Thailand

Thailand wants incoming travellers to download tracking app before arrival

Published

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 13:33

Stock photo via Piqsels

Thailand is wanting incoming travellers to download its pandemic health tracking app before arriving in order to streamline safety procedures for its upcoming reopening. The request come along with a list of others including proof of a negative Covid test and the mandatory time needed to be spent in quarantine.

Thai officials say potential tourists should pre-register for their visits using Thailand Plus, which is a special Covid-19 tracker app that can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices (App Store or Google Play). To register, you can use your Certificate of Entry. The app will use QR codes to help you gain access to certain areas such as department stores and shops.

The app will track your location using your phone’s bluetooth and GPS technologies. It will also use these to alert authorities if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus. Despite privacy concerns, the app’s developers say your location is confidential and can only be seen by the Department of Disease Control and Health Ministry.

Aside from registering on Thailand Plus, incoming travellers also need to follow certain steps in order to arrive legally. Those steps include undergoing a RT-PCR test on certain days during their quarantine periods. Travellers must also have the necessary documents required to enter the Kingdom.

Documents include:

• A valid visa or re-entry permit (unless you are listed under the visa-free countries)

• A Certificate of Entry issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate

• A Covid-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000

• Confirmation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel booking

• A medical certificate with a RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that Covid-19 is not detected and issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

Thailand is also allowing those who are vaccinated undergo a shortened quarantine time of 7 days, down from the previous time of 14 days. Along with all other documentation, inoculated travellers must show proof along with registering at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.

SOURCE: The Star

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14 Comments

zig

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 2:32 pm

I have 2 phones…they can have their tracking app on the one phone that will sit idle in my apartment all day

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J West

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 3:03 pm

We pray that tracking solves the security problems that plague other countries. Passengers get on planes negative and magically arrive Covid positive. It’s happening in Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Delhi, UAE, Quatar etc etc. Flights from Delhi to Canada have been found entirely infected with false certificate holders. Let’s hope every passenger deplaning in Thailand are more honest than the thousands who have flown elsewhere on false documents.

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luca

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 3:26 pm

I don’t think these measures are acceptable for going on vacation, also because Thailand’s high scam rate will cause a thousand problems for those who want to follow all these rules, at this point after being closed for more than a year and containing the pandemic it is not possible to do anything else, the only hope is mass vaccination, maybe in 2022

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Chupapi

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 3:27 pm

There are 3 apps to monitor potential contacts for covid, Thailandplus, Thaichana (which is the one I regularly use), and Morchana. Why don’t they make a single one for all purposes? It’s so annoying and confusing

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AC

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 4:19 pm

Honestly, who would like to come to Thailand in such unbelievable and expensive restrictions ?

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Nate Dogg

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 4:21 pm

Big Brother is watching You

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B.T.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5:15 pm

I arrived on 3 April.Hve this app and nobody ask for that. They ask for quarantine booking hard copy despite you have it printed on COE.

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Bill

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5:20 pm

so not worth it, see ya next year Thailand.

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Willem

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5:36 pm

This is not new. For many weeks it is demanded for all entering Thailand.

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Joseph

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 7:40 pm

Extracted from the reported news above. “If Singapore agrees to run the scheme with Thailand as well, we would probably be able to receive tourists from Australia and New Zealand, in addition to Singaporeans.” This is so obvious. Thailand’s basically targeting on travellers from Australia and New Zealand, rather than Singapore travellers. In fact, Singapore is just like a pawn to Thailand or acts as a direct channel to reach travellers from Australia and New Zealand. As you have already noticed, Thailand is well-known for racism and race stereotyping. All they care about are those Caucasians. They love Caucasians to the core. Making use of Singapore is a kind of immature act. Cease being racist and stereotypical against Non-Caucasians.

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Amy Sukwan

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 8:41 pm

My husband supposedly owes money for failure to report into the Mor Chana app. He assures me it’s some sort of mix up. His phones and guns were lost in a tragic boating accident.

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toby andrews

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 9:18 pm

You are right Luca.
You can follow the rules but Thailand’s high scam rate will cause a thousand problems.

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Ding dings galore

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 9:37 pm

I found that a quick mai-pen-rai coupled with a stern facial expression put that “directive” to rest quite rapidly. 😉

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7.62mm of darwin

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 5:07 am

I dont even own one of these phone tablet things just a mobile el cheapo that I can ring up then switch off, It is left in the car in for emergencies in oz and in my luggage when I visit Thailand which I now cannot and would not with all these obstacles, what I do carry is cash but you dont seem to want that now and as a Junta member sees me as a filthy farang you dont want me either.

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Ann Carter

Ann Carter is an award-winning journalist from the United States with over 12 years experience in print and broadcast news. Her work has been featured in America, China and Thailand as she has worked internationally at major news stations as a writer and producer. Carter graduated from the Walter Williams Missouri School of Journalism in the USA.

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