CoE-Qualifying Flight Bookings -- Are regular flights really unacceptable?

[DKStuntz]

I am wondering whether regular-commercial-flight bookings, even if such flights are available, are really unacceptable, to qualify me for a CoE.

 

After booking my flights to return to Thailand (from Seattle to Bangkok, via Seoul Incheon), and uploading a copy of my itinerary, to my already-existing online application for the CoE, I was apparently told that my flight must be a repatriation flight that’s arranged by Royal Thai Embassy.  Is that really true — even if some regular commercial flights, to Thailand, have finally resumed?  

 

Despite all the reading and studying I have done, regarding the requirements to get my CoE,  I never saw anything about that restriction (until my most recent reply from the Thai Consulate).  It seems to me that, if my flight really needed to be a government-approved repatriation flight, that requirement/restriction would have been clearly stated in the list of requirements for the CoE -- just like all the other restrictions (such as the quarantine needing to be booked with a government-approved ASQ hotel, and the health certificate needing to be issued within 72 hours of the flight-departure time, and so on). 

 

I'm rather confused, especially because I've read that some people were apparently able to get a CoE, with a regular-commercial-flight booking.  Besides, I thought that repatriation flights were just for the native citizens who needed to get back to Thailand before regular flights resumed.  

 

Have any of you had a similar experience?  I'd like to know, and I'd greatly appreciate any information, opinions, or feedback, that you may have regarding this issue.  Thanks.

 

[ubonjoe]

At this time you can only arrive in Thailand on a repatriation flight. And it does not appear their will be any regular passenger flights into Thailand util at the earliest September.

I have read some reports of people being told to get a commercial flight ticket to start the process of getting a certificate of entry. And then after completed you could cancel it a reserve space on a repatriation flight.

On what basis would you be applying for the certificate of entry (marriage to a Thai, non-b with a work permit and etc).

 

[DrJack54]

OP, this thread above link, is not so much about flights however has some useful information and posts from guys that are going through the process. Thinking some useful info there.

 

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, DKStuntz said:

Is that really true — even if some regular commercial flights, to Thailand, have finally resumed?

No commercial passenger flights to Thailand have resumed, the airlines are just selling tickets for flights which will most likely never fly.

[steven100]

11 minutes ago, jackdd said:

No commercial passenger flights to Thailand have resumed, the airlines are just selling tickets for flights which will most likely never fly.

yes .....  I would not even consider buying a ticket at this time as who knows when flights will return to normal.  Look at Air Asia as a prime example. 

[Tounge Thaied]

You somehow missed the warning on the very first page of the online application. 

In order to travel to Thailand, you will need BOTH a visa AND Certificate of Entry (COE). E-tickets for a regular commercial flight may be used to apply for a visa. However, ONLY repatriation flights are allowed to enter Thailand. You must submit both E-ticket for one of the repatriation flights AND booking comfirmation for Alternative State Quanrantine (ASQ) before Certificate of Entry (COE) can be issued.

[unheard]

10 hours ago, jackdd said:

No commercial passenger flights to Thailand have resumed, the airlines are just selling tickets for flights which will most likely never fly.

They're flying but without passengers on board, just cargo.

[Aussieroaming]

9 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said:

You somehow missed the warning on the very first page of the online application. 

In order to travel to Thailand, you will need BOTH a visa AND Certificate of Entry (COE). E-tickets for a regular commercial flight may be used to apply for a visa. However, ONLY repatriation flights are allowed to enter Thailand. You must submit both E-ticket for one of the repatriation flights AND booking comfirmation for Alternative State Quanrantine (ASQ) before Certificate of Entry (COE) can be issued.

I contacted the UK Embassy and requested a repatriation seat in order to complete my COE request as the Embassy controls flight allocation. They rejected my request based on there being too many Thai's being repatriated from the UK. I was advised by the Embassy to wait for commercial flights to resume and then apply. They also advised not to book a ticket on a commercial carrier as no commercial flights are acceptable for COE until commercial flights are allowed into Thailand.

 

 So married people like me are technically on the list of personnel who can return to Thailand but in reality we are bound by the dictates of the Embassy who refuse to allocate seats due to excess demand from Thai's who are stranded in the UK. I understand and agree that Thais should be repatriated first, followed by married foreigners with children. So the reality is that I don't expect to see my wife for a few more months at the earliest.

[Max69xl]

4 minutes ago, unheard said:

They're flying but without passengers on board, just cargo.

That's actually not same as a commercial flight. They also fly empty with only crews onboard because they want to keep their slots at Suvarnabhumi Airport for future flights. Diplomats are also allowed to enter. 

[unheard]

1 minute ago, Max69xl said:

That's actually not same as a commercial flight. They also fly empty with only crews onboard because they want to keep their slots at Suvarnabhumi Airport for future flights. Diplomats are also allowed to enter. 

I was referring to the flights that are being sold on-line yet never taking any passengers, just cargo.

That was a major sticking point for many here on this board who've purchased (planned to purchase) tickets, fully convinced after checking with flightradar24 that those flights are fully operational.

[DrPhibes]

DKSTUNTS, has to be a repatriation flight.  I am in SoCal trying to get home.  PM me and I'll fill you in on all the details.  Am awaiting the August flight schedule to be published which, if you get a tentative reservation, will start a whole cascade of actions that has to be done in very short order to make going home (for me) able to take place.

[richard_smith237]

16 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said:

You somehow missed the warning on the very first page of the online application. 

In order to travel to Thailand, you will need BOTH a visa AND Certificate of Entry (COE). E-tickets for a regular commercial flight may be used to apply for a visa. However, ONLY repatriation flights are allowed to enter Thailand. You must submit both E-ticket for one of the repatriation flights AND booking comfirmation for Alternative State Quanrantine (ASQ) before Certificate of Entry (COE) can be issued.

You must submit both E-ticket for one of the repatriation flights AND booking comfirmation for Alternative State Quanrantine (ASQ) before Certificate of Entry (COE) can be issued.

 

But, you can apply for the Certificate of Entry without the ASQ and Flight ticket.

[MRToMRT]

I totally agree about the repatriation flights. But why is Thai now directly marketing special flights (London and Stuttgart to Bangkok) if they are full? I have had 3 marketing emails from Thai in the last couple of days offering limited schedule flights in August. ?????

[Upnotover]

7 minutes ago, MRToMRT said:

I totally agree about the repatriation flights. But why is Thai now directly marketing special flights (London and Stuttgart to Bangkok) if they are full? I have had 3 marketing emails from Thai in the last couple of days offering limited schedule flights in August. ?????

I've seen the flights TO London but not the other way.

[treetops]

22 hours ago, Max69xl said:

They also fly empty with only crews onboard because they want to keep their slots at Suvarnabhumi Airport for future flights.

There is currently an amnesty on these requirements for keeping slots.

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

I've seen the flights TO London but not the other way.

They will probably be repatriation flights to here.

[MRToMRT]

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

I've seen the flights TO London but not the other way.

Ahhhhhhhhh. I need new glasses.