The RT-PCR COVID-19 test requirement upon arrival in Thailand will remain in place in light of the emergence of the new “Omicron” COVID-19 variant in many countries, the Thai cabinet announced today (Tuesday). This decision negates the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s announcement, issued last week, saying that antigen tests will be used from December 16th.

 

The switch to antigen test kits (ATKs) was meant to reduce the waiting time for people arriving from specified countries, both Thai returnees and foreign visitors. The quarantine wait for fully vaccinated arrivals to get tested has, in fact, been about a day or half a day in a pre-booked certified hotel.

 

According to Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha, the Thai authorities are monitoring the Omicron variant more closely, especially regarding air travel. He expressed confidence that, should the variant, which has been categorised as “of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO), make its way into Thailand through formal points of entry, it can be traced and tracked. If, however, it arrives with those who cross borders illegally, then it will be hard to do so.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rt-pcr-test-requirement-on-arrival-in-thailand-will-remain-in-place/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-11-30

 

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Forget about regular tourists then. The ones who are coming will be returning Expats / Business folks or some desperate guys who met a Thai girl online and are now embarking on that cumbersome journey for the sake of a date. 

26 minutes ago, asiasurfer said:

Forget about regular tourists then. The ones who are coming will be returning Expats / Business folks or some desperate guys who met a Thai girl online and are now embarking on that cumbersome journey for the sake of a date. 

Doesn't matter what Thailand does if people aren't allowed to leave their homes...

52 minutes ago, asiasurfer said:

Forget about regular tourists then. The ones who are coming will be returning Expats / Business folks or some desperate guys who met a Thai girl online and are now embarking on that cumbersome journey for the sake of a date. 

I think all the expats wanting to return have already done so, same goes for returning thai's.
expect lower than expected arrival numbers soon.

 

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The RT-PCR COVID-19 test requirement upon arrival in Thailand will remain in place in light of the emergence of the new “Omicron” COVID-19 variant in many countries, the Thai cabinet announced today (Tuesday). T

That's just an excuse.  It is a cash cow and highly profitable as tourists are forced to take RT-PCR tests with extremely inflated price tags.  Which is another reason Covid never ever goes away. 
It is way too lucrative. 

18 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

I think all the expats wanting to return have already done so, same goes for returning thai's.
expect lower than expected arrival numbers soon.

 

I have friends who have been coming here for years for full one month vacations. 
I told my friends the situation on the ground here regarding all the paperwork, tests, shots, and restrictions. 
Their return to Thailand this year is a no-go.  They aren't coming back until sanity returns - if it ever returns.  They are from the US and will head to Mexico for the vacation they usually take in Thailand. 

And there you have it. 

Makes sense and no big deal to spend a night in a hotel after travelling for most. 

1 hour ago, Kadilo said:

Makes sense and no big deal to spend a night in a hotel after travelling for most. 

Sleep the long sleep for those who get jet lagged.

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

This decision negates the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s announcement, issued last week, saying that antigen tests will be used from December 16th.

Seems the CCSA has more in common with a yoyo than a proper administration

It doesn't change anything for me, because my country is not on the list of 63 countries.  But what about the idea of reducing your SHA + hotel stay from 7 to 5 nights?  Will this decision also be reversed?

Just in Portugal for a holiday would have normally spent in Thailand . Usually for 1 month but sadly zero chance of me going under the current rules and regime . Just friends going to see with no g/f there as 

been there done that not to be repeated. Cant say I dont miss my time in Thailand but arrived in Portugal for 4 weeks , no test on arrival , need masks walking around but all bars / restaurants fully open with zero restrictions. Ohh and wine is mega cheap and very good which is a big bonus!. Yes a little bit dearer than Thailand but infrastructure and lack of scams make up for that. Sad really but until they sort out all the issues I wont be back anytime soon .

8 hours ago, asiasurfer said:

Forget about regular tourists then. The ones who are coming will be returning Expats / Business folks or some desperate guys who met a Thai girl online and are now embarking on that cumbersome journey for the sake of a date. 

Actually the ones who really coming ( or about) the 400k migrant workers they desperate to import back...but looking to find a loophole how to get around the 1 days hotel stay required and the expensive test.

 

 

 

very low tourist numbers to "remain"

13 hours ago, asiasurfer said:

Forget about regular tourists then. The ones who are coming will be returning Expats / Business folks or some desperate guys who met a Thai girl online and are now embarking on that cumbersome journey for the sake of a date. 

Yes, 'date', nice way to put it.

And that is exactly how it will come and spread " Land borders illegals "  exactly the reason for the past and current spread numbers but of course the first chance they get they will point the finger at the tourist those dirty bastards. ????

13 hours ago, connda said:

That's just an excuse.  It is a cash cow and highly profitable as tourists are forced to take RT-PCR tests with extremely inflated price tags.  Which is another reason Covid never ever goes away. 
It is way too lucrative. 

Please explain how it can be a 'cash cow' and 'too lucrative' if nobody is coming ?

12 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Seems the CCSA has more in common with a yoyo than a proper administration

Makes perfect sense, the PCR test is more accurate than the ATK test...

Not much you can do about illegals aided and abetted by smugglers they will slip though the net, but you can test at points of entry.

14 hours ago, connda said:

That's just an excuse.  It is a cash cow and highly profitable as tourists are forced to take RT-PCR tests with extremely inflated price tags.  Which is another reason Covid never ever goes away. 
It is way too lucrative. 

Obviously why the UK has gone back to PCR testing.

My brother and his wife were £380 for their PCR tests in the UK, I was 2700 baht in Bangkok.

Some just cannot see past that xenophobic perception.

14 hours ago, Kadilo said:

Makes sense and no big deal to spend a night in a hotel after travelling for most. 

Right, wink wink, and so cheap ,too. What a deal! Where did you get your education? the Big C?

8 hours ago, Nigeone said:

Yes a little bit dearer than Thailand but infrastructure and lack of scams make up for that.

Just car break ins. Every time I've been there my car has been broken in to. If you get scammed , maybe the 1st or second time you get the picture and the learning curve kicks in . but criminal elements are worse.

15 hours ago, asiasurfer said:

Forget about regular tourists then. The ones who are coming will be returning Expats / Business folks or some desperate guys who met a Thai girl online and are now embarking on that cumbersome journey for the sake of a date. 

its not that bad .  the current way in . its tolerable

9 hours ago, Farangus said:

It doesn't change anything for me, because my country is not on the list of 63 countries.  But what about the idea of reducing your SHA + hotel stay from 7 to 5 nights?  Will this decision also be reversed?

I have kept up to date with the Omicron news, and so far many doctors are saying this may be a savior, if it turns out to be not so harmful.

 

One South African Dr says its a storm in a teacup, her patients were only getting headaches and tiredness  .

DR Campbell has an update on the latest news on you tube. He was also interviewed about this on DW, its available on youtube.

He said it will be at least 3 weeks before an official report comes from South Africa, but he and others I viewed are hoping that this may be good news if the new variant is only causing minor effects.

The world opinion all over the news, I watched DW report and TVNZ is that this variant, dubbed Little O  ,Micro is Greek for small, will take over from Delta- covid.

Then when the official report comes out in a few weeks about how it is affecting vaccinated and unvaccinated and what it is actually doing, symptom wise, and if the suspicions by many Dr's have that this may be a savior then we might well see the end of the pandemic approaching.

And as far as Thailand controlling it from coming in, not a show in hell, (especially if they are letting Africans, Egyptians Israelis, Australians ect,  in) its probably they say going to be more infectious, so MIQ wont stop it and if the incubation period is longer, another unknown to come out in the report, then it wont be picked up . RT-PCR can still detect this strain but the s gene drops out in the test so if that shows to be happening then it is likely Omicron.

Lets all keep our fingers crossed that this may be good news ,only a few weeks then we  all will know.

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The RT-PCR COVID-19 test requirement upon arrival in Thailand will remain in place

That will please a nut in charge.

LOL

16 hours ago, zzzzz said:

I think all the expats wanting to return have already done so, same goes for returning thai's.
expect lower than expected arrival numbers soon.

 

Do you have any evidence/data etc., for your assumption, especially in regard to foreigners?

 

16 hours ago, connda said:

That's just an excuse.  It is a cash cow and highly profitable as tourists are forced to take RT-PCR tests with extremely inflated price tags.  Which is another reason Covid never ever goes away. 
It is way too lucrative. 

Exactly.  That's Thailand health services.  Making money from inflated tests. Let's it it all continue down the black hole it's destined 

24 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Do you have any evidence/data etc., for your assumption, especially in regard to foreigners?

 

Evidence about 'lower numbers if visiting foreigners '? Really. Your having a laugh 

 

So will Anutin have to test and quarantine upon his return, asking for my pet monitor lizard ???? 

14 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Seems the CCSA has more in common with a yoyo than a proper administration

Do you expect them to not react to new information?  Omicron is a big change, we don't yet know if it's for good or bad, but if they wait to react until they're certain, it would be too late.

14 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Seems the CCSA has more in common with a yoyo than a proper administration

True ???? But that goes also for a lot of similar institutions in many other countries. It's the same music all over the world, with WHO as the director reminiscent of the Apprentice in Fantasia.