PabloSanDiego

2 hours ago, deptrai said:

I applied for Thailand Pass two days ago for myself and my wife.  They were both approved immediately.  USA.  Our first two vaccinations had a document with QR codes from Salem Health (in Oregon).  My wife's third vaccination shot was at CVS pharmacy in California and she had a QR code for it.  My third shot was at Walmart in Oregon and I was finally able to get a QR code for it.  AXA 20-day insurance for 1,540 THB each.  The Athenee Bangkok Test & Go package.  Yahoo email addresses.  Just need to get the RT-PCR prior to departure now.  Planning on doing the $37 Amazon COVID-19 Test Collection Kit DTC with a local backup.  

$37 for an RT-PCR test is a bargain. I would have done this my last trip if I knew about it.  I ended up spending $200 for a 20 minute test at the airport on my departure day because I wasn't home within 72 hours of departure.

This trip though I'm home and my HMO gives me the RT-PCR for free so I'm just doing that. So I guess Salem Health doesn't do them for free for you. Or maybe you're not at home and in a situation like I was in.

Anyway, thanks for the tip on that Amazon test.  At $37 that should be helpful to some people.

2 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

Your insurance is for 20-days.  I reckon you are staying less than a month.  Do you need to submit return flight tickets?

no need to provide return trip tickets, or any tickets for that matter. My trip last month was for 10 days and my 2nd trip (already approved) next week is for 12 days. There isn't even a place to upload the flight itinerary or receipt although I suppose you could on the final page where they provide that last miscellaneous document upload area.

I think what you're getting at is when you land you get the stamp for 30 days so a 20 day insurance policy is short of that, but as we do input the length of stay in the application that policy is fine.  I found the the cost between a 20 day and 30 days policy to be negligible though.

I just got approved for my second Thailand trip under Thailand Pass, and will be departing in 7 days.  This might be helpful for some Americans like me who have 2 QR Codes to choose from.

I first applied on Thursday November 26 in the early morning. Got my receipt email and tracking number and have been checking status way too often since. It's been stuck on "Reviewing" so on Monday November 29 I sent an email to the support email address asking for help, but nothing heard and 24 hours later still no approval. This application used my gmail address which was the one that got approved for my first trip earlier this month.  I also uploaded the cropped vaccine QR Code from my HMO Kaiser Permanente, it's called a "Smart Health Card" because someone posted they got instant approval with it.

Since I have 7 days until departure, I was starting to feel a bit stressed so just now I did a second application using my work email address. For my first trip 3 weeks ago I used that on my first application that was never approved.  The only difference is this time I used my California State vaccine QR Code from my phone app (cropped to just the code).  I hit submit and seconds later heard my email chime and looked to find both the receipt email and the instant approval.  Still showing "Reviewing" on the one I submitted back on the 26th.

Who really knows how the automated approvals work, but for any Yanks who have the California QR code, I'm at least 1 case where it worked for instant approval.

1 hour ago, donx said:

In order to return to the US, you have to get another RT-PCR test? I didn’t consider this requirement for the return trip.

100% you need a test, as the check in agent at Suvarnabhumi asked for it along with my vaccine card.  But actually an Antigen test would have been OK when I read the rules but as I was transiting in Japan on ANA flights the rules seemed a bit ambiguous there, so I just played it safe and got the RT-PCR.  Also the hospital where I did the test only offered the RT-PCR.  I think I could saved some baht by finding a place that gives the antigen test.

For my next trip next week returning in late December I'll look more into it but for sure we all need to read the rules as they can always change.

2 minutes ago, WhatAboutBob said:

I am travelling soon from North America and was wondering what documents I should have printed (hard copies). I will have hard copy of Insurance, Thai Pass, hotel booking certificate. I am entering on a non-immigrant O-A Visa so I wonder if I need hard copies I submitted for the Visa application like Police certificate etc.... ? I applied/received the O-A visa under the old method where I had to mail in original documents to embassy and they stamped passport and kept originals of all documents. Any feedback by anyone would be appreciated. Thx

for my trip, when I checked in for my first leg at JFK with Finnair they checked every doc.  Thailand Pass QR Code, Vaccine Card, Hotel, Insurance, 72-hour RT-PCR Test Result.  When I arrived at BKK all they checked was Thailand Pass QR code which they scanned and my 72-hour test result.

When I departed BKK to return home, they looked at my Vaccine Card and my new 72-hour RT-PCR test result I got in Thailand.

I think some of this can be digital on your phone, e.g.g, the Thailand Pass QR.  But I just found it easier to print everything and put it all in a folder and had my vaccine card in my passport wallet with my passport.

When getting my pre-return test in Thailand the hospital asked for my passport but were ok with a folded up copy I keep in my travel wallet.

18 hours ago, StephenB said:

Well, that was fast. Before anyone replied on here, Just got a email and it was only 7 hours from registration to approved and QR code issued.

Thats quite a relief and I am surprised.

I submitted about 18 hours ago, so I've lost hope for the fast approval. I am pretty sure my app was airtight too.  Plus I was already approved once and have returned home so this is my second TP trip and was thinking maybe that would help.

I might try a second submission using a different QR code but will wait a few days. The full 7 work days puts me right at my departure day and I don't want the stress of not having my approval as it gets close.

8 hours ago, Enzian said:

Although my son did the computer work I'm sure we used the code from Kaiser; I honestly don't recall seeing a different set or single from the state of CA. The final QR code from Thailand Pass came at about 16 hours. YMMV.

Thanks!  Good info.  If you put the QR codes side by side you can see that they are different.

I am getting ready to submit my 2nd Thailand Pass application for my 2nd trip under the program. I have some time as I don't depart until the 8th, but I'd like to get the instant approval. Last time I submitted the California State QR code and had to wait 5 days.

My question is for any Americans out there who got instant approval or anyone else who might help.  I have 2 vaccine QR Codes. One from the State of California and one from my HMO (Kaiser Permanente).  I can tell the QR Codes are not the same.

Does anyone know if either one gets instant approval?  Or would it make sense to upload one for vaccine #1 and the other for vaccine #2, even though both document all 3 of my shots (2 in April and booster earlier this month)?

It probably doesn't matter, but I'd like to try to get that instant approval.

6 hours ago, raptorea said:

Just to be clear my Thailand pass test and go is approved for arrival on November 30th, However I am now arriving on December 1st. My flight number that I used when applying did not change only the date of arrival to the 1st of December. I also changed my hotel to match the dates of arrival on the 1st and check out on the 2nd. I switched to a different hotel than I had applied for but the hotel is approved for test and go and all is legit with my reservation. My only concern is

getting to Thailand on Dec 1st when actually I am approved to arrive on November 30th. I guess I am looking too much into this??

ok now I get it.  With all those changes, I'd reapply ASAP.  There should still be time.  If you don't get the second approval, then maybe try on the pass you have now.

My docs got scrutinized pretty closely every step of the way. I'd be nervous not having dates match up.

50 minutes ago, raptorea said:

Question regarding upcoming trip. My Thailand pass is test and go and the date of arrival is November 30th, However because of a flight change I won't arrive until December 1st. Any cause for concern because of this??? My insurance is fine and also my hotel is fine as well.

 

Thank you

I departed JFK just before midnight on November 13 and landed at BKK the morning of 15 November after a 2 hour layover in Helsinki.  What exactly is your concern? The pre flight PCR is required 72 hours before your first leg depature. 

8 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

The information states that the Thailand Plus/Morchana App will alert you to do the test and that you upload the results on the App.  Is that not the case?  My hotel have told me that If I don't want the ATK I don't have to have it - sounds like a box ticking excercise to me.

I am now in Narita having finished my first Thailand visit using Thailand Pass.

As I've posted before, when I arrived at Suvarnabhumi last week, nobody even mentioned this Mor Chana app. There were no signs, no pieces of paper given to us, nothing. So I never loaded it, and I suspect very few if anyone else on my flight did.  How would they even know about it?  The only way I knew about it was reading this forum. 

I read it's somewhere in the fine print Ts & Cs but hardly anybody reads those and if even if you did you'd probably gloss right over the Mor Chana mention.

On my departure from Suvanrabhumi this morning there was again no mention of this app or my Antigen test that I did take on Day 6. When I emailed my hotel asking them if they wanted my test result, this is what they replied to me:

Please be inform that there will be no request to show ATK result to Hotel anymore just stay healthy 

My hotel was the JW Marriott Bangkok, one of the biggest hotels in Bangkok who seemed totally on top of everything related to Thailand Pass.   Based on my experience, I don't think this Mor Chana requirement is in effect any more. The 6/7 day self test seems to be on the honor system, report yourself if you're positive, otherwise just continue with your visit.

As an added note, my short 9 days visit was an absolute BLAST!   True it wasn't Thailand of 2019 but I had an extremely good time.  I cannot wait to return in 2 weeks. Worth every bit of effort and stress in doing the Pass.

4 hours ago, Twin Peaks said:

I used the Westin as my test & go hotel. Was told to upload my test to the app which of course does not work. I emailed my test result to the hotel and received a thank you message back in 10 minutes, nothing more. I'll be going through this process with my wife in 3 weeks on the way back from the U.S. Debating the Westin again or JW. Took my covid test at 1:30am and got my negative release at 9am. I am heading back Thursday with my wife for 22 days.

 

On a side note, people who are trying to go cheap on these test & go places shouldn't be surprised with the results. It's a get what you pay for situation. I paid for the Westin - private car from BKK, no waiting, test result back in 8 hours, meal served at 1am, great room, and efficient staff. Expensive but worth it, was back home and reunited with my family by 10:30am. Less than 12 hours from wheels down at Swampy to home.

I will also be going through this again in 3 weeks.  the JW was my home away from home for about 10 years (although 5+ years ago) and I loved going back last week. They were so professional about everything and I am sure I'm going to use their Test & Go again.  For an extra couple thousand baht, I know I'm going to get a private van and everything taken care of. Plus, for anyone with Marriott status, the open bar happy hour before going out and the massive breakfast buffet makes it well worth it. 

BTW, I landed at 08:30 AM and was out on the streets of Sukhumvit by 13:00.  It was all around a very good experience.

5 minutes ago, 10years said:

Has anyone tried submitting only the info for the second vaccination? Don't understand the need for details on the first vaccination. After all, you can't get your second shot until you get your first. Similarly, what about just the booster?

the app asks for info on both initial shots, why would you leave the first one blank? What's the point, just asking for rejection?  I have a booster too, but there isn't any place to put that info in.  It is included in the QR Code though.

I'm on my 7th day so I did the at home Antigen test in my hotel room.  I read here that some of the Test & Go hotels wanted the result so I emailed mine (JW Marriott Bangkok), and this was their reply:

Please be inform that there will be no request to show ATK result to Hotel anymore just stay healthy

It's one of the biggest hotels in the country and has had their <deleted> together every step of the way, so I'm just going to go with that and not report. As I mentioned before, nobody told me to install that tracking app, so I'm not doing it in the either.

I return home Wednesday morning so I'll report if there are any issues then, but I really doubt it.

1 hour ago, drenddy said:

Silly question regarding QR codes....How do you crop the QR code from the vaccine certificate, which is a PDF file, for best results?

 

I mean, I did screenshot on the phone, then cropped the .jpeg file.Does it have to be without borders, I mean, no white areas around the code itself, so the QR code fits perfectly on the newly cropped photo?

I can do it online as well.

 

This is crazy.

 

 

just leave a small white border around the actual QR Code and you're good to go.

On 11/19/2021 at 11:40 PM, Sheryl said:

 

@PabloSanDiego

Which hotel did you use? That quick turn around time for test results is very appealing!!!

JW Marriott. As expected, very professional service but it's a bit pricy at 6900 + 1700 for the expedited test.  But if you have Marriott (Bonvoy) status you get the open bar happy hour on the 16th floor plus the massive breakfast buffet in the morning.  Plus I love the location. When I come back next month I'm going to book them again.

Just a follow up on domestic travel. As I posted earlier I landed Monday morning at 8:30 AM and was out of the streets of Bangkok a free man at 13:00 the same day. Today I flew from Don Meuang to Phitsanulok for business and it was as easy as it ever was.  The only extra thing was they asked to see my vaccine card at check-in, so ok an extra 10 seconds there. After that, it was like normal.  Nobody asked for the Thailand Pass or asked any questions. Of course, had to wear the mask in the terminal and on the plane too. 

So far this trip has been fabulous.  Well worth the stress and effort to get the Thailand Pass.  I'll headed home in 5 days and then will be immediately looking forward to my return just 2 weeks after. 

On 11/17/2021 at 2:42 AM, freedomnow said:

Is it mandatory after going through Thailand Pass to have a phone to download their tracking app on arrival ?

I had planned to buy a new phone off of Lazada on arrival if I decide to go over...but may not have one at the airport..only my notebook.

I've posted about this several times.  When I landed at BKK on Monday morning there was no mention whatsoever of downloading or using any app. There were no signs, nothing at all.  I didn't bother doing it because I was not told to and my guess is the majority of the people on my flight also did not. Unless you follow forums like this one or read the fine print in the Thailand Pass, you won'r even know it exists.

5 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Missed that earlier.  The T8 form was in the list of requirements for COE but its not on the list of required documents for Exemption from Quarantine and is probably not required if using any other entry schemes.  Maybe nobody bothered to tell the staff they're no longer required - they are probably still printing them.

The T8 form was given to me by the Finnair flight attendants the same time they passed out the usual immigration form. I suppose they don't want to bother asking every passenger what scheme they are entering under, so they just hand it out to everyone. It takes about 1 minute to complete so it's no big deal.

2 hours ago, omjduval said:

What you get asked for at airport may vary, but I was asked for Vax certificate and PCR test at first airport. When boarding connecting flight ( I flew Malta to Bangkok via Istanbul) they asked for Thailand Pass. Not sure what would have happened if I had no pass in transit airport; I guess either sent back or stuck in Istanbul!

At Bangkok there are 2 checks, the first one is for Thailand Pass, PCR test and Vaxx certificate. Next check is for Immigration, so they want to see passport and visa if applicable, they also want to see your hotel booking. 

Finally, in Arrivals hall, there are plenty of staff directing you to your hotel pickup. So, the airport arrival went quite smoothly for me and others I've spoken to, it's just getting the Thai pass that is the headache... 

I arrived today and my experience was different. But it could just be who checks your documents and I had everything anyway. 

When I checked in at JFK in New York City, I had to show everything. Thailand Pass, Hotel, Vaccine Card, Insurance.  That was the last time my Vaccine card left my passport wallet. Nobody at Suvarnabhumi asked for it.  At the first checkpoint all they wanted to see was the Thailand Pass, which the lady scanned with her tablet, the RT-PCR Test, my boarding pass, and my passport.

At immigration, all the guy wanted was passport and Arrival/Departure card, just like it was 2019. I gave him my boarding pass too I think but not sure he looked at it. He definitely didn't ask for my hotel booking, nobody in Thailand did. My assumption was it was required for Thailand Pass.

I totally agree with your last point, it was surprisingly smooth and yes getting the Pass initially was by far the worst part of this.

1 hour ago, KhaoYai said:

You raise an interesting point.  There hasn't been any joined up thinking since this whole fiasco started - by that I mean since they decided to let certain groups return in, I think, July 2020.  Being married to a Thai I was in one of those groups and when I read the information on the Thai embassy's website it was very lacking in detail.  I called and e-mailed the Thai embassy in London and was told to book a flight and a hotel without any date - a flight I might mention that even if I did book it, I would not be able to use (repatriation flights only) - absolute madness!

 

It soon became clear, to me at least, that the embassy was not given enough information themselves.  Had that happened in the UK the embassy would not have put out partial information and I'm also certain that a British Embassy, and most others for that matter, would not have put out information like that - they would have gone back to the government and asked for clear instructions.  Of course, in the Thai way, it is not permitted to question those further up the food chain - you just have to do what they say.

 

So its hardly surprising that the hotels don't seem to have been given the information about what to do with the Mor Chana App and the Antigen Test Kits.  They don't even give their own people sufficient information - how can we expect more?  It remains to be seen whether these ATK's and the reporting thereof is just a box ticking exercise that will not be followed up or if any of those who it seems have not been given any instructions so don't know, will face any form of penalty.

ok, I can buy that on the hotels. Although like I said my hotel the JW Marriott seemed to be totally on top of everything when it came to Thailand Pass.  I'll ask the staff again tonight about it. It's a major international hotel and they should know.

But what about Suvarnabhumi?  It's by far the most significant entry gateway into Thailand. How do you explain that there is absolutely nothing on Mor Chana when you arrive? I mean literally not a single mention of it. I bet hardly anybody on my flight installed that app when we arrived today.

4 hours ago, asiam110 said:

Free booze and free buffet is tempting, but at the risk of someone else testing positive several hours from now (i.e. non fast track) I'd be out there and uninstall morchana in a shot.. unless you had empty seats next to you on last leg from Helsinki and no one else in minivan. Free booze and buffet is not available on a 10/14 day force high-risk contact quarantine afaik

The odds are astronomically low.  Everyone has a RT-PCR test within 72 hours of boarding, so right off the odds are extremely low of anyone testing positive on arrival. Then that person has to be seated right next to you.  The combined odds are infinitesimal and I don't think that risk is worthy of having to rebook the first night and go into hiding. But we all have our own risk tolerances and if that's how you want to mitigate that risk, then ok!

Also, I was in Finnair Business so we're all in our lie flat pods isolated from others. The configuration is 1-2-1 and I was in a window seat so technically there wasn't anyone right next to me, certainly I didn't physically contact anyone or share an armrest. I don't know what would happen if the guy across the aisle form me tests positive, but I'm not going to worry about it.

And as I said, there was no direction to install Mor Chana when we arrived and I haven't done it yet, not sure if I'm going to bother. If you're just going to delete it, why install it in the first place?

5 minutes ago, stickymango said:

This is very helpful, thank you.  Please write back if you can to let us know if you get to escape after your PCR test results, or if you have to stay "one night".

I just got the call, and I am a free man!!  So I got the swab just after 10AM and got the call in my room right at 1PM, so 3 hours almost exactly. 

I don't see why I "have to" stay one night, I am free now. I can just check out I suppose.  They are even delivering a letter to me stating that.  

Of course, I paid a lot to stay here and will enjoy free booze at Happy hour and the huge buffet also free, so I want to stay one night.

3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Good info. congratulations on your return.

A couple of my friends have arrived and said the same thing about ATK and Morchana.  No specific instructions they did get envelopes with the ATK but have just put it in a drawer at their condos.

so I think if they were serious about incoming tourists needing to install the Mor Chana app there would be something when we arrive at Suvarnabhumi, but I saw literally NOTHING. Not a single sign, not a single mention by any of the Thais processing me in.

A good spot would be the initial document check right after you deplane. I was there first but it'll be a bottleneck for most. They could have had a sign that said "Please install the Mor Chana app and use it."  Maybe one of those cardboard cutouts of the pretty Thai girl in traditional dress and that info. But no, nothing.

Either the original document checker or the more thorough one later could have said something. Or maybe there could be a small sign at the kiosk as the Thai person is studying your docs. Or the checker could give each arriving tourist a piece of paper with instructions, but again nothing.

I don't really expect the immigration agent to deal with this, but it's another big waiting area where they could put up signs and people could download and install the app when waiting.

Lastly, there could be a big sign at each baggage claim carousel, but again nothing. 

My point here is that because there is nothing to tell us to do it other than the fine print in those documents that very few of us read in detail, or those graphics made by one of the Thai agencies that we may or may not have seen, they can't realistically expect tourists to do this.  My guess is they don't really care anymore, and that soon Mor Chana will be officially gone as they loosen entry requirements.