It is now possible for vaccinated U.S. citizens and citizens of 62 other nations to visit Thailand and avoid an extended quarantine under Thailand’s Test And Go program. This guide walks you how I prepared for my trip to Bangkok.
Thailand Test And Go Guide
If you are a citizen of the the following nations, you are eligible to avoid an extended quarantine in Thailand by taking part in the Test And Go program.
Which Countries Are Eligible For Test And Go Program In Thailand?
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mongolia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Sri Lanka
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vietnam
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
If you are eligible, follow the steps below for a stress-free arrival in Thailand.
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). The policy was delivered instantly in a .pdf document and seemed a lot easier than trying to even pick up the phone and call BlueShield to see if my policy was valid overseas for at least $50K.
Step Two: Book Test And Go Hotel Package
Second, you’ll book your Test And Go 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 Test And Go 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 Test And Go 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
Once your PCR test returns negative, you are free to leave, even if it is same-day. At my hotel, I was not allowed to come and go after receiving my negative test…once I left, that was it (the hotel claimed this in accordance with health guidelines).
Step Three: Fill Out Thailand Pass
Once your insurance and Test And Go hotel confirmation are complete, apply for a Thailand Pass here.
First, choose non-Thai.
Next, you’ll choose which package you are applying for. Choose Test And Go on the left 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 and vaccine card.
You’ll then enter your Test And Go 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 (about 72 hours after requesting). It looks like this:
Step Four: Obtain Negative COVID-19 PCR Test
You will need a negative COVID-19 PCR test not more than 72 hours old to board your flight to Thailand. If you are traveling on multi-legs on the same ticket, the test must be no more than 72 hours from your first leg.
(for example, if traveling from New York to London to Bangkok, the test must be less than 72 hours from your departure date from New York)
Hint: Print a paper copy of all documents, because airlines check them as well. I flew ANA to Bangkok and agents very carefully checked my paperwork before issuing my boarding pass.
Starting December 16, 2021, a rapid antigen test will be accepted, which will eliminate the need for one-night quarantines all together.
CONCLUSION
Thailand’s new Test And Go package allows vaccinated travelers to avoid an extended quarantine by testing negative after arrival. 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.
Shortly, I’ll share what arrival in Bangkok was like.
> See Also: Alternative Quarantine (AQ) Thailand Guide
This is such a stupid process … it’s time we all forget about this stupidity and move on. A shame that so many govts are over reacting.
Unless something changed, due to omicron, rapid antigen has been postponed. Still need to do PCR test on arrival after Dec 16th and quarantine until negative result. I also would not recommend going to the airport to check in without your Thai pass being approved. Airlines should be checking for it…not sure how that process worked for you or maybe I missed it.
I booked my trip three days in advance. I had no choice.
I arrive to BKK at 1am. Do I need to book 2 nights at an SHA+ facility due to this? Or can they do the test before my 4pm checkout (a globalist)?
One night should be fine. Globalist benefits apply. Review coming very soon.
Another story on a place where few people in America have a legitimate reason to visit. Have you considered accepting ads from NAMBLA considering the unintentional traffic your stories and site must get w from peds googling “Travel to Thailand”?
Everything the average American needs to know about this place can be found in Hangover 2.
I don’t understand your fixation on that. Thailand is a great country with luxury hotels and great food for far cheaper than in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, and northern Asia. I enjoyed beautiful suites, delicious food, and great coffee during my brief stay. I wish I could have taken my family for a month. We would have moved into the Grand Hyatt.
“Interesting” first few comments?!?!
Thanks for the info. I have a trip planned for March. No telling what the situation will be then, but hopefully Covid cases will be down and restrictions lessened.
This is very timely, thanks. I’ve got a long-planned award flight to HND in February, and assume we won’t be able to enter Japan; so booked a separate, same-day ticket from HND to BKK. Now just need to figure out logistics of getting ourselves and luggage through HND for the flight to BKK on a different airline without “entering” Japan!
Yes I’m trying to figure out this issue as well. Was going to fly stby to Korea and then buy a separate confirmed ticket from Korea to bkk. Maybe I can’t even check a bag 🙁
Hi Matthew,
Any further information on the change to a rapid test on December 16? I am arriving on December 19 and would like more information.
Thanks!
Being from the USA, did you submit copy of CDC vaccination card or QR code? (I submitted copy of CDC vac card and still no response after 6 days. Supposedly, the process is much quicker with the QR code route?)
Also, I too chose Hyatt Place Sukhumvit for Test & Go – who’s responsible for the transportation from BKK to Hyatt Place?) How did you do this portion? Was it smooth or a pia?
Thanks
I used copy of LA County vaccine card with QR code. Hyatt had a driver waiting at airport. I’ll detail that in tomorrow’s installment.
So glad I came across this post. Applied on Monday and still waiting for a response. Reapplied just now after reading for my wife and I and was approved instantly for both of us, thanks so Matt!
The cancelled the ATK test starting December 16th due to omicron.
I am from Bangladesh and I have to go under sandbox program, tell me about this
Nice article! Any idea whether someone needs to quarantine if someone on their flight tests positive? Heard anything like that?
I have not. Good question.
Hi i would like to check. You mentioned this in your website ” Starting December 16, 2021, a rapid antigen test will be accepted, which will eliminate the need for one-night quarantines all together. ” How firm is this?
Unfortunately scrapped due to omicron variant.
Mine processed and I got my QR code within three minutes of hitting the submit button. Your walkthrough was super helpful. I uploaded both my CDC card and also, in the QR section, my State of California code. I’m guessing that code is partly why it processed so incredibly quickly. Also taking your cue on the Grand Hyatt Bangkok and looking forward to journeying for coffee with your terrific post on the cafe scene.
Thanks Christopher! Enjoy your time in Bangkok.
Are you locked down in your hotel’s room until the RT PCR test returns negative (they say it could take 24 hours) ? Or are you allowed to move around ? I must fly there in January. Thanks.
You are locked in you hotel room.
Do the hotel / hospital carry out the test for you, I.e they conduct the swaps on you? Or is it a self test?
Thanks for the info!
A hospital worker took the test.
Is the first test you do at the airport or at the hotel?
Hotel.
Just to clarify. Their website says RT-PCR is required 72 hours before departure. It looks like the free covid testing pharmacies CVS Walgreens note only PCR not RT-PCR. Did anyone check specifically for a RT-PCR test anywhere? Did you look for a testing place specifically that said RT or not?