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What type of COVID-19 test is required for travel to Thailand: PCR or RT-PCR?

Thai visa requirementsCOVID-19 travel regulationsPCR testRT-PCR testThailand immigrationtravel documentationexpat travel experience
Jan 26, 2021
4 years ago
Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have COE and everything else ready. Tomorrow I'm gonna do the PCR test, but I'm worried about the test itself. On Thai/Airlines/Embassy websites it sometimes says it has to be PCR, sometimes RT-PCR. The test I'm gonna do here (in Canary Island, Spain) is PCR. Anyone have more info about what the test has to be to be accepted?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers preparing to enter Thailand are often confused by the differing requirements for COVID-19 test types, specifically between 'PCR' and 'RT-PCR'. While some sources indicate that the test must specifically state 'RT-PCR', others confirm that a standard PCR test is also acceptable, provided it is performed within the required timeframe. It is crucial for travelers to verify the requirements directly with their airline or the Thai embassy to ensure compliance, as the acceptance of test types may depend on individual circumstances and the strictness of airline staff.
Bob **********
Both
4 years ago
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Ange *********
I came with SARS-CoV2 RNA (PCR) only and was accepted by Qatar airline!
4 years ago
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Steven ********************
According to RTE Oman it should be RT-PCR or state Swab i requested both be on cert and was mo issue for hoslital / clinic to put this on cert
4 years ago
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Karl ********
Keep in mind that the 72 hour clock starts running AT THE TIME OF THE TEST, not at the time you receive your results. If you know that a RT-PCR is accepted, and that there could be a problem with a PCR test (no matter how small a percentage of people refused entry) Why would you roll the dice on any other test than RT-PCR ??? You have jumped through so many hoops to get to this point, it seems negligent to take a chance on throwing away all your hard work. Just my thought, good luck.
4 years ago
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Ryan ********
@Karl *******
 wrong. The test RESULTS must be issued within the 72 hours prior to the first flight listed on the COE. It has nothing to do with when the test is administered (ie when the swab was taken). Trust the hundreds of people who have done this.
4 years ago
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Karl ********
@Ryan *******
 i assume you are not familiar with the requirements as laid out by the thai consulate in New York. I was told by the consulate that it was from time of issuance of result. I had to make a stop in Los Angeles CA in order to be tested and safely inside the time constraints in case of flight delays or cancelation. I most certainly would not have extended my trip with a 2 day stop in LAX if I had not been instructed that it would be the prudent thing to do to negate the flight/layover time in my itinerary. I am only expressing my experience. As I said more than once, I don't give a fuck what anybody else chooses to do. Check with the consulate in your local are and country, the opinions of the people in this forum don't have any value (yours or mine) call the fucking consulate and get the answer from the source.
4 years ago
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Ryan ********
Karl it has nothing to do with what your local embassy states. it is the Thai government that sets out the rules, as others have stated it is the results 72 hours prior to the first flight listed on the COE. I came in December with this requirement.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ka**
 "the time of issuance of results." Correct...
4 years ago
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Karl ********
@Garrett **********
 that was a mistake. I apologize.
4 years ago
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Karl ********
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David ********
Yeah mate IC. Don’t disagree. All I’m saying A PCR test is same same
4 years ago
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Karl ********
@David *******
 sorry I posted.
4 years ago
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Karl ********
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Karl ********
There you go
@David *******
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ka**
 Time of results, not the time of test.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Karl ********
4 years ago
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David ********
@Karl *******
 what is the name of company you booked test through
4 years ago
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David ********
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David ********
When you book a test with any company and I would bet when you booked your test it said book your PCR test. Not book your R-T PCR test. They are both the same
4 years ago
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David ********
@Karl *******
 it’s not it’s time of result. No problem at all with PCR test. It’s same as RT
4 years ago
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Karl ********
@David *******
 Not according to the authorities here in Thailand. I am in day 11 of my ASQ and asked that question specifically to officials at my point of entry.
4 years ago
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David ********
@Karl *******
 well I’ve been informed by Thai embassy London. On both issues
4 years ago
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Karl ********
I'll take that bet.
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%20transcription%20PCR%2C%20or%20RT,cDNA)%2C%20using%20reverse%20transcriptase.&text=From%20here%20on%2C%20the%20standard,used%20to%20amplify%20the%20cDNA.
4 years ago
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David ********
@Karl *******
 put your cert on here
4 years ago
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Karl ********
@David *******
 Just do it your way, I will not post a form that could be easily copied and altered to be used fraudulently. Look, you just go ahead and do it your way. I spend 3-4 months here every year (for the past 15 years) Trust me on this, all you need is one immigration officer who is having a bad day to look over your docs and your ass will be on a plane back to the UK. But by all means, do it your way, I am only posting my experience and opinion. I truly wish you the best of luck. Taking chances is the spice of life right ? Go for it.
4 years ago
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Karl ********
I came in from the USA. Perhaps things are different for you.
4 years ago
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Karl ********
@David *******
 So you have not entered the Kingdom yet ? I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to do it your way. And here is a quote regarding the type of test required: ou need to obtain a COVID-19 lab test result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected. The COVID test must be by RT-PCR method (the method must be clearly indicated on the form).
4 years ago
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Karl ********
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Natcha *********
It’s the same. My bf did PCR and he is here now
4 years ago
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm planning to go to Phuket after finishing the quarantine too!
4 years ago
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Natcha *********
@Sérgio *********
 you need to head there the same day as you are released to avoid problems such as risking to do quarantine again
4 years ago
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Natcha *********
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Natcha *********
 Thank you for the confirmation
4 years ago
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Lee ****
@Sérgio *********
 it has to say rt pcr however it is a small detail and many have successfully boarded without rt on the certificate. You should realise you are taking a risk. It is dependent on the check in staff
4 years ago
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee ***
 I'm going to do the Fit to Fly certificate with Dr. Donna (as recommended by this group). Do you know if on this certificate it says "rt-pcr"?
4 years ago
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Lee ****
@Sérgio *********
 yes it does
4 years ago
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Lee ****
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Natcha *********
@Sérgio *********
 I hope you enjoy it here. It’s good time to come we went to Phuket and able to see many beautiful beaches as they have never been this beautiful before
4 years ago
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Natcha *********
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Natcha *********
You are able the get the test result fast in some places. He is heading back to the us this Friday, he need the same kind of test and I get a hospital that be able to get the result in a day.
4 years ago
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Natcha *********
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Garrett ***********
Has to say RT-PCR test. People have been refused boarding because they had the wrong type of test.
4 years ago
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David ********
Thai immigration excepts same PCR. It’s just wording. I’ve had reply back from Thai embassy London, on this matter
4 years ago
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David ********
@Garrett **********
 this is just from emirates
4 years ago
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Lee ****
@David *******
 a pcr test is a requirement for any Emirates flight, and that appears to be what the message refers to not the thai immigration requirements
4 years ago
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Lee ****
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 It seems that it depends on the country where you take the test and first flight. On the Canarian/Spanish Ministry of Health website, they acknowledge that PCR means RT-PCR, and all authorized lab follow these guidelines. That's why I went to 3 different authorized labs and they all said it is just "PCR" written on the results. I'll print the guidelines and list of authorized labs just to be sure.
4 years ago
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Lee ****
@Sérgio *********
 you may well get away it, but you will not get the answer you are looking for, its not 100% you could be denied
4 years ago
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee ***
 The problem is, with that guidelines, I won't find a lab that puts "rt-pcr" in Spain
4 years ago
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David ********
@Sérgio *********
 you got it mate. PCR will do
4 years ago
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David ********
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Lee ****
@Sérgio *********
 its got nothing to do with Spanish ministry of health. It is a thai immigration requirement, when you check in those requirements will appear for the check in staff to see, it depends how thorough they are
4 years ago
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Lee ****
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David ********
Why is it that every test you book . Says at the booking. Book your PCR Test. Not book your R-T PCR test. No matter who you go with
4 years ago
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David ********
@Garrett **********
 it doe s not. It is ok with PCR only. They are the same
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@David *******
 wrong
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Bim *******
RT just means real time or Reverse transcription. PCR on its own takes longer to get the results. It shouldn't make a difference however you won't be getting the results of a PCR within the required 72 hours. What they won't accept is a lateral flow test or antigen test. Both are actually useless in detecting true infection.
4 years ago
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Michael *********
@Bim ******
 my test was a PCR and got the result 24h after the test.. in a lab in Switzerland for 200$ though
4 years ago
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Bim *******
Phil Jones that's interesting. Maybe whoever checked it had no clue. I know that's the Thai government guidelines and very interesting indeed.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
Also means Reverse transcription PCR. It's just a better version and also used in detection of dengue fever and Zika virus but not the Flu.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
Phil Jones yes the RT PCR is a very sensitive test than check for anything. If the cycles are magnified enough it would show us all to have everything. That's why the WHO don't recommend on its own as a means of diagnosis. The common test used for flu is “rapid influenza diagnostic tests" (RIDTs).
4 years ago
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Bim *******
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So if a laboratory is offering PCR results in 24h, it means it's real time? I just checked and this lab is on the list of authorized labs of the Canarian/Spanish government.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
@Sérgio *********
 yes. The RT PCR is an advancement of the original PCR test that was invented back in the 80s.
4 years ago
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Bim *******
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David ********
Hi just had reply back from Emirates a PCR test is except-able. Why do people want to put R-T before
4 years ago
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Sérgio **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That’s the thing, some people say it has to be RT, others that it wasn’t and were accepted
4 years ago
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Kathy ****************
This is what ours were in the US and were accepted...
4 years ago
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Tony *********
Agree with what
@Will ***********
 says

I'm getting one tomorrow and in Sydney Australia it has to be RT-PCR
4 years ago
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David ********
Yeah that’s right. But both the same test Both except-able. Many people are getting confused on here., regarding wording of tests. I’m trying to make things clear. As there is enough conflicting comments on here. I’m sure you agree.
4 years ago
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Tony *********
@David *******
 yeah bro I agree .

I'm getting one Tomorrow to fly out first thing Saturday morning
4 years ago
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David ********
@Tony ********
 when you get your test . Put on here. So all will understand. Cheers mate
4 years ago
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David ********
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David ********
@Tony ********
 the test I’m going to have in the UK . Just says PCR. That’s ok right. Where does RT come from
4 years ago
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Iain **********
@David *******
 RT is Real Time!
4 years ago
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David ********
I no what it means. What I’m asking will PCR On certificate. Be exceptable
4 years ago
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David ********
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Tony *********
@David *******
 I dont think so

The consulate webpage specifically say RT-PCR Test 72 hours before departure to enter Thailand
4 years ago
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David ********
@Tony ********
 R-T PCR and PCR are one and the same when you book a test. They all say book your PCR test. Not book your R-T pcr test
4 years ago
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Tony *********
@David *******
 I think RT just stands for rapid time . Which mean you get the result earlier?
4 years ago
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Tony *********
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Will ************
Must be RT-PCR on the certificate
4 years ago
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David ********
@Will ***********
 when you say Rt-PCR. Is a test that just says PCR ok
4 years ago
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David ********
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