Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) ordered an immediate suspension of issuing the “Thailand Pass” for the "Test and Go"-Scheme from Tuesday 21 December until January 4th in 2022. This to prevent spreading of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Thailand. This means that fully vaccinated international visitors have to go to quarantine again, if they want to enter Thailand. They can register with the "Thailand Pass" for a 7- oder 10-night quarantine in a quarantine hotel or for Phuket Sandbox.
These are the details of the new regulation:
People who have got the Thailand Pass already can still enter the kingdom through the “Test and Go” scheme for fully vaccinated arrivals from 63 low-risk countries and territories until January 10th, 2022. They still have to get a PCR Test after arrival and wait in their SHAplus hotelroom, until they get the negative result. After 6 days they have to do another PCR-Test (no additional cost). After that they are free to travel inside Thailand, if the test is negative.
Applicants who have already registered, but have not yet received their QR Code, must wait. Once approved, they can enter Thailand under the "Test and Go"-Scheme or another they have registered. After 6 days they have to do another PCR-Test (no additional cost). After that they are free to travel inside Thailand, if the test is negative.
New applicants for Thailand Pass can visit Thailand with a 7-days oor 10-days quarantine in so called ASQ hotels, where they have to stay in the hotel. Or they can enter Phuket Sandbox, where they can leave the hotel after they got the negative PCR-Test-result and have to do another test after 6 days, before they are allowed to leave Phuket island an travel in Thailand.
Sandbox-programmes in other areas than Phuket are suspended. The prime minister said that the government will review the situation again in January and decide whether the “test and go” scheme should resume.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Thailand opens for visitors from 63 countries - Thailand Pass operational from 1st November
On his Facebook page Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha announced on 21 October, that Thailand opens the country for fully vaccinated visitors from 46 countries, who arrive by airplanes. The Ministry of Forein Affairs announced the 46 countries shortly after his announcement. On 30 October 17 more countries have been added. The countries, from where the residents can enter with Thailand Pass Test and Go system (exemption from quarantine):
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Children under the age of 18 who are not eligible for vaccination, and are travelling with parents, only need to do a RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. Also adult people have to do this test.
See from which countries you can enter Thailand without a Visa for tourism purposes here.
An article by Thaiger shows how Bangkok is preparing for the entry of fully vaccinated international tourists from first of November. On Thaiger we read, that the tourists, who have arrived at Bangkoks airports Suvarnabumi and Don Muang, will be tested outside of the airport in swab hubs. Approved limousines will bring these guests to SHA plus hotels, where they will have to stay in the hotel room until they get the negative test result. They will be tested at these hotels or in nearby test hubs. According to this report over 300 hotels are waiting to receive the SHA plus certificate. See list of SHA plus hotels in Bangkok. See Bangkok SHA plus Hotels Google Map
As Richard Barrow tweets, the arriving guests will have to book a SHA+ hotel for the first night within a two hour drive from the international airport. For example, if you land at Suvarnbhumi, you can go straight to Pattaya, but for Hua Hin, must stay in Bangkok.
How to get Thailand Pass and who still has to register for COE
The CCSA (Centre for Covid-19 situation administration) has announced that the new Thailand Pass system will be operational on 1st November. The process then can take 7 working days. Therefore Thailand Pass registration is for people who travel after 8 November. Until then travellers have to do the COE (Certificate of Entry) registration process at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ and COE registrations will be valid after 1st of November. But the mentioned 7 days of staying in a SHA plus hotel are not definite. At the immigration Public Health officers will that reduce to 1 day. From 1 November 2021, the Certificate of Entry (COE) registration website will be closed for new registrations. But it will allow travellers, whose application has been pre-approved, to continue their application process to obtain COE until 7 November 2021.
Travellers who are in the process of requesting a COE and travel before 12 November can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.
Travellers, who will travel before 12 November must still request a COE around two weeks before travelling. You can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.
The registration for Thailand Pass will be possible at thailandpass.go.th/ from 1st November. Thailand Pass will require travelers to upload a vaccine certificate. Travelers can then download the Thailand Pass QR Code immediately after receiving the approval.
By doing Thailand Pass registration, you may get an error at the end. If this happens, do, what thaiger.com recommends: Thailand Pass workaround for API error.
The Regulations for Entry in Thailand
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published formal regulations for entry to Thailand as follows:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the following FAQs. The Ministry says:
If your COE has been pre-approved, you will need to submit the rest of the required documents by 7 November 2021. Otherwise, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.
If your COE has not been pre-approved by 1 November 2021, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.
Exemption from Quarantine scheme: You can travel to any destinations in Thailand once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative.
Entry to Thailand with Sandbox scheme
Travellers from any country of the world can use the Sandbox scheme: You can travel freely in the sandbox area for the duration of 7 days once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative. Once you have completed your 7-day mandatory stay within the Sandbox area, you can travel freely to other parts of Thailand. There are 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations:
Bangkok, Krabi, Chon Buri (Banlamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, Sattahip - Na Jomtien, Bang Sarey), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng), Trat (Ko Chang), Buri Ram (Mueang), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae), Phang Nga, Phetchaburi (Cha Am), Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam), Rayong (Ko Samet), Loei (Chiang Khan), Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport), Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao), Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo), Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban, Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han and Prachaksinlapakham).
Read this checklist.
Updated informations about Thailand Pass can be found here.
Read more about COE registration:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Children under the age of 18 who are not eligible for vaccination, and are travelling with parents, only need to do a RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure. Also adult people have to do this test.
See from which countries you can enter Thailand without a Visa for tourism purposes here.
An article by Thaiger shows how Bangkok is preparing for the entry of fully vaccinated international tourists from first of November. On Thaiger we read, that the tourists, who have arrived at Bangkoks airports Suvarnabumi and Don Muang, will be tested outside of the airport in swab hubs. Approved limousines will bring these guests to SHA plus hotels, where they will have to stay in the hotel room until they get the negative test result. They will be tested at these hotels or in nearby test hubs. According to this report over 300 hotels are waiting to receive the SHA plus certificate. See list of SHA plus hotels in Bangkok. See Bangkok SHA plus Hotels Google Map
As Richard Barrow tweets, the arriving guests will have to book a SHA+ hotel for the first night within a two hour drive from the international airport. For example, if you land at Suvarnbhumi, you can go straight to Pattaya, but for Hua Hin, must stay in Bangkok.
How to get Thailand Pass and who still has to register for COE
The CCSA (Centre for Covid-19 situation administration) has announced that the new Thailand Pass system will be operational on 1st November. The process then can take 7 working days. Therefore Thailand Pass registration is for people who travel after 8 November. Until then travellers have to do the COE (Certificate of Entry) registration process at https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/ and COE registrations will be valid after 1st of November. But the mentioned 7 days of staying in a SHA plus hotel are not definite. At the immigration Public Health officers will that reduce to 1 day. From 1 November 2021, the Certificate of Entry (COE) registration website will be closed for new registrations. But it will allow travellers, whose application has been pre-approved, to continue their application process to obtain COE until 7 November 2021.
Travellers who are in the process of requesting a COE and travel before 12 November can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.
Travellers, who will travel before 12 November must still request a COE around two weeks before travelling. You can submit a SHA plus hotel confirmation for only 1 night instead of 7.
The registration for Thailand Pass will be possible at thailandpass.go.th/ from 1st November. Thailand Pass will require travelers to upload a vaccine certificate. Travelers can then download the Thailand Pass QR Code immediately after receiving the approval.
By doing Thailand Pass registration, you may get an error at the end. If this happens, do, what thaiger.com recommends: Thailand Pass workaround for API error.
The Regulations for Entry in Thailand
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published formal regulations for entry to Thailand as follows:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published the following FAQs. The Ministry says:
If your COE has been pre-approved, you will need to submit the rest of the required documents by 7 November 2021. Otherwise, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.
If your COE has not been pre-approved by 1 November 2021, your COE request will be automatically rejected, and you will need to register with the Thailand Pass system to travel to Thailand.
Exemption from Quarantine scheme: You can travel to any destinations in Thailand once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative.
Entry to Thailand with Sandbox scheme
Travellers from any country of the world can use the Sandbox scheme: You can travel freely in the sandbox area for the duration of 7 days once the RT-PCR test upon arrival received is negative. Once you have completed your 7-day mandatory stay within the Sandbox area, you can travel freely to other parts of Thailand. There are 17 Blue Zone Sandbox destinations:
Bangkok, Krabi, Chon Buri (Banlamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, Sattahip - Na Jomtien, Bang Sarey), Chiang Mai (Mueang, Doi Tao, Mae Rim and Mae Taeng), Trat (Ko Chang), Buri Ram (Mueang), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Hua Hin and Nong Kae), Phang Nga, Phetchaburi (Cha Am), Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam), Rayong (Ko Samet), Loei (Chiang Khan), Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport), Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao), Nong Khai (Mueang, Sangkhom, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo), Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban, Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Nong Han and Prachaksinlapakham).
Read this checklist.
Updated informations about Thailand Pass can be found here.
Read more about COE registration:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
In Bangkok 153 SHA plus Hotels are waiting for visitors with Thailand Pass
You will now find 153 hotels in Bangkok with SHA plus certificate, among them Mandarin Oriental and Peninsula. More will come. You need a SHA plus hotel for the first night after arriving in Bangkok, if you arrive with Thailand Pass from 1st November. You have to wait at this hotel for the PCR test result. Check the official Bangkok SHA plus hotels list in the following days and you will find more hotels. See Bangkok SHA plus hotels Google Map
Read how Thailand Pass works.
Read how Thailand Pass works.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Follow Russell Crowe's Phuket Sandbox Experience and his Stay in Bangkok
Famous actor Russell Crowe travelled to Thailand for the new Vietnam War movie called “The Greatest Beer Run Ever”. He shared his Phuket Sandbox experience on Twitter.
Russel Crowe stayed at Amanpuri:
After 14 days in Phuket Sandbox Russel Crowe travelled to Bangkok, where he went to Bangkoks green lung, Bang Krachao, on Sunday 10 October and showed Baker's House Coffee and Bakery:
And then he recommended Phuket Sandbox:
There were a lot of reactions after this post. Read here.
With this Tweet a clarified how Phuket Sandbox works:
And some more of his stay in Bangkok: Wat Kanlayanamit and Lhong1919
On Instagram:
As Bangkok2tour reports, Russell Crowe and Zac Efron have visited The Smokin’ Pug for dinner and drinks Saturday 9 October.
Back in Quarantine again. pic.twitter.com/lnb02kzCXB
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 18, 2021
Quarantine Day 2. pic.twitter.com/tz4joGXjAs
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 19, 2021
My new Quarantine buddy .
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 22, 2021
Little frog. Big noise. pic.twitter.com/9yUK9Tgqxy
My new Quarantine buddy .
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 22, 2021
Little frog. Big noise. pic.twitter.com/9yUK9Tgqxy
Quarantine Day 10. pic.twitter.com/afA6yReJcE
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 27, 2021
Quarantine day 13 begins pic.twitter.com/HgXkVSFb25
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) September 29, 2021
Quarantine Day 14 pic.twitter.com/YA6p594m2Q
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 1, 2021
Russel Crowe stayed at Amanpuri:
Amanpuri dreaming. Phuket. #sandboxquarantine pic.twitter.com/eTdfr9MLu1
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 13, 2021
After 14 days in Phuket Sandbox Russel Crowe travelled to Bangkok, where he went to Bangkoks green lung, Bang Krachao, on Sunday 10 October and showed Baker's House Coffee and Bakery:
Lost in Bangkok. pic.twitter.com/9MxVMhidMp
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 9, 2021
And then he recommended Phuket Sandbox:
Go and look at Phuket. I’m sure the rest of the country has amazing experiences to share too, but at this point I think Sandbox Quarantine for vaccinated travelers only applies to Phuket. pic.twitter.com/di1YF5y7XL
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 11, 2021
There were a lot of reactions after this post. Read here.
With this Tweet a clarified how Phuket Sandbox works:
Home from night shoot.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 11, 2021
Let me clarify Sandbox Quarantine in Thailand. If you are double vaccinated you can fly into Phuket and do your quarantine time of 14 days and 4 Covid tests confined to the island, not a room, the island.
After 14 days, you can travel elsewhere in Thailand.
And some more of his stay in Bangkok: Wat Kanlayanamit and Lhong1919
Lost in Bangkok, part 2. pic.twitter.com/OH3rsDft0S
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) October 14, 2021
On Instagram:
As Bangkok2tour reports, Russell Crowe and Zac Efron have visited The Smokin’ Pug for dinner and drinks Saturday 9 October.
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Thailand opens for fully vaccinated Tourists - but only from a few Countries
China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and USA - tourists from these countries can visit Thailand from 1st November without quarantine. This has been announced by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. So it will happen. In his Television adress to Thai people he did not mention other countries, but said, the opening would start with a list of at least ten countries.
Who comes from China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and USA, will have to provide the certificate, that he is fully vaccinated, will have to make a test within 72 hours before the flight and make a test after arriving in Thailand and have to stay in a so called SHA plus hotel until the the negative test result arrives. Afther that he will be able to travel around in Thailand, but has to follow the provincial guidelines for entry, which are published by the domestic airlines. Read the speach of Prayut Chan-ochas here.
Who comes from other countries, has still to go for 7 night to a quarantine hotel or can avoid this by flying directly to Phuket or Koh Samui and take part in the Sandbox model. This means: Fully vaccinated, test before flying, test after arrival, stay one night in hotel until the test result arrives, then can move freely in Phuket or Koh Samui area. Read:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao
Samui Plus (สมุยพลัส): The Rules for International and Domestic Travellers visiting Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao - Changed on 1st October
Who comes from China, Germany, Singapore, the UK and USA, will have to provide the certificate, that he is fully vaccinated, will have to make a test within 72 hours before the flight and make a test after arriving in Thailand and have to stay in a so called SHA plus hotel until the the negative test result arrives. Afther that he will be able to travel around in Thailand, but has to follow the provincial guidelines for entry, which are published by the domestic airlines. Read the speach of Prayut Chan-ochas here.
Who comes from other countries, has still to go for 7 night to a quarantine hotel or can avoid this by flying directly to Phuket or Koh Samui and take part in the Sandbox model. This means: Fully vaccinated, test before flying, test after arrival, stay one night in hotel until the test result arrives, then can move freely in Phuket or Koh Samui area. Read:
How to use Phuket Sandbox: Now 7 Days on Phuket or in Phang Nga, Krabi or on Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao
Samui Plus (สมุยพลัส): The Rules for International and Domestic Travellers visiting Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao - Changed on 1st October
Friday, January 1, 2021
From Bang Sue to Laos: The #ThailandChinaRailway
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) held a public hearing in Nakhon Ratchasima in December 2020 for the second phase of the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed railway project, reports Bangkok Post. The 356km route goes from Nakhon Ratchasima (aka Korat) to Nong Khai, the second phase will follow the first Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima line - the 253-km rail route now under construction. The hearing was told that 185km of the route would be built at ground level and 171km would be elevated. 120 railway bridges over major highways, 25 vehicle bridges over major roads, 23 U-turn bridges for small roads with low traffic volume and 84 underpasses in the countryside are planned. There will be five station planning to build five stations: Bua Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima, Ban Phai in Maha Sarakham and three others in Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nong Khai as well as a cargo and container yard in Na Tha near Nong Khai. SRT expects to begin construction in 2022 and have the second phase completed by 2029, at a total cost of 250 billion baht. The train will be capable of speeds up to 250kph.
End of Dece,ber 2020 it was announced, that state owned China Railway Construction Corp (CRCC) has won a $415m contract to build a 40km segment of the China-Thailand high-speed railway linking Bangkok to Thailand’s border with Laos in the northeast. CRCC’s two subsidiaries, China Railway 11 Bureau Group and China Railway 23 Bureau Group, will build railway beds, bridges and stations for the section linking Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, as China Daily reports.
Read more about Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway
End of Dece,ber 2020 it was announced, that state owned China Railway Construction Corp (CRCC) has won a $415m contract to build a 40km segment of the China-Thailand high-speed railway linking Bangkok to Thailand’s border with Laos in the northeast. CRCC’s two subsidiaries, China Railway 11 Bureau Group and China Railway 23 Bureau Group, will build railway beds, bridges and stations for the section linking Bangkok and the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, as China Daily reports.
Read more about Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway
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