Salerno

https://asq.in.th/?sortSelectedItem=Lowest+Price&durationSelectedItem=1+Day https://thaiest.com/blog/aq-hotel-1-night-packages and the usual suspects (Agoda etc. just ensure they meet the requirements)

Location specific, not passport specific.

Don't mix up the type of entry. "blue zones" are irrelevant to double vaxed flying in from a "safe" country.

If you are hitting serious problems opening a bank account you can always throw some money at the issue (going rate for an agent to open one for you is around 3500 Bht inclusive).

The issue of not being able to get (affordable) insurance is certainly a problem for a fairly large cohort. How do you intend entering Thailand? There's workarounds to minimise the cost if you fall into that cohort depending on type of entry and length of intended stay.

That could be the reason. As always, depends on the Embassy/Consulate, but pretty sure Chicago has had bad reviews since COE kicked in (delays and withholding approval until last minute, which is understandable but given people a heads-up that's the way they operate would no doubt be appreciated) whereas I've seen reports on the London Embassy completing the process in a matter of hours. Off the top of my head can only remember 1, maybe 2, reports of people actually having their travel plans screwed up but I can see it's a bit stressful given the timing and the changes, As for the ATK, it's certainly not 100% clear on exactly how they expect it to work for "test and go". One would think clarification will be forthcoming when the issues with it suddenly dawns on them, (possibly even scrapped); but for now, it is what it is.

You haven't even got the pre-approval? When did you initially apply (I thought it was a few days ago)? It's a requirement of the government. "What’s included in 1-night package? The 1-night package of Test & Go program should cover accommodation for 1 night, transportation from the airport to the hotel, the required RT-PCR COVID-19 test, and an Antigen Test Kit (ATK). The number of complimentary meals and other benefits included in the package will depend on the hotel." https://thaiest.com/blog/aq-hotel-1-night-packages "The prepayment should cover both the 1-night accommodation, the required RT-PCR COVID-19 test, and an Antigen Test Kit (ATK)." Bullet under point 5: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/10/quarantine-free-thailand-reopening-for-vaccinated-tourists-from-1-november-2021/

Only one person to blame in that position. Almost 2 years into this, if someone doesn't do their due diligence (ensure the hotel will reimburse if positive - as per government guidelines, and ensure their insurance policy covers the eventuality) then that's on them.

It has to cover covid (and state that specifically to ensure acceptance). "An insurance policy, with coverage clearly identified as no less than US$50,000, which should cover the cost of the treatment and other medical expenses associated with being infected with COVID-19, including in-patient hospitalisation for the whole duration in Thailand. *Except for Thai citizens who are entitled to the national health insurance system.*" Point 4 https://www.tatnews.org/2021/10/quarantine-free-thailand-reopening-for-vaccinated-tourists-from-1-november-2021/ Not quite. Yes it had to specify Covid was covered but it didn't have to be a Covid specific policy, your normal health insurance was fine as long as you could get clear and precise confirmation it would cover Covid. TGIA was a "cheap" workaround for those that couldn't satisfy the requirement or didn't already have a health policy.

The information is not new, it was released when the rules where on 22 October https://www.tatnews.org/2021/10/quarantine-free-thailand-reopening-for-vaccinated-tourists-from-1-november-2021/ ATK is part of the "test and go" and included in the package price.

He just needs one-way. He will need insurance to cover the requirements for the ThailandPass; minimum US$50,000, must cover Covid, and state it clearly, and he should ensure it covers a positive test whether symptoms or not as he'll be quarantined. This needs to cover the time his initial entry will be stamped for i.e. 90 days if he gets Non O based on marriage. After that up to him; get a decent policy (in which case, get it up front and ensure it covers the initial requirement) or "self-insure". This still appears to be the most precise info on getting back from 1 November (he'd be coming in "Test & GO: Quarantine-Free"): https://www.tatnews.org/2021/10/quarantine-free-thailand-reopening-for-vaccinated-tourists-from-1-november-2021/

Border crossings are still closed. When they open I would expect the same requirements regardless of how you arrive.

I think you'll find that what people are finding gross is not the "extreme cougar" with a younger buck, it's the thought of boning the "extreme cougar". As for the young lady in the story, good for her!

They are part of the package you book (as it is with ASQ) rather than the weird way the do it with sandbox.

I'd be surprised if you don't get pre-approval in a couple of days at the latest, that seems to be processed quickly whereas final COE is where it may hang for a while (for those applying way in advance, various Embassies/Consulates hold it to a few days before flight which is understandable - gives the traveller time to make last minute changes, for others they've completed the whole process in 24 hours). Comes down to where you are and the workload on the local staff. If not received by 1 November could be worth applying via ThailandPass and hope it doesn't complicate the issue.

There are reports in this very thread of people getting their accounts tagged to alleviate the current situation. The bottom line is, clearly and concisely ask for it to be tagged, keep doing so until the issue is understood and and the required action taken. For example:

No - some people are getting it mixed up with the policy implemented due to Covid and about to be reduced to 50K from 100K. No, it's an amended requirement.

You've also got the eVisa option now don't you? So your initial reason for the way you work things is now alleviated.

No idea, think they just cut the time issue, you still have to do the tests. Always worth asking I suppose. I only have an idea of the price as recently looked into it after talking to a friend. He was on about throwing money at an agent for a whole "start up package" starting from landing visa exempt (set up bank, initial longstay conversions/extensions and driving licence) instead of wasting his time running around. If money is no issue can't really argue with him, think the "book price" he was looking at ended up around 15-16K to get all 3 issues sorted (this was without the financial requirements issue, he's happy to drop the money in just doesn't want to deal with the bureaucracy).

Nope, nothing wrong in your thinking. But it doesn't cover all situations (although much better nowadays with Covid forcing airlines to offer "free" changes, still could cost more than a $10-15 throwaway.)

Pretty sure I read someone asking if his "girlfriend" could meet him on arrival and stay with him. The answer was in the negative surprisingly 555

Strangely enough I feel quite calm about this one. Other than the UI issue (clicking the upload on each doc after uploading) I haven't heard of any issues with the COE site. Also don't see the traffic on 1 November being "that" big allowing for various timezones.

Sadly not rapid, they're talking about test centres so they don't need to rely on just "hotels" doing them (would open up more accommodation i.e. SHA+ hotels rather than just ASQ). So, land > bureaucracy > taken to test centre > taken to hotel to await result. (Just one option, if hotel set up with med staff still straight to hotel.)

I'd be wary of anything anyone says. The fact remains, things are moving along as outlined in that article.

Apply via COE, you should have plenty time.