hi - Thinking of going to Phuket with friends in March.. is anyone currently there or planning to go in Feb 2022?
Would like to know how things are w.r.t travel, testing & crowd etc..
as of now Thailand is open but need to do quarantine for 1st & 5th night..
cheers
You need to quarantine on the 1st night and the 5th night?
Really? So quarantine for one night, then free for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th nights, and then back into quarantine again?
I think you might mean get tested on the 1st and 5th night ;)
I'm quoting OP; I'm confused what they mean.
hahaha whoops didn't see that bit! Well yes clearly the OP is confused on the process! :)
As many will know, registration for Test & Go was halted due to Omicron on 22 December. If you received a Thailand Pass before 22 December, you need to spend the first night in a Test & Go hotel & take a government sponsored test on the fifth day.
It will be possible to register again for Test & Go from 1 February, but this will require booking a Test & Go hotel for the first night & a Test & Go hotel for the fifth night (anywhere in Thailand where a SHA+ hotel is available). If you are staying less than 5 days in Thailand, you only need to book a Test & Go hotel for the first night. Clear information here:
You need to test on day 1 and day 5; and quarantine until you get a negative result.
yeah thats correct.. test rather than QT
With Test and Go you need to book through your hotel the airport transfer, here they will do a drive thru clinic and take you to your room.
Here you will wait until the results are back for you to either continue your stay there, or move on. The airport will want to know your accommodation after the first night too. Have it printed with you.
The second test is on either 5-7th day, and can be done at a list of approved Government Facilities/Hospital for free (just bring the blue slip you get at the airport)
The third test is the one you need to return to Australia and will cost around 2000-4000thb.
ahh thats helpful thanks.. We would be there only for 3 nights so just wondering how would that work.. maybe on first night do one for Thailand.. and either this one would be valid for return to Aust or do another one on day 2..?
A trip to Phuket for only 3 nights?
JimmyF might have more up to date info. The PCR Test required before returning to Australia, had to be no less than 72 hours before departure.
It will all depend on how you enter (and the options available from the Thai Govt) Test and Go will allow you to leave Phuket. In which case you'd just get the test done where you are.
If you are doing the Sandbox scheme, you would be required to stay within Phuket province for 7 days.
All this information could change at any time too
The third test is the one you need to return to Australia and will cost around 2000-4000thb.
You can do a RAT now…… So might be cheaper.
Thanks for the info. I've been waiting to go to Phuket, but the time isn't right yet. That third test is the stumbling block for me - I'm not paying $170 for a test.
So I can't take pay $20 and take a RAT with me? I don't know whether I'd be willing to pay that either TBH.
I was going to go, but thought, fck it…
Why don't you go to Mexico, El Salvador or Costa Rica?
No entry restrictions and beautiful sand and surf.
just because things are all find and dandy now, doesn't mean that in a month, sh*t won't hit the fan
yeap have that in mind. Ta
I returned from Thailand a few days ago (and flew out of Australia just after Christmas). Spent 10 days in Phuket, then moved to Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Happy to answer whatever questions you want.
Whats the situation on the ground like?
Many folks who go to Phuket, head straight to Patong Beach, and it is pretty lively right now. It is nothing like pre-covid busy so if you have never been to Phuket (or Thailand) it is very enjoyable in 2022. There are mostly Russians and Europeans in Thailand right now, they make up like 80% of incoming tourists, with the handful from the USA, and some from Australia. Tourist areas like Old Phuket Town is pretty lively at night as well esp when the night markets are on.
You must wear a mask every time you are outside or in public indoor areas, and most people comply with this requirement. I see the odd non-Thai looking person trying hard not to follow the rules but staff will pull them up pretty quickly.
In terms of covid testing, after you clear Phuket immigration, you must head via the covid testing registration and testing area before you are allowed out of the terminal. That's where you get your test and from there go straight to your hotel (via private car). It is pretty quick and seamless, our process took about 10minutes for two. The first night you must "quarantine" until you get a negative result (usually 8-12hours the test).
I don't know what the new requirements are, but if your first test is negative, you can go out and do whatever you like. Then on day 6? you go get your 2nd test which is free and at the local hospital.
With returning back home, all you need to do is a supervised RAT test which is around 500bht / $20AUD . We came back one day prior to these new rules and paid 2,000bht / $80aud for a PCR test :(
Thanks!
I remember being in Thailand years ago with my GF and friends, and seeing a Russian father with his son…and their two local prostitutes. It was very cringeworthy.
"You must wear a mask every time you are outside or in public indoor areas, and most people comply with this requirement. I see the odd non-Thai looking person trying hard not to follow the rules but staff will pull them up pretty quickly."
Can account for the cost associated with insurance and testing [maybe] but absolute deal-breaker on the mask wearing outdoors.
Happy to wait!!
@TilacVIP: You aren't allowed to catch public transport incl planes right now without wearing a mask, so yes you are stuck for a while - and that's before you get to Thailand :)
Oh thanks for the better news… maybe I am ready to go… so all the restaurants and massage places and dental surgeries are back in business??
How much is the “special hotel” you’re required to stay in Nights 1 and 5 thanks?
Where is the list of prescribed hotels?
@TheMindsetTraveller: Thanks for the reply.
So its “any” hotel on Phuket.
I thought there may have been some “specified or approved” hotels.
Thankyou
I’ve just arrived back to, fantastic time. Thai government are incredibly well organised and everything was easy to follow and complete. Arrived 3am, results back 7am next morning underneath my hotel door. Phuket itself is very busy with lots of Europeans. Bars open until midnight I believe now! I wish I was back there….
How much is the “special hotel” you’re required to stay in Nights 1 and 5 thanks?
Where is the list of prescribed hotels?
SHA+ hotels, it tells you on the hotel booking websites. You can also give them an email if unsure. We stayed at Robinsons in Khao Lak. It was incredible!
hi - do you mean results back in 4 hours or 27 hours?
Anyone in Phuket or Going in Feb 2022
no
Best thing about Phuket was getting the hell out of that cesspit.
and "different strokes for different folks"
would be nice if all the filth disappeared and all the good stuff remained, not like that's gonna happen.
But I'll go back for the good stuff, and I'm sure others will go back for the filth. I don't have a problem with that.
Thailand has far nicer less touristy areas. Phuket has good connections to most of the smaller city's.
You need to get tested after every massage
Username checks out.
Love Phuket, spent 10 nights there just before Covid hit. 10 nights wasn't even long enough to see and enjoy 50% of what Phuket has to offer. Only thing that annoyed the crap out of us was Indians pressure selling suits. They wouldn't let up, relentless. It was 35deg 90% humidity and they want to sell you a suit. Told them I don't wear suits, they say I could wear to my wedding or funeral, happily divorced and I'll get cremated. Other than the hassle of fending off these pests, it's a top place to party.
You do not need to quarantine in Phuket…. if you are staying on the island. But really, why are you going… the lace is DEAD.
There are far more better places to see.
My partner is going there to have some tooth implants done (MUCH cheaper). HIs brother lives in Rayong. I'm surprised by how much paperwork is required now for the Tourist Visa than there was last time we went a few years ago. Police clearance, medical certificate, certificate of health insurance, evidence of hotel booking.
Hey All,
Quick question…. Do you still need to do a PCR Test here in Oz before you fly over to Phuket? I am unsure if it is still required under the Test and Go initiative so just checking if we will need to do two tests (1 each - wife/myself) 72 hours before we leave melbourne?
Just curious about this.
I worked out this is the following requirement under the Test and go-
1) Get a Thailand Pass
2)Insurance
2) Book Day 1 and 5/6 through SHA+ Hotel with Airport transfer on day 1 when we land
3) Book 2 Pre Paid PCR Tests for wife/me through Hotel
4) Book/Do 2x RAT Tests in Patong before we fly back
Have i got this right or missing anything? Any help would be appreciated :)
Out of pocket costs I am looking at is 2x Pre Booked PCR for 2 of us 10800 THB roughly (Day 1 and Day 5/6), 2 x PCR Test in Melbourne ($240 for both roughly) plus 2x RAT Tests in Patong ($40 for both). Total $736 Just for these tests LOL
Thanks
Here's a discussion I found which might be helpful to you. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293915-i3686-k1381…
I heard everything closes at 11pm
What travel insurance did everyone go with? Trying to find the cheapest to go with the minimum 50k usd Covid cover required.
We used AXA because from my research it was the one that was most often quickly accepted for the Thai Pass.
how much did you pay if i may ask?
I think.it was around $130 for the month
You need to quarantine on the 1st night and the 5th night?