Feb 11, 2022 | Blog

Do I hear shopping, massages and Thai food?  Here’s what you need to know while travelling from Singapore to Thailand via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)

Leisure travellers can now visit Thailand via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) and return without the need for a quarantine, so I’ve booked my long-awaited holiday to Bangkok this weekend!

As part of trip planning, we had researched and reviewed the Thailand VTL and Test & Go requirements. With effect from 1 February 2022, Thailand resumed the Test & Go scheme with additional testing measures in place for quarantine-free travel into Thailand. Restaurant opening hours are also extended to 11pm, but bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

1. Ensure eligibility for the VTL / Test & Go Scheme

  • You are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine.
  • You must not have a travel history to any other country besides Singapore and/or other eligible countries in the last 21 days.
  • Unvaccinated children under 12 years old will have to be accompanied by a fully-vaccinated person aged 18 or older.

*Check for full details here: https://tp.consular.go.th/ 

2. Pre-Departure PCR Test

You are required to take a COVID-19 test in Singapore within 72 hours before your departure, you can make an appointment at any of the clinics offering pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, listed here.

3. Book your Test & Go Hotel & RT-PCR Test Package

As part of the Test & Go quarantine-free scheme, you are required to book your Day 1 & Day 5 stays at a Safety & Health Administration (SHA) approved hotel that is packaged with an RT-PCR test. You can book any of the SHA Extra+ Hotels or Alternative Quarantine Hotels in cities across Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Your Day 1 Test & Go package should include an On-Arrival RT-PCR Test, hotel stay, and also an SHA+ certified airport transfer. Many hotels such as the popular Centara Grand at CentralWorld Bangkok picks you up directly from the airport to the hotel, where you’ll undergo the RT-PCR Test. You’ll have to remain in your hotel room until you receive a negative test result within 24 hours.

A second RT-PCR Test is required to be done on Day 5 if you are staying more than 5 days. You’ll have to isolate yourself in your hotel room until you receive a negative test result within 24 hours. However, you may choose to book two different hotels for the Day 1 and Day 5 Test & Go packages.

If you are heading to Phuket, the procedure will first require you to book your night’s stay at an SHA Extra+ Hotel as well as an SHA+ certified airport transfer. Thereafter, you’ll have to go to the Phuket Swab Appointment System to book your On-Arrival RT-PCR that will be conducted at the Phuket International Airport. 

4. Buy Travel Insurance

You are required to purchase travel insurance that covers at least USD$50,000 in COVID-19 related medical/treatment expenses and hospitalisation costs. I got the Grab Travel Cover on the Grab App that come with a COVID-19 add on coverage of up to S$150,000 for overseas hospitalisation and medical costs.

5. Digitally endorse your Vaccination Certificate

Do remember to digitally endorse your Singapore vaccination certificate via Notarise to obtain proof of vaccination. The digital vaccination certificate must have a QR code for verification purposes.

6. Apply for the Thailand Pass – Test & Go Scheme

You are required to submit your registration at least 7 days before your intended departure date. After the application is approved, you will receive a Thailand Pass QR Code.

On Arrival in Thailand

Upon arrival in Thailand,  present the Thailand Pass QR Code to the Health Control at the airport, then proceed through the Immigration procedures. 

1. Day 1 On-Arrival RT-PCR Test

Your On-Arrival RT-PCR Test will be carried out at your hotel or at a nearby test centre, and you will be transported there directly by your airport transfer that comes together with your Day 1 Test & Go package. You’ll have to isolate yourself in your hotel room until you receive a negative test result within 24 hours.

2. Download the MorChana App

While you are at the hotel, you will need to download the MorChana app, a contact tracing tool. 

3. Day 5 RT-PCR Test

Your Day 5 RT-PCR Test will be carried out at your hotel or at a nearby test centre, packaged with your Day 5 Test & Go Package. You’ll have to remain in your hotel room until you receive a negative test result within 24 hours. You may choose to book two different hotels for the Day 1 and Day 5 Test & Go packages.

4. Pre-Departure Test

Before returning to Singapore, you are required to take either a certified PCR test or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) up to 48 hours ahead of departure. 

5. Arrival in Singapore

Arrivals in Singapore under the VTL scheme will need to take daily unsupervised Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) from Day 2 to Day 7 of their arrival before leaving their accommodation for the day’s activities.

Reference: Klook Singapore