The Thailand Pass, which was supposed to make life easier for travelers, still leaves many users in a bind.
Hours after Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn assured the public that all bugs crippling the Thailand Pass had been fixed, several potential travelers were still frustrated by the process.
The Thailand Pass is designed to allow air travelers – Thai and foreign – from 63 eligible countries/territories to enter Thailand without the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
They simply need to spend one night in a designated hotel while waiting for the results of their RT-PCR test under the “test and go” program.
This pass is also available to people traveling under the “Sandbox” plan and to those who still have to go through a quarantine system.
See: Thailand reopens to tourism on November 1: What you need to know
Launched on November 1, the system that replaced the Certificate of Entry (CoE) – which required travelers to submit necessary travel documents online, such as vaccination records, accommodation and RT-PCR test payment receipts, and their $50,000 health insurance policy (for foreigners) – allows travelers to access a QR code.
However, the system was hit by numerous bugs on the first day, prompting travelers to air their grievances on social media.
See: The Thailand Pass website suffered bugs when it was launched
The government, red-faced, then promised a quick solution.
Mr. Chaiwut, who inspected Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday (November 17), expressed confidence that the Thailand Pass is now fully operational.
He said travelers will no longer need to show certain documents upon arrival, as "everything is now 100% digital."
He was apparently responding to a netizen who complained that the Thailand Pass QR code was useless, as authorities still require physical documents, causing a long queue at the airport.
A photo of people queuing to have their documents checked has been posted online.
Many potential travelers are not convinced by Mr. Chaiwut's assurances.
They found that the system was not working well; some even complained and asked other Internet users for help.
Others have technical problems.
One user noted that the online system only seems to be compatible with Gmail.
Those using Outlook and Hotmail remained frustrated.
A system that causes headaches for travelers
Some question whether the system is a good idea for Thailand, citing frequent problems with state online registration systems.
While the system requires applicants to register at least seven business days before departure, they cannot track the progress of their application or amend their documents.
So applicants feel anxious while they wait.
A few even said they dread the approval time, especially when the process is slow.
It should be noted that the registration system causes headaches for business travelers and those staying abroad for more than a few days.
They must wait at least seven days for approval of their Thailand Pass.
If something goes wrong, it can be disastrous for them.
Providing travelers with alternative solutions
The authorities must address this issue and propose an alternative procedure.
Bringing back the Certificate of Entry (CoE) system on a case-by-case basis may not be a bad idea.
Such problems in the Thailand Pass system are hampering the government's reopening plan, and a quick and effective solution is needed.
The government should review the system and develop an alternative to allow people to travel.
Such a centralized and bureaucratic system may no longer meet people's needs.
Why not allow airlines that already review visas to do the work?
They could also check travel documents before allowing passengers to board.
This could also ensure low-risk travel during a pandemic without causing major problems.
See also:
Thailand Pass bugs to be fixed
Nightmarish experiences with the Thailand Pass
Bangkok Post Editorial Column
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11 comments
I got my pass very quickly, like most people. But only the complainers speak out.
Have your cake and eat it too...
For my part, I have cancelled all my reservations for February...
Finding yourself “trapped” and risking a sandbox despite 3 vaccines… Is not acceptable…
Plus, "everything" is closed... 11 hours by plane to go get a tan... We'll go somewhere else.
Thailand is the only country in the world that offers this puzzle.
I love this country and the Thai people, but not the current stu… policy of this military junta.
I boycott this country as long as this system is maintained, there are other destinations much more welcoming
It is unthinkable for me to complicate my life like this when I am going to spend my savings there.
I have had my 2 Pfizer injections, maybe soon a 3rd…
That's enough.
Edward
The CoE wasn't very complicated...
I had several rejections that were always clearly indicated.
My only complaint was the non-global analysis of the documents before rejection, because the three problems I had were present from the first submission.
But on the plus side, the rejections were analyzed the same day. It was seamless.
I didn't understand why people with a CoE didn't automatically get a Thailand Pass number.
I couldn't activate Morchana, which didn't want my CoE number.
It's a shame, many people are in my situation, but it's too complicated, too stressful to leave in such conditions.
Personally, I obtained this pass simply and, above all, instantly. Once the application was completed.
Validation was instantaneous, proving that the checks are 100% automated.
The only complications are the need to use a Gmail email address and the fact that certifications for both vaccine doses are requested when we often only have the final proof.
In this case, you must attach the final document twice (1st and 2nd doses).
In my opinion, there is no need to panic people like I see everywhere!
Given your comment – My question is how did you go about validating the questionnaire regarding vaccine doses?
Indeed, it is possible to enter the 2/2 vaccination document twice, except that this blocks, because the system rejects it because we enter the same vaccination date.
In short, a real circus all the same.
I have just completed the form for the pass from Switzerland, making sure to attach all the documents in jpeg and also the QR code of my vaccination pass...
And what a surprise, in 5 minutes I received the validation of my pass.
So I think you really need to have all the documents in order to get a quick response.
For a quarantine-free arrival in Thailand, it should be enough to present yourself with your passport, an international vaccination certificate (recognized by the WHO) and to take your covid PCR test the first 24 hours with the first night in a SHA hotel before being "released" to travel in the country, in possession of your negative test certificate printed on paper...
Full stop! And goodbye to the COE and the Pass, QR and other digital requirements of any kind...
And that Thai IT specialists cannot get it to work properly... It is simply a question of lacking technical and IT skills.
There are programs around the world that are constantly updated, that work perfectly and that are infinitely more complex and much more "huge" in capacity and complexity than the Thailand Pass program, which is a completely classic program and within the reach of a team of a few competent computer engineers who follow continuous training in the latest advanced technologies in the field, which does not seem to be the case for the team that develops the official Thai digital programs.
It is no coincidence that all the Thai "big heads" in all fields of economics, technology, medicine, technology, etc. all study abroad...
And more generally, I ask the question of when will we decide to begin a general reform of education from primary school to universities?
Training students and future teachers in modern education and teaching methodologies will take between 5 and 7 years from the moment the renovated program is in place and implemented, which will take another 3 to 5 years…
Just studying the structural training of the first "wave" of "new" teachers will therefore take between 10 and 12 years before they have the intellectual baggage necessary to apply to the youngest students... who will take another 15 years to follow their new schooling.
And all this, provided we get started on it from the beginning of 2022! The task is enormous... Which Thai Minister of Education will have the B... to get this reform underway?
Our mixed couple came back this Monday, with a lot of stress (before leaving).
I advise ordinary tourists not to come for the moment.
Always the same mess in this country (not for everything fortunately, there is goodwill among the common people).
We were not asked to download any application.
For 8 hours of quarantine, tests for 2 in BKK, bus and 8,800 baht without receipt for the tests so no reimbursement from the CFE...
Even on Saint Glin Glin's Day.
Add plane tickets and insurance.
The advantage right now is that there are no Chinese people! But many things are closed.
So I'm going to go against the grain here, but I submitted all my documents on 11/16 (leaving on 11/29!!..) in the morning around 11am.
Email "docs received". When I checked my emails around 4 p.m., I had it!!
I think that if we follow the procedure correctly, that nothing is missing, it should be fine...
Now, maybe I just got lucky.
Important: Send documents in JPEG (photos).
Good luck to all!