Answered5 years ago

Is it acceptable for my boyfriend to change his flight under the Test and Go program if it arrives 73 hours after the original flight?

Test and Go program Thailand Pass visa rules immigration flight changes travel to Thailand

Cake **********

asked Jan 16, 2022

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My boyfriend’s arrival date is 17 Jan, arrive at 12:10 hr BKK. He’s coming under Test and Go which was approved before the suspension. I know that flight can be postponed but not more than 72 hours after the original flight. Due to personal reason, he has to change his flight to 20 Jan instead with the same flight number. But his flight on 20 Jan(EY406) will do stop over in Phuket for 1:30 hrs which makes his arrival in BKK 13:10 hr. That makes 73 hrs after the original flight even though he will arrive in Phuket at 10:10 hr. I called ThailandPass call center, but he cannot confirm that this is acceptable or not. He said that the it depends on the immigration officer at the airport or the department of disease control’s staff. Anyone had this similar problem? Please kindly share 😢 Thank you in advance.

Answer summary

A user is concerned about their boyfriend's changed flight schedule after applying under Thailand's Test and Go program. Originally scheduled to arrive at 12:10 hr on 17 Jan, they wish to change to a flight arriving at 13:10 hr on 20 Jan, exceeding the strict 72-hour arrival window. Despite contacting the Thailand Pass call center, clarity on this issue was vague, leading the user to seek experiences from others. Several commenters provided insights showing a flexible approach by Thai authorities toward minor delays and offered various options for the user's boyfriend's travel. Ultimately, the user confirmed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that as long as the boyfriend arrived by 20 Jan, he would be fine.

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Felix *******

So I took an etihad flight that did that a few days ago. Here is how exactly they process people.

1. Plane stops for 1 hour in phuket. drop off people, wait for a while until it's clear to take off

2. Plane arrives in bkk airport. Usually earlier, usually with less than a dozen people left to deplane.

3. Exit the plane, first thing you see is one person asking "7 day or 1 day". You answer which pass you got, the person gives you a paper to fill out. (Pink paper with a QR code)

4. You walk towards "Thai pass" processing line. Where there are blue chairs for you to fill the form, and prepare your docs. Once you filled the pink paper, you walk to the thai pass counters. The person asks for Thai pass to scan, the pink paper filled, PCR negative test. and maybe your tiny arrival card (dont rmb that bit). They need to write down the unique code of the card or something. So, that can all happen within 5-10 mins of you exiting the plane.

5. Most important point here is, they are not immigration police officers. they are supposed to help you go through this process. And the etihad plane I took, arrived about 1 hour earlier. Not telling you to count on these chances, but to be frank, it's either the thai pass staff accept him for test and go and let him through, or be difficult about it and you end up getting 7 days. They won't consider you as someone without a thai pass and deny entry to the country. They will figure out a way to work it through.

You have a few options

- Just wing it, see if it works

- email the thai pass website email and see what they can do about it. they're responsive.

- get an earlier plane

personally, I'd wing it. It's worth a shot avoiding 6 days of quarantine. But this is not official advice hehe. Good luck!

5 years ago

Felix *******

Yes, sounds like in this case, 1 hour isn't going to make them really reject the validity of the pass. Hope he has a good seat, these planes get crowded real fast, unlike 6 months ago.

5 years ago

Cake **********

@Felix ******

Thank you so much for your detailed answer. I finally got the answer from the ministry of foreign affairs. He can come with this flight as long as it is within 20 Jan! Such a great news and big relieve for me😊😊

5 years ago

Marc ********

I think it is up to 72 hours departing time

5 years ago

Jared **********

When you go to Phuket sandbox you can’t transfer through bkk

But you can transit through phuket to bkk?

5 years ago

Cake **********

@Jared *********

That’s what I think too. According to the inquiry to the travel agent, it seems like they will only do ground stop which passengers bound for Bangkok will not leave the plane. They just wait inside the plane for 1:30 hrs before taking off again. I guess this kind of stopover is acceptable.

5 years ago

Jared **********

@Cake *********

I can’t imagine them mixing domestic travelers with people sitting on a plane for 90 minutes waiting to go to test and go or ASQ program….I’ve given up making sense of some of this, good luck

5 years ago

Declan ***********

@Jared *********

- True

5 years ago

Declan ***********

CAKE, I hope I understand right - I had a similar situation (Out of my Control) - I found the Thai Authorities very Friendly and understanding - 72 hours starts at the beginning of the Journey - These times are times where flexibility is being used by the authorities, especially in Thailand - Wish you the Best - 🙏

5 years ago

Declan ***********

I almost had the exact same situation with a Cancellation from Khonkaen - and worst-case scenario - (I was in Bangkok, and they do a Lateral flow for 550 bhats, but another guy (Who didn't bring it to their attention) didn't pay anything - I opened my big mouth - There is so much confusion that the (Poor misfortunate staff are so overwhelmed that they let a lot go) - I pray all will be ok - Worst case scenario, level 1 - Lateral flow for 550 Bhats........ :-)

5 years ago

Cake **********

@Declan **********

Thank you very much for your answer ☺️ Do you mean if the length between old departure time and new one is not more than 72 hours, it should be fine?

5 years ago