Tourism operators in Thailand urged government to reduce the cost of PCR Test

Saturday, January 22, 2022

After the decision of CCSA yesterday to restart Test & Go from February 1st, the operators of tourism are requesting the government to make PCR testing reasonably priced for everyone. Now the revamped Test & Go entry scheme requires international arrivals to book a hotel on day 1 and again on the 5th day of their stay – and to take a PCR test on each day. After each test, they’ll have to stay in their hotel room, until they get a negative result.

However, what has made people anxious is the fact that in between both tests, people are allowed to stroll wherever they feel like. For days 1 and 5, it’s not mandatory for travellers in Test & Go to book the same hotel or even to stay in the same province. Tourists can arrive in Bangkok on day 1. On the day 5, one has to be in Chiang Mai for their second test and hotel stay is a must. What is not known is whether the government will consider infections detected on day 5 as imported.

Tourism operators are quite concerned of these requirements that tourists will get disappointed by the additional costs, particularly the second PCR test. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee from the Tourism Association of Koh Samui hace explained that PCR tests cost 2,200 baht in Thailand. He wants that price to get reduced to 1,500 baht, or else, it could be a restraint for younger people travelling on budget. He’s also optimistic that the government might eventually do away with the requirement.

“When the viral situation is under control in 1-2 months, the government should relax the rule by requiring just one PCR test and allowing an ATK for the second test.”

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