I’m not calling you an idiot, but Thailand’s ever-changing laws surrounding COVID-19 and travel require some serious brainpower! In this article, we will answer all your questions about Thailand’s Test and Go in the simplest way possible.
If you have a question that’s not answered, please post in the comments below and we’ll try our best to answer it!
LATEST NEWS – From the start of March 2022, Thailand dropped its requirement for a PCR test and SHA+ hotel stay on day 5 of the scheme. The PCR test has been replaced with a Rapid Antigen Test which you can take yourself. The COVID-19 insurance requirement has been reduced from $50,000USD to $20,000USD.
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Test & Go Thailand: All Your Questions Answered!
Disclaimer: COVID-19 travel restrictions are changing every day and the following information reflects South East Asia’s Backpacker’s understanding of the current rules for entry. While we update this article regularly to ensure the information is as current as it can be, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
What is Test & Go?
Test and Go provides a way for fully vaccinated visitors to travel to Thailand without quarantine. Previously, the only way to travel to Thailand without quarantine was via the Phuket Sandbox, Samui Plus or one of the other sealed route schemes.
How does Test & Go work?
In order to use the scheme, you must book a stay in a SHA+ hotel that has a partnership with a local hospital. The SHA+ booking must be on day one of your stay in Thailand and you will have to undergo a RT-PCR test too. You must remain in your hotel room until the results have been returned. If you test negative, you are free to travel throughout Thailand. You will be provided with an antigen self-test kit to perform on day five. You are obliged to report the result via the MorChana app.
Has Test & Go changed since the last time it was introduced?
Yes. In the original Test and Go scheme, travellers only had to make one SHA+ hotel booking on day one and take one COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival to Thailand.
When Test and Go reopened in 2022, there was a requirement to stay in a SHA+ hotel on day one and day five of your stay in Thailand. On each of these days, you were required to take a separate PCR COVID-19 test. However, as of March 1st 2022, the day five SHA+ hotel stay and second PCR test requirement have been dropped*, instead, you will be required to take a self-administered antigen test on day five.
*Please note: Those who received their Thailand Pass before this date but will travel from March 1st onwards, will not have to take the PCR test on day five or stay in SHA+ accommodation that day. They can apply for a refund and instead follow the new rules.
What documents are required for Test & Go?
- Certificate of vaccination status or recovery
- Negative test result from RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Thailand
- Proof of payment of SHA+ hotel booking for day one
- Proof of payment for an RT-PCR test on day one and self-ATK test on day five
- Thailand Pass QR code (apply here through the official site)
- Pre-arranged transfer on day one from the airport to the hotel via a ‘sealed route’
- A travel insurance policy with minimum $20,000USD sickness cover*
- Download the MorChana app
*This was reduced from $50,000USD on March 1st 2022.
Which hotels can I stay at for Test & Go?
The hotel must be certified as SHA Plus (SHA+), which means that it has been approved by the Thailand Health and Safety Administration.
How do I book a transfer from the airport to my hotel?
You may have read that you need to book a transfer via a ‘sealed route’ from the airport to your Test and Go hotel. This can be done via your hotel and is usually part of the hotel package.
Can I leave the hotel room if my day one test is negative?
Yes. Providing that your day one RT-PCR test is negative, you can leave the hotel and travel to other parts of Thailand. You will be required to take an antigen self-test kit on day five and record the results via the MorChana app.
What happens if either my day one or day five COVID-19 tests are positive?
If you produce a positive COVID-19 test on day one or day five, you will be immediately referred for medical treatment. Depending on your symptoms, will receive appropriate treatment at the hospital, or be transferred to a community isolation centre. The quarantine will last at least 10 days, or until you can produce two negative RT-PCR tests. All medical treatment must be covered by the traveller’s insurance.
Do I have to fly into a certain airport on the Test and Go scheme?
Most travellers on the Test and Go scheme will enter Thailand via Bangkok International Airport. However, there are options for travellers who would like to begin their journey on the islands.
For example, if you wanted to fly to Koh Samui and do Test and Go there rather than in Bangkok, this is possible. However, you must travel on a dedicated ‘sealed route’ connecting flight (previously available open for sandbox visitors). If this is something you are considering doing, your flight must be a through flight booked on the same ticket.
The most important thing is that your SHA+ hotel is within a two-hour drive from the international airport that you arrived at.
Can I enter by land or sea on the Test and Go scheme?
Yes. At present, yachts are entering Thailand via sea.
Fully vaccinated Thai nationals and international travellers from neighbouring countries can enter via land at the following border checkpoints: Nong Khai, Songkhla and Udon Thani.
Do I have to be vaccinated to use Test & Go?
Yes, only fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to travel via Test and Go. To qualify, you must have been vaccinated with a WHO or Thai Ministry of Public Health approved vaccine. See list here. If you are unvaccinated but have had COVID, you can present a COVID recovery certificate instead.
Which countries are eligible for Test & Go?
All countries.
Can children travel via Test & Go?
- Travellers under 6 years old – Do not need to be vaccinated. Do not need to test on arrival. Must travel to Thailand with parents or guardian. Must undergo saliva COVID-19 test once in Thailand.
- Travellers age 6-11 – Do not need to be vaccinated. Must show negative COVID-19 test within 72 hrs of departure to Thailand. Must travel to Thailand with parents or guardian.
- Travellers age 12-17 – If unvaccinated, must travel with parents. Can travel to Thailand alone after one dose of vaccine no less than 14 days before travel. Must show negative COVID-19 test within 72 hrs of departure to Thailand.
- Travellers 18+ – Must be fully vaccinated with two doses of an approved vaccine. Must show negative COVID-19 test within 72 hrs of departure to Thailand.
What are the COVID regulations that I must follow whilst in Thailand?
Whilst in Thailand, you are advised to wear a face mask in public places, practise good hand hygiene and maintain a one-metre social distancing rule. If you develop symptoms at any time, you are advised to get tested ASAP. Local laws and restrictions are constantly changing so keep an eye on local news sources whilst in the country.
Hi, im planning on booking a flight that arrives early morning into bangkok. With the test and go packages do the hotels allow you to check in early?
Also do you know roughly how long is the turn around for getting the results back from the PCR test, I guess this will depend on how many tests they have to process that day but just wondered if we would be confined to the room all day and night.
Thank you
Hi Melanie,
I imagine early check-in will be down to the hotel’s discretion so I’d enquire with them directly. As for the turnaround for tests, I think you are correct that it varies depending on the volume.
Is a refund possible for someone who has already applied for Test and Go Scheme for travel after May1, since it is no longer required after that date. If so, how?
Hi Karen, I’d get in touch with the TAT (https://www.tatnews.org/2022/04/thailand-lifts-rt-pcr-testing-requirement-for-international-arrivals-from-1-may-2022/) or your hotel to enquire about this directly. Previously, refunds have been issued when there has been a change in entry requirements however, I haven’t seen any news about this recently in regards to the Test and Go announcement.
Hi, I am planning to travel to Thailand soon. Can I make one booking with an SHA Extra Plus hotel for my entire stay? Or do I have to make the booking twice, one for the Test and Go Package and one for the normal rest of the stay?
I believe this is possible, however, I’d check with the hotel to double check.
Hi,
I am looking to travel around Thailand at the end of April. Flying to Bangkok, so will do the Day 1 hotel. From then, we are wanting to go to Chiang Mai for a few days, and then down to Krabi and Koh Samui to end the holiday. I noticed that Krabi and Koh Samui are under the Sandbox scheme so does this mean that my route will not work and would have to come up with an alternative, or is it okay to travel to Bangkok, do the day 1 test, and then freely travel around the rest of Thailand? Thanks
Yes, once you have produced a negative day 1 test you can travel around the rest of Thailand and then check into a hotel in a different province to do the day 5 test. All the best and happy travels!
Hello,
I have booked directly with a SHA Extra + Hotel, however they haven’t responded in regards to how to book and pay for the 5th day self-atk test. Is there another option to pre-pay for the 5th day self-atk test (i.e at a hospital or private clinic)?
Thank you
Kristy
Hi Kirsty,
According to the TAT, ‘A proof of prepayment for 1 night of accommodation at government-approved hotel/s; such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) on Day 1, which should also include the expenses for 1 RT-PCR test on Day 1 and 1 Antigen Self-Test Kit (self-ATK) on Day 5.’
There does not seem to be an alternative way. To my knowledge, the ATK test will be included in the Test & Go package that you purchase when you arrange the hotel.
Hi,
I am wanting to book an SHA Extra plus hotel, but need proof of pre-paid PCR test and Day 5 Antigen Test and the transfer to the hotel. Do you know how i can organise this? As normal booking platforms like Booking.com / Agoda, don’t seem to include this in the price.
Hi Sienna,
It is best to book with your SHA Extra Plus hotel direct. That way you can ask any questions. Your SHA Extra Plus hotel will coordinate the payment and booking of the RT-PCR test unless you are flying to Phuket. For arrivals to Phuket, the first test will be carried out at Phuket international airport and needs to be booked in advance via this official website: https://www.thailandpsas.com/
Hello. I’ve had covid a few weeks ago. Do I need a proof of recovery letter AND a PCR test to enter Thailand? Or will they accept just a recovery letter?
Hi Jacqueline,
According to the Thai Embassy, If you have recovered from being infected from COVID-19 and the RT-PCR test before travelling is still positive, travellers must have a medical certificate stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 (infected more than 14 days but not more than 3 months). All those who have been infected will still have to take a RT-PCR test before travelling.
Hello,
What if my day 1 PCR TEST IS POSITIF bur I have a recovery qr code, because I had covid on January (last week i was still positive) and a letter of recovery in english from my doctor, what will happen?
According to the Thai Embassy, If you have recovered from being infected from COVID-19 and the RT-PCR test before travelling is still positive, travellers must have a medical certificate stating that you have recovered from COVID-19 (infected more than 14 days but not more than 3 months). All those who have been infected will still have to take a RT-PCR test before travelling.
“Do I have to be vaccinated to use Test & Go?
Yes, only fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to travel via Test & Go. To qualify, you must have been vaccinated with a WHO or Thai Ministry of Public Health approved vaccine. See list here. If you are unvaccinated but have had COVID, you can present a COVID recovery certificate instead.”
Does this mean I can go to Phuket as an unvaccinated person without the 10 day quarantine? I’ve been inflicted with COVID and have a recovery pass.
Hi Jonas,
If you are unvaccinated, your option is to travel to Thailand via the Happy Quarantine Scheme. See this guide for more info: https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/covid19-thailand-travel-restrictions/ (It’s a 10-day quarantine for air and sea arrivals.)
Best of luck!
How do I actually receive my PCR day 1 test result in Phuket? Will the hotel I am staying in receive the result and then pass it on to me? I have not been able to find this answer anywhere. TIA
Hi Eliza,
Please ask this question in our Facebook group as people who have just completed this step will be bale to advise you on how it worked: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SEABackpackerCommunity
Ok thank you. I don’t use Facebook but thanks for your suggestion
Hi there. We want to stay in a villa which is not sha approved. We are in Bangkok for day 1-3 so will do our day 1 tests there. Then we move to ko samui to the villa. Will I have to book a separate sha hotel for day 5 with our tests also or can I just do the tests and stay in the villa? I’m hoping the day 5 test may have stopped by the time I travel in April and it will just be the day 1 one like before?
Hi Sally, as it stands, you would have to book into an SHA Plus hotel in which to do your day 5 PCR Test. As you mentioned, things could have changed by April… However, in order to apply for the Thailand Pass, you will need to show the hotel booking for day 1 and day 5 of your stay. All the best and enjoy Koh Samui!
I purchased TUNE covid health insurance to apply for the Thai Pass. Upon arrival I was tested and that evening I was informed I had tested positive for covid. The next day I entered a private hospital and had to quarantine there for ten days. The bill for the stay was 75,864 baht. The policy was listed as the covid health insurance to cover the hospital stay. TUNE claims there is a waiting period which does not make sense when a test is required upon arrival. If you want an insurance company that will pay a legitimate claim
do not buy insurance from TUNE
Thanks for sharing this info David!
Without any information on how someone can travel between day 1 and day 5 we have been doing some research and unless they change RT-PCR test booking system in Phuket we won’t be able to travel there on day 2 and get the 2nd RT-PCR on day 5. We contacted several hotels in Phuket and they have no idea because they are all accustomed to the Sandbox method. Any thoughts?
Hello…. thanks, for your very detailed broken – down – explanation of the Test & Go scheme. My only question is, on day 1 of arrival (I read on TAT newsroom, that day 1 is consider, arrivals between 00.01 – 18.00, 18.01 – 00.00 arrivals, day 1 for them will be the next day at 00.01 hrs) can I travel to a covid testing facility to have my covid PT-PCR test done and come back to the SHA Plus + hotel to wait for my results or will I have to arrange the test thru the hotel I’m staying at because I’m not allowed to leave my room until after the PCR Covid test results comes back negative? All the articles I’ve read has not made this point clear; thus I’m confused regarding covid testing protocol on day 1 and day 5. Thanks, for your help in this!
Hi Kimberly,
I think you would need to ask the hotel this question. I imagine that you will have to arrange the PCR test through the hotel, however, to be honest, I am not sure.
There has been some discussion on this recently in our Facebook community, so my advice would be that you post the question in there and someone may be able to help you: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SEABackpackerCommunity
Recently someone told us they did the test as they left the airport…
“I did the test and go last week and I’d highly recommend it! Was really simple to get the PCR as you left the airport (2200 baht) and then I had to isolate in my room at the hotel. Was told results come back in 8-24 hours and I got them back in 7.5. Having my day 5 one at a hospital was also really simple.”
Best of luck!
Hello Ms. Nikki,
Great info… thanks, for the update! I don’t have FB account, so I wouldn’t be able to post my question there… that said, your reply was very though. Please let me in the loop if your clear concise information is received. Thank you!