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What is the process and timeline for getting a PCR test upon arrival in Thailand and what happens if I arrive late?

Thailand COVID-19 GuidelinesPCR Test Process in ThailandTravel RegulationsIsolation Hotel LogisticsCOVID-19 Testing for ArrivalsPCR Test TimelineTransportation from Airport to Hotel
Nov 2, 2021
3 years ago
Christopher ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How much time does it take to do test and get results? Are there any guarantees? If there aren't then we are very vulnerable consumers.

Logistics of isolation hotel schedule...

What happens if you arrive after midnight (as I do)? Even if after two long flights, I ignore jetlag and get up to have the PCR test at say 07:30, will it be ready for check-out time which presumably is noon? I suspect it couldn't be, so I am booking a second night, which fortunately (for most hotels) is 1/3rd the price.

What I find bizarre is that the PCR test is not done right at the airport. This is how they did it in the winter to spring in Dubai (free), France (free) and Turkey (do not recall). In any case, you didn't get it done hours later at a hotel or hospital. Has medical advice been consulted about whether this is common sense?

On the related subject of transportation: is the shuttle from hotel to hospital solo passenger? Otherwise we potentially expose driver to COVID.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers arriving in Thailand face several logistical questions regarding PCR testing and isolation hotel procedures. The time taken for test results can vary, with some travelers reporting results within five hours, while others have indicated it can take up to 24 hours. Most isolation hotels are set up for rapid testing upon arrival; however, the check-in duration is typically 24 hours from the time of testing, regardless of regular hotel schedules. Arrivals after midnight may require guests to book an additional night. Concerns have been raised regarding the practicality of not conducting PCR tests directly at airports, as seen in other countries. Transportation from the airport to hotels is usually provided in single-occupancy vehicles to ensure safety during this process.
Alf **********
Hi just got back to Thailand last night. Got to hotel at 19:20 and a nurse was waiting to take my PCR test straight away. Much quicker than waiting in line at the airport. Travel to my hotel was single occupancy although I did see many mini buses for other hotels, not sure if they would be single occupancy or not. I have been told that my PCR results should take 24 hours (so out of hotel by 19:20) but it could come back sooner.
3 years ago
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Michael *********
@Alf *********
 which hotel and was pick up and PCR test included in the price
3 years ago
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Alf **********
@Michael ********
 Hotel J Residence Pattaya everything included in price
3 years ago
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Alf **********
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Michael ********
@Alf *********
 how long did it take till you got results ?
3 years ago
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Alf **********
@Michael *******
 I was in the Hotel J Residence Pattaya. Got all clear result by 15:20 the next day
3 years ago
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Michael ********
@Alf *********
 ok still quite a while but its early days yet.

Thanks for letting us know
3 years ago
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Michael ********
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Jeffrey *********
@Alf *********
 Would you mind sharing the name of the hotel that you used?
3 years ago
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Alf **********
@Jeffrey ********
 Hotel J Residence Pattaya
3 years ago
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Alf **********
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Sabine *****************
I was told by our AQ hotel that they will take us to a ‘hospital’ straight from the airport for our test. Then we will be taken to our hotel room. The reservation is 24 hours - not regular check in check out times. So if we arrive at 2:30am - our 1 night ends at 2:30am the next day. Hope this is helpful 😊
3 years ago
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Michael *********
Cost?Sabine thanks for reply
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
@Michael ********
 8,900THB for both of us - room with balcony :)
3 years ago
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Tom *******
@Sabine ****************
 Sorry to say that but the holiday inn express does not have any balconies
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
@Tom ******
 oh boy hahahaha - now that’s funny!! Are we talking the same hotel? Either way - doesn’t matter much as we won’t be there for long
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
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Michael *********
@Sabine ****************
 which hotel
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
@Michael ********
 Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11. Just got my confirmation letter last night :)
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
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Christopher ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sabine ****************
 Very helpful, yes. Thing is, if I arrive after midnight the last thing I want is delays getting to bed to recover from jet-lag. Mind you, the advantage of doing a COVID test in the middle of the night means getting away with only one night hotel fee.

May I ask you what class of hotel you stayed in?
3 years ago
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Jonno ****
@Sabine ****************
 Please update this post with how it goes. My flight also arrives around that time, but I am travelling in December.
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
@Jonno ***
 we are traveling in December too - arriving in BKk on Dec 17. You might have to update me lol
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
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Sabine *****************
@Christopher *******
 I hear ya - we are scheduled to land in BKK at 23:30 so I don't expect to be in our hotel until around 2am. We will book with the Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 and they gave us this information. And yes, I am hoping to be out there next morning lol - fingers crossed.
3 years ago
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Sabine *****************
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Brandon ************
You didn't say what airport you're flying into, as things are handled differently depending on where your enter the country.

In Bangkok your taxi from airport to hotel will be single passenger and the driver will be in full PPE and the car will have plastic partition separating you from the driver. You'll be treated like you have Covid until your test is returned negative.
3 years ago
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Christopher ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 BKK arrival. Thank you Mr. Thurkettle for this clarification.

I do find it odd (maybe it is standard, I don't know) by the use of the word 'quarantine'. To me quarantine means isolation of a person who has a communicable disease. We are merely risks thereof, and marginally so (safe country origin of flight, PCR tested, vaccinated). I can think of a more appropriate word, as used in the criminal justice system.
3 years ago
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Max *********
@Christopher *******
 odds are 0.3% from data
3 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
@Max ********
 Based on the Phuket Sandbox, even lower than that - the 0.3% infection rate there included people who tested positive on the second or third test and who might have become infected after arrival.
3 years ago
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Max *********
@Jeffrey ********
 this is based upon data in the UK and spain of people returning. So I guess it would be even less on the outbound journey.
3 years ago
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Max *********
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Jeffrey *********
@Christopher *******
 It's standard:

"Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

- "Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

- "Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick."

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3 years ago
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Christopher ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey ********
 yes, but what are the odds? Use of 'may have' reminds me of media and law enforcement use of word, for example in this kind of statement: '100 video tapes were found on premises. They may contain...'

Yes, but what is the evidence, the likelihood, and indeed the risk relative to non- enforcement?
3 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
@Christopher *******
 I don't disagree - I'm only talking about the terminology!

The term "quarantine" has been used for hundreds of years to describe the method of keeping outsiders separated from the local population until it's established that they're not infected (originally for 40 days, hence the name). You're correct that what's being done during "Test & Go" isn't exactly quarantine, since travelers are waiting for a test result rather than being monitored for symptoms, so maybe that's how Thailand justifies calling the process "exemption from quarantine".
3 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
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Michael ********
You will have test before you check into your ròom, with Phuket sandbox i think i had results in about five hours.

I think they are doing it this way at hotels as system was already in place at the ASQ hotels for doing tests.
3 years ago
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Michael ********
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