Thailand Travel Updates

Foreign tourists will now have a chance to apply for Thai health insurance after the Department of Health Services Support (DHSS) mentioned that Thai insurance companies will be allowed over packages to cover COVID-19 treatment for foreign tourists and expand hotel isolation for patients with mild symptoms.

One key problem among foreign tourists is that the health insurance that they bought does not cover the expenses when they are infected with COVID-19 and show mild symptoms, as explained by DHSS director-general Tares Krassanairawiwong.

“This will help foreign tourists to make faster claims for treatment expenses. It normally takes 7-10 days to claim expenses with some foreign health insurance companies,” he added.

This is also a part of the government’s move to attract more tourists. Recently, hotels were also given a green light to have “hospitels” or hotel isolation rooms.

“Treatment expenses under the hotel isolation scheme will remain at 1,000 baht per person in line with National Health Security Office regulations,” Tares added.

What kind of Vaccine Certificate is required for the Thailand Pass?

Vaccine certificates are accepted as long as it is accepted by the World Health Organization and/or the Thai government can verify them. The vaccination document must be in Thai or English language.

Do restaurants and destinations in Thailand require a vaccine certificate or a COVID test?

Not necessarily but because of the recent pandemic situation, some establishments might require you to bring them with you as part of their health measures.

I just finished my quarantine under Sandbox. Will the hotel give me anything as proof that I’ve finished it?

The hotel shall give you a “Quarantine or Sandbox Release Form” as well as the negative result of your second RT PCR test. You may contact your hotel for more details.

I didn’t receive any confirmation after applying for Thailand Pass. What should I do?

Please check your spam folder or make sure that you have correctly spelled the email address. Additionally, there had been reports that people using some emails like Hotmail weren’t receiving confirmation. This, however, hasn’t been confirmed if it’s a problem with the Thailand Pass application. Many people suggest using Gmail.

I cannot pay for my RT-PCR test online. What should I do?

If your payment keeps on failing, try to use a different card. Also, try to use a debit card if you first tried a credit card or vice versa. Another option, you may ask your Sandbox hotel to book it for you since the system may reject some credit cards from US and Canada.

What’s the difference between SHA Plus (SHA+) and SHA Extra Plus (SHA++)?

• SHA Plus (SHA+) hotels not only meet the usual SHA certification criteria but also at least 70% of hotel or business staff have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotels are those that not only meet the Amazing Thailand SHA Plus standard but also provide an accommodation service in partnership with certified hospitals for the RT-PCR test.

I registered twice for the Thailand Pass due to circumstances. The first one got approved while the second didn’t. Can I use the first application?

Yes, you can use the Thailand Pass that has been approved. The rejected application will not cause any problem. If you have been approved for two Thailand Passes, you may use either of the two passes.

I’ll travel to Thailand with my approved Test & Go Pass. Do I still need a 2nd RT-PCR Test?

Yes. All new arrivals will now be required to take a second RT PCR test.

I have just finished my quarantine. Do I need to take the RT-PCR test when traveling to different provinces?

You don’t have to take RT-PCR whenever you travel around Thailand. However, please take extra precautions as the Kingdom is still in a pandemic. The government asks the people not to go for unnecessary travel. If you do, private vehicles are advisable.

Can I have multiple hotels for my Sandbox stay?

No, you can only stay in one Sandbox hotel for the first 7 nights. It must be the same hotel for the whole duration of your sandbox stay. You may stay in another hotel or in a non-SHA+ hotel after you have completed the 7 nights.

What must the hotel package include? How do I make sure that I will also get the COVID-testing and transport to the hotel in the package?

Many hotels offer a package that includes the hotel stay, transport, and COVID-19 testing. Just be careful and ask for complete information from the hotel. There was a report of some travelers arriving at the airport just to realize that they only paid for a hotel reservation without the transport and COVID-19 testing so they had to avail again when they arrived.

I will only do transit in Thailand. Do I need to register for a Thailand Pass?

No, the Thailand Pass is not required for international transit passengers. You are only required to have COVID insurance, negative COVID 19 RT PCR test result, and make sure that your connecting flight does not require you to pass through immigration and customs.

What is the earliest date that I can apply for a Thailand Pass?

You can book a flight 90 days prior to the date of your arrival. Your Thailand Pass can be used within 90 days but changing of flight can only be not later than 72 hours of your original flight date.

I cannot upload my PDF file onto the Thailand Pass application. What should I do?

You can convert your PDF file to JPG or photo file. There are free websites that can help you or you can just take a screenshot of the PDF file from your phone or computer.

I want to cancel my Thailand Pass, do I need to contact anyone?

Not necessarily. You can just re-apply when you’re ready to fly to Thailand.

To ensure that COVID-positive travelers in Phuket will be assisted better, Phuket officials have launched a “Phuket Tourist COVID Call Center”.

Travelers can contact the call center at 076-254200 ext 88 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Operators can provide support in Thai and English.

The call center can answer queries regarding quarantine, SHA+ hotel coordination, locations on getting RT-PCR tests, and more.

The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) has also launched a 24-hour “Phuket COVID-19 hotline” at 094-5938876 in Thai language. They can also answer queries through their Facebook page.

I already got my Thailand Pass but I got COVID before my flight. What should I do?

Please note that change of flights can only be done no later than 72 hours of your original flight date. If you’ve tested positive and feel you actually don’t have COVID, you can do a test once again. However, as risky as it is, there is a test performed when you land in Thailand which could/might be positive. There had been many travelers who tested positive when they arrived in Thailand.

If I test positive while in a Sandbox destination, do I have to quarantine and remain in the hotel, or do they send me to a hospital?

If you’re asymptomatic, you can choose a hotel isolation. It will be based on your own discretion based on the symptoms that you have. Be mindful that some insurance packages don’t cover the asymptomatic or they may not cover the hotel isolation expenses.

How do I fly to the Sandbox destinations?

For Phuket: You should fly directly to Phuket International Airport.
For Phang Nga and Krabi: Fly to Phuket International Airport then travel to Phang Nga and Krabi by car
Samui: You can do a transit from Bangkok to Samui using a single booking from your country of destination. Flights PG5121, PG5125, and PG5171

How many days should I wait for my second COVID-testing?

You’ll get your second COVIT RT-PCR test result on the 5th or 6th day of your quarantine. You can check your test details when you apply for the Thailand Pass. Your COVID RT-PCR testing can be viewed at www.thailandpsas.com.

What kind of COVID test is allowed for the second test?

At present, both first and second COVID tests must be an RT-PCR test.

Travelers wishing to enter and travel within Thailand will now have a “personal assistant” in the form of “Nong Sukjai”.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Amazing Thailand” announced on a Facebook post a 24-hour service to help travelers with frequently-asked-questions on Thailand’s entries, in-country travel regulations, and SHA-certified businesses.

The service is available both in Thai and English. Travelers can start a conversation by messaging Amazing Thailand’s Facebook page.

Is the hotel reservation refundable?

The hotel reservation must be paid in full or at least 50% partially paid. However, it is up to the hotel and the package whether the reservation is fully or partially refundable. It is recommended to check the terms and conditions of the quarantine or sandbox package before making any payment.

Is the health insurance refundable?

Yes, the COVID 19 Travel Insurance is fully refundable as long as the policy has not started. You can change the start date of the policy in case your trip is postponed or you can ask for a refund if the trip has been canceled. You cannot request a refund once the policy has started.

What should I do if I tested positive for COVID-19 during the quarantine?

You will be referred to a healthcare facility for appropriate medical treatment, for which the medical expenses must be covered by the required insurance, or national healthcare coverage for Thais and eligible foreign expatriates. The expenses relating to the accommodation for your hotel isolation may not be covered by the insurance provider.

Does Thailand have a mobile application for COVID-19 precautionary measures?

All travelers must download and install the “MorChana” application, and set it on at all times for the COVID-19 precautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application.

I finished my vacation and plan to fly out of the country. What should I do?

The travelers or their organizations are responsible to make sure that they meet the requirements of their specific international destination regardless of the point of departure.