Thailand further eases restrictions on vaccinated travelers

Fully vaccinated tourists from any country can can avail of the Test-and-Go program. It allows them to bypass seven-day quarantine and travel to any part of Thailand, provided they take a negative COVID-19 test on the first and fifth day of their visit.

The (almost) quarantine-free Test-and-Go plan requires fully vaccinated arrivals to have COVID-19 insurance cover of at least US$20,000 (£14,000), and to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test before they depart for Thailand.

Visitors under the program are required to take a COVID test on arrival and spend the night in their hotel room while awaiting results, which usually take about 24 hours to process. But once the result is negative, they will be free to move and travel around Thailand much in the same way that any Thai citizen can.

Travelers are also required to download the MorChana app, a tracking app where they will be reminded to take another antigen test on day five and record the results.

They must also have proof of vaccination (a booster isn't required for entry at this stage), and apply for a Thailand Pass prior to travel. Travelers under the age of 12 are exempt from vaccination requirements but they will have to be tested.

Travelers can also visit Thailand under the Sandbox program. It's slightly more restrictive and allows fully vaccinated visitors from any country to travel to Thailand, provided they stay in approved locations such as Phuket, Krabi and Ko Pha-ngan for at least seven days before they are free to travel around the rest of the country.

People who are not vaccinated can also visit Thailand under the country's Alternative Quarantine program. They must apply for a Thailand Pass and travelers over the age of six must take a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before traveling. They'll also have to have an insurance policy with at least US$50,000 coverage and pay for their quarantine accommodation before traveling to Thailand, as well as their PCR tests.

Travelers who are fully vaccinated with an approved dose (or at least one dose for travelers under the age of 18) are required to quarantine for seven days and take two PCR tests. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days and take three PCR tests. When they quarantine period is over, travelers will be free to travel around Thailand.

Thailand continues to categorize provinces into dark red, red and orange zones based on their COVID-19 risk, with varied restrictions in place across each zone. Check the latest advice for the area you are traveling to before departure. Face masks are compulsory across Thailand and must be worn in indoor and outdoor public places and on public transport.