Must Read Details of Revised Test & Go Program Announced

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced details for the Test & Go program which will be reinstated on February 1, 2022.

 

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tanee Sangrat has disclosed the revised regulations for entering Thailand, which was adjusted in accordance with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) resolution on January 20. Registration for the Thailand Pass "Test & Go" scheme will resume at 9 a.m. on February 1, 2022, with the following changes:

 

- There are no registration limitations for any country or region.

- The Conditions for Vaccination were updated.

- Applicants with Thai citizenship do not have to buy insurance.

- Travelers must provide proof of booking and payment for two nights of SHA Extra Plus /AQ hotel or accommodation on days 1 and 5. A return flight ticket must be provided if the period of the visit is less than five days.

 

The spokesperson said that the “Test & Go” application will be used as Thailand’s main program for entry from February 1 onwards. However, the CCSA can suspend the program and revert back to only Sandbox/AQ schemes depending on the severity of the situation.

 

Meanwhile, the CCSA has approved the opening of two new sandbox areas in Chonburi province (Bang Lamung district, Pattaya City, Sriracha district, Koh Sichang, Na Chom Thian, and Bang Saray subdistricts in Sattahip district) and Ko Chang in Trat Province on February 1. Travelers will be allowed to move between the new and original sandbox locations within seven days of their sandbox stay, but they must book a seven-day SHA Extra Plus or AQ hotel with a two-time RT-PCR examination (on day 1 and day 5-6), with a limit of three hotels in the Sandbox area.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-28

 

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[Jingthing]

It's too much. The vast majority will say forget the tests, let's not even go. Do they bother to do research on the feelings of the target people first, or don't they really want people to come in numbers? 

[philr]

Married to a Thai, we’ve property in Hat Yai. Trip booked for 17th March. I’ll wait to see if these new crazy restrictions have collapsed by mid February. Or I’ll be cancelling. 
 

We live in U.K. I’m two days back from a business trip to Dubai. PCR test before travel, some get chosen for a PCR on arrival, with fast turnaround. No limits on travel while waiting. If test positive, there’s a simple insurance to claim on for the quarantine period that was included as part of the Emirates ticket. 
 

Why can’t Thailand do something similar that’s so eminently sensible, clear and simple? 

[koratkarlos]

Could it possibly be more complicated?  Sorry, I could not be bothered to read it fully much less make an application.

[freedomnow]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It's too much. The vast majority will say forget the tests, let's not even go. Do they bother to do research on the feelings of the target people first, or don't they really want people to come in numbers? 

High season nearly over, it's irrelevent....the boat has been missed.

Will be nearly 3 years this impact on Thai tourism businesses now...must be living on fumes at this point.

 

At least they got a chance to change the rules again, and state they may close the system suddenly.

[freedomnow]

  

38 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

- Travelers must provide proof of booking and payment for two nights of SHA Extra Plus /AQ hotel or accommodation on days 1 and 5.

Clear as mud.

Edited January 28, 2022 by freedomnow

[Cherrytreeview]

Nobody is interested in their Test-Wait-Maybe-Go-Hospital scheme.

40 million to 400,000 tourists says it all.

Omicron has now peaked and declining rapidly in UK, US and Europe.

Covid is now becoming endemic and is being accepted as such by western governments.

The US just announced decade beating GDP growth and France has announced 7% growth and the best figures in 50 years.

Meanwhile, Anutin lists more rules and demands to what Thailand will accept as endemic Covid.

People will not travel to a country that will change rules of entry at the drop of a hat.

 

 

[tomazbodner]

26 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Travelers must provide proof of booking and payment for two nights of SHA Extra Plus /AQ hotel or accommodation on days 1 and 5. A return flight ticket must be provided if the period of the visit is less than five days.

What about days 2, 3, and 4? And if not, what's the point of day 5? Can't they just demand that test is done at a hospital or some other test center, rather than at a hotel? Who dreams up these policies and do they at all think them through before approving them?

[tomazbodner]

3 minutes ago, Cherrytreeview said:

Nobody is interested in their Test-Wait-Maybe-Go-Hospital scheme.

40 million to 400,000 tourists says it all.

Omicron has now peaked and declining rapidly in UK, US and Europe.

Covid is now becoming endemic and is being accepted as such by western governments.

The US just announced decade beating GDP growth and France has announced 7% growth and the best figures in 50 years.

Meanwhile, Anutin lists more rules and demands to what Thailand will accept as endemic Covid.

People will not travel to a country that will change rules of entry at the drop of a hat.

 

 

They don't want cheap tourists anyway so why would any of that matter? Thailand is simply moving away from mass tourism destination for those who can't afford more up-class destinations for booze and bang... Wasted drugged youth at Full moon party and sleaze of Pattaya nightlife is not what country wants to be known for when trying to attract those high-spenders they are after.

[TheScience]

Lol....now it's the REVISED Test Go.

 

How many plans?

 

How many names?

 

Gotta get John Cleese in on this it's comic gold.

[Cherrytreeview]

16 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

They don't want cheap tourists anyway so why would any of that matter? Thailand is simply moving away from mass tourism destination for those who can't afford more up-class destinations for booze and bang... Wasted drugged youth at Full moon party and sleaze of Pattaya nightlife is not what country wants to be known for when trying to attract those high-spenders they are after.

They won't get high spenders.

Samui and Phuket won't attract your "quality" tourists.

Good luck with them replacing between 12% - 20% of GDP by high spending quality tourists.

That drum has been banged for decades.

The tourist areas will just fall apart.

Laughable suggestion.

 

https://www.dmarge.com/2021/02/thailand-luxury-tourism-gamble.html

 

Cancun tourism hitting record numbers while Thailand's tourism is down 99%.

 

https://www.traveloffpath.com/cancun-receiving-record-number-of-international-visitors-despite-recent-incidents/

 

The marketing and business acumen brilliance of Thailand.

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2022 by Cherrytreeview
Edit

[Petey11]

1 hour ago, philr said:

Why can’t Thailand do something similar that’s so eminently sensible, clear and simple?

You hit the nail on the head right there. It's Thailand, plus no extra money in the Dubai model.

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, tomazbodner said:

They don't want cheap tourists anyway so why would any of that matter? Thailand is simply moving away from mass tourism destination for those who can't afford more up-class destinations for booze and bang... Wasted drugged youth at Full moon party and sleaze of Pattaya nightlife is not what country wants to be known for when trying to attract those high-spenders they are after.

Thailand has moved away from ALL tourism. High rollers are even less likely to put up with these backward, illogical entry rules than cattle class visitors. 

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, philr said:

Why can’t Thailand do something similar that’s so eminently sensible, clear and simple? 

Because the people that make the rules are idiots and unaccountable. They also think they’re special. In the meantime countries with half a brain that rely on tourism are laughing all the way to the bank at Thailand’s timid ineptness. 

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, Cherrytreeview said:

They won't get high spenders.

Samui and Phuket won't attract your "quality" tourists.

Good luck with them replacing between 12% - 20% of GDP by high spending quality tourists.

That drum has been banged for decades.

The tourist areas will just fall apart.

Laughable suggestion.

 

https://www.dmarge.com/2021/02/thailand-luxury-tourism-gamble.html

 

Cancun tourism hitting record numbers while Thailand's tourism is down 99%.

 

https://www.traveloffpath.com/cancun-receiving-record-number-of-international-visitors-despite-recent-incidents/

 

The marketing and business acumen brilliance of Thailand.

 

 

 

Likely true, but that's the direction they decided to take so what you're talking about, possibly isn't even on their radar. Except for Tourism Minister and TAT. They are dreaming of billions of tourists, spending trillions every minute. And I emphasize "dreaming"...

[eppic]

Screw this. Meanwhile, Philippines just announced full reopening Feb 10 with an end to quarantine for fully vaccinated so we can finally make our permanent exit.  

 

It's time for Thailand to end this nonsense.

[delerium]

Interestingly Phuket hoteliers seems to already have raised their prices... that will surely help them getting them fully booked, can't beat their logic.

[overherebc]

Koh Chang, sandbox?

How will that affect me and she if we want to go for a weekend?

Obviously we're not arriving from outside Thailand.

Edited January 28, 2022 by overherebc

[tomyami]

15 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Koh Chang, sandbox?

How will that affect me and she if we want to go for a weekend?

Obviously we're not arriving from outside Thailand.

The open, but, will keep out real tourists other options relaxing quicker especially the Philipines.

I know expats living do want tourists coming because of the peace and quite, but will sandboxes restrict them?

Edited January 28, 2022 by tomyami

[overherebc]

9 minutes ago, tomyami said:

The open, but, will keep out real tourists other options relaxing quicker especially the Philipines.

I know expats living do want tourists coming because of the peace and quite, but will sandboxes restrict them?

I'm more worried about bands of cybermen lookalikes trying to force people into taking brain tickling probing just to get into a restaurant for a meal.

[kimamey]

1 hour ago, Cherrytreeview said:

Nobody is interested in their Test-Wait-Maybe-Go-Hospital scheme.

40 million to 400,000 tourists says it all.

Omicron has now peaked and declining rapidly in UK, US and Europe.

Covid is now becoming endemic and is being accepted as such by western governments.

The US just announced decade beating GDP growth and France has announced 7% growth and the best figures in 50 years.

Meanwhile, Anutin lists more rules and demands to what Thailand will accept as endemic Covid.

People will not travel to a country that will change rules of entry at the drop of a hat.

 

 

I think Thailand is a bit behind the places you mention as regards Omicron infection as it entered the country later but that should still mean they should be in a similar position in a few weeks when they can ease the restrictions even more. Having said that I wouldn't be surprised to see the same restrictions in place or increased.

 

A test before you leave your country is fine. Once you get to Thailand another test is OK although there is a risk if you test positive. After that it gets a bit silly. Once you're out and part of the normal population you're no more risk than anyone else and probably less since you'll have had 2 tests in the last few days. The same goes for day 5 when you need your second test. Why do you need to stay in a hotel? If you're positive and you've been spreading it around anyway before you got to the hotel.

 

It doesn't give the impression they really know what they're talking about as far as I can see.

[herfiehandbag]

3 hours ago, koratkarlos said:

Could it possibly be more complicated?  Sorry, I could not be bothered to read it fully much less make an application.

I'd bother to read it - it seems relatively simple - you have to take two tests, one on arrival and one a few (five) days later. You have to have the night booked in a quarantine hotel for the night waiting for the test results in both cases. If you are visiting for less than five days you need a return ticket.

 

Obviously experience tells that you need to have insurance which will cover you in the event of failing a test and being dragged kicking and screaming into quarantine.

 

Of course the killer will be, as before, if the chap in uniform, medal ribbons and jump wings sitting behind the desk who announces the results of the tests has " an understanding" with those who are providing quarantine - then you are shafted, or whatever the Norwegian, Danish or Israeli equivalent is!

Edited January 28, 2022 by herfiehandbag

[HashBrownHarry]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It's too much. The vast majority will say forget the tests, let's not even go. Do they bother to do research on the feelings of the target people first, or don't they really want people to come in numbers? 

It's an improvement tho, right?

[stigar]

13 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

I'd bother to read it - it seems relatively simple - you have to take two tests, one on arrival and one a few (five) days later. You have to have the night booked in a quarantine hotel for the night waiting for the test results in both cases. If you are visiting for less than five days you need a return ticket.

 

Obviously experience tells that you need to have insurance which will cover you in the event of failing a test and being dragged kicking and screaming into quarantine.

Must be the only country who you have to book and pay a covidest in advance..must be the only country you need incurance from a thai company..must be the only country with this kind of hotel bookings..everything in advance and fully paid.And they think tourists will come..i dont think so.

[HashBrownHarry]

8 minutes ago, stigar said:

Must be the only country who you have to book and pay a covidest in advance

No, there are a few that milk this.

 

9 minutes ago, stigar said:

must be the only country you need incurance from a thai company.

Does not need to be from a Thai company.

 

9 minutes ago, stigar said:

And they think tourists will come..i dont think so.

Agreed, for regular tourists it's stupid but for long term expats that travel regularly, it's not the end of the world, much easier than CoE and much better than either 7 or 14 day quarantine.

[CG1 Blue]

Looks like Vietnam are scrapping the Covid tests on arrival, removing the risk of tourists being quarantined for most of their holiday. Philippines possibly heading that way too. 

Thailand will lose all their tourism business to their SE Asia rivals unless they drop the testing on arrival. Testing on arrival is pointless now that Omicron is already among the population. 

[stigar]

37 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

No, there are a few that milk this.

 

Does not need to be from a Thai company.

 

Agreed, for regular tourists it's stupid but for long term expats that travel regularly, it's not the end of the world, much easier than CoE and much better than either 7 or 14 day quarantine.

Ok..i though only thai incurance allowed.

Even my next stay will be at least 3-4 months im not going now.I have a ticket late march so i can wait and see what happends.

[stigar]

22 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

Looks like Vietnam are scrapping the Covid tests on arrival, removing the risk of tourists being quarantined for most of their holiday. Philippines possibly heading that way too. 

Thailand will lose all their tourism business to their SE Asia rivals unless they drop the testing on arrival. Testing on arrival is pointless now that Omicron is already among the population. 

I agree.More and more countries makes it easier for visit..thailand doing the opposit.Denmark with almost 52.000 new cases drop that and take away all restrictions.

[HashBrownHarry]

58 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

Looks like Vietnam are scrapping the Covid tests on arrival, removing the risk of tourists being quarantined for most of their holiday. Philippines possibly heading that way too. 

Thailand will lose all their tourism business to their SE Asia rivals unless they drop the testing on arrival. Testing on arrival is pointless now that Omicron is already among the population. 

It's positive that all these other countries in SEA are removing all entry restrictions, it can only mean that Thailand will not be long after.

[Deli]

5 hours ago, philr said:

Married to a Thai, we’ve property in Hat Yai. Trip booked for 17th March. I’ll wait to see if these new crazy restrictions have collapsed by mid February. Or I’ll be cancelling. 
 

We live in U.K. I’m two days back from a business trip to Dubai. PCR test before travel, some get chosen for a PCR on arrival, with fast turnaround. No limits on travel while waiting. If test positive, there’s a simple insurance to claim on for the quarantine period that was included as part of the Emirates ticket. 
 

Why can’t Thailand do something similar that’s so eminently sensible, clear and simple? 

Coz than it wouldnot ne 3rd world any longer