Traveling from the Philippines to Thailand: Travel Requirements, Quarantine Rules, Etc.

Enjoy quarantine-free travel and no RT-PCR testing requirement for entry.
by | March 09, 2022


Home to awe-worthy temples, world-class beaches, shopping centers, and the best street food among others, the Kingdom of Thailand is a popular travel destination not only to Pinoys but to the rest of the world. In fact, Bangkok alone was the most-visited city in the world in 2019, with over 25.8 million arrivals. If you’ve been dreaming of exploring Thailand, here’s everything you need to know before you travel:  

 

 

Are tourists allowed to enter Thailand?

Yes, tourists are allowed to enter Thailand.  

 

Who can travel to Thailand from the Philippines?

The following are allowed entry to Thailand: 

  • Fully vaccinated Thai nationals and foreigners 
  • Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Thai nationals and foreigners 

 

Requirements for travel to Thailand from the Philippines

Ready to explore Thailand? These are the key requirements and documents to prepare for before departure: 

  • Round trip flight tickets 
  • Thailand Pass Registration 
    • You may apply for your free-of-charge pass here
  • Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of $10,000, including medical expenses related to COVID-19. 
    • Thais and foreign expatriates covered by Thailand’s national healthcare system are exempt from this requirement.
  • Confirmed quarantine hotel booking, including pre-payment for an RT-PCR, a self-ATK test, and airport transfer. 
    • Find more information on SHA Extra+ and AQ hotels.
  • Vaccination certificate
  • Negative RT-PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure. 
    • Update as of May 30, 2022: Beginning April 1, the Kingdom of Thailand has lifted the RT-PCR testing requirement for all international travelers.

 

Thailand quarantine rules

When visiting Thailand, quarantine rules depend on your type of entry: 

 

Test & Go 

Effective on March 1, 2022, Test & Go features a quarantine-free visit to Thailand for all fully-vaccinated Thai citizens and foreign travelers arriving via air, land, and water. This means that travelers have to proceed to the prearranged accommodation and undergo the Day 1 RT-PCR test. If the test result is negative, you are free to travel around Thailand. On Day 5, you’ll have to take an Antigen Self-Test Kit and report it via the MorChana application. 

Find more information about Test & Go here

Update as of May 30, 2022: The Test & Go program is going to be removed for vaccinated travelers with the No Quarantine Program replacing it.

 

Sandbox Program 

Under the Sandbox Program, travelers who wish to explore Thailand are required to stay for 7 nights in Sandbox destinations first, take an RT-PCR test on Day 1 at their prearranged accommodation, and one Antigen Self-Test Kit on Days 5-6. If tested negative, the traveler shall obtain a Release Form before continuing traveling anywhere in Thailand. 

What are the eligible Sandbox destinations?
  • Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray) and Trat (Ko Chang).
  • Sandbox Extension – Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Ko Samui/Ko Pha-ngan/Ko Tao.

Learn more about the Sandbox Program here

 

Alternative Quarantine (AQ) 

All travelers regardless of vaccination status can enter Thailand under the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) scheme. Fully vaccinated travelers are required to undergo a 7-day quarantine, granted they present a Certification of Vaccination that shows they’ve been vaccinated with an approved vaccine. Those who do not have a Certification of Vaccination will undergo a 10-day quarantine. 

Find more information about the Alternative Quarantine scheme here

 

Don’t know which Thailand quarantine scheme applies to you?

Here’s a comparative table of the three different Thailand quarantine entry schemes.

Exemption from QuarantineSandbox ProgrammeAlternative Quarantine
Eligible CountriesAll CountriesAll CountriesAll Countries
Points of entryAll points of entry (air/land/water)By air at Phuket International   Airport, Krabi International Airport, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (in   transit to Sandbox destinations)All   points of entry (air/land/water)
QuarantineNo quarantine BUT need to stay 1 night at SHA+/AQ hotel or until receiving negative RT-PCR test resultTravel restricted in Sandbox Area for 7 daysQuarantine at the AQ hotel for 10 days; 7 days if fully vaccinated.
VaccinationFully vaccinated (at least 14 days   prior to traveling)Fully vaccinated (at least 14 days   prior to traveling)Not   required
Medical Insurance (Not required for Thai nationals)Medical insurance with minimum coverage of USD20,000Medical insurance with minimum coverage of USD20,000Medical insurance with minimum coverage of USD20,000
Accommodation Requirements (Payment confirmation required)1 Night Reservation at SHA+ or AQ   Hotel7 Nights Reservation at SHA+ Hotel in   Sandbox Area10 Nights Reservation at an AQ hotel
COVID-19 test result before departureHave an RT-PCR COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours before travelingHave an RT-PCR COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours before travelingHave an RT-PCR COVID-19 test result issued within 72 hours before traveling*

*Not required for Thai nationals

COVID-19 tests in Thailand

(Travelers are responsible for test fees which are included in hotel reservation)

One RT-PCR COVID-19 test on arrival   date

One Antigen Self-Test Kit on Day 5

One RT-PCR COVID-19 test on arrival   date
One Antigen Self-Test Kit on Day 5

Two RT-PCR COVID-19 tests

  • On arrival date
  • Day 5-6 for travelers under 7-day quarantine;
  • Day 8-9 for travelers under 10-day quarantine
FAQ: What is the difference between Test & Go and Sandbox?

Test & Go was originally designed for a limited list of countries, then was recently opened to all countries. Test & Go allows travelers to go anywhere in Thailand after getting a negative RT-PCR test on their first day, while Sandbox travelers are limited to Sandbox destinations.

FAQ: Now that Test & Go is open to people from all countries, what’s the point of the Sandbox scheme?

The pandemic situation is still changing. In case of a major outbreak or surge, the Thai government could suspend Test & Go (or limit it to certain countries again) while retaining the Sandbox scheme.

FAQ: Do Filipinos need a visa to travel to Thailand?

No. Filipinos can travel to Thailand without a visa. Citizens from visa-exempted countries like the Philippines can travel and stay in Thailand for a maximum of 45 days without a visa.

 

Current Thailand COVID Situation

For more information, don’t forget to visit these pages: 

 

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