Thailand Travel Updates

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved the reopening of Pattaya and Ko Chang Sandbox destinations, and the reintroduction of the Sandbox Extension program starting February 1, 2022.

The reopening includes Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray – in Chon Buri, and Ko Chang in Trat as Sandbox destinations.

The Sandbox Extension program will also be introduced between Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), where Sandbox travelers can travel within these destinations during the first 7 days in Thailand and can change accommodation three times (can book 3 different hotels).

International travelers who are planning to travel to Thailand under the Sandbox program can choose to undergo their first 7 days in either Krabi, Phang-Na, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray), and Trat (Ko Chang).

Current Sandbox rules remain unchanged.

Starting February 1, 2022, Bangkok Airways will start offering two special sealed-route flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) to Phuket Sandbox per day.

The new direct sealed route is a product of deliberations and a notice by Phuket officials confirming that tourists who wanted to go to Phuket were not permitted to transit in Bangkok, but were permitted to transit in Bangkit for Samui flights.

The first outbound flight, PG5275 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12:00hrs. and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 14.05hrs.

The second outbound flight, PG5279 departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 17:10hrs. and arrives at Phuket International Airport at 19.15hrs.

It is important to know that your Bangkok to Phuket flight must be included in your international flight booking.

For further details on flight schedules, travelers can go to: https://www.bangkokair.com/flight/flightSchedule

Seeing a slowing of coronavirus infections, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced that the new application for Thailand Pass under the Test & Go travel scheme will resume on February 1. 2022 at 9AM Thailand time.

Those who enter the country under the Test and Go program need to do COVID test on arrival and again five or six days later, with their whereabouts being tracked through an application as agreed by the tourists.

To apply for the Thailand Pass: Test and Go, please visit: https://tp.consular.go.th/

Can I leave Thailand thru Bangkok even if I entered through a Sandbox destination?

Yes, you can enter Thailand via Phuket or Samui Sandbox and leave Thailand through Bangkok. Please be advised that you are only allowed to travel to Bangkok from Phuket or Samui once you have completed the 7-night Sandbox Stay.

What if my second RT-PCR test result turned out positive?

You have to inform the hotel about your situation. They will then inform you to stay in your hotel room while they sort the process. Based on your symptoms, they might send you to a hospital, move you to a “hospitel” or a hospital hotel, or even let you stay in your hotel room. After your quarantine, ask for a “Certificate of Recovery”.

When will Thailand reinstate the Test & Go scheme?

As of January 20, 2022, the CCSA has approved the resumption of new applications for the Thailand Pass Test and Go on February 1, 2022. This will become official once published in the Royal Gazette.

Can I refund my RT-PCR test?

Yes, you can go to https://www.thailandpsas.com/refund or send an email to [email protected].

My children only have one dose of the vaccine, can they fly to Thailand?

Children below 18 years of age may enter Thailand without vaccination as long as they will travel with parents or legal guardians. Children who are traveling alone must have at least one dose of COVID vaccination.

New regulations to attract the rich, retirees, remote workers, and experts got the thumbs up from the cabinet in a move to help boost the economy and investment in Thailand.

The new regulations will target foreigners with enormous wealth, wealthy pensioners, highly skilled professionals, and foreigners who want to work from Thailand.

The long-term resident (LTR) visas will be offered wherein the applicant can cover up to four family members including legal-aged children. This is according to the Interior Ministry while the qualifications will be set by the Board of Investment.

The visas will be valid for five years, renewable for up to five years, making the validity period capped at 10 years. An annual fee of 10,000 baht will be paid by the visa holders. They can then apply for a work permit.

Those who have their own business can seek work permits for up to five years and the permits can also be renewed for up to five years at a time.

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Public Health Ministry are set to propose for the resumption of the Test and Go Program by February 2022 to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn mentioned that the Ministry of Public Health can control the spread after data shows that the number of new cases has decreased each day and that the Kingdom has already passed its infection rate peak. This was also aligned with Thailand’s vaccination rate which is doing well.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the Public Health Minister, also added that they want to see a balance struck between disease control and rebooting the struggling economy.

Last December, the new application for the Test and Go Program was temporarily suspended due to the Omicron variant concerns. 

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao

When Thailand temporarily suspended the Test and Go scheme, Ratchaporn Poonsawat, chairman of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, mentioned that the number of tourists visiting fell by up to 30%.

The chairman also mentioned that he talked with the Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn noting that the number of tourist arrivals might not be met. Because of this, he has suggested the government reinstate the Test and Go in the third quarter of this year.

Krabi

A total of 84 hotels have agreed to offer 10% of their rooms for those tourists who have been infected with COVID-19, adding to about 3,000 hospital rooms and 2,000 alternative quarantine (AQ) rooms of the province.

Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, president of the Krabi Tourism Association, mentioned that many tourists are still asking many questions regarding the rules and restrictions after the suspension. She noted that it’s due to a lack of communication with a case in Phuket where there had been a misunderstanding in terms of the process.

Phang-Nga

200-300 visitors who spend an average of 5,000 baht are arriving in Phang-Nga daily. Before the pandemic, 80% of visitors to the province were from overseas, mostly from the UK, Germany and Scandinavian countries and 20% were Thais. After Covid-19, the numbers were reversed.

I plan to go to Thailand. How is the situation there?

It is not only in Thailand, but the whole world went to a pause. However, it is not as strict as before wherein the borders were closed and the curfew was enacted. Because of the restrictions, some destinations have fewer tourists and are not as busy as pre-pandemic days. Thailand welcomes tourists from around the world. You may enter Thailand under the Bangkok Quarantine or Phuket Sandbox programs.

How do I transfer from the airport to my hotel?

Your hotel booking package should include the transfer as it’s the government’s way to trace the tourist’s quarantine. However, there are also transfer services when you arrive at the airport.

Can I extend my insurance?

You can contact your insurance for this. However, some insurance companies don’t offer extensions or applications for those who are already in Thailand. It’s better to directly contact your insurance provider for this matter.

What kind of insurance is allowed in the Thailand Pass application?

Any insurance that covers the expenses when you contract COVID-19 is allowed. However, based on experience AXA Sawasdee Thailand is the most popular option. Please visit: www.siam-legal.com/axa-insurance for more information.