KhaoYai

That is not the Thai Embassy. I don't know how they are allowed to use the name but read their site - they are a private company.

Also confirmed by a friend of mine who lives on Phuket.

Hmmm, could be but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was more like 'contractual issues'. Astra Zeneca have stated that as long as Covid 19 has Pandemic status, they will sell their vaccines on a 'not for profit' basis. I very much doubt they would accept a licensed manufacturer doing anything different.

Well if I'd seen that topic I wouldn't be asking.

You have to think about what the Grand Re-Opening is seeking to do - which to the best of my knowledge is save the Thai tourist industry. To the best of my knowledge, the standard 'holiday insurance' that those who do get insurance buy, does not include cover for Covid. That leaves them having to either buy it as a bolt on extra, get a more expensive policy that covers Covid or buy the Thai cover from the official sources (in addition to their standard holiday cover). So, in an ideal world, tourists will buy the correct cover but in the real world, people just want to go online, book their holiday and go. Because of the current situation I believe most people will accept the vaccine requirement and be prepared to get themselves vaccinated if they haven't already but in my opinion, for 'real tourists' that's about all they will accept. Put yourself in Dave & Cathy's place with their 2 kids - reading the glossy website, looking at the white sand beaches and lush palms - "Thailand it is then" says Dave and the kids dance a jig. "But wait" says Cathy, "what's this?" Be fully vaccinated, apply for COE, buy insurance, book an approved hotel, get covid tests for all the family, stay in a limited area, put an 'App' on your phone................... "F that" says Dave, "Greece it is then". If they were still at all interested, did a little research and found out that most of the normal 'tourist' things and places they like to go are actually closed and they can't have a drink with their dinner - that would put an end to their Thai adventure. People want to 'wash & go' - they don't want hassle, its their holiday and their are plenty of alternatives. The vast majority of tourists will not return until all restrictions, possibly with the exception of being fully vaccinated, are lifted. It also has to be considered that Thailand is on quite a few country's Red Lists and is unlikely to be taken off until a lot more of the population is vaccinated.

I've asked many times but nobody seems to know what's happened to the unmentionable Thai factory that is supposed to be producing the AZ vaccine. Seems very strange that Thailand has a production facility and was hailed as the S.E. Asian AZ Hub but they are buying it elsewhere. Baffled!

Not guilty your honour. I'm English.

They probably want the crew of the delivery plane to apply for COE too!

I've now got to the bottom of this confusing information from KLM. It appears that they have 'jumped the gun' with regard to some of the proposed changes to the Sandbox Scheme. What up to now have been (and still are) proposals have somehow been applied by KLM thus: (A bit lengthy but its necessary) If you are a Thai national traveling to Thailand with KLM before 1 October, visit klm.traveldoc.aero, enter your travel details and you will get the following rules: Covid-19 Travel Alerts Covid-19 Test Advised: Nationals of Thailand are advised to hold a medical certificate showing a negative RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours prior to departure (tests other than a RT-PCR test are not accepted), including when transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Covid-19 Authorisation Required: Passengers must hold a printed copy of a Certificate of Entry showing they have registered online. Covid-19 Application Required: Passengers must download the ThailandPlus mobile app prior to departure. Covid-19 Quarantine Accommodation Required: Passengers must hold a reservation for the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel prior to boarding. Passengers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in a government designated facility at their own expense. Covid-19 Quarantine Accommodation Required: Passengers must hold a reservation for the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel prior to boarding unless "State Quarantine" (SQ) is mentioned in their Certificate of Entry. Passengers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in a government designated or ASQ facility at their own expense. However if you enter your details and select travel on or after 1 October you will get these rules. Covid-19 Travel Alerts Covid-19 Entry Permission: Passengers travelling to Phuket, Krabi, Phang-Nga, Surat Thani, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, or Prachuap Khiri Khan under the "Tourist Sandbox Scheme" must present the following documents before departure: Certificate of Entry (COE); Valid visa (if needed); Vaccination Certificate proving that the passenger is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with a vaccine approved by either the Thai Ministry of Health or by WHO, and that at least 14 days have elapsed since the last dose; A printed negative RT-PCR test result obtained within 72 hours prior to departure; Covid-19 travel insurance certificate; Booking confirmation of a SHA+ Hotel booking; A confirmed travel itinerary; and A T8 Health Form. Passengers must also download the ThailandPlus mobile app on their phone. Covid-19 Test Advised: Nationals of Thailand are advised to hold a medical certificate showing a negative RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours prior to departure (tests other than a RT-PCR test are not accepted), including when transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Covid-19 Authorisation Required: Passengers must hold a printed copy of a Certificate of Entry showing they have registered online. Covid-19 Application Required: Passengers must download the ThailandPlus mobile app prior to departure. Covid-19 Quarantine Accommodation Required: Passengers must hold a reservation for the Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel prior to boarding. Passengers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in a government designated facility at their own expense. Covid-19 Quarantine Accommodation Required: Passengers must hold a reservation for the Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel prior to boarding unless "State Quarantine" (SQ) is mentioned in their Certificate of Entry. Passengers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival in a government designated or ASQ facility at their own expense. Covid-19 Application Advised: Passengers are advised to download the AOT Airports app for tracking symptoms and entering locations on arrival. Passengers are also advised to download the SydeKick for ThaiFightCOVID app if they have arrived from a country at risk. I have reported this to KLM and told them that the changes to the Sandbox schemes are just proposals, they have not come in to force yet and it is unlikely that they will start on 1 October. Whether they listen or not and try to find out the correct information - who knows? It seems their ground staff make their own rules up in any case - my wife is on a Facebook group for Thais concerned with visas ect, travelling to and from the UK. One member reported that on 11 September her son, travelling back to Bangkok from London Heathrow was denied boarding because he did not have a negative PCR-Test result. The woman protested, showing the groundstaff their own website showing the travel requirements but they would not let the young man travel. He had to get a PCR test near the airport and take a later flight. I'm guessing that was very expensive.

Totally confused by all this now. Treetops post above raised my concerns again so I did a little more checking. Despite what I was told by a KLM staff member (earlier post) at their Healthcare Centre and by their staff using the whatsapp contact - on checking their website and entering the details for a Thai citizen flying from the UK to Thailand, I got this: Covid-19 Test Advised: Nationals of Thailand are advised to hold a medical certificate showing a negative RT-PCR test obtained within 72 hours prior to departure (tests other than a RT-PCR test are not accepted), including when transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). https://klm.traveldoc.aero Note 'advised'!! Nothing about home test kits not being accepted and if I am to believe it - no compulsory test. I'm not going to pay for a test for my wife if its not needed. She's fully vaccinated and in any case, she'll be tested in quarantine.

Yes that's what I mean Joe. Thanks.

Not in transit - UK to Thailand. KLM require a test but I will check with them again. However, you may well be correct about the country's requirements. I remember quite clearly that when my wife went home last year she needed a Fit-to Fly but no test. Then from April this year the Fit-toFly was dropped and I remember reading specific instruction that a PCR test was then required for Thais. However, the RTE in London say its up to the airline except for Thais entering via the Phuket Sandbox where both Thais and foreigners need a pre=departure PCR.

I've read that too - the problem with all of this is that we have to comply with the destination country's requirements AND the airline's and they are not neccesarily the same, as I found out with KLM.

Thanks - she's Thai.

Thanks for that Joe. What I was meaning was if the suspension will apply to my wife - I guess we'll find out when she sends in the details for full approval today. As for getting any benefit from the proposed changes, I think she'll probably miss out if her flight goes ahead on the 7th October.

Codswalop! The vast majority of these girls come of their own accord - chasing what they see as 'big bucks'. There's lots in the UK, some overstay, some work for 6 months, go home and come back a year later. The only time they cry 'Trafficked' is when they get caught!

Does anyone know if this applies to Thai citizens? My wife has her pre-approval and we are just about to send her flight and hotel bookings in order that she can get her full approval. Her flight was booked a long time back - return ticket. She's fully vaccinated (in UK) and has the NHS App as proof so she might be able to take advantage of any changes.

Sheryl, the Fit-to-Fly the testing companies are offering is not the same as was previously required for COE which was issued by a doctor. Just about all the testing companies I've seen in the UK mention 'Fit-to-Fly' in their package. I think the one they are doing now is possibly just a written confirmation of the test result rather than a scientific printout (which will no doubt be included). I don't know but that's what's on offer at the moment. One of the companies I looked at was charging more for a standard PCR test than they were for one with a Fit-to-Fly certificate.

If you are going to continue working in Vietnam and will be coming and going then a 12 Month Multi Entry based on marriage is far easier. No financial requirements, in fact very little paperwork other than your marriage documents and an invitation letter from your wife. That gives you multiple 90 day stays without either the paperwork or the waiting time to be able to apply for an extension in Thailand. However, I think these are only available from the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh which as ubonjoe says, is closed at the moment - I seem to remember someone saying they are not available from Hanoi - I can't find any info on visas on their website other than for a volunteer visa. One thing to watch though is that Thailand is slowly changing embassies and consulates over to E-Visa. If the happens in Vietnam, then only a single entry non o will be available and you will either need to prove legal residence in Vietnam or go back to the UK to get any non O visas, single or multi entry. It would not surprise me at all if Thailand uses the 'break' created by the current restrictions on travel to change more offices over to E-Visa.

Whilst all vaccine manufacturers state that their vaccines reduce transmission - they don't prevent it 100%. Nevertheless, 12 fully vaccinated members of the restaurant's staff testing positive seems to point to the Sinopharm vaccine very poor at reducing transmission. Could the same be said of its efficacy in preventing severe illness or death? Is it a complete waste of time?

Whether the swab is taken at home or not - a Fit-to-Fly certificate will be given if you buy the appropriate package. What you don't want to do is arrive at check-in and find your airline won't accept yours because the swab was taken at home. Flying can be a bit of a minefield at the moment, you need to check the requirements of both the destination country AND the airline.

The swab must be taken within 72 hours of your flight if your airline requires - its not only what's stated on the COE application. I've just been through exactly the same problem for my wife who will be returning to Thailand in October on KLM. The Thai Embassy website states that some airlines will not accept the home PCR test kits that a lot of providers are offering and that you should contact the airline to enquire. After a lot of mucking about I got to speak to a staff member at KLM's Health Services in Holland. She confirmed that they would only accept swabs both taken and tested in an accredited facility and that they work on the time the swab is taken - the 72 hours starts then. So if you had a swab taken at 5.30pm on Monday, it would expire at 5.30pm on Thursday. Other airlines may have a different line - better to check with them. Be very careful who you book with - we had a nightmare booking my wife's Day 2 and Day 8 tests when she came to the UK - look at reviews such as Trustpilot. We are using this company when she flies back to Thailand - £80 and good reviews. Results back by 10pm the next day. https://www.expresstest.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwqKuKBhCxARIsACf4XuF6qJ1C2qYDcKKQQ6fSeN3VY542Ba_R2s6tin3Oggi19cKABD84hvQaAlb2EALw_wcB

BREAKING NEWS! Chan-O-Cha's Grand Re-opening put back until 2023 to allow for re-vaccination with one that works.

What rot! Figures based on testing rely totaly on the amount of people being tested - for example, in some countries certain sectors of the work-force are regularly tested and a significant amount of those result in positive cases even though the subject is not ill. I don't know how testing is going at the moment but last year I suspect the figures were far wide of the mark - given that the PM himself was stating that he was restricting testing because 'more tests produces more cases'. Worldometers has Thailand down at No.29 at the moment. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ Hospitalisations and deaths would be a more reliable indictator but if my understanding is correct, just about every positive person is put in hospital or isolated and counted as hospitalised so those figures are not reliable either. Deaths as a pecentage of the population could possibly give a more accurate figure but even then, that will clearly be affected by the type and availability of timely treatment - a very good reason not to clog up your hospital beds with everyone who sneezes. Further, as others have said, my understanding of the cases in Phuket is that they are the result of domestic transmission

Does that apply to all locations or just applications from the USA? I haven't seen anything on the UK Embassy website and I note the poster was asking about applications to London.