BREAKING: CCSA confirms easing of entry restrictions to Thailand from Dec 16

[Puccini]

What is the rate of false positive ATK tests, compared to the PRC test.

[Netease]

Furthermore, people arriving as part of the Test & Go scheme will only need to book transportation to their hotel of choice and take an ATK test. 

They will no longer be required to book a hotel room for one night.

 

Where do you find a hotel that will do that for you if you don't book a room?

Doesn't make sense, If its your hotel surely you have booked a room????

[86Tiger]

 

I just see confusion and speculation.

 

Don't announce anything to anyone until there is definitive plan of action.

[Puccini]

The OP gives no link to the source, presumably a web page on the website of CCSA or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on which this information is based. Therefore, I shall treat is an uncorroborated rumour for the time being.

 

I don't know how official https://tp.consular.go.th/ is but as at 09.00 hours UTC on 26 November 2021, it still has this requirement listed:

Quote

Paid AQ / SHA Extra+ hotel reservation confirmation (for the duration of 1 day and including the fee for one RT-PCR test)

Source: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/plan

 

If the rumour is true, that web page will probably be updated on 1 December and until then, Thailand Pass applications will still require documents as per above to be uploaded.

 

[Mentors65]

Easing the restrictions just then when in many countries tourists coming from c-19 cases going to the roof.

Everyone can imagine what will happens here in January...

[cyril sneer]

what about the bars?

[GrandPapillon]

300 or 350, same same ????

 

[KannikaP]

7 minutes ago, GrandPapillon said:

300 or 350, same same ????

 

I got a taxi back to the airport....Bht 109

[geisha]

1 hour ago, Puccini said:

The OP gives no link to the source, presumably a web page on the website of CCSA or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on which this information is based. Therefore, I shall treat is an uncorroborated rumour for the time being.

 

I don't know how official https://tp.consular.go.th/ is but as at 09.00 hours UTC on 26 November 2021, it still has this requirement listed:

Source: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/plan

 

If the rumour is true, that web page will probably be updated on 1 December and until then, Thailand Pass applications will still require documents as per above to be uploaded.

 

If rumor is true, the THAI Pass no longer needed for arrivals after 15 Dec. It’s all over the news. 

[bkk6060]

Could change as it would be just in time for the new South African variant.

 

[geisha]

Now I wish ( please please)  they would sort out the evisa  waiting time. Some countries apparently it works ok, France a complete mess, announcing up to 45 days wait !!  All the e visas I’ve had from numerous countries and Asia usually take about 48 hours!!!

[aussiexpat]

2 minutes ago, geisha said:

If rumor is true, the THAI Pass no longer needed for arrivals after 15 Dec. It’s all over the news. 

And where is your link for that if it's "all over the news"

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, geisha said:

If rumor is true, the THAI Pass no longer needed for arrivals after 15 Dec. It’s all over the news. 

I don’t think that’s the case.

 

It seems all processes remain the same, but with a switch from Hotel transport, PCR test & overnight at at hotel to Hotel transport, ATK test at hotel then free to leave. 

It seems the drive for all this is maintaining control of potential positive cases while making the process at little easier to swallow for tourists..  
 

Clear, concise non contradictory information is key - this is where things stuff up !!! 

[aussiexpat]

The only reason to keep the taxi to a SHA++ hotel for the ATK test is the last + means linked to a hospital.

 

Nice way to keep the baht flowing by putting random somebody's into hospital for a false positive

[Puccini]

As at 11.00 h UTC, the website of CAAT still has this update of 4 November 2021 on its website. If the rumour about the change to an ATK test is true, they will probably update that web page on 4 December.

 

Source: https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/61230

 

[zzaa09]

4 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

 

 

Why not set up ATK at the basically empty airport?

 

 

 

Exactly. 

Some were suggesting that this is how it should've been set up from the start [Nov 1 program]. 

Wouldn't take to much organization to coordinate an area within the airport to perform a rapid ATK and the short wait. Cycle 'em in, cycle 'em out. Those that were unsure about making quick turn around domestic air connections can probably rest a little easier now. 

 

Aside from the understanding that the Test & Go/Hotel Booking sceme was nothing short of the usual profitable scam. 

[Puccini]

4 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

Even bigger joke is that if I nominate Novatel at the airport, I won't get a Thailand Pass unless I show proof of a 600 metre taxi fare and a pre-paid ATK. What would that be, 1000 baht? What's the point....

I see nothing about a taxi mentioned in the OP and anyway, how would you book and pre-pay a taxi trip?

 

Doesn't the arriving passenger have to travel from the airport to the hotel under guard from a hotel employee?

[tomacht8]

3 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

1 Nov Rule 

- mandated taxi

- PCR test

- stay at hotel until negative result (pay)

- Ambulance to hospital if positive 

 

1 Dec Rule 

- mandated taxi

- ATK test

- stay at hotel until negative result (????)

- Ambulance to hospital if positive 

 

So benefit is what? Or maybe the ATK more likely to give false positive and cost 120,000 baht in hospital ????

 

That is a gigantic relief and simplification. If this earth-shattering change takes effect, I fear that Thailand will be flooded with tourists. ????

[aussiexpat]

1 hour ago, Puccini said:

I see nothing about a taxi mentioned in the OP and anyway, how would you book and pre-pay a taxi trip?

 

Doesn't the arriving passenger have to travel from the airport to the hotel under guard from a hotel employee?

Pre-paid taxi, hotel and PCR test have been required since 1 July

[freedomnow]

Vital news I think, to reduce all the endless red tape to enjoy the country.

 

They will still find out though a massive drop in visitiors regardless.

Too much uncertainty still.

Late 2021 is soft re-opening and unless some nightmare new variant becomes dominant - I'd say October 2022 before things get rolling in the direction of normal.

 

I'd guess a lot of small businesses working capital will be wiped out by then...probably took them a decade/2 decades to pool that money to start a small biz.

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, Mentors65 said:

Easing the restrictions just then when in many countries tourists coming from c-19 cases going to the roof.

Everyone can imagine what will happens here in January...

If you can tell me why the 99.92% of arrivals testing negative on arrival are not more at risk of the Thai public that have not been tested twice and vaccined than the other way round I'm all ears !

[mancub]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

because these fools have no idea how to come up with a simple solution

Or they refuse to be "seen" to do what outsiders suggest and have to put their own stamp on it, resulting in half-measures that constantly require clarification.

[puck2]

4 hours ago, James105 said:

$$$ from taxi

$$$ from test

 

Presumably the hotels still want a piece of the covid action in the absence of tourists.    

.....or the military ?

[Puccini]

1 hour ago, aussiexpat said:

Pre-paid taxi, hotel and PCR test have been required since 1 July

I have not been able to find the publication of the requirements for the "exemption from quarantine" plan, also known as "test-and-go" plan, which I understand started on 1 November 2021 A.D. Gregorian calendar, in the Government Gazette. As an alternative, I have been reading related information on what seem to be official government websites, most recently the following: 

 

https://tp.consular.go.th/en/plan

 

https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/61230

 

[onthedarkside]

3 hours ago, Puccini said:

The OP gives no link to the source, presumably a web page on the website of CCSA or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on which this information is based. Therefore, I shall treat is an uncorroborated rumour for the time being.

 

I don't know how official https://tp.consular.go.th/ is but as at 09.00 hours UTC on 26 November 2021, it still has this requirement listed:

Source: https://tp.consular.go.th/en/plan

 

If the rumour is true, that web page will probably be updated on 1 December and until then, Thailand Pass applications will still require documents as per above to be uploaded.

 

 

See the updated version of the OP news report:

 

"* The CCSA initially announced the new measures would be in place from Dec 1st. However, the CCSA has since released an update to say the new measures are from Dec 16th. This post has been updated to reflect the change. "

[tomacht8]

3 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

what about the bars?

Good idea. Make the ATK Test there. And wait relaxed for the result with a cold beer. No need for a Hotel to do the job.

[tomacht8]

9 minutes ago, onthedarkside said:

 

See the updated version of the OP news report:

 

"* The CCSA initially announced the new measures would be in place from Dec 1st. However, the CCSA has since released an update to say the new measures are from Dec 16th. This post has been updated to reflect the change. "

LOL There must have been someone who noticed that the planned change could not be implemented in a process-related manner within 4 days. Planning geniuses wherever you look.

[bolt]

They think that removing the costs of PCR test will help get more tourists, this will impact the time taken waiting on a negative result which could take 10 minutes in some cases so you don’t need to stay in a hotel room overnight waiting for the results.

 

Once again the people in charge haven’t thought this through properly they are simply stumbling forward hoping for a return to the old days when they had 39 Million tourists

[CRUNCHER]

2 hours ago, Puccini said:

As at 11.00 h UTC, the website of CAAT still has this update of 4 November 2021 on its website. If the rumour about the change to an ATK test is true, they will probably update that web page on 4 December.

 

 "

Source: https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/61230

 

The guideline says "COVID-19 Health Insurance with minimum coverage of USD 50,000"

Is that Covid Insurance or health insurance that includes Covid cover?

[Mentors65]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

If you can tell me why the 99.92% of arrivals testing negative on arrival are not more at risk of the Thai public that have not been tested twice and vaccined than the other way round I'm all ears !

Until now. This will change with 50% useless ATK tests.

Did you hear about the new variant from SA detected in Belgium today afternoon?

I think i can imagine what comes up here in Thailand.

Tourists will come and leave, Thais and Expats have to live here