Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) agreement with Thailand began in December 2021, allowing two-way quarantine-free travel for the first time since COVID began.
While VTL flights were only available from Bangkok at first, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket will be added from March 2022, offering holiday goers additional options for flying home from Thailand.
In this post I’ll lay out the requirements for Singapore residents to travel to and from Thailand, quarantine-free.
| โ๏ธ Summary: Singapore-Thailand Quarantine Free Travel |
| To Thailand ๐น๐ญ Test & Go |
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| To Singapore ๐ธ๐ฌ VTL |
|
Travel from Singapore to Thailand
 |
| Test & Go Details |
Fully-vaccinated travellers from any country can enter Thailand under the “Test & Go” scheme, provided they meet all of the following conditions.
(1) Fully vaccinated with a recognised vaccine
Thailand recognises the following vaccines, provided the complete course was administered at least 14 days before travel to Thailand.
- CoronaVac by Sinovac Biotech Ltd โ 2 doses needed / 2-4-week interval;
- AstraZeneca or Covishield by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, SK Bioscience (South Korea), Siam Bioscience, and Serum Institute of India (Covishield) โ 2 doses needed / 4-12-week interval;
- PfizerโBioNTech or Comirnaty by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech 2 doses needed / 3-week interval;
- Janssen or Janssen/Ad26.COV2.S by Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. โ 1 dose needed;
- Moderna by Moderna Inc. โ 2 doses needed / 4-week interval);
- Sinopharm or COVILO by Sinopharm Co., Ltd. โ 2 doses needed / 3-4-week interval);
- Sputnik V by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology โ 2 doses needed โ 3-week interval);
- Covaxin by Bharat Biotech International Limited โ 2 doses needed / 4-week interval.
Travellers 12-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied under Test & Go or Sandbox must get vaccinated with at least one dose of an approved vaccine. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
Travellers 6-11 years of age are exempt from the vaccination requirement when travelling with parents.
(2) Purchase COVID-19 medical insurance
Travellers must purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$20,000 for COVID-19 medical treatment.
I’ve written a separate article about travel insurance policies with COVID-19 coverage, which you can read below.
The easiest solution is to purchase AXA’s Sawasdee Thailand policy. It’s very affordable (~THB 420 for an 5-day trip) and the insurance certificate states in black and white the amount of coverage provided.
(3) Make reservation(s) at AQ/SHA++ hotel
Test & Go applicants must make one hotel booking at approved SHA Extra+ (aka SHA++; not to be confused with SHA or SHA+) or AQ hotel.
A list of approved SHA Extra+ and AQ hotels can be found below.
| SHA Extra+ Hotels |
| AQ Hotels |
| I recommend you use the link for SHA Extra+ Hotels, it’s much easier to navigate. Toggle the language to English on the top right. |
This hotel must be within five hours from your first port of arrival.
| โ How do you count the day of arrival? |
|
The day of arrival counts as Day 1, regardless of what time your flight lands. Previously, the rule was that if your flight arrives from 12.01 a.m to 6.00 p.m, the day of arrival counts as Day 1, and if your flight arrives from 6.01 p.m to 12.00 a.m, the day of arrival counts as Day 0. |
AQ/SHA++ hotels may offer Test & Go packages, which at the very least include 1-night’s accommodation, one-way airport transfer and an RT-PCR test. However, you can also book any rate you wish (or make a points redemption) and contact the hotel to add on airport transfer and an RT-PCR test separately.
An example from Siam Kempinski is shown below:
Different hotels will have different arrangements. Siam Kempinski offers a premium 2-hour turnaround test, but most hotels will have the slower 24-hour version. Siam Kempinski does its testing off-site, but other hotels may have on-site facilities.
Once your AQ/SHA++ hotel is booked, you’ll be issued a confirmation letter that you need to submit for your Thailand Pass. A sample is shown below.
(4) Apply for Thailand Pass
 |
| Thailand Pass |
Regardless of which scheme you’re entering Thailand under (Test & Go, Sandbox, AQ), every individual aged 18 and above must submit a Thailand Pass application.
Here’s a few important things to note:
- Applications can be made between 2-60 days before arrival
- It takes up to seven days to process an application, and you should budget extra time for potential rejections due to improper documentation (or simply a fussy bureaucrat!)
- Children aged below 18 can be registered as a dependent in an accompanying adult’s Thailand Pass application
- The Thailand Pass application portal does not accept PDF files. Get used to converting all your PDFs into image files like JPGs or PNGs
- Once you begin an application, you can’t save your progress and come back another time to finish it. The entire application must be completed at one go
Thailand Pass applications are free of charge- be careful of lookalike sites which try to charge you a fee!
Be advised that the approval process can take up to seven days, so don’t leave this till the last minute.
I’ve written a comprehensive guide to applying for a Thailand Pass, which you can read below.
(5) Take pre-departure PCR test
All travellers aged six and above must take a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of departure for Thailand.
Pre-departure PCR tests in Singapore start from S$98, with at-home swabs starting from S$128. For the full rundown of your options, refer to the article below.
Cheapest pre-departure COVID-19 ART and PCR tests in Singapore
(6) Take on-arrival PCR test and isolate
On arrival, travellers will be picked up by their pre-arranged hotel transport and do a PCR test either at a designated medical facility en route to the hotel, or at the hotel itself (it depends on what arrangement your hotel has).
After the test is done, they’ll wait in their hotel room for the result. In my experience, it took three hours, but other people have reported up to 18 hours of waiting. It really comes down to luck.
You will also need to install the MorChana app (Android | iOS) and register. You’ll be asked to take a selfie, scan the QR code of your Thailand Pass, and grant the app location and Bluetooth permissions.
Once that’s done, you should see the following screen (with hopefully a better display picture).
Here’s the full details of my experience arriving in Bangkok.
(7) Take Day 5 ART test and report
Travellers will need to take a self-administered ART on Day 5 and report the results via Morchana. You can bring your own kit from Singapore, but the hotel you stay at for the first night will also provide you with one (in Thailand, ARTs are called ATKs).
Travel from Thailand to Singapore
Travellers to Singapore must enter under the VTL scheme in order to avoid quarantine on arrival. Here’s a summary of the requirements:
| โ๏ธ VTL Eligibility Criteria |
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| All |
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| Short-term visitors & Work permit holders |
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| *Children aged 2 or under in the current calendar year are exempt ^Exception for children aged 12 and below, if they are accompanied by vaccinated traveller |
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Singapore has eased its measures for VTL travellers from 22 February 2022. Instead of an on-arrival PCR test at Changi Airport, they will instead book a test at a Quick Test Centre (QTC) or Combined Test Centre (CTC) and take a supervised ART swab (S$15) within 24 hours of arrival.
 |
| QTC/CTC Locations |
Travellers are expected to isolate until they get a negative result, so you should either:
- Head directly home first, then to the test centre to get swabbed later
- Head from the airport to the test centre directly, then go anywhere you want
You may only take car, private hire car or taxis until you get a negative test result from the supervised ART swab.
| โ๏ธ Testing Regime: Singapore-Thailand Travel | ||
| Location | Remarks | Price |
| ๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore | 72h before departure (PCR) | From S$96 |
| ๐น๐ญ Thailand | On arrival (PCR) | ~THB 2,200 |
| ๐น๐ญ Thailand | Day 5 (ART) | ~S$5 |
| ๐น๐ญ Thailand | 2 days before departure (ART/PCR) | ~THB 500* |
| ๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore | Within 24h of arrival (ART) | S$15 |
| *Can be combined with the Day 5 or on arrival test, subject to certain conditions | ||
There is no longer any need for long term passholders to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP), unless they’re holding a work permit.
Thailand VTL flights
Bangkok
When returning from Thailand to Singapore, you must take a VTL flight in order to be exempt from quarantine in Singapore.
VTL flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Singapore are operated by:
| Flights | Days | ||||||||
| TG403 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 0800 โ SIN 1115 |
โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | ||
| 3K512 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 0920 โ SIN 1255 |
โ | ||||||||
| SQ705 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 0950 โ SIN 1315 |
โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | ||
| TR607 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 1155 โ SIN 1535 |
โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | ||
| SQ707 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 1215 โ SIN 1545 |
โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | ||
| 3K516 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 1335 โ SIN 1710 |
โ | ||||||||
| SQ709 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 1540 โ SIN 1915 |
โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | ||
| TR611 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 1810 โ SIN 2150 |
โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | โ | ||
| 3K514 |
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | ||
| BKK 2200 โ SIN 0130 (+1) |
โ | โ | โ | ||||||
Thai AirAsia also operates VTL flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Singapore on FD357, departing 2x weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Phuket
Singapore Airlines currently operates 2X daily flights between Singapore and Phuket. From 4 March 2022, both return flights from Phuket to Singapore (SQ727 and SQ735) will operate as designated VTL flights.
From 27 March to 31 May 2022, this will increase to a 3X daily service (April will have 4X daily service thanks to a supplementary flight), and from 1 June to 30 September 2022, a 4X daily service. From 1 October 2022, the frequency will ramp up to 5X per day.
All flights from Phuket to Singapore will be designated as VTL services, and operated by the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft. To learn more about the cabin products you can expect on this aircraft, refer to the dedicated articles below:
Scoot currently operates 3X weekly services between Singapore and Phuket. From 4 March 2022, this will increase to a daily service. TR653 will be designated as a VTL flight from Phuket to Singapore.
Krabi
Scoot currently operates 3X weekly services between Singapore and Krabi. From 4 March 2022, TR689 will be designated as a VTL flight from Krabi to Singapore.
Chiang Mai
Scoot currently operates 4X weekly services between Singapore and Chiang Mai. From 5 March 2022, TR677 and TR675 will operate as designated VTL flights from Chiang Mai to Singapore.
There is no VTL flight from Samui at the moment, so even though you can fly direct (via Bangkok Air), you must return home via Bangkok on a VTL flight in order to avoid an SHN on arrival.
Award redemptions
If you’re thinking of redeeming miles, here’s how much KrisFlyer redemptions to Bangkok on Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways will cost.
 Redemption Cost between Singapore and Bangkok(Flight on Singapore Air or Thai Airways) |
||
| Saver (One-Way) |
Advantage* (One-Way) |
|
| Economy | 12,500 | 25,000 |
| Business | 21,500 | 40,000 |
| *Advantage awards available for Singapore Airlines flights only | ||
Airport taxes and fees on a round-trip itinerary will cost S$102.20 per person. However, if you redeem miles for Thai Airways, you’ll pay an additional S$52 (Economy) or S$79 (Business) in fuel surcharges.
Tickets to Thailand are not particularly expensive, so redeeming miles probably won’t make sense for most people.
The subtitle should say โSingapore residentsโ not โSingaporeansโ. Necessary to distinguish this especially in light of the recent Australia VTL fiasco.
dont so bad
Hi. the ensuite bathroom for self isolation on arrival in SG is not needed anymore from vtl flights. This was changed in mid November just before my Seoul trip as I questioned ica why those arrived from cat 2 and 3 can shn and share bathroom during their shn days. Seems like they secretly updated their website but I did get an email from them on the change. ๐
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist#1F
thanks! will get this updated.
Thanks Aaron. Very useful information as always. If I intend to only stay in Bangkok for 2 nights, I wonder if the on-arrival PCR test in Bangkok can be used as the pre-departure one for the flight back to Singapore?
So long as it meets these criteria:
The pre-departure COVID-19 test must be taken at an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory, clinic, or medical facility. The test result certificate must be in English and state the following:
the travellerโs name, and at least one other personal identifier such as the date of birth or passport number corresponding exactly with the information in the travellerโs passport used for entry into Singapore;
a negative COVID-19 test result;
the date and time when the COVID-19 test was taken; and
the name of the testing institution conducting the COVID-19 test.
thinking of doing the same too… great if anyone can shared their experience too
Yes I am wondering too. Usually we stay 3 days 2 nights in Bangkok. Wondering too. Else we need to do a PCR on day of departure.
Having not flown out of the country for the last 2 years, wanted to clarify something that might be obvious to many but not me. There is no need to take a VTL flight to Thailand? The VTL is only for the inbound flight to Singapore? Where to take the PCR test in Bangkok? Need pre-booking?
Cheapest I found so far for PCR, but antigen test is possible too. I found a few offered on klook as well.
Please choose a VTL flight to Thailand to be eligible.
Are there vtl flights from sg to Thailand???? My understanding is that any outbound flights from sg to Bangkok will do. I’m right now in bkk, landed this morning.
Just remember to book a mandatory first night at a SHA+ hotel, apply for thai pass, buy insurance etc and that’s all.
Only certain flights (not all) coming into sg from bkk are VTL.
With all COVID surcharge, how long should one stay in Thailand to make it worthwhile? The COVID surcharge alone used to be more than a trip to Thailand…
Thanks Aaron! SQ’s site mention that all travelers need to do PCR test and they haven’t been updated with the new entry rules (6) All travelers aged six and above… Does anyone have experience with a contradiction like this, different requirements between govs and the airline published policy?
I’m basing it on the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s official page: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/12/covid-19-vaccine-guide-for-travellers-to-thailand/#:~:text=travellers%20under%206%20years%20of%20age%2C%20travelling%20with%20parents%20with%20a%20negative%20rt-pcr%20test%20result%20within%2072%20hours%20before%20travelling%2C%20are%20not%20required%20to%20have%20a%20pre-arrival%20negative%20rt-pcr%20test%20result%20and%20can%20have%20saliva%20test%20when%20entering%20to%20the%20kingdom.
I suppose the government would know best?
Yes, I saw it and agree. I’m just afraid that someone at the counter during check-in will ask for the kid’s PCR test just because it’s written on SQ website.
I just checked Timatic (which should be the final authority on this) and don’t see anything about the exemption, so yeah, I’m confused now.
the new policy on Pre-Departure testing for children under 6 is effective Dec 16. I assume SQ is going to change their guidance then.
Submitted application for the Thailand pass last night, for travel on 19th, with AIG’s travel insurance. Will update if it’s rejected. Told it takes 2-3 days usually for approval. Booked Hyatt for 1st night n probably for the next 9 nights; will also update how fast results comes in.
It took me 7 days. I submitted on Dec 5 got approved on Dec 12.
It took me 1 working day for my 1st rejection and a same day approval for a new application (13/12)
1st rejection was due to PCR test not included in Test and Go hotel reservation as I used a screenshot of the booking from agoda. Using the downloaded Booking Confirmation with the PCR included words works. I included the policy wordings for my travel insurance in the additional documents as well.
The funny thing is mine without test and go confirmation got approved, after 7 days.
From what I read on reddit, the hotel booking needs to include the purchase of RT-PCR test and airport pickup between airport, hospital and hotel. Or personally I booked from agoda here and selected a SHA+ hotel including PCR and hotel pickup. That worked for my approval.
Just received approval for Thailand pass. My submission was done at 2am Tuesday. Was cutting it quite close considering I was supposed to fly off either 19 or 20th. So for me about 1.5 days for approval. Either there are lesser applications to process or the online tips I read to attach QR code/s for your vaccination, helps. I made sure to size it down to teeny white borders surrounding the qr codes. Attached all documents incld the sha+ 1 night. But omitted flight details (left it blank) because flight wasnt booked. These days for me, where possible, I only… Read more »
Got mine in 0.5 day. Submitted at 1am and got my pass at 11:30am. After submission I sent an email to support@tp.consular.go.th to expedite and it worked ;p
Hi Aaron,
Interestingly, I submitted my Thailand Pass application with only hotel booking confirmation, no โpaidโ proof for first night plus PCR (which I eventually did later), but it got approved after 7 days. From what I read, it is a mess for the TP approval manual process.
BTW I submitted the Chubb certificate, and added the policy wording on the last page (additional information). It did went through,
The hotel rates look enticingly cheap until you see their one night Test & Go package. The Conrad is charging THB8,000+ and the cheaper
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sukhumvit THB6,700+ (both after taxes & service charge) for it.
But couldn’t you stay elsewhere for first night, then move over?
Around 5k THB for art + pcr + limo + half board at Conrad doesn’t seem outrageous especially if the pcr results come back quickly. On arrival pcr + taxi in Singapore would be around 160 SGD/4k THB as well. This just seems to be the reality of international travel now and is especially acute for cheaper destinations like Thailand.
Conrad’s value is not too bad if it’s half board; bf n lunch/dinner. Their rooms are better than Hyatt place for sure
Try Hyatt Place. It’s only THB 5000 incld transfer, pcr and 3 meals. For single occupancy. Found that to be good value. Connecting rooms available too. Family of 4 THB 18500. Most places incld bf only.
Though I eventually didn’t book this place because you could only book by emailing them and they weren’t fast in replying. opted for Grand Hyatt as it was available on the hotel website, for 1st night SHA+ and 2 N at normal rates followed by Hyatt Regency for remainder 7N.
Google test and go package for Hyatt place Bangkok. And look thru results
Hi Aaron,
Submit of Health Declaration not required?
I saw from some page mentioned that:
Travellers should submit an SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with their pre-trip health and travel history declaration, within 3 days before arriving in Singapore.
It’s in the to-do table in the article
ok i see what you mean, it was missing from the table on top. added.
Chiang Mai has test and go hotels packages listed on agoda. Else directly contacting the hotels work too as some do offer the packages directly.
Is there any reference that states saliva-based PCR test is accepted for pre-flight test certification for entry into Thailand?
Not accepted at the moment. Only a handful of countries, such as Australia, Canada, Japan and US, accept it right now.
Thatโs the same I found online..in this article it says โitโs acceptable for travel to Thailandโ so Iโm not sure where that information came from
hi alvin, can you provide a link to where it says a saliva-based PCR test is not acceptable?
thai pass form does not allow copy and paste of fields. How annoying. Ppl do be careful when entering details to avoid issues
would love to go to Phuket. am I allowed to fly from Phuket to Bangkok upon returning? Would I have to quarantine in Bangkok for one night or such??
As far as I am away, Thailand is ONE country.
๐
Coming back from Bkk today. Key things to note:
1) hotel booking name must be the same as passport.
2) test and go result cannot be used for return flight even if it’s within 48 hours
3) BKK – SIN rapid ART pre departure test can be done at the Svb airport for 550 Baht. No need to waste money/ time to do PCR to board the flight back to SG.
Do we need to prebook for the ART pre departure at the airport?
How fast is the test result ? Need to plan how many hrs need to be at Airport before check in
Seems like i canโt fly directly to Koh Samui now, only via BKK. Means 1 day before and after Koh Samui iโll have to check in to a SHA hotel in BKK right? Will i need to be quarantine when i am back in Sg having to travel to Koh Samui?
The premium for AXA Sawadee insurance is higher now, I paid THB 655 for the basic plan with minimum of 7 days. The policy no longer covers expenses for asymptomatic covid-19 patient.
For day 5 SHA++, is it possible to just book a normal room and then make arrangements with the hotel for the PCR test? The transport from hotel and breakfast included in many hotel packages are unnecessary for day 5 testing.
yup, you can.
Does anyone know if a recent covid recovery (w/vaccination) changes any of the PCR requirements?
Hi there, for vaccinated recovered travelers who are exempted from PDT to enter Singapore. Do we still need to do a PDT before boarding in Thailand, or can we just show a positive test result, dated within 7-90 days? Will the check in counter in Thailand recognize the positive test result.
Hello Aaron. Your article mentioned “Your Day 5 booking can be in a completely different city in Thailand from the Day 1 booking if you wish. The hotel will make arrangements for the PCR test with its partner hospital.”
Could you confirm that Day 1 PCR done in Phuket and Day 5 PCR can be done in Bangkok?
I couldn’t find anything concrete on this.
Thanks a lot for your very informative blog!!!
yes, confirm plus chop.
anyway day 5 done away with from 1 march. will publish something tomorrow.
Hi Author ,
Can I ask if thereโs a need to book a VTL flight to BKk now ? Or just any SQ flight will do.
Because on the SQ website , there are plenty of flights but non of it is VTL to BKK
Travel Date period April 2022.
Thanks for clearing it up!
Anyone knows what happens to you if you tested positive on arrival PCR or when you test positive ART before departure? Can seems to find anything online. I am flying from Sin 12-16 Mar.
Can i check if an infant below the age of 1, does she need to do pre departure PCR at Singapore and PCR at arrival of bangkok hotel?
Where do u guys go for ARt test at bkk before departing to Sg
https://milelion.com/2022/02/13/thailand-test-go-day-5-vtl-pre-departure-testing-options/
hi, anyone know if testngo scheme applies to SIA sealed flights to koh samui. does this means that i will have to take the testngo at bangkok or at koh samui?
Hi Aaron, always love reading your articles! Do you know
1. the table of costs in your article is not updated as it states day 5 PCR instead of ART,
2. Do we need to book VTL flight to Bangkok? I can’t find any VTL flights from Singapore to Thai, only Thai to Singapore…
fixed, thank you!
no need, fly to bangkok anyway you wish.
Great! Aaron, your write up do help sums up easy proof for us , soon to be traveling to phuket. May i check also did u do a ART for pre departure test for Phuket to SGP ? As i planned to travel with the family phuket end of the month. trying to figure out the coming back part, mostly the pre depart test, as i saw PCR or ART. ART would be be good for costing but not alot info on that part . Thank you Cheers.