Airlines alerted to Thailand’s new regulations for ‘Test and Go’, ‘Sandbox’ schemes

[webfact]

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) alerting airlines around the world of Thailand’s new regulations regarding passengers travelling to Thailand under the “Test and Go” and “Sandbox” programs, intended to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant.

 

The CAAT is also seeking cooperation from all airlines by helping to check the documents of their passengers travelling to Thailand, to ensure they meet the new regulations.

 

The CAAT’s action follows the decision yesterday, by Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Administration (CCSA), to suspend immediately the issuance of the “Thailand Pass” to travellers from 63 low-risk countries and territories for travel to Thailand with only minimal quarantine of no more than one day.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/airlines-alerted-to-thailands-new-regulations-for-test-and-go-sandbox-schemes/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-22

 

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[baboon]

In other news, British Airways will not be serving Bangkok until at least October 2022, basically on the grounds that they can't be ar$ed with the ever-changing regulations. Can you blame them?

[JustAnotherHun]

8 minutes ago, baboon said:

In other news, British Airways will not be serving Bangkok until at least October 2022, basically on the grounds that they can't be ar$ed with the ever-changing regulations. Can you blame them?

BA cancelled the flight before Thailand came up with the T&G cancellation.

But I wonder, what "cooperation" they want from the airlines. For them, nothing has changed with T&G. It's up to Thailand to find a way for the second PCR test.

 

When I flew in in November, all my papers were closely checked by Swiss air. First in Munich, then in Zurich. They couldn't have done more.

[smedly]

not sure what this has to do with airlines

[Geoffggi]

I hope they have also included the travel agents in this memo ....................LOL

[JoePai]

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) alerting airlines around the world

 

You mean to say airline do not follow Thai Visa Forum and already know about this  ???? 

[Cherrytreeview]

BA and EVA not flying direct from Heathrow now.

Just leaves Thai airways to have a field day rinsing the people who wish to fly directly to BKK.

Seems BA knows there will be no demand for low season travel to Thailand with all the hoop jumping and restrictions. They have obviously had a look at forward bookings.

Not everyone wants to travel through the middle east hubs adding another covid infection opportunity into an already stressful journey.

[mancub]

16 minutes ago, smedly said:

not sure what this has to do with airlines

It's only to give them a clue as to why their load factors will be falling !

[baboon]

16 minutes ago, smedly said:

not sure what this has to do with airlines

A handy scapegoat in case the world is not banging on Thailand's door come January the 4th?

[Joe Farang]

How prevalent or numerous are the PCR testing centres?

If a tourist was planning to spend their time on Koh Chang or Samet, or an even remoter island near Samui or Phuket, would there be a centre available in a local clinic?

[lapamita]

well ticket prices will go up further , bcs of uncertantity and lower volume of passengers

 

chaos pur

 

never expected that  i have a ticket ow singapore air this weeknd to cambodia  , and RT ticket from bangkok with singapore air

plan was , go to thailand middle january and february fly back from bkk , but now cant get this flight without quarantaene

 

tickets are worthless in this case , and if buy a spare rt ticket from cambodia back the only good ticket is 1100 usd eco class

 

dont know i fly now

[RichardColeman]

31 minutes ago, Cherrytreeview said:

Not everyone wants to travel through the middle east hubs adding another covid infection opportunity into an already stressful journey.

I agree and as proven by the infected muslims that thought is a great idea in a pandemic to go on a holy pilgrimage and mix with 100,000's of others !

[Bagwain]

The biggest con continues around the globe unless you are a flat earther! Bahahaha

[Kadilo]

44 minutes ago, smedly said:

not sure what this has to do with airlines

They are the ones that bring the people. and should “check the documents to ensure they meet the new regs”

[KC 71]

37 minutes ago, Cherrytreeview said:

BA and EVA not flying direct from Heathrow now.

Just leaves Thai airways to have a field day rinsing the people who wish to fly directly to BKK.

Seems BA knows there will be no demand for low season travel to Thailand with all the hoop jumping and restrictions. They have obviously had a look at forward bookings.

Not everyone wants to travel through the middle east hubs adding another covid infection opportunity into an already stressful journey.

Was having a look for a friend near Manx for the quickest flight for him.

this was the only one ( not sore about Heathrow

[The Hammer2021]

59 minutes ago, baboon said:

In other news, British Airways will not be serving Bangkok until at least October 2022, basically on the grounds that they can't be ar$ed with the ever-changing regulations. Can you blame them?

Simply not true. That is not the reason given but it is a typical comment from a bitter Thai basher in their never ending task of knocking Thailand whist conviniently overlooking the inadequacy of their own country.

[overherebc]

52 minutes ago, smedly said:

not sure what this has to do with airlines

CYA clause.

You (airline) didn't check documents so you can fly them back home.

Maybe.

[JackGats]

I hope airlines will not get paranoid and start rejecting TP passengers to be on the safe side. Not all airline employees read Thaivisa. Besides, can airline employees read TP QR codes? Probably not. The COE was more explicit as it was more than a QR code. 

[arithai12]

48 minutes ago, smedly said:

not sure what this has to do with airlines

A lot. They are the ones who have to ensure that you qualify to disembark at the destination airport, or else they have to fly you back. When I checked in from Europe to Bangkok last month, the Emirates check-in went through my vaccination, insurance, hotel booking, Thai pass and what else very thoroughly, like a good 20 minutes.

 

[The Hammer2021]

8 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

I agree and as proven by the infected muslims that thought is a great idea in a pandemic to go on a holy pilgrimage and mix with 100,000's of others !

The Saudi authorities control the Haj so it was their decision. Perhaps they are not panicking. They are experts in the mass movement of people and contagion. I was there during the MERS Crisis, Swine flu epidemic and the Avian flu outbreak.  The Saudis can be ruthless and effective administrators

[poskat]

so what are the new regs?

 

do the tourists now have to have a 7 day reservation at an approved hotel

in which they are jailed until their 2nd test comes back neg?

 

I was planning to go the the usa over xmas/NY

but didnt due to having a hard time finding affordable flights

 

I am glad I am not heading out of here now

 

hello, phuket....

[Misterwhisper]

I hope the tourism & sports minister as well as the TAT chief both have received appropriate notices, too; namely to kindly desist from weekly announcing wishful arrival figures that in recent months have become increasingly hilarious -- in a  comedy show kind of way.

[Sheryl]

Does anyone have a link to what guidance airlines have been given?

 

Concern being that they may have been  told to look for full prepaid quatantine even among oeople already approved for T &  G

[baboon]

10 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Simply not true. That is not the reason given but it is a typical comment from a bitter Thai basher in their never ending task of knocking Thailand whist conviniently overlooking the inadequacy of their own country.

Thai bashing? What, the UK haven't been changing their rules and regulations frequently too, causing a nightmare for the airlines? 

I am just saying I don't blame any airline flying between the two countries just to throw up their hands and say '<deleted> this for a game of soldiers'.

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, Bagwain said:

The biggest con continues around the globe unless you are a flat earther! Bahahaha

Such a caustic post.  Con, really, so you have bought into the Misinformation, the great reset the 5 G conspiracies, well bravo. Sarcasm drips from my post.

[86Tiger]

2 hours ago, poskat said:

so what are the new regs?

 

do the tourists now have to have a 7 day reservation at an approved hotel

in which they are jailed until their 2nd test comes back neg?

 

I was planning to go the the usa over xmas/NY

but didnt due to having a hard time finding affordable flights

 

I am glad I am not heading out of here now

 

hello, phuket....

Boom.

 

Expected this to be first post, not bottom of page 1.

 

They advise airliines of new regs but not release new regs.  Genius indeed.

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Simply not true. That is not the reason given but it is a typical comment from a bitter Thai basher in their never ending task of knocking Thailand whist conviniently overlooking the inadequacy of their own country.

Agree. Pre wuhuflu I had hassle at a few airports where check in staff were totally unaware of visa rules for Thailand. They didn't know anything about visa exempt or visa on arrival. Usually they looked ad though they left school two weeks before and couldn't find their backside with two hands never mind Thailand on a map.

[herfiehandbag]

4 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Simply not true. That is not the reason given but it is a typical comment from a bitter Thai basher in their never ending task of knocking Thailand whist conviniently overlooking the inadequacy of their own country.

Whilst the timing of BA's announcement confirms that the new entry/quarantine/testing rules are not the immediate cause of their decision, one can but wonder whether a contributing factor was the constant uncertainty and confusion over the rules, and how they may change at short notice. The "I wonder what they will do next week" factor!

 

Feel free to dismiss me as a"bitter Thai basher who overlooks the inadequacy of his own country" if it helps you feel any better!

[HashBrownHarry]

7 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

I hope they have also included the travel agents in this memo ....................LOL

People still use travel agents?

[KhunLA]

I thought the news-blip was rather straightforward.

 

The replies on the other hand, mostly completely irrelevant, and obviously from people who didn't read what the policy changes actually are, not that it would affect them anyway, unless they planned on utilizing the T&G scheme.

 

Doubt very much if it's a major surprise to any of the airlines, and they'll quickly adjust.

 

It really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.  Only surprise was Thailand once again, opened back up, and again, paid the price for it.