If you are unvaccinated and wish to travel to Thailand, it is possible, but you will need to quarantine for 10 days. This guide explains the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) program in Thailand. Thailand Pass Guide can help you through this process.
Thailand Alternative Quarantine (AQ) Guide
Citizens of any nation can enter Thailand under the AQ program.
Step One: Obtain Insurance
Insurance is necessary to enter Thailand. You must be covered for at least 50,000USD. While some U.S. insurance plans include worldwide coverage, I booked my insurance via AXA Insurance. The Sawasdee Thailand insurance package cost 470THB (about 15USD) for my three-day trip (I added an extra day, just in case). Your AQ package will cost more. The policy was delivered instantly in a .pdf document and seemed a lot easier than trying to even pick up the phone and call Blue Shield to see if my policy was valid overseas for at least $50K.
Step Two: Book AQ Package
Second, you’ll book your AQ package with the hotel of your choice in Thailand. A list of eligible hotels in Bangkok is here. While some third-party services offer to book AQ packages for you, your best bet is to contact the hotel directly to arrange your package.
I chose to spend my 1-night quarantine at the Hyatt Place in Bangkok. While the hotel’s website showed sold out, I emailed the hotel and was easily able to make a reservation online.
Once your AQ package is booked, you will be given a form that you will need when applying for your Thailand Pass.
The package includes:
- airport transportation to your hotel
- three meals daily
- COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival at your hotel
- self-administered antigen test
- nurse on call
You will not be allowed to leave your room for 10 days: come prepared. You’ll be escorted upstairs to your room and escorted down when it is time to leave. No key will be provided.
Step Three: Fill Out Thailand Pass
Once your insurance and AQ confirmation are complete, apply for a Thailand Pass here.
First, choose non-Thai.
Next, you’ll choose which package you are applying for. Choose Alternative Quarantine on the right side.
Fill in your arrival date and where you will be departing from.
Agree to the terms.
Next, you’ll fill in your personal information and upload your passport.
You’ll then enter your AQ hotel information and upload the confirmation booking.
Finally, you’ll upload your proof of healthcare insurance.
Click submit and you’ll receive a “success” box. Monitor your email for the QR code.
I filled out the form the first time and waited three days for the QR code to arrive. It never did. From the lounge in London, I filled it out again and it arrived instantly. The earlier QR did arrive a few hours after. It looks like this:
Note: No negative COVID-19 test is required to enter Thailand under the AQ program.
CONCLUSION
Thailand’s AQ package allows unvaccinated travelers to visit the Kingdom. Although the process is a bit cumbersome, hopefully this guide helps you to quickly gather the information you need to obtain your Thailand Pass QR code.
Tomorrow, I’ll share what arrival at Bangkok was like.
Just wanted to let you know that your QR code is still readable even if you cover over a part of it.
Don’t mind.
What about the Exemption from Quarantine option (is that not a better option than Alternative Quarantine)?
Thanks for sharing your travel experiences!
Yes. Clarification coming on this.
Next, you’ll choose which package you are applying for. Choose Alternative Quarantine on the left side.
>Do you mean right side?
It says AQ is for 10 days quarantine…
Can you please make it a bit more clear?
Yes, terms got mixed up. Left side to test out of quarantine. I’ll be cleaning this post up tonight and then it will make more sense. Sorry for any confusion caused.
Ugh, more information on how to get to a country where child sex tourism is still big business. Very few people have a legitimate business need to support this country that should be universally condemned. And the US should keep a file on any of its citizens that travel there.
I’m an international tax lawyer. I worked for Ernst & Young Bangkok from 2004-7. Thailand has a robust economy outside of sex tourism. Huge consumer market, oil, computer chip manufacturing, manufacturing in general and farming. It is one of the only true capitalist countries in the world, and thus, has a booming economy. I speak Thai. I never once saw or heard about foreigners engaged in underage prostitution. The only time I ever heard about it was when Thai men were doing it — and I only heard about this twice. Don’t rely on the media when developing opinions. They mislead you most of the time.
This scheme is actually called “Test & Go.” AQ refers to the full 15-day, 14-night quarantine regime.
very nice website and beautiful colorful instagram pages
Will Thailand allow two dose, three dose, or only four dose vaccinated individuals??
—
Pfizer CEO says fourth Covid vaccine doses may be needed sooner than expected due to omicron
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/08/omicron-pfizer-ceo-says-we-may-need-fourth-covid-vaccine-doses-sooner-than-expected.html
What was the processing at BKK like? Who checked your QR code? The border agent? Did he verify your documents or just check your code? I have read that folx went through the online registration process only to have someone re-verify everything with hardcopies in person.
Next segment.
Most Thai people are incredibly kind. Ignore the wingnuts and do visit the country now. Bangkok is not very crowded and weather is nice. Have visited multiple times during pandemic. Test and Go is a massive improvement and implementation on the ground is surprisingly well organized. Thai pass web site does not allow you to save info and revisit to complete application. You do need to have all documents ready when starting the application. Don’t wait too close to departure to apply. Official line is they have 7 business days to respond but 3 days should be fine. Little planning and visiting really is not difficult.
Starting Dec 16, the TEST & GO will be even easier as one can use the ATK (rapid antigen). Hopefully they’ll have just 1 program; it’s quite confusing keeping up with the various options. On the other hand at least there are options
Thanks for the update.
Where you get that info from? I was reading about changes but there is no indication what those will be. I would like to flight at the end of the year and bit hesitating because of it.
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/11/27/thailand-approves-rapid-antigen-test-for-on-arrival-screening-starting-dec-16
Uggh they postponed ATK due to omicron ☹️
You said the insurance was for your 4 day trip. How does this work with 10 day Quarantäne?
You must specify how much insurance you need. My trip was under Test & Go instead of AQ, but for AQ you just choose however many days you will be in Thailand (10 days quarantine plus vacation).
Hello and thank you for your article, I will go to thailand with the Test and Go, I have a 30 days visa waiver, which I will renew for 30 days. Do I need to take out 30-day, 60-day covid insurance … Do we have to have a return flight? Thank you .
What’s the cost difference between 30 days and 60 days? I was never asked to show proof of return flight (though I had it).
Who is the sucke… who wanna pay money just to be jailed for 10 days , and then he would be released to a strong hot-spot of covid 19 , which people would pay money to run outta thailand and avoid catching death??? Seems to me advertising jail and pitential death, paid to it by ur pocket.