NOTE: This warning is now obsolete. Thailand has abolished the PCR testing before and upon arrival. You do not need to worry about this issue any more. Welcome to the Land of Smiles! (Ed.)
Travelers to Thailand whose PCR tests return a positive are in a very high risk of being caught up in a web of rules that nobody warned them of before their departure.
The SHA+ and ASQ hotels where the travelers are required to stay, must all have contracts with a specific hospital, usually a private hospital. If a traveler staying at their hotel tests positive, the guest has no choice but to be hospitalized at that specific hospital for 7-10 days at their own cost – usually around 10.000 THB per day. In most cases, tourists are requested to pay upfront this amount and coordinate insurance claims by themselves later – holding the risk of not being compensated for their hospital expenses.
Sharing hotel room in close contact with a COVID patient also subjects you to quarantine 7-10 days as a high risk close contact person. This is usually not included in the insurance coverage so it would be completely at your own cost.
The PCR tests are performed by the hospital who has the exclusive rights to receive all the patients from the hotel they stay at. You must do two PCR tests on the first day and the fifth day of your traveling, and the authorities prefer that you test both times at the same hotel.
Some travelers question, if the PCR tests follow same procedures as back in their home countries, since many find the positive result when arriving Thailand, when they just tested negative 48 hours ago before flight departure.
All travelers believe they are adequately insured because when they applied for the Thailand Pass, their health insurance was approved. But when the traveler arrives here, it some times turns out that although the Thai embassy or consulate had accepted their insurance policy, they are not covered anyway because of the fine print in the insurance policy. Sometimes, the insurance only covers if the patient has symptoms or is hospitalized in a hospital, not a ‘hospitel’. The Thai hospitals will keep the patient in quarantine regardless of symptoms and for the maximum days they can charge for, all solely depending on the opinion of the doctors’ team at the assigned hospital your hotel is associated with.
In other situations, it has turned out that the insurance only covers if the patient is admitted to a public hospital. But the patient has no right to refuse to be hospitalized at the private hospital or hospitel facility which has obtained an exclusive contract with their hotel. Also in this case, the traveler will have to pay the amount at around 100.000 THB themselves.
A resident Dane in Bangkok who has been part of a network to come to the rescue of these unfortunate travelers who were trapped in this web of rules says to ScandAsia, that frankly she has come to the sad conclusion that the safest thing to do is not to fly to Thailand on a Thailand Pass until this hotel-hospital alliance is broken or the insurance policies that the embassies accept follow standards that are in compliance with these hotel-hospital contracts.
For a while, she and her network was able to extract patients with residence in Thailand from the grip of the hospitals “who only follow the rules” and transfer them to self isolation in their homes or to public hospitals, but this loophole was recently plugged.
There are so many special situations and describing them all is not possible here, she says. But she wants to add one piece of useful advice:
If you have had Covid in the past 2-3 months before your arrival to Thailand then you must remember to bring along with you PCR proof and preferably a medical recovery certificate stating your Covid history in detail with a doctor’s signature. This documentation may help you not to become yet another unfair victim of the medical care protocol. If you show this evidence and insist that your positive result is most likely because the test is picking up dead cells from your past infection, you may be able to avoid being detained.
NOTE: This warning is now obsolete. Thailand has abolished the PCR testing before and upon arrival. You do not need to worry about this issue any more. Welcome to the Land of Smiles! (Ed.)
[…] Anyone travelling to Thailand needs to be aware of the consequences of testing positive for Covid while there, the requirement to quarantine – and how insurance may not cover you. […]
[…] Source link […]
[…] were meant to go to Phuket, but after many flight cancellations and reading about some worrying comments from other tourists, we thought the constant cancellation on AirAsia’s side was a blessing in […]
[…] Sharing hotel room in close contact with a COVID patient also subjects you to quarantine 7-10 days as a high risk close contact person. This is usually not included in the insurance coverage, so it would be completely at your own cost. Continued … […]
Funny how I read the hotel owners complaining this is bad reporting..
Just do a u-tube search. Horror stories are there.
Testing negative before travel and then when arrive test positive.
It’t a crap shoot at best.
Gregers Moller, this is the most import information available on the activities and time of the CCP Covid pandemic and Thailand. I have been coming to Thailand for 30 years and living here for 15. As character reference for my brief comments, I am a former Sacramento California Police Detective, am a California Juris Doctor (Lawyer), USAF (Ret) and United AL (ret), among other professional qualifications. Your article and following comments by your readers bear a joint effort from many people. Private people as well as Embassies should post the alert of this activity, we all know happens. However, I am barred from returning to my condo in Jomtien Beach for need to satisfy the Thailand Pass prerequisite, and am turned back at the booking post by UAL staff for not having it. I now think I am fortunate. Please provide a method for readers to forward this article to others, in Thailand, the world, everywhere. I will write more and return to post it. Sincerely, Robert Brill; (dob: 7 April 1941) Telephone in USA:17074517467 Email: [email protected] I have neither pc nor home in USA. Private contact in Jomtien, upon request
For those of you who are traveling to Thailand, on your COVID-19 Insurance, be sure to get an insurance agent where ever you going that does the talking to the hospital so you will not get scammed ripped off and paying up front at the same time. Most hospital always asking for cash no matter what. I know someone in Pattaya that he got COVID-19 positive asymptomatic and the hospital wants him to pay B200K cash, he called his insurance agent that he bought for and then problem solved, didn’t have to pay anything and insurance took care of it. Big relief for him.
I’m currently caught in same situation in bangkok now. Can someone help advise Tks.
I’m caught up in the situation right now. I have no symptoms and they said my PCR test was positive after taking two previous PCR tests. The total charges was 5000 US. This is such BS. Don’t bother flying to Thailand.
This article saved me a lot of money, time and heartache.
I am a vaccinated covid recovered passenger – I have all the relevant paperwork – including PCR test showing the original infection and discharge letter from the ministry of health.
Based on the current test and go policies – you can enter Thailand even if you test positive for the pre-departure if you can show the required documentation. I triple read this and went ahead to book flights, hotels, tours and applied for ThaiPass. 72 hours before, I did my pre-departure test – and as expected I tested positive.
I am meant to be flying today, 3rd March, but after reading this article last night, I got a little worried and called the hotel I booked in advance. They asked me to send all my relevant documentations and helped me call the health authorities.
This is the verdict. If you test positive on the pre-departure – you will be allowed into Thailand with the relevant paperwork. However if you land and test positive on arrival you will be quarantined for 10 days regardless of the paperwork. This is the silliest policy I have ever encountered.
Do NOT fly to Thailand unless you know for sure your PCR on arrival will be negative – a discharge letter and original infection dates do not count. I hope this helps save you the countless hours I have wasted applying my Thaipass and paying for my Thai trip and then trying to reverse all that money spent.
[…] Источник – https://scandasia.com/warning-against-traveling-to-thailand/ […]
of course the hotels and the hospitals will take advantage of the tourists. One night package for me my wife and two children is £400 plus. I discovered then that the hospital who performs the PCR test will be able to charge you for accommodation if they fail you. Even if you pass the first PCR test and have a second one on the fifth day, you could fail again! And between the first day and the fifth day you would have to live like a hermit and avoid all contact with other people. It’s just crazy to think about travelling to Thailand at the moment. I had booked and paid for accommodation for our two-week holiday and our flights but cancelled them all when I discovered this dishonest system. Fortunately my airline had wanted to change my flights so I was able to get a full refund. I really wanted to go on holiday to Thailand with my family but clearly they care very little about tourists!
ive heard several accounts now of such things happening to people.two people did send me their pcr certificates and both showed a high ct rate of 40 and 38 and these are likely to cause a very high level of false positives.Both people were almost no symptoms and forced to go to hospitels and then given big bills which their insurance didnt cover any or all of it.People asked to provide sums up front or given quotes of bills and then finding out other people stayed in same place and paid much less.Truth is no one knows what to do as they havent been in this position before.They desperately try to find out share info on fb in groups and dont know when or if to challenge anything.Embassies and insurance providers arent that helpful.Its a real mess and seems more people than the 3percent quoted.
Caught up in this scam right now. What to do?
Don’t know where you get your “facts” from but as usual news reporting is sensationalist without including the whole truth.
Plus you provide no official links, just here say. You should work for the American press, they would give you a wage increase for your “reporting” skills.
Hello, could anyone confirm that the on-site testing is still 2x PCR? In the instructions for the Thai Pass on the official website it says:
1 PCR test upon arrival
2 antigen test for self swab, the result is entered into the MorChana application.
Please help
Witajcie, czy ktoś mógłby potwierdzić, że testy na miejscu to nadal 2x PCR? W instrukcji do Thai Pass na oficjalnej stronie jest napisane:
1 test PCR po przylocie
2 test antygenowy do samodzielnego wymazu, wynik wprowadza się do aplikacji MorChana.
Proszę o pomoc
@Krisho. Wrote ” Most of male tourists are going to Thailand only enjoy night life with females there”
Complete nonsense. Maybe 20 years ago.:) The last 3 times I flew to Bangkok the plane was full of couples and women. At most 10% were traveling men alone!
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[…] Warning against traveling to Thailand […]
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I used to live there b4 covid break-out, i have many thai friends. They advised me against going there because of possible faking of pcr test to extract money from tourists. When u get quarantined, there is hi chances to get robbed and killed in ur hotel room. And then they claim that tourists commited suicide cos they’r not used to quarantine…. actually, many tourists all around thailand got killed and robbed, but official reports were creating some stupid execuses blaming the tourists… it is about time warning people from going there. Thx.
I was booked to stay at Banyan Tree on Samui. I asked if found to be positive could I stay at the hotel for quarantine. Told against rules and hospital would decide if I need to be in Special quarantine hotel or hospital. These rules are crazy. So many people I know have had Omnicrom and it’s no worse than a cold. I have until end of Feb to decide, but if they don’t relax the rules I’m cancelling
This is the 10th time that I’ve heard regarding a scam and ripping off any incoming tourists who are false positive asymptomatic or mild symptoms by sending them via ambulance to hospital and make them pay upfront telling them the COVID-19 insurance not covered around B10K a day so 10 days will be B100K. For those of you still decide to go to Thailand, hey can’t blame you, it’s your choice, just verify with your insurance company to make sure that the AQ Hotel you staying is contracted with public or private hospital by doing a complete research on that hospital. Either paying at least B100K or less than B30K. Because of this,Thailand will lose a lot of incoming tourists if they don’t get their act together. WELCOME Philippines and Cambodia…
Thailand govt have rights to formulate their own tourism policy. Most of male tourists are going to Thailand only enjoy night life with females there. It is a good opportunity for Thai govt to protect and rehabilitate their women populations.
Why go there and criticise the govt?
Stay home, Stay safe. Dont spread infection.
All countries say avoid unnecessary travel.
Thailand It s Better than Italy . In Italy now we are under dictatorship . The end of democracy and violation of costitution thanks to Mario Draghi and his friend. Besides now the president of costitutional court is Amato that Is parte of this antidemocratic gang
Please don’t go to Thailand!!!! I am here now and it is perfect with out you. This is a sad article. I arrived on the test and go program. Was the smoothest entry I have ever had. Your a fool if you don’t travel with the proper insurance. Any fool can Google about the entry and know what you actually need. The ones that are “shocked to find out” knew what was expected and what could happen. It is just people doing what they want instead of what needs to be done. Please stay in your home and do not breath until COVID is over. It will make this a better world.
Oh. Too sad too hear this news about Thailand. You guys have to be extra careful if you insist to visit this country otherwise bring lots of money with you to shoulder expensive hospital costs.
Meanwhile you can travel to other Asian countries like the Philippines which allow fully vaxxed foreigners to enter the country for tourism and business.
Read this article below.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1167073#:~:text=MANILA%20%E2%80%93%20Foreign%20nationals%20traveling%20for,conditions%2C%20Malaca%C3%B1ang%20said%20on%20Friday.
Came on 10th of December to Bangkok on ‘test’ n’go’. ThaiPass and e-Visa went absolutely smoothly before flight, immigration procedure at BKK was quick and well organized, the transport arranged by the booked (and paid in advance) SHA+ hotel picked me up 25 (!) minutes after landing. At arrival in the hotel I was taken to a seperate room for PCR-Test. Had to wait in my room til my result came 12 hrs later. Since then I travel across lovely Thailand, no scam, no cut-throat businesses, only sunshine, friendly people and easy living. 7-days inzidence is at 84 right now … ehm … what are your figures atm?? I love those dramatic bad luck stories, keeping away tourists from a destination, thaz they don’t understand. Begpackers, sex- & bargain-tourists should stay away … nobody needs them here.
Best time i ever visited Thailand is right now. No drunk bad behaving tourists, only the people who really wants to be here. I get treated so well and having such a great time in peace. If i follow the rules i have no issues. Thank you for your help with keeping the rotten eggs away ????????
The Thais were ripping off farangs – with a smile – long before COVID came along. Even the Thai banks were having a go – the ATM cash withdrawal charges are amongst the highest in the World. So nothing new. Everyone should go to Mexico instead. They welcome everyone. You don’t even need a pcr test to enter.
Was in BKK over the Christmas period and whilst the process of applying for the Thailand Pass took some time as documentary evidence is rather challenging especially the SHA Plus + hotel confirmation and getting the right insurance coverage, the arrival process was smooth without any hickup although requiring printed documentary evidence was very cumbersome and had to wait more than 12 hours in the hotel room for the arrival PCR test result which was only received close to midnight. There was no requirement for a 5th day PCR at that time but my PCR prior to departure at a hospital of my own choice was easy & fast with no crowd to content with. Thais & Thailand remains ever welcoming and friendly. To the ‘gentleman’ who says that he goes Thailand for girls, go get a sex doll instead. For those who are not willing to take any risk associated with travel in this day & age, stay home. Share facts & own experiences, not hearsay & speculations please. There is already too much fear & negativity in the world, don’t create even more.
Was in BKK over the Christmas period and whilst the process of applying for the Thailand Pass took some time as documentary evidence is rather challenging especially the SHA Plus + hotel confirmation and getting the right insurance coverage, the arrival process was smooth without any hickup although requiring printed documentary evidence was very cumbersome and had to wait more than 12 hours in the hotel room for the arrival pcr test result which was only received close to midnight. There was no requirement for a 5th day pcr at that time but my pcr prior to departure ar a hospiral of my own choice was easy & fast with no crowd to content with. Thais & Thailand remains ever welcoming and friendly. To the gentleman who says that we go Thailand for girls, go get a sex doll instead. For those who are not willing to take any risk associated with travel in this day & age, stay home. Share facts & own experiences, not hearsay & speculations please. There is already too much fear & negativity in the world, don’t create even more.
Recently, the same thing happened with one of my friend went under Test & Go scheme. They all got negative results before flying back to Thailand but one person in the family turned positive. Other has to be quarantined for 10 days with their own cost. Hospital is asking money upfront as well.
This is disaster, if it happens to me in Thailand.
[…] So, while we are waiting for the situation to improve and rules to ease. Be aware that if you prove negative on a PCR it is all smooth. But if you prove positive the situation is a bit complicated. […]
I wanted to add one more comment here about people worrying that they will catch covid here. Thailands populace is over 70% vaccinated and THEY ALL WEAR MASKS everywhere indoor and outside. The only people I see not wearing mask are European, Russian, Arabian and North American tourist here right now. I would say if you come here you have a better chance of catching covid from another tourist than a citizen from Thailand. The Thai people are safe plus they follow the rules and laws, the foreigners do not. The tourist put all Thais at risk with their lazy Covid attitude but this country needs tourism to survive so they have to put up with some foreign ignorance. I wish the police and Govt. would crackdown and send these ignorant and not respectful of the rules tourist home. It is sad to see how people come here and because they are paying for their trip they think the rules do not apply to them too. One good thing with Olympics starting up yesterday the hoards of Chinese tourist are staying home. However, all Asian tourist I see here where their masks everwhere they go and I respect that. You do not want Covid, get vaccinated, where a mask always outside your home or room and try to keep your distance (2-3 M) if you are around people indoors for more than 15 minutes that is how to avoid Covid. That system has worked perfectly for me and I travel alot for work and pleasure. Happy travels.
I’m like some here that have loved ones in Thailand and it’s been June 2020 since I returned home, getting out was hard then, but my fiance has told me of the scams, can’t wait to be back in the land of smiles but the rules are too fluid right now, maybe sense will circumnavigate the world ????????
I have been to Thailand twice since November 2021, in fact as I am typing this I am in Patong Beach and enjoying life. The fears and worries about coming to Thailand are way overblown. As one traveler posted here if you are worried stay home it makes it less crowded here for us to enjoy. I have 4 PCR tests to take on each trip, 1 before I leave, 1 when I arrive, 1 after 5 days of being here and one for my home country the day before I leave. Each time a minor inconvenience with absolutely no worries. Some cost for the testing but affordable. Thailand will be my home upon retirement in 2024. I have been coming here twice a year since 2016 and I love the country, its food and its people. With all that why not spend the rest or my life in Paradise. Again for all you worry warts stay home and keep tge stress there with you.
If you have girl friend or fiancée in Thailand and worried to travel, I am sure someone is willing to take your place and care for her in the meantime.
I don’t agree with all the testing. Having a negative PCR before arriving should suffice. Before Christmas there was quarantine, even if you are negative entering the country. In my opinion it is a money racket. If they want to increase their tourism they should stop this. Also having to stay in their allocated hotel on the first night until you are tested..more money and back again on the 5th day. Costing time and money. Some people just want to go and visit family and tour around.
WARNING; against unsubstantiated claims and misinformation.
The correct information can be found here; http://entrythailand.go.th/en/
This is utter rubbish, and i am speaking from personal experience. Why don’t you just report the facts?
I just came back from Thailand.
Make sure to have all necessary documents.
Airport was very efficient and ran smoothly.
SHA plus hotel staff and system was perfect. Hospital pcr test was done with no issues.
It was quieter than usual .one of my best times out of 10 plus travels to Thailand.
I was there at the end of December on all of January I have been visiting 35 years it seemed, that The rules changed by the hour from bad to Very bad to get me out of here love the place and the people but them in charge make it Scary You fell like your a traget
Thailand should supply t shirts at the airport, that have a bullseye on them because you will become a victim of the robbing bastards, i have lived in thailand for a decade and i feel sorry for the tourists that get fleeced all the time, 20 baht for a thai 200 for a farang, this covid is just another way to rob the tourists..be careful what you wish for you just might get it….
Don’t go! They send us back with everything in place!
Normally i stay some months a year in Thailand. The last 1,5 year i spent in Mexico. And that was a good choice. Quiet place at the beach away from the busy tourist areas. Maybe next year or the year after i return. Just decided to stay here another year away from crazy countries.
I wonder if Thailand ever goes back to normal. The situation isn’t normal for a few years now.
While things are far from normal in Mexico, there is a much more sensible approach.and beer prices are half that of Thailand.
I went December.. very organised. Had a great 3 weeks. No trouble at all. If you don’t get the right insurance it’s your fault. Get the Thai Axa one! 5 day PCR is mad tho.. hope scrapped soon. Back in June.. Off to Columbia this month, no tests required…
[…] Source: https://scandasia.com/warning-against-traveling-to-thailand/ […]