Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Thailand visits with Thailand Pass (Test and Go): From 1st March no more Hotel Booking for 5th Night

Thailands Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the task force chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has decided: Fully vaccinated international visitors from 1st March don't need a hotel booking and a PCR test for the fifth night after arrival anymore. Instead they can do a self-antigen test.

Another decision: The minimal medical insurance coverage for visitors is reduced to no less than $20,000 from $50,000 from 1st March. Read details of the new regime.

Who wants to enther Thailand before 1st March still has to book a SHA Extra plus hotel for the 5th night and stay there until a negative PCR-test-result has arrived. See: Thailand Test and Go from 1st February


Monday, February 14, 2022

Thailand Test and Go: Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Koh Chang, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai among the Destinations

For fully vaccinated international travellers from every country worldwide Thailand offers more destinations since 1st February. With the Thailand Pass they can visit the so calledTest and Go destinations and then travel on to other destinations in Thailand. After the arrival they have to do a PCR-Test, then stay in the hotel room until they get the negative result. From then on they are free to move inside Thailand. On the fifth day they have to do another PCR test and stay in the hotel room until they get the result. With the second negative result they can travel anywhere inside Thailand. The hotel will hand out the release form.


The Test and Go destinations:

Bangkok: By air you enter at Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang Airport. For the first night with test you stay at hotels in Bangkok. For the fifth night with test you can go anywhere, where hotels offer the Test and Go Package.
Hua Hin: By air you enter at Bangkoks airports. Hua Hin is within a five hours distance, so you can book a hotel in Hua Hin, which offers test and first night.
Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi provinces: In Phang-Nga Khao Lak and Koh Yao are included. In Krabi Koh Lanta and Ko Phi Phi are included. By air you enter at Phuket International Airport for Krabi, Phang-Nga (Khao Lak) and Phuket or at Krabi Airport for Krabi. You can also enter by Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and then transit on a sealed flight for Phuket. There is a Sandbox Extension program between Phuket, Phang-Nga Krabi and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao). Sandbox travellers can travel within these destinations during the first 5 days in Thailand.

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Ko Tao in Surat Thani province: By air you enter at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, then transit on a sealed flight for Koh Samui. The first night travellers have to stay on Koh Samui.

Pattaya and surrounding districts Si Racha, Si Chang and Sattahip (only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray beaches): By air you enter at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, then transit on a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route.

Koh Chang in Trat province: By air you enter at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, then transit by a prearranged vehicle on a sealed route.

Chiang Mai: By air you enter at Bangkoks airports and stay in Bangkok for the first night with test, then you travel to Chiang Mai and stay for the fifth night with test at a hotek there. Or you arrive by Chiang Mai international airport and stay for the first and fith night with tests there.

Other destinations in Thailand: You can go anywhere, where hotels offer Test and Go packages. For example you enter at Bangkoks airports, stay the first night with test in Bangkok and travel on to the destination, where hotels offer the fifth night with test.



What you need to enter Thailand:

Apply for Thailand Pass: From 1st February on https://tp.consular.go.th. After your registration you should get the Thailand Pass within seven days.
Do a PCR-Test before the flight: Bring a medical certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected, issued no more than 72 hours before traveling.

Must have a health insurance policy: Coverage no less than US$ 50'000.

Hotel payment confirmation: A confirmed payment for 1st and 5th day stay at approved accommodation establishments in the sandbox destination.

Confirmed payment for 2 RT-PCR tests: For Krabi, Phang-Nga and Phuket you reserve and prepay at www.thailandpsas.com (4,200 Baht for 2 tests). For Koh Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao you book and prepay, when booking and prepaying for accommodation at SHA++ hotels (4,400 Baht for 2 tests). The first test will be conducted at Samui International Airport and the second test at hospitals on Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan or Ko Tao. For Pattaya and Koh Chang you book packages for first and fifth night, including tests and transfer from Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang airports.

Certificate of Covid-19 vaccination or recovery from Covid-19: Vaccinated at least 14 days before traveling to Thailand.


Test and Go Hotels

During the first and fifth night in Thailand travellers have to stay at SHA Extra Plus hotels. You find the official list here:

Bangkok SHA Extra Plus hotels
Hua Hin SHA Extra Plus hotels
Phuket SHA Extra Plus hotels
Phang Nga SHA Extra Plus hotels (included Khao Lak and Koh Yao)
Krabi: Krabi SHA Extra Plus hotels, Koh Lanta SHA Extra Plus hotels, Koh Phi Phi Extra Plus hotels

Koh Samui SHA Extra Plus Hotels
Koh Tao SHA Extra Plus Hotels
Ko Phangan SHA Extra Plus Hotels

Chonburi: Jomtien Beach SHA Extra Plus hotels, Pattaya SHA Extra Plus hotels. Check the hotel location on Treasures of Pattaya SHA Extra Plus Hotels Google Map

Koh Chang SHA Extra Plus hotels

Chiang Mai SHA Extra Plus hotels

SHA Extra Plus hotels in any destination in Thailand


Frequent asked questions

Can I stay in my own house between the first and the fifth night?
Yes you can, but you have to stay at the hotel during the first and the fifth nights, says Giorgio Bonfante on Facebook, who is very well informed.

My flight date has changed, how can I change my Thailand Pass?
If your flight has changed to within 72 hours of your original flight time, you can arrive using the same Thailand Pass application. If your flight date has changed for more than 72 hours then you will need to apply again.

More detailed informations you can read at tatnews.org.


Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Thailand suspends Test and Go - again Quarantine for vaccinated international Tourists or Phuket Sandbox

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) ordered an immediate suspension of issuing the “Thailand Pass” for the "Test and Go"-Scheme from Tuesday 21 December until January 4th in 2022. This to prevent spreading of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Thailand. This means that fully vaccinated international visitors have to go to quarantine again, if they want to enter Thailand. They can register with the "Thailand Pass" for a 7- oder 10-night quarantine in a quarantine hotel or for Phuket Sandbox.

These are the details of the new regulation:

People who have got the Thailand Pass already can still enter the kingdom through the “Test and Go” scheme for fully vaccinated arrivals from 63 low-risk countries and territories until January 10th, 2022. They still have to get a PCR Test after arrival and wait in their SHAplus hotelroom, until they get the negative result. After 6 days they have to do another PCR-Test (no additional cost). After that they are free to travel inside Thailand, if the test is negative.

Applicants who have already registered, but have not yet received their QR Code, must wait. Once approved, they can enter Thailand under the "Test and Go"-Scheme or another they have registered. After 6 days they have to do another PCR-Test (no additional cost). After that they are free to travel inside Thailand, if the test is negative.

New applicants for Thailand Pass can visit Thailand with a 7-days oor 10-days quarantine in so called ASQ hotels, where they have to stay in the hotel. Or they can enter Phuket Sandbox, where they can leave the hotel after they got the negative PCR-Test-result and have to do another test after 6 days, before they are allowed to leave Phuket island an travel in Thailand.

Sandbox-programmes in other areas than Phuket are suspended. The prime minister said that the government will review the situation again in January and decide whether the “test and go” scheme should resume.


Friday, October 29, 2021

Thailand opens for visitors from 63 countries - Thailand Pass operational from 1st November

On his Facebook page Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha announced on 21 October, that Thailand opens the country for fully vaccinated visitors from 46 countries, who arrive by airplanes. The Ministry of Forein Affairs announced the 46 countries shortly after his announcement. On 30 October 17 more countries have been added. The countries, from where the residents can enter with Thailand Pass Test and Go system (exemption from quarantine):

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, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Children under the age of 18 who are not eligible for vaccination, and are travelling with parents, only need to do a RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. Also adult people have to do this test.
See from which countries you can enter Thailand without a Visa for tourism purposes here.


An article by Thaiger shows how Bangkok is preparing for the entry of fully vaccinated international tourists from first of November. On Thaiger we read, that the tourists, who have arrived at Bangkoks airports Suvarnabumi and Don Muang, will be tested outside of the airport in swab hubs. Approved limousines will bring these guests to SHA plus hotels, where they will have to stay in the hotel room until they get the negative test result. They will be tested at these hotels or in nearby test hubs. According to this report over 300 hotels are waiting to receive the SHA plus certificate. See list of SHA plus hotels in Bangkok. See Bangkok SHA plus Hotels Google Map

As Richard Barrow tweets, the arriving guests will have to book a SHA+ hotel for the first night within a two hour drive from the international airport. For example, if you land at Suvarnbhumi, you can go straight to Pattaya, but for Hua Hin, must stay in Bangkok.


How to get Thailand Pass and who still has to register for COE

The CCSA (Centre for Covid-19 situation administration) has announced that the new Thailand Pass system will be operational on 1st November. The process then can take 7 working days. Therefore Thailand Pass registration is for people who travel after 8 November. Until then travellers have to do the COE (Certificate of Entry) registration process at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ and COE registrations will be valid after 1st of November. But the mentioned 7 days of staying in a SHA plus hotel are not definite. At the immigration Public Health officers will that reduce to 1 day. From 1 November 2021, the Certificate of Entry (COE) registration website will be closed for new registrations. But it will allow travellers, whose application has been pre-approved, to continue their application process to obtain COE until 7 November 2021.

Travellers who are in the process of requesting a COE and travel before 12 November can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.

Travellers, who will travel before 12 November must still request a COE around two weeks before travelling. You can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.

The registration for Thailand Pass will be possible at thailandpass.go.th/ from 1st November. Thailand Pass will require travelers to upload a vaccine certificate. Travelers can then download the Thailand Pass QR Code immediately after receiving the approval.

By doing Thailand Pass registration, you may get an error at the end. If this happens, do, what thaiger.com recommends: Thailand Pass workaround for API error.

The Regulations for Entry in Thailand

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published formal regulations for entry to Thailand as follows:



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the following FAQs. The Ministry says:
If your COE has been pre-approved, you will need to submit the rest of the required documents by 7 November 2021. Otherwise, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.

If your COE has not been pre-approved by 1 November 2021, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.

Exemption from Quarantine scheme: You can travel to any destinations in Thailand once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative.


Entry to Thailand with Sandbox scheme

Travellers from any country of the world can use the Sandbox scheme: You can travel freely in the sandbox area for the duration of 7 days once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative. Once you have completed your 7-day mandatory stay within the Sandbox area, you can travel freely to other parts of Thailand. There are 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations:

Bangkok, Krabi, Chon Buri (Banlamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, Sattahip - Na Jomtien, Bang Sarey), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng), Trat (Ko Chang), Buri Ram (Mueang), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae), Phang Nga, Phetchaburi (Cha Am), Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam), Rayong (Ko Samet), Loei (Chiang Khan), Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport), Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao), Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo), Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban, Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han and Prachaksinlapakham).

Read this checklist.


Updated informations about Thailand Pass can be found here.


Read more about COE registration:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao


Saturday, October 16, 2021

Follow Russell Crowe's Phuket Sandbox Experience and his Stay in Bangkok

Famous actor Russell Crowe travelled to Thailand for the new Vietnam War movie called “The Greatest Beer Run Ever”. He shared his Phuket Sandbox experience on Twitter.















Russel Crowe stayed at Amanpuri:


After 14 days in Phuket Sandbox Russel Crowe travelled to Bangkok, where he went to Bangkoks green lung, Bang Krachao, and showed Baker's House Coffee and Bakery:



And then he recommended Phuket Sandbox:



There were a lot of reactions after this post. Read here.


With this Tweet a clarified how Phuket Sandbox works:



And some more of his stay in Bangkok: Wat Kanlayanamit and Lhong1919



On Instagram:




Friday, October 15, 2021

Thailand opens for fully vaccinated Tourists - but only from a few Countries

China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and USA - tourists from these countries can visit Thailand from 1st November without quarantine. This has been announced by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. So it will happen. In his Television adress to Thai people he did not mention other countries, but said, the opening would start with a list of at least ten countries.

Who comes from China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and USA, will have to provide the certificate, that he is fully vaccinated, will have to make a test within 72 hours before the flight and make a test after arriving in Thailand and have to stay in a so called SHA plus hotel until the the negative test result arrives. Afther that he will be able to travel around in Thailand, but has to follow the provincial guidelines for entry, which are published by the domestic airlines. Read the speach of Prayut Chan-ochas here.

Who comes from other countries, has still to go for 7 night to a quarantine hotel or can avoid this by flying directly to Phuket or Koh Samui and take part in the Sandbox model. This means: Fully vaccinated, test before flying, test after arrival, stay one night in hotel until the test result arrives, then can move freely in Phuket or Koh Samui area. Read:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao
Samui Plus (สมุยพลัส): The Rules for International and Domestic Travellers visiting Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao - Changed on 1st October

Saturday, October 2, 2021

The Colour Codes of Thailands Provinces from 1st October

How Covid-19 pandemic is controlled in Thailand from 1st October:
29 Maximum and Strict Controlled Areas or dark-red zone provinces:
Central Region: Bangkok and 28 other provinces: Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, and Suphan Buri. Eastern Region: Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, and Rayong. Northern Region: Phetchabun and Tak. Northeastern Region: Nakhon Ratchasima. Southern Region: Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala.

37 Strict Controlled Areas or red zone provinces:
Central Region: Chai Nat. Eastern Region: Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, and Trat. Northern Region: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, and Uttaradit. Northeastern Region: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, and Yasothon. Southern Region: Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Ranong, Satun, and Trang.

11 Controlled Areas or orange zone provinces:
Northern Region: Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, and Phrae. Northeastern Region: Bueng Kan, Mukdahan, and Nakhon Phanom. Southern Region: Krabi, Phang Nga, Phuket and Surat Thani.

Every province has entry regulations: Overview of Entry Regulations in Thailands Provinces.