More prompt “antiquated” tests and reduced quarantine time have been approved for tourists in Thailand. The CCSA, a local counterpart to the General Staff, has approved the use of rapid antigen tests to test those arriving from abroad for Covid-19 starting December 1. They will replace PCR tests.
For tourists, this means that they do not have to wait long before they are allowed to travel in Thailand. Although the PCR test is considered more accurate, its results are much slower. Therefore, tourists entering Thailand are currently required to book a night at an approved hotel while they wait for the results – and the wait stretches from 6 hours to 24 hours.
The results of the antigen test can be obtained after 15 minutes. It is planned that this measure will be applied to travelers entering under the quarantine exclusion scheme and the “sandbox” scheme.
According to Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Nopakun Natapanu, tourists will need to take an antigen test at a hotel and book an approved transport from the airport. “You will not need to book a room in an authorized hotel, because the ATK test gives a faster result,” he said. As a result, the scheme will be for tourists and faster and cheaper.
The CCSA also approved a five-day limit on staying in designated hotels under the sandbox scheme. As a result, vaccinated travelers can move freely in an approved area of the province instead of being quarantined at the hotel. Also, several provinces – namely Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi and Patum Thani – will be added to the list of areas that are allowed to open under the “sandbox” scheme.