Thailand goodbye PCR testing and bureaucracy, now just a quick swab on arrival is enough
Thailand continues in the direction of a gradual return to normalcy, in particular from next December 16 will be greatly simplified [...]
Thailand
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Thailand continues in the direction of a gradual return to normalcy, in particular from next Dec. 16 the stage of arrival in the Kingdom will be greatly simplified.
Current situation
From November 1, Thailand dropped out of the program designed for the reopening of borders. So for a great many tourists, including Italians, goodbye to bureaucracy and the Sandbox protocol that required staying a minimum number of nights in Phuket or Ko Samui and a series of PCR tests before they could move freely.
To date, however, tourists are obliged to book at least the first night in a SHA+ hotel, a reservation that includes in the cost of the room the PCR swab to be taken as soon as you get off the plane (you must be confined to the room until the outcome arrives, 5 to 12 hours).
What changes from mid-December
The change is radical and is done, of course, to make it easier and less stressful for travelers to arrive in Thailand. It is good to remember, however, that not all passengers fall under the Test&Go protocol, and in this case Sandbox also remains operational which, also from mid-December, will be updated by changing the minimum stay from 7 to 5 days.
But for Italians, and all those who decide to fly from Italy, the simpler protocol applies, which provides:
- Vaccination cycle completed
- Thailand Pass
- Negative PCR test performed within 72 of flight departure
- Rapid swab on arrival in Thailand
What is new is precisely the type of swab you will be subjected to once you get off the plane. Goodbye to the more expensive and slower PCR and welcome rapid buffer. This means that in a few minutes you will have the result and will not have to wait in your room for the test result, thus being able to start your vacation immediately and not having to stay in a SHA+ facility, but where you want without restrictions.
In conclusion
La Thailand was the first Southeast Asian nation to reopen doors to tourists, today it is slowly seeing passenger numbers growing day by day.
Unfortunately, Italy still bans nonessential travel to Bangkok and other popular destinations because of the spike in infections in the summer that is now only a distant memory. The decision to ease procedures, and thus costs for travelers, is certainly an interesting one. Hopefully, Italy will soon (Dec. 15) update the list of countries or tourist corridors including Thailand among the attainable destinations.
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