I did just now receive a reply from one of the hotels.

“…if guest tested positive, we will coordinate with our partnered MedPark Hospital or any local hospital to escort guests to the hospital and there is no option to be quaranteed at the hotel at all.”

Would not be looking forward to a mandatory (?) ten day stay in hospital, even if showing no or only mild symptoms!

I've read elsewhere that if you tell them you have no money/insurance then they're less keen to put you in hospital.

this tactic will be convincing and effective in particular if you flew in First or Business, serve Test & Go or Sandbox in a 6star Hotel and holding reservations for further properties on the same level :rolleyes:

I plan to get tested before my flight to BKK 72 hours before at least and then be careful in my dealings until I land and get my test done in `bkk. You have to give credit for the way they deal with all these tests. You do not have to get out of your car and they come and do all these tests.

And not to forget - insurance cover is mandatory for this exact purpose, so indeed a devious and cunning plan with high likelihood of success… Not! :rolleyes:

Absolutely. A devious and cunning plan to scam tourists.

Nice to see Thailand is sticking to its tried and true ways of ripping off the stupid falang. Genius!

To be fair, we are paying them a rather hefty amount 'for the pleasure' :) However, I agree with you - i does work very efficiently!

Not true for all hotels. Mine was done at the hotel - led from arrival to testing area - tested - then taken to room.

I have done it twice in BKK and both times on the way from the airport, they swung by the hospital and did the test while I was in the car and then driven to the hotel. I suppose it depends on what hotel it is. I stayed in two different hotels each time and it was the same.

Pullman G: in the hotel (nurse room)

Waldorf - at the property, before the entrance, in the car and straight to check-in. No need to go to hospital - Could not be any easier

Peninsula was doing drive-through tests at BNH Hospital last November and December, but has since shifted to doing on-site tests in the hotel’s former Business Center, with duly certified nursing staff to administer tests and certify results.

There are different kind of tests on arrival. At a hospital on the way to the hotel, in the hotel room, in the hotel’s nurse room, in the hotel’s garage or at the parking garage of another place (including airport). There are also different kind of transportation. Private limousine, mini bus with other guests (which you don‘t know). And the time you have to wait for the test result varies from 1 hour to more than 24 hours.

Some good hotels are focused on the freedom of their guests (as soon as possible), i.e. the Grand Hyatt. Other good hotels are more focused on the comfort of their guests, while they are waiting for the test result (and not on getting the test result very fast), i.e. Waldorf Astoria. Other hotels are not very good at both, i.e. Conrad.

Anyway, we are talking about a process, we hopefully won‘t be faced with for more than 4 weeks and then never again. For May and June Ive booked the WA and for my stays in Q3/Q4 I‘ve booked Conrad again. I didn‘t like the test&go procedure at both hotels, but without test&go they are a good choice from my point of view.

So if you are traveling to Thailand in May or later, it‘s very likely, that you don‘t have to do the previous test&go procedure anymore. There will be an ATK test the airport (that means, that you will need a bit more time at the airport compared to now) and after that you will be free to go. And after June (maybe after May), there won‘t be any test at all any more.

1 or 2 nights if arrival after midnight?
 

How many nights did you end up having to book with St. Regis? I have an arrival around 11:30PM, was looking at booking my night at a Marriott but was confused if I needed 1 or 2 nights.

I was told and had done it twice and both times it was 24 hours from the arrival time. I think it is a Thai Government standard that it is 24 hours from the time. The first time, I checked in at around 1130 pm and they gave me until the next 24 hours. The second time, I arrived around 2100 and also they gave me the next 24 hours.

Bookings at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Hotel are 24 hours from arrival. I recently did a Test & Go here, arriving 2320 from NRT. Covid test was done at hotel upon check-in , after midnight, and result available next morning, seven hours later. 😊

You never need 2 nights. An one night booking is always enough. But you can‘t leave your room before you‘ve got the test result. Hotels are very generous about early check-ins and late check-outs for test&go guests.

I‘ve heard of people, who didn‘t stay even the first night (but they had to book and pay for the first night). They‘ve got their test results early and took the next flight to HKT, USM etc.

I arrived in BKK yesterday lunch time when the airport was largely deserted. I had my Thai Pass etc. checked in one of the long walkways, then on to immigration where there were lots of free desks, then out to the baggage hall to find my suitcase was already on the belt. The Conrad car point was right outside the immigration exit, and I was in a limo en-route to the Conrad just minutes later. We went via Samitivej Hospital where I had the gentlest and shortest PCR test of the last 2 years, and 30 seconds later, I was on my way again, reaching the Conrad in very good time.

I had had paid extra to get my PCR test result super-fast, and just over 3 hours after checking in the front desk called to say I was negative.

30 minutes later I was in a taxi en-route to Don Mueang and Chiang Mai.

The whole arrival process is very well-organised now, but what's still holding most tourists back is the possibility of a positive PCR arrival test necessarily followed by 10 (?) days of compulsory quarantine in a hospital, or at best a hospitel. I didn't want that to happen to me, so had taken ATK tests on the 2 days prior to my flight, and again just an hour before checking in. Had any one of them been positive, I would have aborted the trip.

I think if the Thai authorities were to change to requiring just a negative PCR prior to departure, that would result in a huge increase in inbound tourism. I guess they know that too, so hopefully this will be the next step forward.

Plus the absolute rip off you probably had to pay for the below charade....

It's making someone rich that's for sure!

I do not think the negative test before departure is the issue for many. It is the test on arrival. If you test positive then you are stuck and have to pay a lot of money. I do not mind the PCR before arrival. Then at least you are mostly in your home country then.

interesting b/c I checked with 2 Bonvoy hotels and they both said no- I had to book 2 nights (arrival around midnight) so I booked elsewhere. Even that hotel (which is exclusively asq/tng) just allowed me a few extra hours past their normal checkout not 24 hours so I really doubt that it is any government rule, just up to each hotel.

Very Interesting because another member here recommended JB Marriott to me as he himself got the 24 hours there from the time he checked in and I did speak with them and they told me on the phone it was 24 hours. Initially on the email from reservation they said the same thing as you said but when I called to the hotel itself in BKK, they told me it is 24 hours.

I had actually emailed the hotel(s) directly to ask before I made a reservation so clearly it is a YMMV.

The hotel I stayed in (very) recently was definitely paying lip-service to the Test & Go process.

I had a private (advertised as shared, but there was no-one else) transfer from BKK first to the Covid outdoor testing centre, and then on to the hotel in Silom (I won't name and shame). Waited for an age in reception while they found me a room, and this was at a "normal" check-in time (15:00).

The following morning, no-one called to inform me of the test result. I went to reception and after a search through a sheaf of papers, I was handed my negative test result. I went to have breakfast at Took Lae Dee. Later, when I checked out, I handed in my room key and after a few clicks on the computer, I was told I was good to go.

"Shouldn't I get an ATK [Covid lateral flow test kit]?" I asked. The girl looked flummoxed, but disappeared into the office, and came out with a box. "And who should I report the result to?" I asked. "No-one - just take it". And that was that!

Can one book directly at the hotel or do I need to book through the OTA mentioned on the Thailand Pass site? If at the hotel, any hoops to jump thru to get the correct package? I'd be happy to stay the weekend at the JW, but don't care to pay the price the OTA charges for the package.

I will also need to do a PCR test in BKK for going to KUL - any tips where to go along Sukhumvit for same day result? (I will stay at the Sheraton Grand)

One more thing - on the way back, I'll have an 11 hour layover in BKK. I'd prefer to go to the Novotel airport hotel instead of staying airside - is that an option? Even if I don't get the results on time?

You can and should book directly with the hotels that is mentioned as SHA Plus hotels. I booked directly after finding which hotels are SHA Plus. I have stayed at the Novotel Sukhumvit too.

As for a PCR test I would recommend (Dr. Donna's) Medconsult at the Racquet Club Sukhumvit Soi 49/9. They have same day but charge 3000 for the 6 hours result. The normal one is within 24 hours and is 1500. If you go early morning around 0900 then you would get the results the same day for the normal service too. I mean within 24 hours.
If you stay at the Novotel you can ask for them for the express service and depending on the time of the day it can be fairly quick.

easier to book directly at the hotel, just ask for a test & go package after arrival. The hotels need to confirm (in the system) your booking after you submit Thai Pass data, so it is definitely better to book directly.

PCR test as already mentioned at Dr. Donna in Suk Soi 49

I am afraid, if you would like to go landside to Novotel Suvarnabhumi instead of staying in transit airside, you need another Thailand Pass (and Test & Go Package). unfortunately there are no sleeping rooms open yet airside, but there are lounges open

I would 100% echo what has been said already - always book directly with the hotel. If you would like to stay in the same hotel longer, that makes it easier too as they can make the entire reservation and just add on the Test & Go package for the first night.

My experience with MedConsult has been good and very efficient. I cannot remember the cut-off time, but if you go in the morning you would have the results by the same evening (they separate the day into three batches).

Sadly, if going land-side you would have to go through the entire Test&Go process again. Might be worth it if your layover is over-night, but if day time I am not sure I would bother (provided you have lounge access).

If it was me and in your case if you are not so familiar with Bangkok I would go to WellMed at the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 25. It is 5 minutes walk from the hotel you mention and while it may be more expensive than the recommendation of other posters time saved is more important for me than a few hundred THB. There is another clinic (Global Doctor Clinic) in Interchange 21 which is 1 or 2 minutes closer and which you could try. However, I have not used it, whereas WellMed I have used several times.

Thanks guys for all the feedback - makes decisions much easier!

Just saw in the news that they may from 1st of May do away with the PCR testing on arrival and the day 1 confirmed hotel booking?

It is agreed in principle but yet to be made official. But the plan they have tabled is to replace the test & go scheme with an ATK test on arrival and no forced hotel stay. The PM has said he wants to see how the trend looks after Songkran before making the final decision.

Yet it is a given that cases are going to skyrocket after Songkran so I don't see such a change in the short term.

They will ease the restrictions in May and scrap them for July (maybe June) anyway.

How dare you contradict the Thailand haters? :)

Do you mean that no prepayment for the Day One Stay? I actually do not mind a PCR test 72 hours before the departure of the flight to Thailand. What gets me is the Day One stay with the PCR test. If they do away with this Day One test and Go and the prepayment for the hotel I will be happy.

Yes. The pre-departure test requirement has already been scrapped, and the proposed move to ATK test instead of PCR would see the mandatory one-night stay go away.

They said they would do so IF the post-Songkran numbers didn't explode.

The Bangkok Post today says they are expecting 100,000 new cases a day post-Songkran.

As with most things in Thailand, we shall see . . ..

I tried to book a Test and Go at a hotel and they advised me today to hold on for now as my trip is next month.

How does the "test and go" system work with a connecting flight through BKK and onto another destination in Thailand? Does one test and go in BKK or at the final destination (I'm assuming it's in BKK)? I'm looking at booking a flight from SGN to Ko Samui in late July for my family of 4 and there are no direct flighs, but I do see connecting flights through BKK with connecting times ranging from a couple of hours to overnight. I know that things are changing, but I'm just wondering what anyone here would advise on what sort of ticket I should purchase (i.e. how many hours/days to connect). As I am travelling with children the easiest would be not to stay overnight in BKK but to connect on the same day.