern border with Chiang Rai.

Spot on buddy.....a distinct possibility. 

To many people are duped into thinking Thailand was covid free.....it most certainly wasn't/isn't. 

[Petey11]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

Do you have a link to where this is mandatory now for Thai nationals.  My Thai ex wife and Half Thai daughter as well as her new American husband will be flying here on January 2nd.  She does not have to test nor does the daughter, but the new husband does.  He needs the test 72 hours prior where all they need is a fit to fly certificate.  They are inbound on Delta/Korean Air.  Now obviously they will be in quarantine, but at least they can stay together in The ASQ suite booked here in Bangkok.  Tried to talk her out of flying in with the latest issues, but she has plans to visit the Udon Area, while the daughter visits with me, before they head to Cha Am and the new house they bought.

 

I did find this on-line and it was updated just this past December 9th and again on the 24th.

Trip.com COVID-19 Country/Region Entry Restrictions

ThailandPartially restricted

From December 9, 2020, the Thai government has once again authorized visa-free travel for foreign nationals from select countries / regions. Interested persons should contact their local Thai embassy or consulate to determine if they are eligible. All persons traveling to Thailand must carry proof of a negative test result for COVID-19 issued no more than 72 hours prior to departure and booking confirmation at a specially designated quarantine hotel. Foreign nationals not eligible for visa-free travel may now submit applications to their local Thai embassy or consulate for a "Special Tourist Visa" (STV), which allow for stays in Thailand of up to 90 days and may be extended twice. Prior to departing for Thailand, persons holding an STV must also obtain a "Certificate of Entry" (COE) from their local Thai embassy or consulate clearing them for travel to Thailand. Upon arrival, all persons traveling to Thailand must, at their own expense, undergo a 14-day quarantine and 3 separate tests for COVID-19. Applications for a COE are available online at the following URL: https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ Foreign nationals are generally prohibited from entering Thailand unless they fall into one of the following categories: 1) Persons directly permitted by the Prime Minister or a "competent official" appointed by the Prime Minister to resolve issues pertaining to a state of emergency in Thailand; 2) Persons on diplomatic or consular missions or under the auspices of International Organizations or agencies, or government representatives performing official duties in Thailand to whom the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given special permission, and their family members; 3) Non-Thai nationals who are the spouse, parent, or child of a Thai national; 4) Non-Thai nationals who hold a valid certificate of permanent residence in Thailand or who have received permission to reside in Thailand, and their family members; 5) Non-Thai nationals holding work permits or who have been granted permission from Thai government agencies to work in Thailand, and their family members; 6) Non-Thai nationals who are students at an educational institution approved by Thai authorities (with the exception of non-formal institutions under the law on private schools), and their parents or legal guardians; 7) Non-Thai nationals seeking to enter Thailand for medical treatments unrelated to COVID-19; ???? Non-Thai nationals permitted to enter Thailand under a special arrangement with a third-country or region, or who have received special permission from the Prime Minister. This may include travel for business and tourism. All travelers are advised to consult their local Thai embassy or consulate for specific information regarding travel to Thailand from their location. Persons traveling under categories 2 through 8 must apply for a "Certificate of Entry" (COE) at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad and obtain a valid Thai visa at least 15 days prior to departing for Thailand. All persons traveling to Thailand (including Thai nationals) must carry proof of a negative result for COVID-19 issued no more than 72 hours prior to departure using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and hold medical insurance valid for Thailand with coverage sufficient for any unforeseen medical expenses. All persons arriving in Thailand must, at their own expense, undergo a 14-day quarantine at a designated facility and are expected to comply with all relevant pandemic control measures, including undergoing 3 separate tests for COVID-19. Commercial flights are operating on a semi-regular basis and the Thai government is organizing special repatriation flights for Thai nationals at regular intervals. The Thai government has suspended entry for persons holding the following categories of visa: transit visas (TS), sports visas (S), visas for monks and other religious visas (R), volunteers (O), and non-formal students visas (such as for language schools, diving schools, and boxing schools).

 

I will have to aprise my Ex, but she has the info from the Thai Consulate LA and said she and the daughter are not required.

Maybe seems like confused messages again. The thaivisa report said all travellers arriving will have to have PCR before boarding as released by the ministry. I wouldn't be surprised if it is one story officially for the press and another on the ground as to what is actually happening, you know how Thai authorities work????

[alyx]

14 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Yes quarantine is mandatory, never said it was not.  Yes I have personal experience with  friends who have returned, both Thai and Foreigners as well as talking to my HI agent just two weeks ago to see what they have been processing to get an idea of the hospital costs associated with being placed into an isolation ward even if just asymptomatic.  Prior to the latest clusters popping up if you tested positive upon arrival or while in your ASQ or the Government sponsored quarantine you would be taken straight to the hospital that has a contract for that specific ASQ or the hospital for the Thai government quarantine locations.  Basically, the testing on arrival also checks to see if you have a temperature and or symptoms, albeit the follow up PCR test results come back the next day, but if you have symptoms you are sent to the hospital and if no symptoms straight to quarantine you go.  Hope that makes it clear. 

Yep. I misread your post. I thought you had written no quarantine. Apologies

[treetops]

17 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Do you have a link to where this is mandatory now for Thai nationals.

It's not.  The guy quoted in the OP was wrong.

[Letseng]

On 12/27/2020 at 2:54 AM, Stradavarius37 said:

How is that different from what they have been doing for months and months?  Better question - what is their policy for travelers who have been vaccinated???  

Nobody is vaccinated yet. Requires 2 doses.

[AmySeeker]

Not testing Thai's before return (despite many living in western countries) was the single biggest disgrace about the return process. 

 

If you happened to sit next to a Thai on a flight, whose status you did know, you were taking a huge risk - not only to your health, but also the consequences of getting positive whilst in quarantine. 

 

Total disgrace. 

[Soikhaonoiken]

On 12/27/2020 at 1:53 AM, Geoffggi said:

But I thought these measures were already in place and have been for quite a while ............????

Exactly, and as far as I am aware, all Airlines need to see a negative covid test certificate not older than 72 hrs & a fit to fly certificate, and if you are in transit at a Airport, you need another covid-19 test before you can board your next flight. 

[AmySeeker]

3 hours ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

Exactly, and as far as I am aware, all Airlines need to see a negative covid test certificate not older than 72 hrs & a fit to fly certificate, and if you are in transit at a Airport, you need another covid-19 test before you can board your next flight. 

 

Nope. For example Emirates allowed you to get a test at Dubai airport if you come from a select few countries (shockingly the UK is one of those allowed) - but this only applies if you go through immigration. If you are connecting you don't need to be tested to board an Emirates flight from these select countries. 

 

If any Thai was to take an Emirates flight (from these select countries like UK, Germany etc) and return back to Thailand, they would not have to be tested at all. I'm glad this flaw has been rectified. 

[treetops]

5 hours ago, AmySeeker said:

I'm glad this flaw has been rectified.

It hasn't.