Answered5 years ago

What are the current COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers to Thailand before arrival?

COVID-19 Thailand Travel Visa Requirements SHA+ Booking Immigration Policy Test Certificate Guidelines

Jared **********

asked Nov 3, 2021

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Just cancelled my SHA+ booking, they insisted that the requirement for the 72 hour covid testing was before arrival, not departure, and cited the Department of Disease Control for this requirement

"Copy of COVID-19 test certificate (the test date within 72 hours before arrival date) and mention method of analysis "

The DDC's website says right on it 

"Get a COVID-19 RT_PCR test within 72 hours before departure with a negative result"

I dont know if they actually have a different policy, as some of them do, or are just confused and cant translate the difference between arrival and departure, just a heads up to anyone else booking to make sure everything makes sense

Answer summary

A traveler recently canceled their SHA+ hotel booking due to confusion about COVID-19 testing requirements. The hotel insisted that the test must be taken within 72 hours before arrival, while the Department of Disease Control (DDC) states that it is before departure. This inconsistency has raised concerns about understanding the regulations accurately. Comments from others in the community support the idea that travelers should clarify testing requirements before booking, as experiences may vary due to differing interpretations of the rules.

12 repliesnewest first

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Burnard ************

Eh! That is Thailand. No matter what they say, I would recommend anyone just assume it is before arrival.

I got expelled from Thailand 2 years ago because I listened to a -lawyer- that a tourist can remain in Thailand 6 months in a -Calander year- but the immediate Immigration decided it was 6 months in 12 month period. I was 11 days over. So they gave me 30 days to get out. Had to abandon my room lease and many of my larger belongings. Just for being 11 days over their interpretation of the unofficial policy.

5 years ago

Ulrik *********

@Burnard ***

What kind of visa did you use, and what were you trying to achieve at the immigration?

5 years ago

Burnard ************

@Ulrik ********

I was using Thailand to get mail and keep larger possessions in a leased room.

I was traveling all over and was returning from 30 days in Panang. I was trying to get my 30 day stamp before heading off again to Hong Kong and then to Cambodia (where I am now).

The reasons didn't matter to immigration. And the IO at the desk just refused entry to 3 people in a row before me. I thought I should change lines, but I figured I was doing everything 100% correctly and didn't want to seem suspicious.

The 2nd and 3rd set of IOs (before sending you back) didn't speak English and didn't care about my motives.

I managed to get them to give me 30 days because they could see the the prior trip was 60 days in Indonesia & Malaysia. I think by the time I made them understand that, they had already decided I was trying live in Thailand so it was a feat to get them give me the stamp. But they noted, by hand, in my passport that I was trying to live in Thailand.

By the time I got passed the language barrier, they already decided my motives and I would have had to change their mind. Good luck with that!

I think the Red Flag they were operating under was that I hadn't been back the USA in a year. I couldn't seem to make them understand that my country does not put a time limit on how long I can be away.

And, naturally, since I didn't go back home, their Logic was that I must be living in Thailand. Although they could clearly see that I was taking 30 or 60 day trips elsewhere. The problem was that I was asking them to think. They didn't want to do that. It is easier to make a decision first than to think of other situations. Especially if they don't speak my language (or that I don't speak theirs).

5 years ago

Jared **********

@Burnard ***********

no reason to assume it’s before arrival because all government and embassy websites say it’s before departure, and flying for 24 hours leaves little room for error in testing. As is I’m probably going to get 2 tests done just to make sure I have one back in time for my flight.

5 years ago

Burnard ************

@Jared *********

If you have spent much time in Thailand, you would know that what is in writing does not matter much.

5 years ago

Brandon ************

I probably wouldn't have cancelled since they have no say in anything, by the time you get to them you're already in the country. But maybe better off if they can't read the rules.

5 years ago

Jared **********

id rather not have the hassle or the worry

5 years ago

Michael ********

Yep they are wrong. Should not really have anything to do with them though, they dont decide.

5 years ago

Jared **********

well earlier in the year there were a couple posts on here about a couple hotels that were asking for 72 hours from arrival at the hotel, which if they want to go above and beyond the minimum precautions is their decision...but i emailed back and forth with them several times before asking for the source since everything i found said departure and didnt hear back from them. easy enough to cancel and rebook somewhere else

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Jared *********

had same confusion when i came in July 2020 must be hotels new to this.

There loss they should read it better if they want the buisness

5 years ago

Michael ********

@Jared *********

yep there loss, they will learn. If you want to be nice can send e mail when you have new booking. Say this hotel knows the rules they get the money 5555

5 years ago

Jared **********

@Michael *******

I emailed them and copy/pasted what’s actually asked for and explained the difference and why it matters, traveling for 24 hours if coming from the US. Probably some desk flunkie on email duty

5 years ago