Thailand Pass Test & Go Application Success

Last week, I decided to begin the Thailand Pass application process for the third time, as I was within two weeks of the departure, and there were unlikely further changes to the program before my arrival.

My first attempt was in August last year for an arrival in September that at the time was quite a complicated progress.

The second one was easier, as Thailand had by-then streamlined the process, and I got the application done at the last minute when issuance was halted due to the omicron spike. I did not use it due to an asymptomatic COVID-case found on pre-departure tests.

Before starting the application, you need to have:

1. Paid confirmation from an approved hotel with transportation and test.

2. Proof of insurance.

3. Proof of Vaccination (not pictured).

Note that the Thailand Pass application only asks for the flight information but doesn’t require a copy of the itinerary or e-ticket receipt. The Thailand Pass is valid for 72 hours of the intended arrival but not before.

Le Meridien Bangkok

I booked the Test & Go package on Marriott’s website and sent an email to the hotel to process the charge and issue the certificate. They promptly got back to me requesting flight and personal information plus a copy of a passport.

Shortly thereafter I had the accommodation confirmation in my email.

Proof of Insurance

American Express Platinum card comes with various insurance benefits depending on where yours is issued. Mine comes with a quite comprehensive set of benefits and is valid on trips for up to 120 days.

I called them up and told the countries that I was planning to visit and soon had a PDF in my email inbox.

Proof of Vaccination

I have EU Digital COVID certificates from both vaccinations saved on my laptop (I just had my booster yesterday).

Application Progress

You need to indicate the flight number you plan to take and the departure country. There is no need to upload proof, however.

You need to upload a copy of your passport’s info page.

Vaccination

You need to upload proof of both shots and preferably a QR code of each for faster processing. Note that all the uploads must be in JPG or PNG. They do not accept PDFs.

Accommodation

Thailand Pass really pushes you to book through Agoda. However, they do accept proof of eligible package purchased from any approved hotel.

Medical Insurance

They also conveniently have an option for you to purchase insurance that has the required minimum coverage of $20,000.

Success

You submit and receive a six-digit code that you can use to check the status of the application on the Thailand Pass website, the number displayed here is for example purposes only.

Reviewing

The website indicates that the approval process takes 3 to 7 days.

Email Received

The submission was confirmed by email at 3:52 PM.

Confirmed

And the application was processed by 11:22 PM on the same day.

Thailand Pass

The email contains a PDF with a QR code that the airline employee scans to validate your entry eligibility.

Conclusion

Last week, the turnaround time for getting Thailand Pass approved when you had all the required documents together was seven and a half hours.

This is likely my very last application to enter Thailand, as the country plans to scrap this all together starting next month. Although the process has been significantly streamlined, it is still a deterrent for many casual visitors that do not usually face red tape.