DFPhuket

I flew Thai Smile BKK/CNX last weekend and checked in online with no luggage so I went straight to the gate. I, along with others who checked in online and didn't stop at the check in counter, was called to the desk and asked to show my vaccination proof. I did complete the CM Chana details but was never asked to show it to anyone.

You can read the official CDC US travel requirement rules here. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html

The rapid antigen test is cheaper and faster (often takes an hour or less) than a PCR. The RESULTS have to be the day before you fly - not when the sample was taken. If you wanted a PCR, you could get the swab on Monday, receive the results on Tuesday, and fly anytime on Wednesday.

I had very rapid responses from DoubleTree Hilton on Patong beach road for my two Sandboxes. Add them to WhatsApp for fastest response: https://bit.ly/3wmExp0

You must get the PCR test RESULTS within 72 hours of your first flight. You could take the test 4 days in advance, get the results 3 or 2 days in advance of your flight and be ok - as long as the negative test results document shows the date and time of the results. When I returned to Phuket via the Sandbox I took the test (for free at CVS) on Sunday afternoon, received the results on Tuesday noon, and flew on Wednesday night. The swab was 80 hours before my flight but the results were 30 hours before my flight. It was fine.

Yes, a rapid antigen test or PCR result is acceptable. Also, the results must be no more than 1 day in advance, which is different than 24 hours. If you depart any time on Tuesday, you can get your results any time on Monday. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

I have also been looking for PCR options as I prepare for an upcoming international trip. Here's what I've found: Dr Karon Clinic in Karon charges 2700 baht The Sainamyen International Clinic (with sites in Patong, Karon, Kata) charges 2,700 baht. Booking via https://pcrphuket.com/ shows the Paweena Clinic, Wichit has a promotion for 2,790 baht. The Tourist Clinic in Patong charges 2,790 baht Bangkok Hospital Phuket, charges 3,000 baht Vichara Hospital charges Thai's 2,500 baht and foreigners 3,500 baht

The English version of the https://phuketsmartbus.com/ website isn't working for me, but if you look at the Google map on the front page (you may have to recenter it so it shows Phuket) you can see the live GPS location of the busses.

The original poster indicated he was arriving on a tourist visa; therefore, a return or onward ticket will be required by the airline when checking in.

Make sure you have hard copies of the documents you submitted to get your Thailand Pass. The issue of showing them seems to happen at the airline check in desk where airline staff are following the old COE rules where passengers did have to show all documents. While you may not have to show them, better to have copies. The airline will also ask for proof of a return or onward ticket showing you are leaving Thailand. Upon arrival in Thailand you will only need to show the Thailand Pass, rather than the documents you submitted to get your approval, when going through immigration.

As a US citizen, if you are fully vaccinated you need proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days before travel. If you are NOT fully vaccinated you need a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel. Source The pre flight test can be a PCR or antigen swab test. Source Since you will be transiting before arriving at LAX, check that the transit country or airline does not have additional, more stringent requirements. If you transit through Singapore, for example, the test requirement is 2 days. before the flight.

Most afternoons the police are doing the same thing at the beach end of Bangla road. They are clearly pulling over non-Thais (especially those not wearing a helmet), but not pulling over the helmetless Thais. I considered taking a long video proving the differential enforcement, but I couldn't find an easy way to do that without them seeing me.

With Covid moving from a pandemic to being endemic, we have to stop counting positive cases and look at the number getting seriously ill. Out of around 1/2 million people in Phuket, thanks mostly to the high rate of vaccination, no one is severely ill with Covid. The article states, "...there were now zero ‘Red’ patients, 107 ‘Yellow’ patients and 90 ‘Green’ patients." 'Red' have severe infections, 'yellow' have moderate infections, and 'green' have mild symptoms.

I just got a new iPhone 13 and it seamlessly moved everything over from my iPhone X - including my DTAC eSIM.

I live in Patong and travel to/from the airport often. I use this site and they are currently charging 599 (it was 700 before Covid and 550 until a month ago).

The yellow slip did have the words training on it but I don't remember the details. I think the same yellow appointment slip is used for the 5 to 5 year renewal (in which case the online or in building video is needed) in addition to the 2 to 5 year renewal (in which case it doesn't need to be done) so that might explain why it is listed.

There has been some confusion on "direct" flights. Your flight doesn't have to be direct/non-stop to Phuket. You could fly, for example, from London, transit in Doha, and land in Phuket. You can stop as many times as you'd like on your way to Thailand, but you must do your Test & Go at your first point of entry in Thailand.

I went from a 2 year a 5 year license in Phuket a couple of weeks ago (went in Sept and got an appointment for Nov). I only had to do the reaction and color blind tests. Due to the small number of appointments given, the place was empty. I completed the process and walked out in 15 minutes with my new 5 year license. I had taken the online training and had the printout of completing it along with the other documents when going there to set the appointment. The lady at the front desk who reviewed the documents didn't stable it with the other documents and handed it back to me. This site and my experience suggests the video isn't needed to go from a 2 to 5 year license.

I flew round trip from HKT to BKK on Friday, returning yesterday on Thai Smile. For the HKT/BKK leg I checked in online, had a mobile boarding pass and went straight through security to the gate. No vaccination proof or app download required. For BKK/HKT I also checked in online and had a mobile boarding pass. Again, I didn't stop at the desk and went straight to the gate. At the gate before boarding my name and a handful of others who checked in online were called up so the gate agent could check my vaccination certificate (I have a US CDC card). In neither in BKK or HKT was I asked about the gophuget or mor chana apps.

The RESULTS must be issued within 72 hours before you depart on the first flight. So when I flew from the US, I was tested at CVS on a Sunday, received my results on Tuesday, departed on my first flight from the US on Thursday, had a brief transit in Doha, and arrived in Phuket on Saturday. There is some logic in requiring a PCR on arrival due to that lag of several days from the pre-flight PCR test.

I was referring to the Thailand Pass, but your issue relates to getting a visa. One the requirements to secure a visa is "Proof of Hotel or private accommodation". Proof of one night in an SHA+ hotel plus a letter of invitation indicating she is staying with you for the next 89 days (plus meeting the other visa requirements) should be sufficient to get the visa. With the visa, she can then apply for the Thailand Pass. Other embassies have much clearer details than the London embassy about what you need regarding accommodation proof. Here's what the Royal Thai Embassy in Bern has on their website: A copy of Accommodation Reservation In case of staying in a hotel/apartment; a reservation confirmation for at least half of your stay in Thailand with name, address, and contact details of the hotel/apartment In case of staying with a friend who is a foreigner who has his/her own house in Thailand; an invitation letter with a copy of his/her passport, residence/work permit in Thailand, and a copy of house register (Ta-bien-baan). In case of staying with a friend who is a foreigner who rents a house/condo/apartment; an invitation letter with a copy of his/her passport, residence/work permit in Thailand, and a rental/buying agreement with a prove of the original house/condo/apartment owner; Thai ID and house register (Ta-bien-baan) or Company registration. In case of staying with a Thai national friend or Thai spouse; an invitation letter with a copy of his/her Thai ID or passport and a copy of house register (Ta-bien-baan)

Phuket does indeed do it differently than Bangkok. You can book at any SHA+ hotel. Having done the Sandbox twice, I'd suggest you contact the hotel directly and ask if they have any special rates. Some include the taxi from the airport. An SHA+ taxi to your hotel is required. The rate I was given at the Doubletree Hilton, for example, was cheaper than what was listed on their website. The hotel has to issue the certificate you need to apply for the Thailand Pass so I found dealing with the hotel was easier. In Phuket you organize (and pay) for your airport PCR test on this site and the test is done at the airport: https://www.thailandpsas.com/ Generally the result is available in from 4 to 7 hours and then you're free to do what you'd like.

Between Emirates, Etihad, Singapore and Qatar, I'd make my decision more on price, flight timings and layover length. I've flown them all, and they are all excellent - as are a few others. If you're on a QSuite equipped plane, I'd say Qatar wins.

I used that kind of letter from Cigna (along with my policy certificate) and I was approved for my two COEs. I assume that means it would also meet the Thailand Pass requirements.

I passed the color blind test today in Phuket for my renewal. They wanted to hear red, green or yellow.