Back in Thailand ;-)

[SnipTheCat]

I posted a topic some time ago "Finally getting closer to go back to Thailand (Got approval for COE)" So here's the followup (See the other topic for the long and painful process to get approved for COE, find a quarantine, and get a repatriation flight)

 

- Went to pass a covid19 test on wednesday, even though I'm belgian, I have no right to ask for a test if it hasn't been prescribed by MY medical doctor (which I haven't), I found a lab that could do the test with result in 24 hours (others had a 3-4 days delay), luckily my father convince his doctor to give me a prescription (that I thought I didn't need), I took it anyway... they would have refused to make the test if I didn't have it

- Result of the test came late... and the hospital plainly refused to fill a "fit to fly" certificate to me "No doctor here will sign your document, you need to ask your medical doctor"... so I had to drive 2 hours to my father's doctor who accepted to give me an emergency appointment... and got the fit to fly certificate signed

- Repatriation flight was from Amsterdam, I was asked to arrive 4 hours in advance, and it was supposed to be a 3 hours drive, decided not to take any chance and leave 2 hours earlier... good call as there was an accident near brussels, and another near breda... arrived right on time.

- Repatriation flight was in Business class, it seems according to what I have heard and seen that thai are given priority for economy seats... Normally check in counter opened 1 hour later, but as business class I could check in as soon as I arrived.. staff was very nice, had a list of documents to check, I was thanked to have prepared all well... I have to say I was impressed by the service, check in was done in 5 minutes

- XRay check was very quick, they didn't even require to take the laptop out of the suitacase), Immigration check was automated.. 5 minutes overall

- Airport looked quite normal beside the fact most people wore a mask and there were less people than normal, but tax-free shops were opened, I spent 2 hours at the KLM lounge

- Boarding was on time, service onboard was top-notch beside the food... they appologized for the absence of choice, and they were a bit shameful of the meal... but it's not their fault. 

- Arrived in Bangkok on time, We were asked to exit the airplane by order of raw, but no one listened... anyway, being in Business Class I was at the very front, so I got out quickly.

- At the end of the exit platform, around 20 people wearing blue protective clothe, mask and some with face shield welcomed us, asking to thai people to queue one way, and foreigners and thai going to ASQ checking their name on lists being held by about 8 persons, once checked you were on the list, you are given an ASQ badge to put on your shirt (this is just for them to know if you are going to ASQ or state quarantine), and asked to move forward and sit on chairs spaced by 1.5m from each other. The same people in blue (up to this point they seemed to all be airport service staff according to what I read on their shirt under the blue coat), came to check the documents, and gave us a TM8 form to fill (nothing special). They came to check once we filled the TM8 form, and if filled properly, we could queue to get a temperature check. then queued for checking the documents again (I think these were goverment officials), They checked all, and took the COE, I was asked if I had a copy, and if not I could take a picture (I had copied all), then I was asked to queue a bit further on chairs again
- One immigration agent came to guide us by group of 10 people, there were many staff along the way, making sure we don't get lose and guide us

- Just before the immigration there was a desk "COE check" (even though I gave the COE earlier), they checked my name, passport work permit, and searched for my COE file & ASQ booking in their computer

- I was guided to one of the immigration booth, where the guy triple checked the documents, he seemed a bit lost and had a senior officer help him

- Then I was on my way to pick up by bags... then guided alone the way by many staff indicating the way to customs, near the customs one guy asked me the name of my ASQ... then guided me through the customes and found the asq staff waiting for me

- ASQ staff took me ot the van which was a hospital van, I was alone in the transport. 

- I was expecting they take me to do a covid test before going to the hotel, but it seems as my test was less than 72 hours old upon arrival, and that I sent a copy of it to the hotel before leaving (this could be important), I was not required to do another one

- At the hotel, I was greeted by the staff for check-in explaining the rules : I cannot leave my room until I get the result from the result of the first covid test which will be donne between day #3 and #5. Day of arrival is #0. If I test negative, I will be able to use some of the hotel facilities (gym, ...), there is also no room cleaning or laundry until then. After testing a second time negative on day #13 (result on day #14), I can leave on day #15 in morning. Which was exactly as I was told. I added the hotel to Line for easier communication. They also offer the service to do shopping at 7-11 for you, you send them the pictures from 7-11 site online, they go buy for you and drop in front of your door.
- Then a nurse from the hospital with the guy that picked me at airport then asked me to fill a form, gave me a bag with a thermometer, masks and gel, I added her contact on Line, I need to take my temperature between 6-8am and 6-8pm every day and report the result (picture) by line. Also need to report if I cough, have a sore throat, ...
- Then I could go in my room, which was much bigger than I expected, large desk, sofa, table, big bed, bathroom, ...
- I realized I didn't think about buying a multiplug before come... one message on line, and it was in front of my door 10 minutes later

- Asked them for some things at 7-11 (toothpaste, shower gel, some soft drinks, ...), they were very nice, then called me to put the money (cash) on the table in front of the door... staff came, and they sprayed each bill carefully, then left the things I have ordered.

- Took my temperature at 6PM, and here I am, starting day 1 tomorrow

 

I have to say that every staff at airport, officials, immigration were very nice and helpful and polite, hotel staff and nurse were very nice and helpful. Looking backward, the girl from the Thai embassy that took care of my file was very helpful too, calling me sometimes 3 times per day to update me on everything... The process to get the COE/ASQ/Flight was painful, but it's not their fault as all has to be approved on a one by one basis by the emergency center in Bangkok.

The hardest part is getting ASQ reservation, and repatriation flight with matching dates... this was very stressful, added that in my case I had an expiring work permit comming, I'm lucky I made it back just in time.

 

Once you have all your COE, insurance, covid test and fit to fly certificate and get to the airport... there is not much to worry after (unless you test positive, but in any case you are in Thailand).

 

The process is impressive, but it's quite well organised, and everybody was nice... and I have to say that the few people that didn't follow the directions (to put the badge, to queue respecting distances, ...) were almost only foreigners...  

 

 

[sirocco]

well done for those details and your fair play, but it's a real obstacle course.
You really have to have a good reason to come to Thailand, OR have a spirit of challenge.
But it's good.
Good continuation and good evening.
 

[NanLaew]

Very informative. How many foreigners (non-Thai) were on the flight with you?

[DrTuner]

Quite a tale. Almost makes getting an extension of stay based on marriage look like child's play. Congrats on passing the gauntlet.

[KMartinHandyman]

Wow congratulations! That’s way too much for admission. Guess I’ll settle in here with my wife for the foreseeable future. Thanks

[SnipTheCat]

25 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Very informative. How many foreigners (non-Thai) were on the flight with you?

I would say about 30 total in the airplane, almost all were in business class, I think I saw a family with 2 kids going to economy class and another couple. The flight seemed pretty full but since I didn't walk in economy I am not sure if they filled every seat or not. I would say there were roughly 300 people on the flight, but the plane continued to Jakarta after Bangkok, so I would say 200 stopped at Bangkok including ~25 foreigners.

[SnipTheCat]

23 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

Quite a tale. Almost makes getting an extension of stay based on marriage look like child's play. Congrats on passing the gauntlet.

Thanks... 

I got married in Thailand, stayed the first year on non-o married got a work permit (not a good idea to get a non-o to apply for work permit), got an extension of stay, then divorced, changed from non-o to non-b, changed work => changed work permit + non b & work permit extension, then opened my company, company registration, getting my own work permit, all the paperwork for the company, bank account, ... yearly extensions (8 extensions of both) of stay, and work permit, personal income tax filing, yearly company audit, .... 

 

This beats them all put together if you factor in the stress of not knowing when and how I could come back with regulations and rules changing almost daily worldwide... It's almost like you need to wait for all the planets to be perfectly aligned to have your window of opportunity. But it can be done, I'm sure it'll get a little less hard, but I had a deadline for renewing my work permit

[SnipTheCat]

38 minutes ago, sirocco said:

well done for those details and your fair play, but it's a real obstacle course.
You really have to have a good reason to come to Thailand, OR have a spirit of challenge.
But it's good.
Good continuation and good evening.
 

Yes... I have my life here, my wife and a business... Got stuck during a business trip... So it was more or less "do or die"

[MrMilk]

Great report, thanks.

 

From just booking a ticket to all that in less than 6 months.

Makes me wonder if I would be willing to do all that myself to get back here. Feel anxious just reading it. 

[Captain Monday]

What are the implications of positive covid-19 test during quarantine?

[unheard]

2 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

What are the implications of positive covid-19 test during quarantine?

You'll be removed from your ASQ room and transported to a Hospital.

[Scott]

Troll post reported and removed.   

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

What are the implications of positive covid-19 test during quarantine?

You would be sent to a hospital for treatment.

[ezzra]

And with all the hassles and hoops one has to jump through to get here, i read today that 3 people have returned to Thailand, among many before them,  infected with the coronavirus, how is that possible i ask? where are all the checks and fit to fly and other requirements that needed to just get on a plan now days i ask again?...

[Willy333]

27 minutes ago, ezzra said:

And with all the hassles and hoops one has to jump through to get here, i read today that 3 people have returned to Thailand, among many before them,  infected with the coronavirus, how is that possible i ask? where are all the checks and fit to fly and other requirements that needed to just get on a plan now days i ask again?...

This is why they require a 14 day quarantine. Tests are not perfect.

[ubonjoe]

30 minutes ago, ezzra said:

And with all the hassles and hoops one has to jump through to get here, i read today that 3 people have returned to Thailand, among many before them,  infected with the coronavirus, how is that possible i ask? where are all the checks and fit to fly and other requirements that needed to just get on a plan now days i ask again?...

Thai's are not always required to get a covid 19 test before traveling is the main reason. They are tested as soon as they arrive.

[Tounge Thaied]

12 hours ago, SnipTheCat said:

I would say about 30 total in the airplane, almost all were in business class, I think I saw a family with 2 kids going to economy class and another couple. The flight seemed pretty full but since I didn't walk in economy I am not sure if they filled every seat or not. I would say there were roughly 300 people on the flight, but the plane continued to Jakarta after Bangkok, so I would say 200 stopped at Bangkok including ~25 foreigners.

Ahh... so this is not a "repatriation" flight if the flight had a second leg of passengers.... I would expect a "repatriation" flight to be dedicated to only traveling one way for the stated purpose only. So people having a hard time getting flights are due to other secondary passengers. Not too mention, being pushed into the business class at an inflated price. I wonder if all flights are being handled this way?

Edited July 26, 2020 by Tounge Thaied

[SnipTheCat]

14 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

What are the implications of positive covid-19 test during quarantine?

You will be taken to the hospital for treatment and isolation whether you are symptomatic or not, and you'll stay there until you test negative twice at 1 week interval (So you are there for at least 3 weeks), all that at your (insurance) expense. After you are released you are free.

 

In my case, I have asked this eventuality to my lawyer, as I am already in the country, they could ask a delay to submit some pieces for my work permit extension (the medical certificate which I cannot get while I am in quarantine), so I should be fine in any case.

[SnipTheCat]

2 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said:

Ahh... so this is not a "repatriation" flight if the flight had a second leg of passengers.... I would expect a "repatriation" flight to be dedicated to only traveling one way for the stated purpose only. So people having a hard time getting flights are due to other secondary passengers. Not too mention, being pushed into the business class at an inflated price. I wonder if all flights are being handled this way?

I also had the wrong idea of repatriation flight... it is a commercial flight which can only be sold through embassies/government (so unlisted to the public). It was paid directly to KLM, the price is the regular price for a one way ticket (I checked, it's true). Now about the leg to Indonesia... I discovered it at the airport, maybe they worked with the government of indonesia... I'm not sure. What I know for sure is that the thai embassy in the netherlands managed all directly with KLM, and the thai embasys in belgium worked through the one in the netherlands. 

[SnipTheCat]

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Thai's are not always required to get a covid 19 test before traveling is the main reason. They are tested as soon as they arrive.

If that's confirmed, that may also be one reason why they push foreigners to business class and thai to economy class... 

[GroveHillWanderer]

13 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Thai's are not always required to get a covid 19 test before traveling is the main reason. They are tested as soon as they arrive.

But also, even if someone had tested negative 3 days earlier, they could still have been exposed to the virus after that and they most likely wouldn't show symptoms until a couple of days after the flight, given that the median period for the onset of symptoms is 4-6 days after infection.

[scorecard]

8 hours ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

But also, even if someone had tested negative 3 days earlier, they could still have been exposed to the virus after that and they most likely wouldn't show symptoms until a couple of days after the flight, given that the median period for the onset of symptoms is 4-6 days after infection.

All the more reason why governments and all agencies should be adopting one of the several accurate tests which bring a report negative/positive within 15 minutes. And folks who have done this test must wait in a secured area until the result is known. 

 

I'm wondering why in Australia and other countries where they are doing mass public testing they don't re-organize the process/ the location and do the 15 minute test. And must be taken to a hospital if the result is positive.

 

Why? Because in Australia it's well proven that during the wait for the report period (3 to 5 + days) testees are not waiting for the result at home, they are going to work, going shopping etc., meaning the virus is continuing to spread.   

 

 

[sandyf]

21 hours ago, SnipTheCat said:

I also had the wrong idea of repatriation flight... it is a commercial flight which can only be sold through embassies/government (so unlisted to the public).

It would need to be classed as "repatriation" to get permission to land under the CAAT directive.

 

The whole situation will get a lot clearer when commercial flights are allowed to land.

[crazykopite]

 Very interesting read I presume you paid the business class rate on the flight.my wife is stuck in the U.K. and requires wheel chair assistance but having read your positive report I will continue to tell her to stay in the U.K. even if it’s for another 6 months I really cannot get my head around it why you cannot self quarantine in your own home . Your father has a good doctor who was willing to help you in your hour of need my wife had to see her doctor last week this is what happens in the U.K.  first you ring the health centre they give you a time of appointment . You are then told once you arrive at the health centre to go to the car park and call again to let them know you are outside they tell you to wait in your car, the doctor eventually comes out to you dressed in what resembles an astronauts protective suit and full plastic face mask he speaks to you through the car window and then determines wether your treatment requires you to enter the clinic if he thinks differently he informs you what to do and go home . My wife also tells me it’s nigh on impossible to get a medical certificate or insurance and the Thai embassy is 250 miles from where she is living 

[robblok]

16 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

 Very interesting read I presume you paid the business class rate on the flight.my wife is stuck in the U.K. and requires wheel chair assistance but having read your positive report I will continue to tell her to stay in the U.K. even if it’s for another 6 months I really cannot get my head around it why you cannot self quarantine in your own home . Your father has a good doctor who was willing to help you in your hour of need my wife had to see her doctor last week this is what happens in the U.K.  first you ring the health centre they give you a time of appointment . You are then told once you arrive at the health centre to go to the car park and call again to let them know you are outside they tell you to wait in your car, the doctor eventually comes out to you dressed in what resembles an astronauts protective suit and full plastic face mask he speaks to you through the car window and then determines wether your treatment requires you to enter the clinic if he thinks differently he informs you what to do and go home . My wife also tells me it’s nigh on impossible to get a medical certificate or insurance and the Thai embassy is 250 miles from where she is living 

You are wondering why self-quarantine does not work. Its because people don't stick to the rules. So its easier to have them all at a central location and check that they don't get out. It sucks but too many people would say they go in home quarantaine but in reality go out anyway. 

[Nemises]

The reason I’m not setting foot outside of Thailand - until there’s a vaccine, which could be never. 
 

[DrPhibes]

On 7/25/2020 at 5:58 PM, ezzra said:

And with all the hassles and hoops one has to jump through to get here, i read today that 3 people have returned to Thailand, among many before them,  infected with the coronavirus, how is that possible i ask? where are all the checks and fit to fly and other requirements that needed to just get on a plan now days i ask again?...

Thai Citizens do not have to have a negative COVID-19 test to board the plane, that's why.  It is one of the main gripes about those coming back that we (as non-Thai citizens) have to get a Covid-19 RT-PCR test (VERY hard to get within 72 hrs of flight) and can not board if positive but the rest of the plane did not, you are infecting the plane with anyone that is COVID-19 active.

[Bender Rodriguez]

On 7/25/2020 at 8:33 PM, SnipTheCat said:

Yes... I have my life here, my wife and a business... Got stuck during a business trip... So it was more or less "do or die"

previous post up, you said you got divorced... + remarried than ?

[madisongy]

Yeah, based on the process you described here, guess I don't need to go back to your other post to read about the nightmare of getting the approvals, hotel and airlines set up.   My wife and I would love to get back since we are in US for more than a year now, but looks like we'll be spending another Christmas here.  However, sounds like Thailand is taking this very seriously, and that's good for everyone there.

[sirocco]

Hello, Bender Rodriguez, post 28, 

 

yes, that's what I had noticed, too,
but, after all, it's his private life,
and what mattered was that they returned to Thailand before their entrepreneur visa became obsolete.
And he succeeded.