The Thailand Pass: Things To Know About This New Travel System

To begin, here is a link to the Thailand Pass application website.

63 countries are now allowed to enter Thailand under the new ‘Test and Go’ system, which requires all arrivals to spend one night of ‘quarantine’.  Below are the things you need to know about this new system implemented in Thailand.

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

The Thailand Pass is a document required to enter the country as of this moment and it is administered by the Department of Consular Affairs, which is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is NOT operated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand nor the Ministry of Sports and Tourism.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is the Ministry of Sports and Tourism’s marketing arm. Their main function is to organize events to market and promote the country as a tourist destination as well as going to international travel events.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that 50% of Thailand Pass applications have been automatically granted.  However, online forums are flooded with dissatisfied travelers who are still experiencing a variety of challenges with the Thailand Pass application procedure.

One requirement of the Thailand Pass is that you make a hotel reservation that includes transport from the airport and an RT PCR test which will be conducted at the hotel.

The Thailand Pass, in short, is here to stay. Despite its shortcomings, it provides a framework for readmission into Thailand for everyone – Thais and foreigners alike. Other Southeast Asian countries are also considering this new system as a model for their own large-scale reopening efforts.

CHILDREN

Unvaccinated children that are 12 years old and below can be exempted from receiving a complete vaccination under the Test & Go program as long as their parents are fully inoculated. While 18 to 13 years old are required to participate in the Sandbox program.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “FULLY VACCINATED”?

‘Fully vaccinated’ mean that at least 14 days before departure, the second dose of WHO authorized Covid vaccines has been administered. Here’s a list of vaccinations that have been licensed for use in Thailand.

Sinovac

Sinopharm

AstraZeneca

Johnson & Johnson

Pfizer

Moderna

Sputnik V

Fully vaccinated travelers who received 2 different vaccine brands are allowed to travel. However, there is a time frame for the period required after your first dosage.

Sinovac, followed by a second dosage after two weeks

AstraZeneca, followed by a second dose after four weeks

Pfizer, followed by a second dose after three weeks

Moderna, followed by a second dose after four weeks

Sinopharm, followed by a second dose after three weeks

Sputnik V, followed by a second dose after three weeks

There is a little concern with the Thailand Pass for foreigners in terms of insurance coverage.  Foreigners with work permits who are covered by Thailand’s public health care system are NOT REQUIRED to have COVID insurance.

For all other foreigners and long-term visa holders, it is required to have insurance to cover the remainder of the period listed on your visa regardless of any existing coverage.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a 30-day policy should be enough in all of those instances (given that any demands on your Covid insurance would be less than 30 days).

Thailand Pass will continue to be a mandatory requirement at the very least until the first quarter of 2022. However, some updates could be included soon.  These are:

1. Logging in and checking the progress of applications (already implemented).

2. Eliminating the need for an RT-PCR test within 72 hours of departure since there are countries that can’t provide such service.

3. Requiring an RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to ARRIVAL. This may occur as early as next week.

4. Additionally, there is talk of simplifying the RT PCR test upon arrival.  According to rumours, there will be rapid antigen tests at the airport, which results may show in a few minutes. This would eliminate the need to book a SHA+ hotel for your first night (as well as the required hotel RT PCR test), which is a major flaw in the system.

Below is the list of 63 approved low-risk countries that have been authorized for the Test and Go program, which needs just one night in quarantine (or a stay until your negative PCR test has been processed).  More countries will be added in the next 2 weeks.

For more information on how to get into Thailand hassle-free using a Thailand Elite visa, CLICK HERE. Apply now and get a free 3 months visa extension.

Source: Thaiger