The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has published new rules for the entry of foreign tourists into the kingdom, effective December 24.
Travelers who have received the QR code in the Thailand Pass system before December 22 will be able to enter Thailand using the SandBox program on the scheduled dates without quarantine. They must spend the first 7 days in a pre-booked SHA + hotel. In addition, 2 PCR tests must be taken: upon arrival and on the 5-6th day of stay. Let’s remind, before the second PCR was replaced by a simplified and cheaper express ATK analysis. You will not have to pay extra for a repeated PCR study – the costs are borne by the Thai state. At the airport, the tourist will be given a special document with a QR code, according to which it will be possible to take the test free of charge on days 5–6 at one of the points from the approved list. In Pattaya, for example, these are Pattaya Memorial Hospital and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.
Those who did not manage to issue a Thailand Pass before December 22 will have to go through quarantine on arrival in Pattaya and other tourist provinces of Thailand (with the exception of Phuket). Vaccinated against COVID-19 – 7 days, not vaccinated – 10.
The conditions of entry to Phuket under the Phuket SandBox program remain unchanged, with the only amendment – instead of the ATK express analysis on days 5-6, you will also have to undergo repeated PCR testing. This rule applies to all Thailand Pass applications made after December 22nd. The cost of two PCR tests in Phuket will be 4200 baht (about 3.4 thousand UAH).
One can only welcome the decision of the Thai authorities not to take a surcharge for the second PCR test from those who, according to the current rules at the time of issuing the Thailand Pass, were supposed to undergo only one PCR study per covid upon arrival, observers note. However, it would not hurt to also reduce the cost of testing for vaccinated tourists coming to Phuket under the SandBox program. After all, the “Sandbox” now operates only on this island, which should be interested in attracting guests from abroad. And 4200 baht per person is a tangible waste, especially if a family is going on vacation.