Thailand suspends ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’

[JustAnotherHun]

A second PCR test does not make much sense unless they keep travellers in some kind of quarantaine until it's done. That would mean a minimum of 3 to 5 days.

But I expect they'll let the already approved T&G visitors go and the'll have to do the second test somewhere

[HashBrownHarry]

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

This is what is unclear...

And what I dearly wish to find out. I booked the Novotel airport for T&G as it is convenient in terms of going home next day. But no way would I choose it for a 7 day stay let alone (worst case scenario) 7 day quarantine. 

 

Worst case scenario would be 2 weeks quarantine, i'd not rule that out just yet for all arrivals.

[Kadilo]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

I certainly hope so. Thank goodness I got the Pass before I left...and my return is scheduled before the Han 4 "review". One does wonder how they will set up/enforce the 2nd PCR though...

Seems they are saying at no extra cost too. They need to release this information soon. 

[HashBrownHarry]

1 minute ago, JustAnotherHun said:

A second PCR test does not make much sense unless they keep travellers in some kind of quarantaine until it's done. That would mean a minimum of 3 to 5 days.

But I expect they'll let the already approved T&G visitors go and the'll have to do the second test somewhere

 

it makes no sense to let the existing T & G approved people arrive.....

[The Hammer2021]

1 hour ago, rodknock said:

my oh my.

another we do not know what we are going to do.

do one thing in the am change it in the pm.

what a way to run a country!!

Unlike the UK and USA

[ThailandRyan]

14 minutes ago, ourmanflint said:

So, some clarification, those already on test and go can stay on test and go if you already have thai pass. Others have to come via sandbox scheme 

Very interesting, looks like those of us that applied in advance like I did for a return in February are grandfathered in for the Test N Go.....keeping my fingers crossed it does not change before I fly out to the States after the new years and then return as I said.

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Unlike the UK and USA

No comparison but nice try at sarcasm.

[Cherrytreeview]

Hardly a free lunch having to do a PCR Test on day 7.

Apparently 90,000 due to come on the Thailand Pass scheme.

Omicron will be ripping through the population over the next month in Thailand.

That second PCR Test looks like Russian roulette to me unless you self isolate on arrival in Thailand.

What a care free and stress free holiday with a likely close down of the new illegal alcohol serving restaurants likely to be closed down.

[86Tiger]

23 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

It's in line with international norms and nothing to do with Thai hysteria.

 

 

I believe history will reflect past 2 years as world hysteria, norms or no.

[overherebc]

52 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

And they wonder why tourism is suffering so.

 

I guess the family visit will have to wait until late 2022 or maybe 2023 or maybe . . .

The way things are going there might not be an airworthy plane left by then.

[Cherrytreeview]

2 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

https://www.the-sun.com/health/4296141/south-africa-coronavirus-omicron-covid/

However, the report has tentatively bolstered confidence Omicron may not be as severe as other forms of the virus. South Africa did not got into lockdown when the variant was found.

Michelle Groome, the head of Public Health Surveillance at South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases, said: “The hospitalisations are not increasing at such a dramatic rate.

“We are starting to see some increases, but relatively small increases in deaths.”

Earlier this week, Discovery Health SA, a major health insurer, reported 29 per cent fewer cases of severe illness with Omicron than with the first wave of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday researchers released data suggesting that excess deaths in the country have not yet increased dramatically.

And a public health specialist said the number of people needing oxygen is lower than it was during previous surges.

 

 

The reality outside SA.

[MadMac]

There is just too much money to be made from forced detention. They will not let this go and this new wave was a welcome opportunity. 

[Mywayboy]

2 hours ago, RandolphGB said:

Yet another knee-jerk reaction from the  government to show the hysterical Thai public they’re doing something. 

Dont know their A@s$ from their Elbow.

Jerk offs.

[mtls2005]

I'm shocked such a  quick decision was taken.

 

Highly unusual for the regime.

 

Suspect they're seeing data that leads them to believe things will get very bad, worse than any previous waves.

 

 

[jojothai]

NO doubt there will have been a mad rush to get TP applications in now since the news. ????????????

 

only probably another hour to get an application in, Or will it be midnight?

Edited December 21, 2021 by jojothai
add info

[AMFWolfie]

Haven't actually read all the comments about this yet but seems another over reaction which will certainly be the final straw for some hardened travelers planning to get away over Christmas and new year. Only so much mucking about people can put up with especially after already jumping through hoops to get here. Have several friends all booked up ready to go over the next 10 days but cant quite make out if they can travel with no additional quarantine or not?? State a 2nd RT-PCR test on arrival so will that be the day after arrival, 2 day after 5 days after etc etc. Nothing very clear to risk the flight but you will assume the airports will know as it their risk to fly you home if unable to stay or refused entry I believe.

 

What I don't understand is the Omicron variant is not actually from South Africa, its where it was first discovered and has now mutated all over the world so by stopping flights and entry, is it still not simply going to mutate amongst the unvaccinated so very little anyone can do to stop that!!

 

Interesting last week that when Sky news interviewed the top viral specialist in South Africa he did say although it spread easier it was less fatal than the original strain and Delta. When the Sky team then went out and interviewed locals in one of the townships, they were saying its simply a flu outbreak and not much to worry about. And this is from a country with a a very low vaccine rate.... Do wonder if everyone is over reacting to something they cannot stop...apart from mass vaccinations perhaps..

 

 

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Thailand has scrapped its ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’ schemes

 

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The PM announced on Tuesday afternoon that Test & Go will be put on hold until at least January 4, 2022. 

 

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The so-called ‘Sandbox’ programs will also be suspended. 

 

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

"After Dec. 21, there will be no new registrations for 'Test and Go', only quarantine or Phuket sandbox," said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhanadirek.

Scrapped, put on hold, sandbox suspended, can only book sandbox… 

 

interesting Clarity Mr Fairfield !!! 

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

 

 

Scrapped, put on hold, sandbox suspended, can only book sandbox… 

 

interesting Clarity Mr Fairfield !!! 

Can only pass the information that has been fed out...with this country who knows what will come next.

[jojothai]

4 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

I'm shocked such a  quick decision was taken.

 

Highly unusual for the regime.

 

Suspect they're seeing data that leads them to believe things will get very bad, worse than any previous waves.

 

 

The data does look extremely bad, especially UK.
But people are not generally wearing masks. They don't have to.

Supposed to on public transport, but many do not. 
Its not surprising this is spreading so quickly.

[stigar]

Just talked with my lady.Omicron in korat now.First case decected today.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Crazy, but what to expect when you got a nut in charge of the health ministry. 

[koratkarlos]

Perhaps the real issue here is how dangerous will Omicron be to a population vaccinated with Sinovac/ Sinopharm.  I am not sure that this has been determined.  Nonetheless, it is too late.  There were many migrants from Myanmar entering Mae Sak. Tak this morning.  The politics must also focus on this influx of people also.  We will continue to stay home and not travel until this Omicron wave is better understood.

[jojothai]

Why only Phuket sandbox?

Must be something important about it.

 

Reluctant to cut all the income streams at once? 

[RayOday]

Anutin was in Phrae last week spewing his xenophobic and arrogance, hubris, and ignorance stating that he had the virus under control. No need for private vax participation and more than enough inventory. He and his masters at CP can supply all the Sino needed for his kick-ups and useless metrics. I am in villages with ethnic minorities who have had no vaccines. He is as bright as a soi dog about to get blindsided by a car. Whatever you belirve about the viral transmission, infected virulence, and individual choice, please be prudent and take good care. While the government processes have improved delivery the leadership are still vain asses.

[KhaoYai]

58 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

From Richard Barrow

I still don't trust this.  In my opinion it is still possible that they will require people to quarantine until the results of the second test are known.  It would not be the first time that government annoucements have contradicted each other.

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Thailand has scrapped its ‘Thailand Pass’ and ‘Test & Go’ schemes

 

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The PM announced on Tuesday afternoon that Test & Go will be put on hold until at least January 4, 2022. 

 

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The so-called ‘Sandbox’ programs will also be suspended. 

 

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

"After Dec. 21, there will be no new registrations for 'Test and Go', only quarantine or Phuket sandbox," said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhanadirek.

Scrapped, put on hold, sandbox suspended, can only book sandbox… 

 

interesting Clarity Mr Fairfield !!! 

[KhaoYai]

5 minutes ago, jojothai said:

Why only Phuket sandbox?

Must be something important about it.

 

Reluctant to cut all the income streams at once? 

Phuket is an island - easier to control. It also has its own pseudo government (mafia) which is very powerful.  A lot of laws and regulations are different in Phuket.

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, tomyami said:

Over reactions abound worldwide on omicrom, sure tis the season to be jolly

A milder variant that spreads faster and evade vacs that wain might be a good thing

I just read this morning that Omicron is not unlike the common cold.

[jimrod]

Let's see if I've got this right. Thailand appears to be getting COVID under control, a new variant is out there that appears to be out of control, so Thailand are taking measures to avoid a massive spike in cases. Is this correct, or am I missing something?

Possibly a touch of Karma for the UK who whacked Thailand with the red zone and despite falling figures, didn't change it on their first review. I feel somewhat fortunate to have travelled to the UK and back in November. And I use the word fortunate because I knew many factors could have rocked the boat.

[jojothai]

1 minute ago, KhaoYai said:

Phuket is an island - easier to control. It also has its own pseudo government (mafia) which is very powerful.  A lot of laws and regulations are different in Phuket.

Unlike Samui? which is a lot smaller.