Answered5 years ago
What are the latest Covid-19 entry requirements for transiting through Bangkok if I'm traveling from Cambodia to the UK?
I'm after some advice about transiting through Bangkok Airport from Cambodia to UK on the 30th April. We have to wait 21 hours at the airport in Bangkok until our flight, so we need to collect our luggage and check in again. I read that we have to get medical insurance for $20'000, is this still the case? And would we need to do a PCR covid test? I've found only conflicting answers and outdated advice so far so I'm hoping to get a definitive answer.
Answer summary
A traveler seeking advice on transiting through Bangkok from Cambodia to the UK discovered that to collect luggage and check in again, they would need to pass through passport control, entering Thailand. As of April 30, there are new requirements concerning Covid-19, including medical insurance coverage of $20,000, a PCR test on arrival, and the necessity of obtaining a Thailand Pass. As of the latest updates, restrictions may ease on May 1, allowing vaccinated travelers to forego tests and reduce insurance requirements. It's crucial to be aware of booking a 'test & go' hotel package for the PCR test upon arrival, ensuring the hotel is arranged in advance to secure a smooth transition.
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Alex ********
OPI have now successfully changed my flights to the 3rd of May and so won't have to get the hotel and the tests! Thanks everyone for the advice...now we just have to hope to Buddha that once we apply for the Thailand Pass at 12.01 on the 29th of April, that it's given in time for the 3rd! 🙏🏻😅
Bobby ********
@Alex *******
As Brandon has suggested, if you're vaccinated and can delay your flight one day it will make entry into Thailand much easier (you will still need Thailand Pass, but no hotel or test, so you can just enter, pick up your luggage, check in for your next flight, and leave again). Either way you'll need the insurance. Contact Arawan, she's a broker here in Thailand and can give you good advice@https://www.fac****************
Brandon ************
Can you have your flight changed to May 1st? It should be a lot easier then if you're vaccinated
Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
are the restrictions lifted from May 1st? Yes we're vaccinatedBrandon ************
@Alex *******
the proposal right now is that if you are vaccinated and enter on or after May 1st you need a Thailand Pass, vaccination and $10,000 insurance. You could even have somewhere hold your bags and explore Bangkok for half the day.Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
got ya 👍🏼Brandon ************
@Alex *******
you have to book a hotel. You cannot get a Thailand Pass without everything setup and paid for alreadyAlex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
would the bags not just sit in an "unclaimed" area?If we don't book a hotel would we be able to find one at that point where the desks are? Sorry I know I'm being a pain!
Brandon ************
@Alex *******
you wouldn't get your bags if you did that! Average time for results is 6-8 hours. Some hotels allow you to pay for expedited results. You'll need to contact the hotel directly to get their guidance on how long it should take.Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
crikey! So we need to book this Novotel now I guess? Do the results take long? I'm concerned about getting back to check in for the connecting flight. Shame as by that time we leave Bangkok it'd be 9.30am on 1st of May...perhaps we could hide in the toilet until 12.01am 1st May as soon as we get off the plane! 😆Brandon ************
@Alex *******
Thailand dropped all requirements for pre-departure tests at the beginning of April. The only test is the one you take on arrival. You don't have any discretion of where you go when you arrive. You go through immigration, collect your bags, then line up at a desk that includes your hotel. They will then arrange your driver who will take you directly to your hotel where you will be tested and then taken to your room (usually you're not given a key so you can't leave and return) and you cannot leave your room until your results are back.
Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
now I'm even more confused 😅 I thought we'd have to get the tests done here in Cambodia before departure.. So we don't have to book tests, we can just get them done once we've got our luggage, come out of the airport, head to Novotel, get tested and head back to check in once tested negative?Brandon ************
@Alex *******
I believe the Novotel at the airport is a test & go hotel so they may be the easiest for youBrandon ************
@Alex *******
it's not as simple as a test. You have to book a package. That means a hotel room that includes a test and airport transfer and you will have to go the hotel and wait for your test results.Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
checked with my wife and we can't change to the 1st for family reasons unfortunately. Ok so insurance and tests for all, at least we can add her to a Thailand Pass. Thanks again!Brandon ************
@Alex *******
if after May 1st no tests. Insurance for everyone I believeAlex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
cool, what about covid test and insurance?Brandon ************
@Alex *******
you can add child as extra person on one of parents Thailand Passes. Under 12 does not require vaccination when traveling with vaccinated parentsAlex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
just one last question I promise 😅.. Our daughter is 4, would she need to do the covid test, get insurance and a Thailand Pass? 🙏🏻Brandon ************
@Alex *******
that's why I mentioned April 29th. You can't apply for the new rules without testing until then.Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
it sounds like whatever we do, chances are we'll need to get this Thailand Pass, maybe I'd better just get it now.Brandon ************
@Alex *******
if you're able to change it, be ready at 12:01am on April 29th to apply for your Thailand Pass as you'll only have 2 days to get it.Alex ********
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks very muchBobby ********
See if you can change your tickets to a "through" ticket. At this stage you will still need the $20,000 insurance for transiting
Alex ********
OP@Bobby *******
I didn't know that was possible with that long a wait, but I suppose I can call the travel agency ask them. I even considered posting the luggage, but it'd cost about £800. So either way we would still need the $20,000 insurance...any recommendations would be much appreciated.
Lynnette *******
Think you'll be considered to have 'entered thailand'. With all that entails. Can you not get a through ticket with baggage transferred to uk.
Stuart *********
To collect your luggage means you have to pass through passport control, which means you are entering Thailand. That means you have to meet the requirements currently in place, which for the 30th April would mean a night stop over and a PCR test on arrival - and insurance. You’d need a ThailandPass to enter. You can find out the details here.
**************************
Alex ********
OP@Stuart ********
I visited Phnom Penh Airport and spoke with a Bangkok Airways lady who was surprised to see my info said the baggage wouldn't go through, as Air France is a participating airline and she said the stop over limit was 24 hours. However, I've learnt to be skeptical of any advice! I did get AXA insurance for the 3 of us, but haven't yet booked the hotel (due to Internet and banking issues) or obviously the Thailand Pass. Some sources say it can take over a week for the Thailand Pass so that's a worry. Also, do we have to pay for the 1st and 5th night of stay? If so, do we get a refund for the 5th night? All seems ridiculous for a transit, especially when the requirements change from the 1st (I tried to rebook for the 1st...nothing). Once again I ask your help and advice please! 🙏🏻Stuart *********
@Alex *******
if arriving on the 30th you just need one night and PCR test. Day 5 is not needed as you won’t be here. So sad as by one day you wouldn’t have to go through any of this rubbish. The ThailandPass can take a while, although some people do get it within 24hours.
Alex ********
OPThanks
@Stu***
, at least that's some good news that we don't need to book the 5th day. I did try to change it to the 1st, but after 4 separate change requests by my travel agent, the only available flight was an extra $2500! I think I'll try for 1 more day to get a definitive answer from Bangkok Airways regarding the possibility of the baggage going straight through (in my email to them I asked if we'd be able to go straight through if we left all our baggage here with relatives), but any longer and we'll be too anxious about the Thailand Pass being given.Stuart *********
Day 5 used to be another PCR test but has since been downgraded to a self administered ATK test, but as mentioned it’s moot for you as you’re not going to be in Thailand.
Alex ********
OP@Stuart ********
I was worried that'd be the case. I'm wondering if I can contact my travel agency and pay to get the luggage taken straight through.. But even then, I'm not sure if the 21 hr wait means we aren't allowed to wait air-side. Thanks for your helpStuart *********
@Alex *******
I’ve read about a limit of 12 hours for a stop over but have no idea if that’s enforced. If you can get bags checked through then your are not entering Thailand so don’t need the ThailandPass, but will still need to show insurance.Alex ********
OP@Stuart ********
I'd better call the travel agency...and the Bangkok Airways!Activity
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