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These FAQs by the Department of Consular Affairs include information on application and testing procedures for travellers via the Test & Go, Sandbox, and Alternative Quarantine schemes.
Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs has compiled a set of FAQs on Thailand Pass, for travellers looking to enter Thailand.
General information
Q Is registration for Thailand Pass required for all three schemes for travel into Thailand?
Effective 1 November 2021, all travellers arriving in Thailand by air are required to register with Thailand Pass in order to travel into Thailand.
Q How long does the approval process take with Thailand Pass?
It is required that applicants submit their registration at least seven working days before their intended travel date, as the process usually takes three to seven working days. Please be advised that your hotel reservation(s) will undergo verification and authentication by your SHA Extra+/AQ hotel(s) before your application could be further reviewed and approved by the Department of Disease Control.
Therefore, please note that processing/approval time could vary, even though applications are submitted at the same time.
Q Can I change my travel itinerary once I have registered and received my QR code? Will my QR code remain valid?
Yes. However, flight changes are permitted within 72 hours after the original flight time registered in the Thailand Pass, without the need to apply for a new Thailand Pass QR code, provided that all other required documents remain valid.
For itinerary changes beyond 72 hours, you will have to edit your Thailand Pass application by accessing your application through the Thailand Pass portal using your access code. Please note that your edited application will be subjected to and will undergo the review process cycle all over again.
Q I am travelling as a family or a group, can I submit one application for the whole family/group?
No. However, children aged below 18 can register alongside their parents and they will be granted the same entry scheme as their parents.
Q Can I travel around Thailand freely if I have entered through the Test & Go scheme/Sandbox Programme/Alternative Quarantine?
Test & Go scheme: You can travel to any destination in Thailand if the RT-PCR test conducted on your day of arrival is negative. However, you must undergo an ATK self-test on day five and report the test result via the channel, as instructed by the Ministry of Public Health.
[Full procedures and requirements here]
Sandbox Programme: You can travel freely in the Sandbox area for the duration of seven days if the RT-PCR test conducted on your day of arrival is negative. You must also undergo an ATK self-test on day five and report the test result via the channel as instructed by the Ministry of Public Health.
Once you have completed your seven-day mandatory stay at the hotel within the Sandbox area, you can freely travel to any destination in Thailand. For travellers coming to Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga and Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan), you are allowed to travel between the mentioned Sandbox areas and can book a maximum of three SHA Extra+ / AQ hotels in the Sandbox areas during your seven day Sandbox period.
[Full procedures and requirements here]
Alternative Quarantine scheme: You will need to undergo your seven day or 10-day mandatory quarantine at your hotel/accommodation. Please note that you are not permitted to leave the hotel room/premise under any circumstance. Once you have completed your quarantine, you can travel to any destination in Thailand.
[Full procedures and requirements here]
Q Do I need to register with Thailand Pass if I plan to travel to Thailand by land or sea?
Currently, Thailand Pass is for those who plan to travel to Thailand by air and land only. Passengers who plan to arrive by boat must contact the Royal Thai Embassy/Royal Thai Consulate-General in your area for COE issuance.
Q If I do not have a mobile phone, how could I present my Thailand Pass QR code?
If you do not carry a mobile phone with the QR code, you may print out a hard copy (A5) of the QR code and bring it with you to present it to the officers at the airport.
Preferably, you could register with Thailand Pass on your PC and print out the QR code. You also have the option to download your Thailand Pass QR code to your Apple Wallet/Walletpasses to facilitate your travels.
Q I have problems accessing Thailand Pass on my mobile device, what should I do?
If you have problems accessing Thailand Pass on your mobile device, please access the site on desktop mode or on your PC.
Q If I am travelling to Thailand in order to transit to another country/territory (not passing through the immigration control), do I need to register with Thailand Pass?
No. However, you must have proof of insurance with minimum coverage of at least USD$20,000 and a COVID-19 test result (RT-PCR), issued within 72 hours before your travel.
You are permitted to transit in Thailand for a maximum of 24 hours without passing through immigration control.
Eligibility
Q Do I need to travel from certain countries/territories in order to be able to enter Thailand under the Test and Go scheme?
No. Effective from 1 February 2022, travellers departing from all countries/territories are eligible to enter Thailand under the Test and Go scheme.
Documents: General information
Q What are the required documents for Thailand Pass registration?
Requirements vary depending on the scheme which you are planning to enter Thailand with. Details are as follows:
| Documentation Required | Test and Go | Sandbox Programme | Alternative Quarantine |
| Passport copy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vaccination Certificate (Not required for children aged below 18 travelling with their parents) | Yes | Yes | Not required |
| Insurance (Minimum coverage USD$20,000)
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hotel reservation | SHA Extra+/AQ for 1 day (Day 1) (one RT-PCR test fee, one ATK self-test kit, and airport transfer included) | SHA Extra+/AQ for 7 days (one RT-PCR test fee, one ATK self-test kit, and airport transfer included) | AQ for seven/10 days |
| Thai visa | If required | If required | If required |
Documents: Certificate of vaccination
Q My children are unvaccinated; can they enter Thailand through the same scheme (Test and Go/Sandbox Programme) as their parents?
Children aged below six:
- Travel with parents only
- Vaccination not required
- Not required to present a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result upon arrival
- Once in Thailand, they will be able to undergo a COVID-19 test using the saliva testing technique.
Children aged six-11:
- Vaccination not required
- Travel with parents only
- Present a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result (issued within 72 hours before departure) upon arrival.
Children aged 12-17:
- Present a COVID-19 RT-PCR test result (issued within 72 hours before departure) upon arrival
- Able to travel alone if vaccinated with one dose of COVID-19 vaccine no less than 14 days before travelling
- If unvaccinated, must travel with parents.
Q What are the vaccines approved by Thailand?
The vaccines approved by Thailand include;
- CoronaVac (Sinovac)
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, Covishield)
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty)
- Moderna
- COVILO (Sinopharm)
- Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
- Sputnik V
- Covaxin
- Medigen (For Sandbox only)
- Sputnik Light (For Sandbox only)
Q Does Thailand recognise mixed vaccination?
Thailand fully recognises mixed vaccination. However, your second dose needs to be administered based on the recommended timeframe for each vaccine type (first dose), as follows;
- First dose (Sinovac) = second dose after two weeks
- First dose (AstraZeneca) = second dose after four weeks
- First dose (Pfizer-BioNTech = second dose after three weeks
- First dose (Moderna) = second dose after four weeks
- First dose (Sinopharm) = second dose after three weeks
- First dose (Sputnik V) = second dose after three weeks
- First dose (Covaxin) = second dose after four weeks
- First dose (Medigen) = second dose after four weeks
To be considered fully vaccinated, your second dose must be administered at least 14 days before your travel.
*Those vaccinated with Janssen (Johnson&Johnson) vaccine do not need to receive their second dose to be considered fully vaccinated.
*Those vaccinated with Sputnik Light vaccine do not need to receive their second dose to be considered fully vaccinated.
*Those vaccinated with Medigen and Sputnik Light vaccine are eligible to enter Thailand via the Sandbox Programme only.
Q Do I need to submit both the certificates of my first and second doses of vaccination?
Yes. You need to submit both the certificates of your first (1/2) and second (2/2) doses of vaccination. However, you can use your 2/2 EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) as reference for both your first and second doses of vaccination.
Q I have previously been infected with COVID-19; can I travel to Thailand?
Yes. Those previously infected with COVID-19 are considered fully vaccinated if they have received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at any time after their recovery. Please be advised that your proof or medical record of COVID-19 recovery must be submitted alongside your single-dose vaccination certificate.
- If you have been fully vaccinated before contracting COVID-19, you are still considered to be fully vaccinated.
- If you recovered from COVID-19 within three months before travelling to Thailand, you must present a valid medical certificate certifying the full recovery (within three months but no less than 14 days before travelling) or that you are asymptomatic in case the COVID-19 RT-PCR test shows a positive result.
Q What are AQ and SHA Extra+ hotels?
AQ hotels are the hotels eligible to be used as quarantine sites under the AQ scheme as well as designated venues to wait for your RT-PCR result under the Test and Go scheme and as hotels for the Sandbox Programme.
SHA Extra+ hotels/accommodations are hotels that meet the “Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration” standards, have hospital partners and are eligible to be used as hotels under the Sandbox Programme and as venues to wait for your RT-PCR result under the Test and Go scheme.
The list of SHA Extra+ / AQ hotels can be accessed through the Thailand Pass website here.
Q My flight arrives in Thailand after midnight, how should I book my hotel for the Test and Go scheme?
You should book your hotel starting from the day before your flight arrives. For example, if you arrive in Thailand on 2 November 2021 at 1am, you should book your hotel for the duration of 1 – 2 November 2021 (one night). Once your RT-PCR test result is negative, you can check out of your hotel on 2 November 2021.
Q How do I travel from the airport to the hotel?
You must travel from the airport by pre-arranged, pre-paid shuttle service/airport pickup, which would take you to your hotel via a sealed route.
Q Do I have to stay at the same hotel for the entire seven days of the Sandbox Programme?
No. You can book different hotels during your stay in Thailand under Sandbox Programme.
You can book a maximum of three different hotels during your seven-day Sandbox period, given that the hotels are certified SHA Extra+ / AQ hotels.
Documents: Insurance
Q I am an expat living and working in Thailand, do I have to submit an insurance policy document?
Yes. Expats living and working in Thailand under a valid visa or residential permit are required to provide proof of insurance coverage in Thailand, with a minimum coverage of USD$20,000 or a valid social security card or certified letter from their employer.
Thai nationals are not required to provide proof of insurance coverage as they are covered by Thailand’s universal healthcare programme.
Q Does my insurance have to be COVID-19 insurance in order to register with Thailand Pass?
No. You can also use a standard/general insurance or health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD$20,000.
Documents: PCR-Test results
Q Do I need to submit my COVID-19 test result (RT-PCR) in Thailand Pass?
No. However, you must provide your COVID-19 test result (RT-PCR) issued within 72 hours before your travel to the officers at the airport, except if you are a Thai national arriving in Thailand through Alternative Quarantine. For others, failure to provide your COVID-19 test result (RT-PCR) may result in you being denied entry into Thailand. Please note that your test result must be in hard copy and in Thai or English language only.
Q Can I use a COVID-19 test result other than RT-PCR to enter Thailand?
No. Your COVID-19 test result must be obtained using the RT-PCR testing technique (ATK is not permitted) and issued within 72 hours before your travel only. Please note that similar testing techniques including PCR, qPCR and RT-qPCR are also accepted.
Security, privacy, and miscellaneous
Q Will my personal information be safe with Thailand Pass?
Your personal information is encrypted and safe with Thailand Pass as it will be used for the purpose of approving and facilitating your arrival in Thailand only.
Q I have enquiries regarding my travel to Thailand / Thailand Pass system, where can I find more information?
More information can be found on the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand’s website, or you may contact the Royal Thai Embassy/Royal Thai Consulate-General in your area for more information.
For information and follow-ups regarding your application status on Thailand Pass, you can contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand or Phuket Authority (if travelling to Phuket). Their contact details can be found on the Thailand Pass website.
Image / PR Thai Government Facebook
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