Required timing for negative Covid PCR test before departure to Thailand?

[JTXR]

I live in Thailand and am returning very soon after four weeks in the U.S.  I have a valid permission to stay, COE, and ASQ hotel reservation.  Unfortunately, I'm freaking out a bit about the negative Covid PCR test results.

 

When I left Thailand, after looking at this site and (I think) various Thai government sites, I was convinced that the negative result needed to be issued within 72 hours of the first departure, NOT that the sample needed to be drawn within those 72 hours.  So that's what I did.  Now, I'm having a very hard time convincing anyone I talk to in the States, including the clinics where I had tests done (so I'd be sure to fall within the window) and including my U.S. airline.

 

First, am I correct in my statement above that the negative result just needs to be issued within 72 hours of the first departure? Second, can someone post an image or link to some official Thai government statement to that effect?  I've been looking and I can't find again what I thought I'd seen before.  I'd really like something that looks official so I'm not reduced to arguing with airline staff at the check-in counter.

 

Many thanks.

[dj230]

I was always told to have the test taken 72H before departure

but the website for the canadian thai embassy says issued 72H before, heres the canadian/ottawa/thai embassy:

Thailand Visa, Certificate of Entry (COE) during COVID-19 Pandemic and Alternative Quarantine (AQ) - สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงออตตาวา (thaiembassy.org)

Quote

Make an appointment for the COVID test before leaving for Thailand

5. You need to obtain a COVID-19 lab test result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected/์Negative. The COVID test must be by RT-PCR method/PCR method (the method must be clearly indicated on the form).  The lab test result must also clearly indicate that it has been “issued” or “reported” within 72 hours before departure time from Canada. THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE IN ENGLISH.

 

 

might be different for USA, but I had my test taken 72H before departure as the thai embassy website said this and I didn't want any problems

Thai embassy website :

Certificate of Entry (COE) to Thailand (thaiembassy.com)

 

Quote

• Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID -19 is not detected. The COVID test must be by the RT-PCR method, the test must be conducted within 72 hours before departure. Some airlines do not accept home kit tests so please check specific requirements with the airlines you are traveling with.

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by dj230

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, dj230 said:

I was always told to have the test taken 72H before departure

but the website for the canadian thai embassy says issued 72H before, heres the canadian/ottawa/thai embassy:

Thailand Visa, Certificate of Entry (COE) during COVID-19 Pandemic and Alternative Quarantine (AQ) - สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงออตตาวา (thaiembassy.org)

The above link has the correct information. The test result certificate must be done 72 hours prior to departure not the test itself.

The other info is not from a official website. From the bottom of that page. "This is NOT the official website of the Thai Embassy".

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

you should consider also the requirements in any airport you might transit threw.

for example, if you transit via germany, the requirement there might be PCR test 48 hours

before departure.

so the airline might not allow you boarding the flight, if you have only a test done

72 hours before the flight to thailand.

i lost a ticket this way. came to the airport with all documents ready, than one bicth (from

the airport security) came and told me that no, the PCR test was done too early...for germany airport transit !!!

Edited August 12, 2021 by SCOTT FITZGERSLD

[JackGats]

When I went back to TH with a COE I did so on the understanding that the swab (the taking of the sample, not the writing-up of the PCR certificate!) had to have taken place no more than 72 hours before departure. Departure meant departure of the first flight registered on the COE in case of indirect flight.

 

This was for TH only. As noted in the previous post, there's the added hurdle of regulations at the transit airport.

Edited August 12, 2021 by JackGats
spelling

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

you should consider also the requirements in any airport you might transit threw.

for example, if you transit via germany, the requirement there might be PCR test 48 hours

before departure.

Were transiting without going through immigration in Germany in the transit area? If not they was probably the reason for the problem you had.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Were transiting without going through immigration in Germany in the transit area? If not they was probably the reason for the problem you had.

yes i was transiting without entering germany, just two hours stop over.

they changed the rule just two days before my flight. earlier there was no need

for PCR test for anyone transiting via germany.

so there was no way i could know about it.

 

best place to check for airport rules is IATA website.

[misterphil]

Do not use Covid Travel Clinics. They have just messed up mine and I need to do another now. They cant give you a straight answer on which date you do and send the swab. I done day 2, 5 and 8 with them and they say results in 24 to 48hrs. They all took 4 days from testing, posting and receiving results. So I based this 4 day turn around on my fit to fly and they done it in 2 days from swab, post and results. 
 

The customer service is ran by total morons and when you ask about dates and timing for a fit to fly test they replied with registering the swab online before I had even received it. I asked how can i register the swab when it asks for bar code number, time taken and date taken? Again this monkey replies with the same <deleted> about what tests i need to take when arriving in the UK. 
 

So i asked what part of leaving the UK dont you understand? Again he replies back and says apologies for the misunderstanding and repeats the same <deleted> about returning to the UK required tests.  

 

Then later another clown called me who could barely speak English telling me I must register the test before they can process it and then I lost it with them. 
 

How can I register a test when you cant advise me on which day to take it so i have the results in time to fly?

 

Spent over £300 with these clowns and now I need to do another £75 test so I can fly on Monday. 
 

And they don't work weekends so you cant get your results on a weekend if you're flying on a Monday. 

 

DO NOT USE COVID TRAVEL CLINICS
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 12, 2021 by misterphil
X

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Were transiting without going through immigration in Germany in the transit area? If not they was probably the reason for the problem you had.

I came through Frankfurt on Sunday and all documents were being checked at the gate prior to onward boarding. Saw a group of 4 escorted away by police and flight was delayed half an hour.

Transit in Germany is not straightforward.

[sandyf]

57 minutes ago, misterphil said:

And they don't work weekends so you cant get your results on a weekend if you're flying on a Monday. 

Yes, I came up against that. My Day 5 lands on a Friday and with most test providers the result wouldn't be available till late Tuesday so no early release.

I did a bit of research and came up with a provider, Collinson, that is an on site test with same day results for £76. Have an appointment tomorrow morning, they also operate on a Saturday.

[sandyf]

6 hours ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

i lost a ticket this way. came to the airport with all documents ready, than one bicth (from

the airport security) came and told me that no, the PCR test was done too early...for germany airport transit !!!

Yes, I came across 2 women from security in the transit area at Frankfurt on Sunday. They were checking documents and putting a red stamp on the boarding card. Very thorough, saw many having to redo the PLF, lady in front of me hadn't put her seat number on it.

[LoVeFuN]

So my understanding after reading the thread is if you have the test done 72 hours before your flight and no more you should have your result 24 hours after. This would be issued and dated 48 hours before your flight and would be accepted, am I correct as the thread has made me confused.

[Moti24]

When I came back from The UK last year, my pcr test was dated and timed only 75 minutes before my flight departure time; fortunately, it left on time.

 

The problem is that not all the test companies do same day result.  So, you might have to travel for the test if you want a decent time lapse between result and flight.

 

Good luck with that.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Moti24

[dj230]

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

I came through Frankfurt on Sunday and all documents were being checked at the gate prior to onward boarding. Saw a group of 4 escorted away by police and flight was delayed half an hour.

Transit in Germany is not straightforward.

wow lucky I didn't go through germany, there was 3 flight routes for me and one option was a stop in Frankfurt Germany

[alex8912]

19 minutes ago, LoVeFuN said:

So my understanding after reading the thread is if you have the test done 72 hours before your flight and no more you should have your result 24 hours after. This would be issued and dated 48 hours before your flight and would be accepted, am I correct as the thread has made me confused.

I agree. This thread is extremely confusing. Ubon Joe you even mentioned looking at a link and another link was not good. Can someone just answer the OP???  No one really has. Here is what some people don't understand. For example when you leave from Boston to Phuket on ANY airline you must stop at least once or often twice ( or more) to get to Phuket. On Qatar air you stop once in Doha ( it's a 9 hour layover) you leave Boston just after 10pm ( no other choice) for example my Thai friend will be here next week staying till Oct 5. Flight from Boston to Phuket leaves just after 10 pm and transits 9 hrs in Doha and gets yo Phuket just after 7AM on Oct 7th Phuket time. When do you get the test??  All answers are confusing on this thread. 

[alex8912]

10 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The above link has the correct information. The test result certificate must be done 72 hours prior to departure not the test itself.

The other info is not from a official website. From the bottom of that page. "This is NOT the official website of the Thai Embassy".

So when does the test ITSELF have to be done?? That is what the OP and at least me want to know. Leaving USA on Oct 5 at 10 pm gets you to Phuket on Oct 7 at 7Am.  When is a test actually done? And some test results as reported take 24-48 hours and I doubt these test places are open after 6pm most days and what about Sundays? It's all very confusing. 

Edited August 12, 2021 by alex8912

[treetops]

5 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

I agree. This thread is extremely confusing. Ubon Joe you even mentioned looking at a link and another link was not good. Can someone just answer the OP???  No one really has. Here is what some people don't understand. For example when you leave from Boston to Phuket on ANY airline you must stop at least once or often twice ( or more) to get to Phuket. On Qatar air you stop once in Doha ( it's a 9 hour layover) you leave Boston just after 10pm ( no other choice) for example my Thai friend will be here next week staying till Oct 5. Flight from Boston to Phuket leaves just after 10 pm and transits 9 hrs in Doha and gets yo Phuket just after 7AM on Oct 7th Phuket time. When do you get the test??  All answers are confusing on this thread. 

The answer was given and clarified in the first three posts, but in your friend's case the test results must be issued within 72 hours of their departure from Boston.  Here is the wording from IATA the airline will use to check:

 

[treetops]

2 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

So when does the test ITSELF have to be done??

That is not specified anywhere, it's the timing of the results being issued that will be checked.

[alex8912]

12 minutes ago, treetops said:

The answer was given and clarified in the first three posts, but in your friend's case the test results must be issued within 72 hours of their departure from Boston.  Here is the wording from IATA the airline will use to check:

 

My friend is a Thai National. So what do they do? It sounds like no test? I find that strange. My friend will be double vaxed 2 weeks before leaving USA. Part of the trip is for getting vaxed. Thank you for your reply. A Thai National needs no covid test if flying from USA to Thailand? That is really my question now. 

Edited August 12, 2021 by alex8912

[alex8912]

8 minutes ago, treetops said:

That is not specified anywhere, it's the timing of the results being issued that will be checked.

Thanks. That is very interesting and in fact you can get the test 4 days ahead of time if results come in 48 hrs later. 

[buick]

i used xprescheck.com for my test in the USA to get back to thailand.  they have locations in many major airports in the US.  you can make an appt in advance.  the results are available in one hour.  i did mine at SEA on monday and flew out on wednesday.  there was also a line for walk in (no appt), some people were flying that same day and doing the test as a walk in a few hrs before their flight. 

 

i got the reference on xprescheck from a thread on this site.  worked out great.

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, alex8912 said:

So when does the test ITSELF have to be done?? That is what the OP and at least me want to know. Leaving USA on Oct 5 at 10 pm gets you to Phuket on Oct 7 at 7Am.  When is a test actually done? And some test results as reported take 24-48 hours and I doubt these test places are open after 6pm most days and what about Sundays? It's all very confusing. 

Yes the text from the Thai embassy is ambiguous and I would read it as the sample should be taken within 72 hours of departure of the first leg. Other countries are more specific and refer to the sample rather than the result. Others are free to disagree but at the end of the day it is really up to each individual to do what they think best.

With the UK the sample should be taken within 72 hours of departure of the final leg. Some countries accept approved antigen tests and with them the sample would normally be taken within 48 hours of departure.

[HawaiianBlues]

JTXR, the following is my own experience.  I too had a similar situation returning from the US at end June.  Due to limiting personal logistics, I scheduled my PCR test four days before my US departure and received my PCR test results 24 hours later but within the 72 hours of my actual US departure date/time.  For me, I also pursued and received getting a signed "medical certificate" too from the testing clinic.  The PCR test requirements per Thailand's COE application website (https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/) states that after the COE is approved, the traveler should have a medical certificate attesting the traveler is covid free issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.  For myself, I made sure I had pre-typed and pre-printed a medical certificate (a letter) for the testing clinic's doctor to sign and stamp to which I attached the clinic's negative test results.  (I didn't anticipate that clinics typically would provide this so I typed one up myself.)  I then made sure I highlighted in yellow the date on the medical certificate and the date/time on the attached test result so that the < 72 hour timing was clear for airport/airline reviewers when I departed the US, for when I arrived in transit (Narita Airport), and for when I arrived to BKK.   I encountered no questions or issues.

4. Once Certificate of Entry (COE) is approved

• • Applicant requests to print Certificate of Entry (COE) from website via Check Application menu (in the menu on the next page)
  • Applicant shows (1) Certificate of Entry (COE), (2) Medical certificate attesting that the traveler is free from COVID-19, using RT-PCR method, issued no more than 72 hours before travelling, and (3) relevant documents prescribed in Guidelines based on Regulations issued under Section 9 of the emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation B.E.2548 (2005) (No.7) to Airline Officials and officials at point of Entry, otherwise might be rejected to enter the Kingdom
  • COE applicant for Sandbox programme shall prepare additional documents which are (1) an original copy of Certificate of Vaccination and (2) receipt or proof of payment for SHA Plus accommodation, specifying both accommodation fees and RT-PCR COVID-19 test fees. The SHA Plus booking confirmation shall be issued at least 14 nights, unless travellers have proof of return tickets leaving Thailand within 14 days after arrival.

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, Moti24 said:

The problem is that not all the test companies do same day result.  So, you might have to travel for the test if you want a decent time lapse between result and flight.

Quite. Where I will be in the UK there are very few test facilities and very expensive, £150 - £300 for pre departure PCR with 24 - 48 hour turnaround.

I will probably travel to London for the test before flying.

[alex8912]

10 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Yes the text from the Thai embassy is ambiguous and I would read it as the sample should be taken within 72 hours of departure of the first leg. Other countries are more specific and refer to the sample rather than the result. Others are free to disagree but at the end of the day it is really up to each individual to do what they think best.

With the UK the sample should be taken within 72 hours of departure of the final leg. Some countries accept approved antigen tests and with them the sample would normally be taken within 48 hours of departure.

Yes. Thanks for your input.No one has really answered this thread correctly even though they think they did. Even country to country there are differences. I'll probably try to ask again in late September and see but it's best to check with both Thai rules and also how tests are administered in your home country but "result date" and "sample date" etc are too easy to misinterpret. I mean who the heck is the person who is even translating Thai to English or English to Thai?  You know mistakes ARE possible. This is something everyone should keep in mind. I think if you can spend the money and time try to get a quick turnaround test ( like one hour) 72 hours before to be safe. I still read that Thai nationals DON'T Need a test before leaving USA to Thailand and find that hard to believe. How could the airline allow this?  No one on this forum can even answer this question yet. 

[sandyf]

12 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Yes. Thanks for your input.No one has really answered this thread correctly even though they think they did. Even country to country there are differences. I'll probably try to ask again in late September and see but it's best to check with both Thai rules and also how tests are administered in your home country but "result date" and "sample date" etc are too easy to misinterpret. I mean who the heck is the person who is even translating Thai to English or English to Thai?  You know mistakes ARE possible. This is something everyone should keep in mind. I think if you can spend the money and time try to get a quick turnaround test ( like one hour) 72 hours before to be safe. I still read that Thai nationals DON'T Need a test before leaving USA to Thailand and find that hard to believe. How could the airline allow this?  No one on this forum can even answer this question yet. 

This statement is on the UK embassy website and is open to interpretation. The statement is also seen in the CAAT ruling which would have been in Thai.

"(done by RT-PCR technique and issued no more than 72 hours before travelling)"

https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/56377

 

I would certainly agree with your last point.

[Sheryl]

Thai nationals are not required to have COVID test before returning to Thailand. Some airlines might require it as an airline reg but most seem to follow the requirements of the destination country.

 

Test results must be issued 72 hours before departure but to avoid any possible confusion I would get the test done within 72 hours prior. This is what I will do and I am also returning from US. 

 

It is not difficult to get test results issued within 24-48 hours in thw US these days. In fact can get it same day at many major international airports. (Several hours waiting around though).

[alex8912]

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Thai nationals are not required to have COVID test before returning to Thailand. Some airlines might require it as an airline reg but most seem to follow the requirements of the destination country.

 

Test results must be issued 72 hours before departure but to avoid any possible confusion I would get the test done within 72 hours prior. This is what I will do and I am also returning from US. 

 

It is not difficult to get test results issued within 24-48 hours in thw US these days. In fact can get it same day at many major international airports. (Several hours waiting around though).

It's unbelievable that ANY airline would allow Thais returning to Thailand from the USA to not need a test. EVERY flight from USA requires at least one stop in another country. I'm NOT doubting you that Thailand might not require this but how csn Emirates or Qatar air for example let 20 Thai people on the flight NOT tested when every single other person has been tested? You are saying "some " airlines do/don't. If I were flying I would NOT fly on a. Airline that lets Thais fly without a test. Sheryl I know you are an expert on here but can't you see how your above comment is kind of wrong? After reading what I just texted. Exactly which airlines from USA let's Thais fly with no tests? There really are not many airlines flying from USA to Thailand and they are transferring through Japan , Qatar and UAE often. Most people never fly USA ( transfer in Europe ) to Thailand. Unless they want to pay a ridiculous amount of $$ to be on a crappy airline. 

[OneMoreFarang]

I read several articles about those rules in the last days. I think the important part is that there are not just the Thai rules.

- Thailand has rules

- Airlines have rules

- (I guess) departure countries and airports have rules

- transit airports have rules

 

And all those rules might depend on the nationality of the traveler, where the traveler was (in the last days or weeks) and if the traveler is vaccinated. And even that "being vaccinated" is no fixed thing. People who are according to Thai rules fully vaccinated might not be vaccinated at all in (some parts of) Europe if they received i.e. two shots of Sinovac in Thailand.

 

My point is: There are many rules and many conditions depending on a lot of factors. Check with your airline, place of departure, place of arrival and all transit places.

[Sheryl]

59 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

It's unbelievable that ANY airline would allow Thais returning to Thailand from the USA to not need a test. EVERY flight from USA requires at least one stop in another country. I'm NOT doubting you that Thailand might not require this but how csn Emirates or Qatar air for example let 20 Thai people on the flight NOT tested when every single other person has been tested? You are saying "some " airlines do/don't. If I were flying I would NOT fly on a. Airline that lets Thais fly without a test. Sheryl I know you are an expert on here but can't you see how your above comment is kind of wrong? After reading what I just texted. Exactly which airlines from USA let's Thais fly with no tests? There really are not many airlines flying from USA to Thailand and they are transferring through Japan , Qatar and UAE often. Most people never fly USA ( transfer in Europe ) to Thailand. Unless they want to pay a ridiculous amount of $$ to be on a crappy airline. 

 

Which part of what I wrote is "kind of wrong?"

 

As I said - most airlines go by the requirements of the destination rather than having a blanket requirement for COVID testing of their own. Certainly true of Emirates, Korean Air, Thai airlines to name a few.

 

Where there is a transit flight, requirements at the point of transit will apply as well.  Some countries require proof of negative test for transit passengers, some do not, others base it on the point of destination (for example, transit passengers who departed from the USA do not need proof of COVID test to transit through South Korea, even though test is required of everyone entering the country.)

 

Thai nationals can and do fly to Thailand without COVID testing befire hand. Whether or not the should be able to do so is another matter. But definitely they can.