What it is like to travel to Thailand right now

That’s not all. From March 1, Thailand will also ease restrictions and drop its second quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals under the revised Test & Go programme. Currently, travellers will have to take a PCR test and stay in an approved hotel while awaiting the result. This process is then repeated on the fifth day during which they will undergo a second PCR test and another one-night stay in an approved hotel. 

With the new rules though, those who are fully vaccinated will only have to take one PCR test upon arrival instead of two. They will have to wait for their results for up to 24 hours in a health-approved hotel before being allowed to travel elsewhere. On the fifth day, travellers will simply have to take a self-administered rapid antigen test to make sure everything is A-okay. This will significantly reduce the cost of travelling to Thailand. Authorities are also reducing minimum coverage for medical insurance to US$20,000, down from US$50,000 previously.

Before you can head for your vacation, though, you’ll have to apply for a Thai Pass at least seven days before your trip. This is because it can take up to seven working days for your Thai Pass to be approved – and you don’t want to be stuck in a situation where you’re still anxiously waiting for your approval a few hours before your flight. 

Need guidance? Don’t worry. We’ve been there, and we know it can get pretty confusing, so we’ve broken the process down for you:

1. To start your Thai Pass application process, you’ll need these documents ready:
   - A copy of your passport
   - Your flight tickets into Thailand
   - Certificate of Vaccination (Tip: uploading your QR codes will make the approval process faster.)
   - Pre-paid Covid-19 test in Thailand here
   - Insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000 (AXA's travel insurance is a popular choice amongst travellers)
   - ​​A reservation confirmation at an AQ or SHA Extra+ hotel 
2. All set? Head on to https://tp.consular.go.th/ 
3. Choose the Test & Go scheme 
4. Submit the required documents, hit send, wait for your Thai Pass to be approved, and you’re ready to go.

Here’s the whole truth, travelling is definitely more expensive now compared to what it was pre-Covid. This is especially so with the rigorous testing scheme in place. However, with the easing of restrictions in Thailand, you’ll only have to pay for one RT-PCR test which costs roughly 2,100 Thai Baht ($87), in addition to your pre-departure test in Singapore and on-arrival test when you return. The other added cost would be the mandatory travel insurance to cover you while you’re in Thailand. But hey, getting travel insurance is the responsible thing to do anyway.

Don’t forget, you’d still have to take an RT-PCR test before you get on your flight to Thailand. It also helps to have all your required documents printed – there’s a thorough check when you check in at Changi Airport. The last thing you’d want is to be turned away because you don’t have the important documents sorted. Also, don’t forget to download the MorChana app, Thailand’s answer to TraceTogether. 

Here’s the most important part. As part of the Test & Go scheme, you will have to book an AQ or SHA Extra+ hotel for your first night. This is where you’ll serve your quarantine while you await your PCR test results before you’re free to travel around. Not all hotels are made equal, though, so ensure that you check where you can get your PCR tests done upon arrival. 

For a more seamless travel experience, choose hotels that are offering Test & Go packages. The property will sort your PCR tests out for you, so all you have to do is relax and wait for your results before you are free to travel anywhere in Thailand. Whether you’re heading to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi or Chiang Mai, we’ve rounded up these approved hotels and resorts that are so lush, it won’t even feel like a quarantine when you get there.

Flying into Thailand’s electric capital? Choose to spend your first night (or two) at Capella Bangkok, located right along Charoenkrung. For the uninitiated, it is the city's oldest paved road which has been revitalised and given a new life over the years. Now, you can find historic neighbourhoods contrasted against the cool cafes, bars and art galleries. But that’s not the best part. Capella Bangkok is also nestled on the banks of the majestic Chao Phraya River, the life source of Thailand. The iconic river winds through the heart of Bangkok, carrying in its ebb and flow the vestiges of merchant cultures. This makes travelling around easy, as the hotel has an exclusive resort boat shuttle that will take you to the city’s best attractions, like IconSiam and Sathorn pier. 

When you book a stay at Capella, you don’t have to worry about where you can get your on-arrival PCR test done. The hotel provides Test & Go packages, which includes an airport limousine pick up (THB 3,200 per way) and a PCR test (THB 4,400 per person). All you have to do is arrive at Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang Airport, and the staff will take care of the rest. 

Do yourself a favour and ask for the Riverfront Premier room, which comes with your own private balcony, a beautiful marble bathroom complete with a bathtub, and all the in-room entertainment you need. You can then order room service from the hotel’s restaurants (Phra Nakhon has you sorted with its extensive menu, so you’ll never be hungry), pour yourself a glass of bubbly, and kick back and relax while soaking in views of the bustling river at dusk. Trust us, time will pass by before you even know it.

Once you’ve tested negative on your PCR test, you’re free to explore the rest of the city. But don’t leave without having a celebratory cocktail at the iconic Stella bar or indulging in a 9-course-meal at Côte by Mauro Colagreco, which brings the culinary heritage of the French and Italian Riviera right in the heart of Bangkok. You’d probably want to pamper yourself to a rejuvenating massage at Auriga Wellness after all that travelling, too.

If you’re heading to the island paradise of Phuket, Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas should be on your radar. It's conveniently located a few minutes walk away from the golden, sun-kissed sands of Mai Khao, Phuket's longest beach – and has everything one would need for a tropical vacation. The resort is offering a Test & Go Package offer that includes an incredible getaway in a spacious suite, daily breakfast, and transfer from Phuket International Airport. 

Spending some time with your significant other? Book yourself into the One Bedroom Sunset Suite, which includes a tub massive enough for two and a balcony boasting incredible views of the sunset. You don’t even have to worry about going hungry while serving quarantine – because the resort is home to more than six dining establishments. There are restaurants where you can indulge in southern Thailand cuisine and seafood, the resort's very own Asian beer garden, a beachside grill and chill and even Tiffin by La Sala, which serves up mouthwatering Indian cuisine. You’ll truly be spoilt for choice.

Krabi has always been southern Thailand’s more underrated gem compared to its glitzy sister Phuket, but the province has a charm of its own. It is home to the most beautiful landscapes you can find in Thailand, with untouched beaches fringed with towering limestone formations. Not to mention the various islands that are dotted in the Andaman Sea, such as the laidback island of Koh Lanta. 

We spent a week on the magical island and stayed in Vacation Village Phra Nang Lanta, an unpretentious boutique resort nestled on Kantiang Bay. Need to stay in while waiting for your results? No problem. Book one of the beachfront studios with your own private porch overlooking panoramic views of the sparkling ocean. Take our word, you’d barely want to leave your studio – but when you do, rent a scooter (you need to have a valid international license) and hit the roads to explore the rest of the island.

A question prevails. With additional measures, added costs of testing and insurance, and more careful planning required, is it worth travelling to Thailand right now? That largely depends on a few factors: how long you’re going for, how many destinations you’re planning to visit, and how high travel is on your priority list. The answer will differ with each person. 

In our opinion, Thailand (or anywhere else, to be exact) can no longer be a weekend destination. Especially since you’d have to quarantine in your hotel room on the first day, we’d recommend staying at least a week at your destination. There’s also the added stress of knowing you might test positive for Covid-19 at any time – so remember to set aside some budget for emergencies. 

All in all, travelling is more expensive now. If you have the privilege of jetting off, no matter your destination, getting out of Singapore for a few days can do wonders for your mental health. After all, travelling has been said to lower cortisol levels, making you feel more calm and content. Spending some time away from your everyday environment can also give you some space to reflect on your personal goals and interests. And lastly, popular destinations that are usually packed, like Thailand’s iconic Maya Beach, is almost empty – so you get the rare chance of having the place to yourself.