Rules for Thailand holidays are set to change this week as the country is suspending quarantine-free visits for the majority of foreign visitors, due to concerns over the Omicron variant.
Currently fully vaccinated from 63 countries - including the UK - can apply for a 'Test and Go' scheme through the Thailand Pass website so they can visit without having to undergo lengthy quarantine.
However Thai authorities have announced that from December 22, this scheme is being suspended, meaning that any visitors planning to visit who haven't been approved already will need to undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival in the country.
The decision is expected to be reviewed on January 4.
However, it's not all bad news for holidaymakers as there are some exceptions in place.
Those who have already been approved under the 'Test and Go' scheme will still be able to visit without needing to quarantine, provided they meet other existing requirements such as having a negative PCR test result, and will need to take a second PCR test on arrival at a designated facility.
Meanwhile, the ongoing Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue as usual, under which fully vaccinated travellers can visit Phuket for holidays although they cannot travel on to other parts of Thailand.
According to the Foreign Office: "As of 22 December, the Thailand Pass website will be closed for all new Test and Go and Sandbox applications, except for the Phuket Sandbox.
"If you have already received your Thailand Pass QR code, you can still enter Thailand under the scheme you registered for.
"If you have registered to enter Thailand but have not yet received your QR code, you must wait for your application to be processed. Once approved, you can enter Thailand under the scheme you registered for.
"You can still apply to enter Thailand under the Alternative Quarantine or Phuket Sandbox schemes.
"If you are already in Thailand or are due to arrive in Thailand under the Test and Go and Sandbox scheme, you must undergo your second RT-PCR test at a government-designated facility (ATK self-testing not accepted). The test will be free of charge."
So for Brits who have already been approved for the Test and Go scheme, or for those with holidays booked under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, your holiday can still go ahead.
However if you have a holiday booked to a different part of Thailand and you had not yet filed an application through the Thailand Pass website, you'll need to get in touch with your holiday firm directly. Most will offer flexible policies such as rebooking your trip for free when quarantine rules are brought in that affect your holiday.
If you booked flights only, it's unlikely that your flight will be cancelled because there isn't a travel ban on tourists - just new quarantine requirements. Again check if your airline has a flexible booking policy. As for your accommodation, you may be able to get a refund depending on your policy, but most likely you'll need to compromise with rebooking or credit vouchers.
Thailand originally closed its borders in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and only began reopening them fully in November 2021, using the 'test and go' scheme.
Previously it had begun a phased reopening during the summer months, with the Phuket Sandbox scheme and a similar offering to popular holiday hotspot Koh Samui.
- Travel restrictions can change quickly during the pandemic. Always check the Foreign Office's latest Thailand travel advice for updates on entry requirements and other Covid rules that you need to know.
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