Thailand this year

[SSMH]

Is anyone planning to go to Thailand this year? We are going in March and just trying to make sense of all the rules!

[JemimaPyjamas]

That’s pretty much what we are doing. Both staying in Thailand or the preferable option of going to Cambodia have their good and bad points, and also a lot can change with both very quickly! We have a big budget and a big buffer, which helps (thanks to going nowhere for three years!)

[FarangGirl]

@JemimaPyjamas

if you're coming in August, so much can change until then. I know it makes planning hard but just make sure everything is as flexible as possible. Things can - and do - change on a dime here!

[HuntyGirl]

@JemimaPyjamas

Thanks! I kept reading things but still wasn't 100% sure if I was understanding properly - it was the Sandbox situation that also threw me as it seemed an odd one to still run with the T&T option.

I am going in August but we are actually supposed to be going to Cambodia - however, our flights (rebooked) are to Bangkok. There is a possibility that we might end up staying in Thailand instead as it might be simpler, but I suppose a lot, and, conversely, not a lot, might change by then.

When are you planning on going...?

Thailand would be amazing! Next month, we're really excited

[JemimaPyjamas]

Thanks! I kept reading things but still wasn't 100% sure if I was understanding properly - it was the Sandbox situation that also threw me as it seemed an odd one to still run with the T&T option.

I am going in August but we are actually supposed to be going to Cambodia - however, our flights (rebooked) are to Bangkok. There is a possibility that we might end up staying in Thailand instead as it might be simpler, but I suppose a lot, and, conversely, not a lot, might change by then.

When are you planning on going...?

[HuntyGirl]

[quote JemimaPyjamas]@FarangGirl slight hijack, but with Test & Go you can do what you like, where you like, in between the tests can't you? I have emailed the Thai tourist authority about this but not heard back yet and it seems a bit weird (especially in contrast to the Sandbox programme!)[/quote]
Yes you can! The rules are online. We're going to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. I think it's just for fully vaccinated people and you need 3 PCRs that's why it's more flexible. When are you hoping to go?

[JemimaPyjamas]

@FarangGirl slight hijack, but with Test & Go you can do what you like, where you like, in between the tests can't you? I have emailed the Thai tourist authority about this but not heard back yet and it seems a bit weird (especially in contrast to the Sandbox programme!)

[HuntyGirl]

@FarangGirl

It should be fine! The test and go seems to be working quite well now according to friends who have travelled. The day 5 hotel thing is a bit bizarre but certainly better than full-on quarantine!!

It is frustrating as we will need to be careful the days before (despite being on tours etc) so we don't have to quarantine! We're really looking forward to going and to it being relatively quiet! I think all should be fine and I will report back on here with our experience ☺️

[FarangGirl]

It should be fine! The test and go seems to be working quite well now according to friends who have travelled. The day 5 hotel thing is a bit bizarre but certainly better than full-on quarantine!!

[HuntyGirl]

[quote FarangGirl]Not personally. But someone did descibe their experience here:
www.facebook.com/groups/thaipass/permalink/1334161993768733/[/quote]
Thank you! We have the NHS recovery certificate so hopefully that will be enough!

[FarangGirl]

Not personally. But someone did descibe their experience here:
www.facebook.com/groups/thaipass/permalink/1334161993768733/

[HuntyGirl]

[quote FarangGirl]@SSMH
Just be prepared that if you test positive (and I've heard that the PCR test in Thailand is more sensitive than that in most other countries) that you will be forced to quarantine in "hospitels". You need to make sure that your insurance will cover this as often they won't if you're asymptomatic.
It's a bit of a risk. Not terrible but be prepared just in case.
The plus side of travelling now is that you'll never see the touristy parts of Thailand as empty as they are now![/quote]
Do you know anyone that has tested negative when leaving but positive on arrival in Thailand? DH and I had covid at Christmas and we are travelling in a month so hopefully this wouldn't be detected on a test as it would be 3 months since we had it!

[FarangGirl]

@festivebitches
They've kind of calmed down with that insanity of separating children (they now allow parents to isolate with children as far as I know but you have to all stay in isolation until everyone is negative). But you never know, especially if you're in the provinces outside of Bangkok, what the local officials will decide to do!!

[festivebitches]

Another consideration is that if kids test positive and parents test negative, the kids will be sent to a hospital and the parents won't be able to be with them. That was the dealbreaker for me to cancel our trip.

[FarangGirl]

@SSMH
Just be prepared that if you test positive (and I've heard that the PCR test in Thailand is more sensitive than that in most other countries) that you will be forced to quarantine in "hospitels". You need to make sure that your insurance will cover this as often they won't if you're asymptomatic.
It's a bit of a risk. Not terrible but be prepared just in case.
The plus side of travelling now is that you'll never see the touristy parts of Thailand as empty as they are now!

[FarangGirl]

@MistyElla

We are going at the end of the summer for 3 weeks. We also have a peel-off to Siem Reap booked for that time. I know it’s rainy season in August/September, but having lived in the tropics for many years, it’s my experience that ‘rainy season’ usually means 45 minutes of harsh downpour every afternoon and sun the rest of the day (vs all day drizzle like the UK). I actually quite like traveling in rainy season because it’s cheaper, the countryside is sparkling green, the air quality is better with rain, and generally an afternoon downpour can be quite refreshing in the heat. My one concern is the jungle safari leg with Elephant Hills, but they seem to think it’s not a problem aside from the mud. We’ll just bring ponchos for the safari and shoes that can get muddy.

The itinerary is:

Bangkok 2 nights (to get over jet lag and maybe do a temple or two)
Siem Reap 4 nights
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan 8-9 nights
Elephant Hills 2 nights (they have a big sale on, kids stay free and adults are 25% off)
Bangkok 3 nights (we’ll take the night train from Surat Thani).

I’m toying with doing Chiang Mai for 3 nights at the end instead of Bangkok. 🤔

You also need to watch out for leeches in rainy season. We trekked in Khao Sok in rainy season and all had multiple leeches despite our best efforts

[SSMH]

@BronteGirl

Hi - just cancelled our trip to Thailand for March due to testing rules. PCR 72 hrs before departure; PCR at Phuket on arrival and must then travel to hotel in a 'sealed transportation' whatever that means and then remain in hotel room until results come back (could take up to 12 hours). PCR required on day 5 and again must remain in room until results come back. Will rearrange for later in the year if rules change.

All the testing is very annoying (and an additional cost) but we are just going to do it as we've wanted to go for a couple of years now and don't know when else we will be able to do it

[SSMH]

@MistyElla

Yes I hope testing is okay for you, OP! With the new test and go coming back, I think you should be fine. We weee initially thinking of trying to do Singapore as well but their testing rules are a lot more intense, so we’ll stay in Thailand I think. I am hoping that after Omicron fades, the world will get a few months of respite with immunity from all the infections and things will really open up for the summer travel period!

Yes I am hoping so! We're hoping to book Bali for September (postponed honeymoon) but they still want you to quarantine for 7 days! That would be half my holiday so not an option. Fingers crossed the situation improves

[DustySpringboard]

I'm thinking of cancelling too Bronte but we'd lose £££ unless travel agents advise against going, they won't say for sure for another week or so but it's giving me brain ache trying to get my head around it all. To compound matters, were meant to be flying home via Singapore

[TheOccupier]

Just following as would also like to go to Thailand this year!

@MistyElla your trip sounds brilliant. Not sure if you have been before but the food hall at Bangkok Central train station is really good

[BronteGirl]

Hi - just cancelled our trip to Thailand for March due to testing rules. PCR 72 hrs before departure; PCR at Phuket on arrival and must then travel to hotel in a 'sealed transportation' whatever that means and then remain in hotel room until results come back (could take up to 12 hours). PCR required on day 5 and again must remain in room until results come back. Will rearrange for later in the year if rules change.

[MistyElla]

Yes I hope testing is okay for you, OP! With the new test and go coming back, I think you should be fine. We weee initially thinking of trying to do Singapore as well but their testing rules are a lot more intense, so we’ll stay in Thailand I think. I am hoping that after Omicron fades, the world will get a few months of respite with immunity from all the infections and things will really open up for the summer travel period!

[SSMH]

@MistyElla

We are going at the end of the summer for 3 weeks. We also have a peel-off to Siem Reap booked for that time. I know it’s rainy season in August/September, but having lived in the tropics for many years, it’s my experience that ‘rainy season’ usually means 45 minutes of harsh downpour every afternoon and sun the rest of the day (vs all day drizzle like the UK). I actually quite like traveling in rainy season because it’s cheaper, the countryside is sparkling green, the air quality is better with rain, and generally an afternoon downpour can be quite refreshing in the heat. My one concern is the jungle safari leg with Elephant Hills, but they seem to think it’s not a problem aside from the mud. We’ll just bring ponchos for the safari and shoes that can get muddy.

The itinerary is:

Bangkok 2 nights (to get over jet lag and maybe do a temple or two)
Siem Reap 4 nights
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan 8-9 nights
Elephant Hills 2 nights (they have a big sale on, kids stay free and adults are 25% off)
Bangkok 3 nights (we’ll take the night train from Surat Thani).

I’m toying with doing Chiang Mai for 3 nights at the end instead of Bangkok. 🤔

This sounds amazing!
We're doing Bangkok for 2 nights, Chiangmai for 5 and Koh Samui for 6. Really excited! Hopefully the testing is all OK but we should be fine as we recently had covid.

[MistyElla]

We are going at the end of the summer for 3 weeks. We also have a peel-off to Siem Reap booked for that time. I know it’s rainy season in August/September, but having lived in the tropics for many years, it’s my experience that ‘rainy season’ usually means 45 minutes of harsh downpour every afternoon and sun the rest of the day (vs all day drizzle like the UK). I actually quite like traveling in rainy season because it’s cheaper, the countryside is sparkling green, the air quality is better with rain, and generally an afternoon downpour can be quite refreshing in the heat. My one concern is the jungle safari leg with Elephant Hills, but they seem to think it’s not a problem aside from the mud. We’ll just bring ponchos for the safari and shoes that can get muddy.

The itinerary is:

Bangkok 2 nights (to get over jet lag and maybe do a temple or two)
Siem Reap 4 nights
Koh Samui & Koh Phangan 8-9 nights
Elephant Hills 2 nights (they have a big sale on, kids stay free and adults are 25% off)
Bangkok 3 nights (we’ll take the night train from Surat Thani).

I’m toying with doing Chiang Mai for 3 nights at the end instead of Bangkok. 🤔

[mobear]

Thinking about booking for the end of the year, but a little nervous as to how things might pan out.

[LaSevillana]

Would you enjoy having a PCR test on arrival and potentially quarantining for days on end if it came back positive? I don't think I would. Thailand's rules have been all over the place and I really couldn't be bothered with keeping up with them. Fair enough they want to protect their population but for me, it's just not really worth it right now.