Thailand Pass required if leaving Thailand and coming back in a couple of months?

[skillboy88]

I am planning on going to the UK for a couple of months end of this month. I have been triple covid vaccinated.

On the Thai Embassy website https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel-to-thailand/thailand-travel-restrictions it says that for "Test & Go" I need to "book a SHA+ Hotel for Day 1 while waiting for the result of the RT PCR COVID test; must possess a COVID-19 Insurance." I have no problem with this.

 

My question is "Do I also have to apply for Thailand Pass?" On the website it says this..... 

Applying for Thailand Pass
Everyone planning to come to Thailand should know that having a valid Thailand Pass is mandatory during the COVID pandemic. The Thailand Pass is a web-based system designed to support Thailand’s “Ease of Travel” system and to make the documentation process of the travelers entering Thailand simpler and more efficient. You may visit the MFA website https://tp.consular.go.th/ and apply for the Thailand Pass directly. It is advised to submit/register your Thailand Pass application at least 5 to 7 days before your scheduled departure. You cannot enter Thailand until you have received your Thailand Pass, so make sure you start the application process well in advance. The application for the Thailand Pass is free of charge, however, you may also retain a service provider who would assist you with your Thailand Pass application.

[Polar Bear]

Assuming the Thai Pass is still a thing then, and unfortunately, it looks like it's going to be around for a while, then yes, you will need to apply for one. Just like anyone else coming in to Thailand.

[Captain Monday]

The moment you leave Thailand you are (curiously) considered "infected". One must apply for Thailand Pass even if leaving for one night. For short trips it is possible to apply even before you leave. 

 

Froond just went to Cambodia for two nights for a visa run. Involves  PCR tests and a test and go package plus insurances to go and return. Hopefully the Thailand Pass is abolished soon and we can get back to taking care of people who are actually sick instead of pushing ineffective and economically destructive testing and insurance on otherwise well persons.

 

[keithsimmonds]

Don,,t know for fact, maybe someone on here can answer this....but can an airline stop you from boarding there flight if you have n,t got a Thailand Test and go package to hand.?

I booked a return flight to the UK with Etihad in May 4 weeks ago, at the time a pcr test was required before boarding in Bangkok and possibly again in Abu Dhabi. As of last week Etihad no longer require a pcr test...no mention on there website of requiring a Test and go package for Thailand on the return leg.

 

[richard_smith237]

26 minutes ago, keithsimmonds said:

Don,,t know for fact, maybe someone on here can answer this....but can an airline stop you from boarding there flight if you have n,t got a Thailand Test and go package to hand.?

I booked a return flight to the UK with Etihad in May 4 weeks ago, at the time a pcr test was required before boarding in Bangkok and possibly again in Abu Dhabi. As of last week Etihad no longer require a pcr test...no mention on there website of requiring a Test and go package for Thailand on the return leg.

 

Under current regulations: IF a prospective passenger does not have a Test & Go QR code when checking in for a flight to Thailand they will be refused. 

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Under current regulations: IF a prospective passenger does not have a Test & Go QR code when checking in for a flight to Thailand they will be refused. 

I have to add that if the name on your passport does not match the name on your Thai Pass QR code as well as the hotel booking and your Pre-flight PCR they will not let you board either.  Had two folks in Seattle that were unable to board as their middle names were missing on two of the documents and a Middle initial was on another.  To say these gentlemen were mad as hell is an understatement, the airport security had to come and assist in calming them down.  Not sure if they ever got the documents rectified, but that seems to be an issue as well.

[Captain Monday]

1 hour ago, ThailandRyan said:

I have to add that if the name on your passport does not match the name on your Thai Pass QR code as well as the hotel booking and your Pre-flight PCR they will not let you board either.  Had two folks in Seattle that were unable to board as their middle names were missing on two of the documents and a Middle initial was on another.  To say these gentlemen were mad as hell is an understatement, the airport security had to come and assist in calming them down.  Not sure if they ever got the documents rectified, but that seems to be an issue as well.

That is overkill but if dealing with a Japanese airline for sure, one letter wrong or middle name missing you can be, screwed. Tokyo authorities have sent Japanese citizens back to the US on at least two occasions I know of after they already arrived at Narita airport. Reason, minor test  paperwork problems.

[ThailandRyan]

17 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

That is overkill but if dealing with a Japanese airline for sure, one letter wrong or middle name missing you can be, screwed. Tokyo authorities have sent Japanese citizens back to the US on at least two occasions I know of after they already arrived at Narita airport. Reason, minor test  paperwork problems.

Korean Air...nuff said

[Scott]

I am pretty sure you do need to go through Thailand Pass.  A Thai lady I work with is planning a trip to the US and she did quite a bit of research and has been told to apply for a Thailand Pass for her return to Thailand.  

[Scouse123]

Everybody entering the Kingdom, Thai or Foreigner needs the Thailand pass until further notice from the government.

[bradiston]

On 3/12/2022 at 4:11 PM, Captain Monday said:

The moment you leave Thailand you are (curiously) considered "infected". One must apply for Thailand Pass even if leaving for one night. For short trips it is possible to apply even before you leave. 

 

Froond just went to Cambodia for two nights for a visa run. Involves  PCR tests and a test and go package plus insurances to go and return. Hopefully the Thailand Pass is abolished soon and we can get back to taking care of people who are actually sick instead of pushing ineffective and economically destructive testing and insurance on otherwise well persons.

 

If he went for 2 nights only, does that give him enough time to get the RT-PCR test, his insurance, the Thailand Pass, and the Test and Go package prior to his return?

[Captain Monday]

5 minutes ago, bradiston said:

If he went for 2 nights only, does that give him enough time to get the RT-PCR test, his insurance, the Thailand Pass, and the Test and Go package prior to his return?

Why not? One can arrange for ones air ticket, Test and Go Hotel package, insurance and Thai Pass before one even leaves Thailand. No idea what flying to PhnmPn requires I'd rather jump in a lake.

 

[bradiston]

21 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Why not? One can arrange for ones air ticket, Test and Go Hotel package, insurance and Thai Pass before one even leaves Thailand. No idea what flying to PhnmPn requires I'd rather jump in a lake.

 

For Thai pass, don't you need the results of an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure? And how long does it take to get the Thai pass?

 

I ask because I'm flying out on 17th, back on 7th April. I thought I read somewhere that you could apply for Thai pass well in advance, but it seems not. They wanted the incoming RT-PCR test result.

[Polar Bear]

10 minutes ago, bradiston said:

For Thai pass, don't you need the results of an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure? And how long does it take to get the Thai pass?

 

 

You do need a PCR test 72 hours before departure, but that's separate from the Thai Pass application. You don't need the results before you apply, and you aren't asked about it during the application process.

 

How long it takes varies a lot. Some people get them back almost instantly, some have to wait. It says 3-7 business days on the site, but mine took 8 working days

[Kopitiam]

14 minutes ago, bradiston said:

For Thai pass, don't you need the results of an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure? And how long does it take to get the Thai pass?

 

I ask because I'm flying out on 17th, back on 7th April. I thought I read somewhere that you could apply for Thai pass well in advance, but it seems not. They wanted the incoming RT-PCR test result.

You understand it incorrectly.  The incoming RT-PCR result is for boarding the plane back to Thailand.  You are required to show when applying for the Thailand Pass that you have booked and paid for a RT-PCR test on arrival back in Thailand.

[bradiston]

43 minutes ago, Kopitiam said:

You understand it incorrectly.  The incoming RT-PCR result is for boarding the plane back to Thailand.  You are required to show when applying for the Thailand Pass that you have booked and paid for a RT-PCR test on arrival back in Thailand.

Yes, I've checked and you're right, it's the incoming test it refers to and that needs to be booked in advance. But, you will need insurance, for Thai pass, and the negative result of an RT-PCR test to board the return flight. You can't get insurance unless you are outside Thailand, at least, that's according to the 2 insurers I've contacted, AXA and Tune. So I don't see how you can complete the Thai pass registration until you are out of Thailand, and certainly not within 2 days. Am I missing something?

Edited March 14, 2022 by bradiston

[Polar Bear]

I have insurance with Luma and I was able to buy it when I was already in Thailand.

 

The PCR test that has to be pre-booked is the one you have at the hotel when you arrive. It's part of the test & go package. It's separate from the test you have to have before departure. 

 

1) Get PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. This does not have to be pre-booked and you will not be asked about it during the Thai Pass application. However, you will need to show the results at check in before you are allowed to board the plane.
2) Fly to Thailand
3) Get transferred to SHA+ hotel for 1 night quarantine

4) Have another PCR test (this is sometimes done at a hospital or testing center on the way to the hotel instead)

5) Hopefully, get negative PCR test and leave quarantine

6) Complete the rapid test on day 5

 

3-6 are part of the Thai Pass process. #1 is not.
 

[bradiston]

15 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

I have insurance with Luma and I was able to buy it when I was already in Thailand.

 

The PCR test that has to be pre-booked is the one you have at the hotel when you arrive. It's part of the test & go package. It's separate from the test you have to have before departure. 

 

1) Get PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. This does not have to be pre-booked and you will not be asked about it during the Thai Pass application. However, you will need to show the results at check in before you are allowed to board the plane.
2) Fly to Thailand
3) Get transferred to SHA+ hotel for 1 night quarantine

4) Have another PCR test (this is sometimes done at a hospital or testing center on the way to the hotel instead)

5) Hopefully, get negative PCR test and leave quarantine

6) Complete the rapid test on day 5

 

3-6 are part of the Thai Pass process. #1 is not.
 

Ok, I'm with you now. My next snag is the SHA ++ hotel. Prices are mind boggling. The rooms are advertised on Agoda at normal rates, but select a room and you'll see anything between 6 and 7k THB added on for the Test & Go package, listed as

 

Taxi from airport (normally max 500 THB)

RT PCR test (available in Pattaya for 900 THB)

and ATK test and kit, about 200 THB.

 

So they're quadrupling the price. Once again, maybe I've got this wrong?

[Polar Bear]

I can't say about Pattaya, but I haven't found the markup to be hugely excessive in Bangkok. The transfer has to be SHA+, with the driver separate from you and the car being disinfected and all the rest of it. (Whether that actually happens is another question). A PCR test at a hospital in Bangkok is around 3k. There are cheaper options at clinics, but it has to be at an approved hospital. The hotel has to jump through all the SHA+ hoops with trash being dealt with as medical waste, etc. (again, whether that actually happens... but it's charged for). It all adds up.

www.asq.in.th has several hotels around Pattaya/Jomtien with test and go packages for less than 4k

[bradiston]

24 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

I can't say about Pattaya, but I haven't found the markup to be hugely excessive in Bangkok. The transfer has to be SHA+, with the driver separate from you and the car being disinfected and all the rest of it. (Whether that actually happens is another question). A PCR test at a hospital in Bangkok is around 3k. There are cheaper options at clinics, but it has to be at an approved hospital. The hotel has to jump through all the SHA+ hoops with trash being dealt with as medical waste, etc. (again, whether that actually happens... but it's charged for). It all adds up.

www.asq.in.th has several hotels around Pattaya/Jomtien with test and go packages for less than 4k

Once again I messed up. It was quoting me for 2 people by default. I can see it comes down to around 4k for 1. Apologies all round.

[bradiston]

20 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

I can't say about Pattaya, but I haven't found the markup to be hugely excessive in Bangkok. The transfer has to be SHA+, with the driver separate from you and the car being disinfected and all the rest of it. (Whether that actually happens is another question). A PCR test at a hospital in Bangkok is around 3k. There are cheaper options at clinics, but it has to be at an approved hospital. The hotel has to jump through all the SHA+ hoops with trash being dealt with as medical waste, etc. (again, whether that actually happens... but it's charged for). It all adds up.

www.asq.in.th has several hotels around Pattaya/Jomtien with test and go packages for less than 4k

Update and happy ending. Booked at SHA++ hotel near the airport for just over 4k. Got RT PCR test for outward journey for 900 THB at Pattayarak clinic behind Na Klua fish market. ATK just 250 THB. Philippines insurance ($35k cover) with AXA. Hotel in Philippines booked, no Qt, no arrival tests.

 

It's less hassle in the Philippines (and more fun!).