There have been a few stops and starts over the last few months but Thailand is now firmly back on the winter sun map – with a few months of the high-season to spare. The Land of Smiles reinstated its Test and Go quarantine-waiver scheme on February 1 following a brief suspension due to the omicron outbreak. The entry system allows fully vaccinated travellers to enter Thailand and travel freely around the country as long as they acquire a Thailand Pass in advance.   

The Test and Go procedure is less straightforward than you would find outside most of Asia and while it claims to be quarantine-free it’s worth noting that it does include a one-day stay at an approved quarantine hotel on arrival, as well as a two Covid tests, which have to be booked together. Travellers must also self-isolate in their room at an approved quarantine hotel on day five until they receive the results of their second PCR test.

Another route for vaccinated travellers is the ‘sandbox’ scheme. This permits entry to certain areas for seven days, after which visitors can travel to the rest of Thailand. 

Unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated, international tourists can only enter Thailand through the Alternative Quarantine scheme. Under this programme, they must stay in approved facilities for seven to 14 days.

A word of warning for those planning a trip to the country: under Thailand’s emergency orders anyone who tests positive will be required to self-isolate. If you are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that could be arranged with your hotel, but anyone showing more severe symptoms will be carted off to a community isolation centre or hospital ward for a minimum of 10 days. Anyone ignoring the rules can expect a fine of up to THB20,000/£450. 

Can I go to Thailand? 

Yes, if you are fully vaccinated, it is possible to visit Thailand either through the Test and Go scheme or through the ‘sandbox’ scheme, which includes a number of destinations. 

Requirements for entry through the Test and Go scheme include:

• A Thailand pass: you’ll be asked to upload copies of your vaccination record, your hotel confirmation (which includes tests on day 1 and day 5) and an insurance policy with coverage of no less than US$50,000/£36,850, per person.
• A medical certificate with a negative RT-PCR test result, issued no more than 72 hours prior to take-off.
• A pre-booked PCR test taken on arrival (included as part of a hotel package) and a second test.
• Self-isolation in your hotel room on arrival until you receive a negative result from your day 1 test.
• Self-isolation in your hotel room after your day 5 test until you receive a negative result.

Note: The scheme applies to anyone aged 18 or above. Young travellers age 17 and under are exempt as long as they are travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians – although they will still need to take the PCR tests.

See the full details.

Requirements for entry via the ‘sandbox’ scheme:

• A Thailand pass: you’ll be asked to upload copies of your vaccination record, your hotel confirmation (including confirmed payment for two PCR tests) and an insurance policy with coverage of no less than US$50,000/£36,850, per person.
• A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result showing it is negative issued no more than 72 hours before travelling.
• A confirmed payment for at least a 7-day stay at approved accommodation establishments; such as a SHA Extra Plus (SHA++) hotel, within eligible sandbox destinations.
• Self-isolate in your hotel room until you receive a negative result for your arrival test.

Fully vaccinated travellers visiting Thailand under the Sandbox programme can spend their first seven days in one of the following destinations: Phang-Na, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray), and Trat (Ko Chang).

Children aged 17 and under who are not fully vaccinated can enter Thailand under the sandbox scheme if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian. They will still be subject to testing requirements.

See the full details.

Unvaccinated travellers aged 18 or over are only permitted to enter the country through the Alternative Quarantine scheme. See more information. 

Are flights operating?

Yes. The likes of Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Thai airlines have all resumed flights to Thailand.

Will I be insured if I go? 

The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Thailand, making insurance policies easier to come by.

Do I need to take a test before travel to Thailand? 

Yes, you must present a negative PCR test result (issued no longer than 72 hours before departure), take a PCR test on arrival, before travelling further, which can be anywhere in the country if over 18 and fully vaccinated. The arrival test and day five test will be arranged by the SHA+ hotel you are staying in. You must also self-isolate in your room at a SHA+ hotel following your day five test.