Thailand May Extend Test & Go Suspension And Require Approved Visitors To Enter By January 10, 2022

On Monday, the Public Health Minister of Thailand, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, told in an interview that he proposes extending the Test & Go suspension through January 31, 2022, and requiring those who already have an approved Test & Go Thailand Pass to enter by January 10. However, this would not affect those entering Thailand through Phuket Sandbox.

Thailand introduced Phuket Sandbox in July 2021 that allowed visitors and nationals of Thailand to enter the country by first spending two weeks in Phuket that was later reduced for a week and additional areas of the country added, instead of hotel quarantine for 7 to 10 nights at a hotel in Bangkok.

Then Thailand introduced Test & Go from November 1, 2021, which only required passengers entering via Bangkok to quarantine for a night or until their result from a PCR-RT test conducted on arrival was received.

Thailand suspended Test & Go and all Sandboxes, excluding Phuket, effective Midnight on December 22, 2021. I was able to get my application in and approved at the last minute to arrive on January 18, 2022.

The minister now proposes extending the Test & Go suspension through the end of January to prevent the Omicron variant’s spread and require those with an approved Thailand Pass to enter under the program by January 10.

Here’s an excerpt from the Matichon Online (Google translate):

Commented that the MoPH will propose to the Prof. to consider postponing the test and go measure from the original on January 4, which will be delayed to assess the situation until the end of January 2022.

“I confirm that for the peace of mind about the immigration measures and the safety of people in the country We need a policy to postpone the opening of Test and go, which we will propose at the CDC meeting. considered and approved immediately,” said Mr. Anutin.

When asked about travelers in the test and go system who still have pipes Will be able to come in or not? Mr. Anutin said that for those who registered in the test and go system previously. We have to ask for cooperation that if you want to exercise the rights as registered. Must travel in by January 10 only. After that, if anyone wants to enter Thailand. Must enter the sandbox system (Sandbox) in Phuket or through the quarantine system only.

“We will impose measures for travelers who have previously registered by January 10 only. This is a dateline. After this, all travelers will have to log in either physically or sandboxed. for confidence,” said Mr. Anutin.

Thailand Test & Go Introduction & Suspension:

• Last Minute Thailand Pass Test & Go Application Success
• Official: Thailand Test&Go Quarantine Free Entry Program Cancelled, Existing Passes To Remain Valid
• Thailand May Scrap Test & Go Program
• Thailand Pass Application For Quarantine Free Entry Pre-Clearance Is Now Live – Request Your QR Code!
• OFFICIAL: Thailand Opens To 46 Countries On November 1, 2021 – FULL LIST Now Available
• More Details About “Thai Pass” Entry System For Thailand From November 1 (Still No Country List)

My Phuket Sandbox Experience:

• Thailand Phuket Sandbox Experience – Worth It?
• Phuket Sandbox Arrival Experience
• Phuket Sandbox “Your registration/application for COE has been confirmed”
• Thailand Phuket Sandbox Application Completed
• Thailand Phuket Sandbox COE Amendment
• Singapore Transit Experience

Conclusion

It is all but certain that the Test & Go is suspended at least through the end of January 2022, and likely the arrival of utilizing existing Thailand Pass holders through any other form than Phuket Sandbox from January 10.

Provinces in Thailand are also reintroducing various restrictions, so it may not be the best time to visit the country.

We should know more if and when these arrival restrictions are in place by the end of this week. They are official once they are published in the Royal Gazette.