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Answered6 years ago

When does the 72-hour COVID test timeframe for entering Thailand start?

Ron *******
asked Sep 27, 2020
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Just looking for clarification on the 72 hour Covid tests. Does the 72 hours start before your arrival time in Bangkok, before you leave home or before your inbound flight to direct to Bangkoks departure ?

I had read conflictiting / not 100% clear commentary on same. My reason for asking is I have flights tickets since April for a January 1st evening departure from Las Vegas with an arrival in Bangkok on the 3rd at 1:00 pm.

I am having trouble finding where I can get a test done on the 31st of December and get the results and documentation the same day.

Most likely I will need to change my flights but want to make sure that I comply with the 72 hour requirement. THANKS.
Answer summary
The 72-hour COVID testing requirement starts from the departure time of your flight from your home country, not from your arrival time in Thailand. Several comments confirm that you need to have the test done within 72 hours before your departure, and it's crucial to ensure that the test results are ready in time. Additionally, travelers are warned about the need for a Certificate of Entry and other regulations for entering Thailand, as some travel restrictions might apply.
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Jurie *********
Jurie *********
Good question
@Ron ******
. Further to this, what happens of you have a layover of 20 hours as well? I will be flying out on the Sunday evening, arriving in Bangkok om the Tuesday. That means my Covid test result would be 120hrs old already?
Roy ***********
Roy ***********
@Jurie ********
Checking on arrival in Bangkok does not sound right. Like they do with visa, it is probably the airlines resonsibility to check you only fly with a negative Covid test. If they let you board the plane without, the airline also has to pay for your return because they do not let you into Thailand.
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Roy **********
, you are forgetting about the 14 days of quarantine, and the required covid-19 insurance, that must coverUS$100,000 of treatment if you test positive and are placed in the hospital. They aren't flying anyone home, or not letting you enter, if you show up positive. They fully understand some people cheat, and have everything in place to handle it. Thailand, in the very beginning, did not politicize this virus. They turned everything over to the department of health, and have it under control.
Roy ***********
Roy ***********
@Kool ******
Sorry,I should have said "only checking on arrival in Bangkok...".

It makes sense to check before departure and after landing.
Rei ***********
Rei ***********
Before departure, and they will also test you in arrival
Patrick ********
Patrick ********
I have just read some new articles is that there is lots of conflicting information.

Some provinces are saying they don’t want to open up to tourists because the hotel owners are lobbing for a bailout package rather than get foreigners back. The unemployment rate is starting to come up with 2,5 million jobs directly related to the tourism sector are to be lost if the mass tourism doesn’t open by the end of the year. 1,5 million are still expected to have their jobs?

Then there is the knockdown economic effect with all industry across the board within the economy.

There were many different examples of the knockdown effect but it was stated that at the end of the 2ed quarter of 2021 tourism could be opened again for normal for foreigners with vaccines.

With regards to the limited numbers of tourist coming from Australia and New Zealand have been sited for participants in the long stay program?

The last news I saw on both of those countries is that their boarders are also closed.

A couple of things for sure is that the experience won’t be the same as before and posting bad reviews of any tourism venue on any travel site can land you in jail just happened to a American Expatriate who vacationing on Koh Chang 🧐

Part of the new normal is that every review must be 5 stars 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Good luck and keep us all posted
Ron *******
Ron *******
OP
I was not anticipating anytime before new year. Just trying to get all my ducks in a row as we are traveling from different locations East and West. Thank you.
Mick *********
Mick *********
The way the USA is going with covid, I very much doubt that you will be flying anywhere for many months yet. So this won’t be a pressing problem for you.
Pensom ******
Pensom ******
72 hours before departure time of your flight
Kool *******
Kool *******
You are aware that you will need a certificate of entry from the Thai embassy to enter Thailand, with more requirements than just the covid-19 test. Currently no tourists are being allowed to enter, and even if the new long stay tourist visa is approved by the government, the US and other countries with a high number of covid-19 infections will still not be allowed to enter. This could change by your flight date, but highly unlikely. Just because an airline sold you a ticket does not automatically mean you can come to Thailand, as many people are finding out. If you have Thai family here, or already have a job here, that is a different story, but as a tourist Thailand is closed. As far as the time of the Covid-19 test, it is 72 hours before you board your flight. Three days, and they are not sticklers if you are a few hours off. You should contact the Thai embassy, if you haven't already done it, as there is a whole lengthy application process now to enter Thailand.
Ron *******
Ron *******
OP
@Kool ******
I am aware of all that you say. With regard to requirements. The 72 hour clarification is what I wanted as I heard 72 hours before departure and also 72 before arrival. Since it takes me about 30+ hours to get to Thailand l wanted that particular clarification. Thank you.
Rob **********
Rob **********
@Ron ******
you’re not tested in Bangkok as soon as you arrive. You’re tested again on day 3 of your 14 day quarantine.

The 72 hours is from when you get your results back from the laboratory to when your flight leaves.

I flew in at the start of this month.

Good luck!
Kool *******
Kool *******
@Ron ******
, they check your covid-19 test results you received from your clinic at the check-in counter before you board your flight. You are also tested as soon as you get to Bangkok, before you go anywhere.
Ron *******
Ron *******
OP
@Kool ******
thank you.
Brian ********
Brian ********
Your 72 hour start when you receive the results of your Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test results
Jeff ****
Jeff ****
@Ron ******
do you know if it's 72 after receiving your certificate or receiving your test?
Bill **********
Bill **********
Correct info. Where are you departing from?
Ron *******
Ron *******
OP
@Brian *******
fantastic. Do you know where I can find that in writing ? I believe you I have a few friends that may want to see it for them selves. Thanks.
Ron ******************
Ron ******************
@Ron ******
best is to contact the nearest Thai embassy to get their clarification. As you will be expected to apply through them to enter the country you best contact them. But yes as I understand it it is 72 hours after receiving the test results. Your further problem is that at present they only allow people in on direct flights, maybe it will change.
Ron *******
Ron *******
OP
Andrew *******
Andrew *******
Ron *******
Ron *******
OP
@Andrew ******
I had a simple question: trying to find out where the Inbound Thai flights originate. Is that so hard to comprehend ??
Apex ********************
Apex ********************
72 hours before your departing flight.

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