Answered5 years ago
What are the issues and perspectives surrounding the Day 5 COVID test for tourists in Thailand?
The only purpose of day 5 test is scamming tourists and ruining their vacation.
You do a test 3 days before you arrive here and another one in the airport, both come back negative. You do another one in day 5, it comes back positive, and they think you brought the virus with you from your country or airplane!!
If you test positive in day 5. The greater odds are you caught it here in Thailand.
And if you catch it here from someone already roaming freely why on earth only new tourists have to quarantine?
Luckily I came here for long stay so it doesn't bother me that much but in the next room people who came here for 2 weeks with their family and now have to spend the rest of their vacation in quarantine!
We all took the risk to come here knowing this can happen. But most of us(Me included) wishfully think it's probably not gonna happen to us. But really, if you're not prepared for the worst it's better to wait until this nonsense is over. if you have to come during this time my advice to you is to be extremely careful until you get your second test results and avoid bars and crowded places at all cost.
You do a test 3 days before you arrive here and another one in the airport, both come back negative. You do another one in day 5, it comes back positive, and they think you brought the virus with you from your country or airplane!!
If you test positive in day 5. The greater odds are you caught it here in Thailand.
And if you catch it here from someone already roaming freely why on earth only new tourists have to quarantine?
Luckily I came here for long stay so it doesn't bother me that much but in the next room people who came here for 2 weeks with their family and now have to spend the rest of their vacation in quarantine!
We all took the risk to come here knowing this can happen. But most of us(Me included) wishfully think it's probably not gonna happen to us. But really, if you're not prepared for the worst it's better to wait until this nonsense is over. if you have to come during this time my advice to you is to be extremely careful until you get your second test results and avoid bars and crowded places at all cost.
Answer summary
The community discusses concerns about the Day 5 COVID test for tourists in Thailand, perceiving it as a potential scam that disrupts vacations. Users highlight the lack of logic in requiring additional testing after negative results prior to and upon arrival. They share personal experiences, advise caution when traveling, and criticize the quarantine policies, suggesting the tests may be more about generating revenue than health safety. Overall, there's a mix of frustration and acceptance of the rules, with some recommending postponing travel until conditions improve.
43 repliesnewest first
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Gary *********
So basically, that means that you still do a voluntary isolation instead of a government mandated isolation.
Ahmed ********
OPThat's the catch. There's nothing such as "voluntary" or "home" quarantine for tourists. You'll be sent to a designated overpriced hotel where you get money grabbed.
Thinking about it now... The whole thing is a money grab including the on arrival test.
Thinking about it now... The whole thing is a money grab including the on arrival test.
Maya *******
I think they will change it they always start something and then change it
Ken ********
It's easier to get into Thailand than Australia just ask Novak Djokovic
Rampi ********
Absolutely. The rules are here, crazy or not ... it is their country. Understand the rules and make travel plans. The chances of becoming positive are increasing. Make travel decisions becoming fully aware of possibilities. For me it was worth the risk ... came here and what an amazing place to be in.
Phillip ********
Just goes to show the nonsense not just Thai but all around the world, doesent matter how many vax u take ur still gunna be Q,d if ur tested pos,
Paul ********
Mid February US Navy arrives in Pattaya will they be Tested???
Paul ********
All over by end March
Steven **********
@Paul *******
no chancePaul ********
@Steven *********
Tell me in March??Steven **********
Mark *******
You're expecting honesty and transparency in Thailand? Falang means "wallet".
Dale *********
Yeah Total Agree with the day 5 test but as someone has said the pepole who went on first Test and Go screwed it for Rest of us as most never checked in for test or hospital its shame to be Honest😬😬but you are Right best thing to do is chill until you get your day 5 test stay away from Bars and partys its crazy you have to do that but there Rules there country but after your all clear after day 5 test then Go party your ass off😂😂😂🙏🙏🙏
Richard *******
One of the reasons that I will wait to go back to Thailand and see my family.
Kevin ***********
I wonder how many of those testing positive on Day 5 have been walking around without masks, going into packed "restaurants", and not bothering keeping their distance or washing their hands? This is a highly communicable virus and if you don't use a bit of common sense, frankly you're asking for it.
Jo **********
@Kevin **********
in the Netherlands we closed the restaurants had curfews, harsh lockdown we now have 75,000 detections per day- you can’t stop this virus if you think you can stop it your living fantasy landKevin ***********
@Jo *********
It's not about stopping it, it's about stopping it making people sick and killing them, and has been since Delta.Jo **********
@Kevin **********
yes that’s true but i am saying you can’t stop it’s spread. It’s 2 years now and there 4 million detections globally per day - the highest yet
Bob *********
@Kevin **********
Yawn!!!!Kevin ***********
@Bob ********
Ask them if they're yawning in quarantine.
Mitchell *******
That is why my last couple of trips have been for just over 3 weeks. If I test positive, at least I should have 1 week free in Thailand. 😅
I DO agree what with a day 5 test, you probably did not bring it in. But I would say 50 / 50 you caught it on the plane or else in Thailand. There are a fair amount of people testing positive on arrival these days, so it would be a safe bet that some of those day 5 positives were airplane infections.
On a related note, I think it should be a day 3 or 4 test personally, instead of a day 5. Or day 5 needs to be an antigen test. (Just my humble opinion.)
I DO agree what with a day 5 test, you probably did not bring it in. But I would say 50 / 50 you caught it on the plane or else in Thailand. There are a fair amount of people testing positive on arrival these days, so it would be a safe bet that some of those day 5 positives were airplane infections.
On a related note, I think it should be a day 3 or 4 test personally, instead of a day 5. Or day 5 needs to be an antigen test. (Just my humble opinion.)
Lyndon ************
Doesn't finish for many people until they pass their final PCR before departure, depending on their airline and home country. An unexpected 10 days quarantine at the end of a 30 day holiday, on a 30 day visa, with work expecting you back, can cause all kinds of problems...
Marc ********
Very possible you caught it while travelling on the plane so harsh to blame Thailand
Jo **********
@Marc *******
so if you catch on a domestic flight that’s ok. it’s called XenophobiaAhmed ********
OPI came in a plane with only 10 people in! What do you the think the possibility of catching it in the plane vs here?
Lynnette *******
@Ahmed *******
who you had contact with prior to airport, who you stood close by in airport, who you passed by on plane, all these are sources where a virus can pass. Plus incubation period. If you don't agree with testing, don't travel.
Mel ********
@Marc *******
Harsh to blame Thailand? The government have to try and make some money so day 5 is a walk in the park to make money.
Wolfgang *******
Sure that the test is 100% ?
Pierre *********
We can't really say it is really a scam as we take the reponsibility to risk it while knowing exactly the risks. The second test on day 5 is still a ridiculous policy because as you said, it means you can get the covid in Thailand and pay a huge price for that. It is advisable to postpone any 2 weeks vacations in Thailand and choose another country at the moment. Philippines are opening on the 10th of February and they don't have those absurd policies.
Sandro *******
@Pierre ********
is true !! the Philippines opening without quarantine for the vaccinated
Robert *********
@Sandro ******
exactly! Watch as the dominoes start to fall all around all sides of Thailand.
Bizkit ******
That's what we called " quarantine vacation" !
Jared **********
Ah yes, global pandemic and you’re worried about “peoples vacations being ruined”
Maybe you should see an incubation period is 🙃
Maybe you should see an incubation period is 🙃
Becky **********
If people did what they were supposed to do last time and go get tested on day 5-6 then this wouldn’t have happened. Plus the people that did and the test came back positive never reported to the hospital like they were supposed to. So this is the consequence
Holger *******
@Becky *********
No it's the consequence of local politics always making it easier to put additional requirements on foreigners to be seen as taking tough measures. Thailand isn't alone on this. Most countries are guilty of excessive scapegoating of travel. There's no more sense to testing a recent arrival 5 days after they've already had 2 negative tests than there is anyone else in the community. The people doing PCR tests have built up a very lucrative business and some hotels are reportedly scamming people with forced quarantine.Sandro *******
Holger Mette EXACTLY, negative on departure, negative on arrival ... stop only positive people WITH SYMPTOMS
Martin ********
I agree that it's a scam but we all know the risks of travel to Thailand at present, so you do have a choice. I am wanting to get back for a long weekend to see my daughter and hangout at home , but I am really not thinking its worth the bother at the moment, way too many variables.
Ross ********
Dont expect logic
Paulus *********
Nobody is getting forced to go. You know the rules beforehand,
Ahmed ********
OPWhere exactly I mentioned that people are forced to go. I'm simply making it clear to people what they getting at so they make a better decision
Brett ***********
@Ahmed *******
look, you chose to come here therefore you have no right to complain. Like how nobody complains about walmart because they aren't "forced" to shop there. Or how nobody complains about their restaurant food because they aren't forced to eat it... I'm being sarcastic if you can't tell, but these f@cking hypocrites annoy me so much. Whenever anyone has a complaint, they always say "it's not your country or nobody forced you to come" like complaining about something is some ridiculous crime. They act like you'retrying to overthrow the government and saying anything bad about your experience in Thailand is unwarranted because you aren't Thai yourself. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Just ignore these hypocrites.
Ahmed ********
OP@Brett **********
ExactlyActivity
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