Answered5 years ago
What do I need to prepare before traveling to Thailand under current visa regulations?
Okay...
1- Flights booked (3 weeks)
2- Visa Approved
3- Insurance purchased
4- One day SHA Plus Booked
5- Thailand Pass application is in
I must have missed something?
1- Flights booked (3 weeks)
2- Visa Approved
3- Insurance purchased
4- One day SHA Plus Booked
5- Thailand Pass application is in
I must have missed something?
Answer summary
The traveler has completed several steps for their trip to Thailand, including booking flights, obtaining visa approval, and purchasing insurance, but requests confirmation on any overlooked requirements. Commenters highlighted the importance of a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior to arrival, carrying a vaccination certificate, and having approximately 20,000 Thai baht in cash, despite some indicating they have never been asked for it. Additional insights were provided about the need for addresses upon entry, possible testing requirements from airlines, and the comparative cost of living in Chiang Mai versus Bangkok.
94 repliesnewest first
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Gabe ********
Check with the airlines you plan on traveling with. Good thing I did. They require a negative covid test the DAY BEFORE my flight leaves
Gabe ********
I'm flying with Japan Airlines btw
Gabe ********
But this is ONLY through Japan Airlines. They all do their own thing so I'd just check on it to keep up to date. They should email also if things change. Keep an eye out
Gabe ********
That's why I'm saying it's an update
Curtis *******
OP@Gabe *******
Hm…. According to their website the requirement is 72 hours before departureGabe ********
That's what I figured but it didn't and they just changed this yesterday. That's when I got the updated email. I still had planned to get tested the day before anyway even though it costs me to get a quick result PCR test
Curtis *******
OP@Gabe *******
what airline is this? It should be the requirement of the destination and not the airline and I’ve never heard of a one day requirement.
Billy *******
My friend was asking about insurance. What company did you buy from?
Curtis *******
OP@Billy ******
AXA Thailand
Sonia *******
Pcr and vaccine vertificate
Monika *******
That's it, but don't forget pcr test before flying
Greg *********
Thailand make things to complicated,im going to cambodia
Kru *******
You also must have an address, so you need to know where you are staying, my Chinese fiance is a teacher in Chiang mai, Northern Thailand, up north is so much cheaper for everything, down South is 3 times more expensive, iv been in Thailand for 13 years now, I'm a teacher also,, but cause of the covid 19 I'm back in my country Wales in the UK, take care stay safe and have a lovely time.
Curtis *******
OPHey
@Wa***
, is Chiang mai on average cheaper than a Bangkok do you think?Kru *******
@Curtis ********************
Chiang mai is the second biggest city in Thailand, up north BUY a motor bike and travel around all the mountains, so beautiful, many king cobras, but that's fine, just keep your eyes open lol 555Kru *******
@Curtis ********************
, YES my good friend, he'll OF a lot cheaper in Chiang mai, Chiang rai, chiang khong, Chiang kham, so many Chiangs hey lol, in Thailand lol is 555,that's how they do laugh out load, I speak Thai, it is so lovely to speak with THATS, I also want to speak Chinese, my fiance comes from China, but she is Akha Hill tribe people.Lovely people.
Yeah it's always better to rent a house out there, it's so cheap.
Kru *******
You get 1 month visa soon as you arrive in Bangkok.
Have a great time. 👍
Have a great time. 👍
Gregory ********
@Kru ******
is there any advantage for a US citizen to get the 60 day visa before arrival in Thailand?Kru *******
@Gregory *******
I DONT THINK SO MY GOOD FRIEND, BUT IM NOT 100 PERCENT SURE, GOOD LUCK M8, TAKE CARE HAVE A GREAT TIME AND STAY SAFE.
Steve ********
How long did it take for your visa to be approved?
Curtis *******
OP@Steve *******
I submitted three in total for myself and fam. The longest took less than a day.Steve ********
@Curtis ********************
I submitted mine last week and it still says pending payment. Not sure why. I lpaid with my credit card.Steve ********
@Curtis ********************
Well I hope I don’t have any bad luck like that.Curtis *******
OP@Steve *******
well, maybe you’ll get lucky and happen on a consular rep who happens to the the one person in D.C. who doesn’t think it’s his/her personal duty to save the world from people like usSteve ********
@Curtis ********************
exactlyCurtis *******
OP@Steve *******
oh man… you’re right in the thick of it there.They’ll probably deny you just for being so careless as to put American lives at risk traveling about the world.
How could you?
Steve ********
@Curtis ********************
mine was Washington DCCurtis *******
OP@Steve *******
I think it depends on a lot of factors but the primary one is probably what consulate is processing it and how busy they are.Mine was processed in Vancouver. I would say that most Canadian, would be travelers, are stupid lefty #MSM watching, obedient and mindless drones too afraid to even leave their living room let alone fly to a dangerous foreign country in Asia.
Chris ****
May need a receipt for payment for RT-PCR test on arrival. At least i did coming from USA.
Brian ********
Vaccination certificate
Vincent ***************
rt-pcr test 72h hours before the international flight
Ian *********
@Vincent **************
I've heard it's 48 hours from Singapore ( not sure if that's flying from there or merely transit via thereVincent ***************
@Ian ********
I don’t know from Singapore. I was taking my experience from Switzerland.Ian *********
@Vincent **************
I think Singapore is the only one,wasn't sure if you were flying via SingaporeCurtis *******
OP@Vincent **************
not from Singapore. Transferring through. Some flights transfer through Singapore. If you have a flight that transfers through a country that has stricter guidelines, the airlines will hold you to those stricter guidelines. In my case I am transferring through Singapore which wants a test to be taken 48 hours or less before flying from my departure location.Curtis *******
OP@Ian ********
yesIan *********
Don't forget 20k Thai baht or equivalent in cash IVE NEVER been asked BUT it is a requirement ,ignore everyone who says they know more than Thai immigration
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DENIED ENTRY BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE THAT IN CASH
( YES IT IS VERY VERY RARE )
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DENIED ENTRY BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE THAT IN CASH
( YES IT IS VERY VERY RARE )
Nick **********
@Ian ********
IN CASH - this gets better. Who uses cash?!
Stefan *******
@Nick *********
in Thailand they mainly use cashIan *********
NicTHEY ARE THE RULES OF IMMIGRATION
OR ARE YOU TOO IMPORTANT THEY DON'T APPLY TO YOU
DONT BRING CASH TAKE THE CHANCE
OR ARE YOU TOO IMPORTANT THEY DON'T APPLY TO YOU
DONT BRING CASH TAKE THE CHANCE
Chris ****
@Ian ********
not for all visas.
Paul ***********
@Ian ********
English money be OKIan *********
Ian *********
@Paul **********
English fine I've brought enough over the years BUT NEVER BEEN ASKED (that does not mean you don't need to carry it)Btw what part of Thailand you based
Stefan *******
@Ir**
yes
Ir**
@Ian ********
“over the years” you mean it has been a requirement even before covid?Paul ***********
@Ian ********
l don't live in Thailand
Curtis *******
OP@Bernhard **********
as mentioned, I have done my Thailand Pass. Waiting for a response
JF *******
Copy of vaccination certificate
Cameron **********
Have you booked a RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival.
Gary *********
James, yup, I think you already mentioned it 🙏🏼
Gary *********
James, can you post again mate. Good job the original poster checked then. Strange how they require a Pcr test for passengers in transit only.....obviously a knee Kirk reaction to this mild new variant.
James ********
@Gary ********
bottom line...RT-PCR covid test is required to transit thru Singapore and the TEST must be TAKEN within TWO days of flight to Singapore.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
the test is required to enter Thailand as well so that’s not really a relevant differentiation. The only thing that’s worth noting is that a connection through Singapore shortens the window to 48 hours from 72
Martin ********
Here in the US, I can go to a pharmacy and get tested. You actually swab yourself while a pharmacy person watches. It IS a RT-PCR test according to the report, so that is cool. It is also pretty fast to get the result.
However, I was reading that Singapore adds a condition to the testing requirment that requires the test be administered by an accredited medical facility or some such. I don't think this pharmacy test would pass muster. I'm not sure that Singapore is actually evaluating the source of the test, but they are pretty regimented there, so I would be concerned. They may also know about the pharmacy tests in the US. I am pretty sure the Thais don't check. However I believe that they also say that the test should not be self-administered.
However, I was reading that Singapore adds a condition to the testing requirment that requires the test be administered by an accredited medical facility or some such. I don't think this pharmacy test would pass muster. I'm not sure that Singapore is actually evaluating the source of the test, but they are pretty regimented there, so I would be concerned. They may also know about the pharmacy tests in the US. I am pretty sure the Thais don't check. However I believe that they also say that the test should not be self-administered.
Curtis *******
OP@Martin *******
the tests you’re referring to such as the ones you get at CVS are fineCurtis *******
OP@Martin *******
yes. However they don’t really define what that is. In another section they refer to the fact that Hong Kong may require that you show proof of ISO accreditation or “relevant local authority”. However, no one that has been through Singapore has suggested it was so stringent. Just about any clinic or lab doing RT-PCR tests is going to be accredited and ISO certified.I’m really not terribly worried about that. So long as it’s the correct test and in the timeframe window, I’m quite confident it will be fine. These are airline staff checking these documents. They’re just checking the boxes
Martin ********
@Curtis ********************
"The test must be taken at a recognised or accredited clinic, laboratory, or medical facility. Please note that self-administered pre-departure Covid-19 tests will not be accepted for transit through Singapore. " from here:****************************************************************************
Do you think a pharmacy qualifies?
James ********
@Martin *******
must be RT-PCR COVID test...lab analysis.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
the test he’s referring to is a RT-PCR test. I have had them done a few times at CVS.Gary *********
Well, I’m flying through Doha next month, and I’m 100% sure I don’t need to provide a Pcr result just for transit, why would they ask for it if your staying in the airport ?
Same for Singapore. Best bet for peace of mind is call the airline.
Must be someone here who’s flown through Singapore and onto thailand who can confirm ?
Same for Singapore. Best bet for peace of mind is call the airline.
Must be someone here who’s flown through Singapore and onto thailand who can confirm ?
Curtis *******
OP@Gary ********
So I just called Singapore Airlines and they said that the 48hr requirement applies to transiting passengers as well.I found that hard to believe and so I went on their website and checked and indeed, on their website it says that also.
"Where a pre-departure test is also required at your planned destination, the stricter PDT requirement should apply. "
****************************************************************************
It also states on Singapore Air's site that the test is required to be taken no more than 48 hours before the flight. So that answers whether its before the departure or before the arrival.
"... required to take a pre-departure Covid-19 test within two days of their flight to Singapore".
Gary *********
Yup. If in transit, not leaving the airport no need. As I said, but please check, thailand is 72 hours before departure, not arrival.
Penny *********
@Gary ********
I'm flying on Tuesday it is definitely 48 hours.James ********
@Gary ********
Brandon Thurkettle ...the RT-PCR test you take to fly to Singapore MUST be TAKEN within TWO days of your flight to Singapore. NOT 48 hours ...NOT 72 hours.....Its test TAKEN TWO days before flight to Singapore.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
you seem to be confused about what “two days” means in the context of these guidelines. It’s 48 hours. A “day” as in one full rotation of the earth measured from midnight to midnight starts and ends at a different moment existentially on every point on the earth (let’s say every time zone for simplicity). If it were “days” as it is in the country or local of concern as you seem to be utterly fixated on, you would lose half a day in flight alone. Don’t be silly and over dramatic.James ********
@Curtis ********************
I am not confused. I know what the requirements are to transit Singapore to Thailand.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
I think you’re confusedJames ********
@Gary ********
WRONGCurtis *******
OP@Gary ********
that’s the part I am not sure of also. And I can’t seem to find any definitive answerGary *********
I’m saying, if your flying through Singapore only transit there and onwards to thailand, I’m sure you don’t need a Pcr test for Singapore and when I last looked, a rt-Pcr test is required for thailand 72 hours before departure
Curtis *******
OP@Gary ********
oh. You’re saying that Singapore’s 48 hour requirement wouldn’t apply to a traveler transiting to Thailand so long as you’re not leaving the airport?Curtis *******
OP@James *******
yes. I know. I looked into the this and covered it in detail in another comment in this post.Gary *********
I’m just asking, if he’s in transit in Singapore, the Pcr test is not required and to arrive in thailand then it’s 72 hours from departure ??
James ********
@Gary ********
Brandon Thurkettle ...the RT-PCR test you take to fly to Singapore MUST be TAKEN within TWO days of your flight to Singapore. NOT 48 hours ...NOT 72 hours.....Its test TAKEN TWO days before flight to Singapore.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
I covered this in detail in another comment if anyone is interested to knowCurtis *******
OP@Gary ********
I’m not sure what you’re saying.Gary *********
72 hours before departure.
James ********
@Gary ********
Brandon Thurkettle ...the RT-PCR test you take to fly to Singapore MUST be TAKEN within TWO days of your flight to Singapore. NOT 48 hours ...NOT 72 hours.....Its test TAKEN TWO days before flight to Singapore.Curtis *******
OPNot yet but that shouldn't be an issue. I am in a major city.
I am however still a bit confused about that.
I fly out the evening of the 22nd and arrive in Singapore the 7:55am the 24th. Then BKK 1700 the 24th. When do I need to take this test?
I am however still a bit confused about that.
I fly out the evening of the 22nd and arrive in Singapore the 7:55am the 24th. Then BKK 1700 the 24th. When do I need to take this test?
Curtis *******
OP48 hours is two days
James ********
@Curtis ********************
You most likely will MISS your flight to Bangkok from Phuket. You MUST do Test N Go hotel in Phuket for ONE night before you can fly to Bangkok. And the RT-PCR test you take to fly to Singapore MUST be TAKEN within TWO days of your flight to Singapore. NOT 48 hours ...NOT 72 hours.....Its test TAKEN TWO days before flight to Singapore.Curtis *******
OPIf you’re defining a “Day” as a 24 hour period in which the earth rotates, measured from midnight to midnight, then I think you’re WAY overthinking. It’s 48 hours
Curtis *******
OPJames ********
@Curtis ********************
the Singapore government says TWO DAYS...therefore it could be more than 48 hours.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
two days is 48 hours you know.Curtis *******
OP@James *******
who’s going to Phuket?
Brandon ************
@Curtis ********************
throw out the timeline Thailand wants. Singapore has very strict guidelines for transit so you need to look those up and just focus on getting an RT-PCR that Thailand will accept but get it in the time that Singapore will accept!James ********
@Brandon ***********
...the RT-PCR test you take to fly to Singapore MUST be TAKEN within TWO days of your flight to Singapore. NOT 48 hours ...NOT 72 hours.....Its test TAKEN TWO days before flight to Singapore.Curtis *******
OP@Brandon ***********
yeah. It’s 24 hours. But, I’m not sure what that means exactly. If it’s 24hrs from when I took it or when I get results etc.Cameron **********
@Curtis ********************
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