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Is an "rt - qpcr" test acceptable for entry into Thailand instead of "rt - pcr"?

PCR Test Thailand Entry Requirements COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Visa and Immigration Health Requirements Expats in Thailand

Feb 2, 2022

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello Everyone, 

I am about to fly to Thailand on Thursday. Today I did my PCR test. It returned negative. On the result It says that the method used was: rt - qpcr/ but on the entry requirements to Thailand it says that I need a "rt - pcr" test. Is this little "q" possible messing up at the boarding or the  immigration office? 

Appreciate ur knowlegde or experience. 

Sam

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about whether a COVID-19 test result labeled "rt - qpcr" instead of the required "rt - pcr" will cause problems when flying to Thailand. Multiple commenters suggest that the "q" might not be an issue, as it may indicate quantitative testing and that the crucial part is the "rt" designation. Overall, there seems to be a consensus that the user is likely fine with their test results.

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Mark ********

Make sure you keep your distance for first 5 days i could mess the rest of your trip up

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Mitchell *******

I think the "q" stands for quantitative, and I think that means your lab would have done something extra, so you should be better than fine. I believe the "rt" (real time) would be the more important part of your test type.

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Mitchell *******

There may be some different use of the "rt". I just did a quick look up, and some sites call "rt" real time, and some call it "reverse transcript"

"quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)".

Either way, I think you are good.

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Sam *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mitchell ******

thanks Mitchell! How I miss those days when the hardest thing about traveling was making it to the airport on time

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Sam *******

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Steven ******

Keep us all posted mate, good luck

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Chris *********

Did you get the test done in clinic? If so did a nurse do it or yourself?

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Sam *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ********

I did it at a "clinic". Paid 60 euros for it and it was done by a laboratory.

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Sam *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Okay thanks Chris! I surely didn't do it by myself. All the information about the labatory is to find on the result page.

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Chris *********

good luck with your journey. I travel Thursday as well

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Sam *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ********

thanks Chris. Safe travels!

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Sam *******

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Chris *********

someone on a group mentioned the Q meant it was a self administered test. They said it’s ok for Thailand but emirates questioned it for transit at Dubai however after discussions they were allowed to travel.

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Chris *********

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Brian ********

Do you have time to phone this company just to ask them about this mystery q ?

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Sam *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

hey Brian, upon my research this q is not mystery. Its just a different method of doing the pcr technique. I phoned them tho but no helpfully awnser was given..

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Sam *******

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Anthony *********

Highly doubt that's anything to worry about, might just be a typo

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Sam *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Anthony ********

sadly its not just a typo, it seems to be a different method. Just slightly different but im scared if someone is having a bad day they could denie me boarding.

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Anthony *********

I know what you're saying though, it's super stressful I had to fly out and fly back in over new year to sort my visa situation out and it was none stop worry until I landed back in Thailand

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Anthony *********

I'm pretty sure you'll be fine they don't inspect your docs with a fine tooth comb and pour over every single word when you're checking in, etc

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Anthony *********

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