State Quarantine Experience - LHR to BKK

[pazienza]

As I write this, I am on day 4 of my state quarantine. I know others have already shared their experiences of ASQ, so I thought I'd write my part as I have nothing else to do really. I am half Thai, and thanks to posters here previously I recently obtained my Thai birth certificate which enabled me to come out to Thailand as a Thai citizen using a CI (temporary passport). I'll bullet point this so as to avoid walls of text.

 

Getting on a repatriation flight

• Pre-registered all of my details on the UK embassy website 1 week prior the the next round of repatriation flights coming live on sale.
• At 9AM the "shop" opened, and thanks to pre-registering, it was all a one click process and I was able to secure a flight for myself and my mother. I'd advise anyone buying tickets for multiple people to open different tabs in your web browser, or better yet have a second person assist you. They sell out extremely quickly. The flight costs around £680.
• Once successful I received an email from Thai airways with instruction to purchase the ticket. They only accept bank transfer using a debit card (no online payments), so make sure you have a card reader handy. You have around 4-5 days to pay this, and should you not, or if you change your mind you are warned that you may well be "black listed" from attempting to register for any future repatriation flights!
• Documents needed: Certificate of Entry and T8 questionnaire form (emailed from UK embassy), fit to fly certificate up to 72 hours prior to flight (obtained online using gogodoc) and my CI (which required a trip to the UK embassy).
• No COVID test is required for Thais prior to flying.

 

London Heathrow

• You are told via email not to arrive at the airport before check-in opens (3 hours) as you won't be allowed in. Ignore this, as no checks were done upon entry and to my horror what seemed like the entire flight was in an extremely long queue ahead of me snaking all around the terminal.
• Heathrow has automatic temperature scanners on entry and face masks are compulsory.
• You can check-in online 24 hours prior to the flight in order to secure your seat, but the little computer terminals at the airport to print out your boarding passes are not in use.
• Queue took just over 2 hours to bag drop. 4 people were manning the check-in booths and checking all documents thoroughly.
• Luckily for anyone who bought business, I did see an English looking male walk right up to the "Royal Orchid" check-in counter for fast clearance.
• Once past security I barely had any time, but my main observation was that most of the shops were closed, and only 1 money exchange counter open with a very long queue. I was hoping just to exchange some petty cash but couldn't be bothered to wait.
• I bought a large bottle of whiskey from duty free to take with me - no checks and carried through successfully at the other end.

 

The Flight

• Full Flight around 90% Thai - some (assumed) English people in Economy class though, no idea how they obtained tickets but they definitely were ASQ as I saw them in BKK with the ASQ tag.
• All flight staff PPE'd up to the max (not quite full on hazmat suits)
• No choice of meal (unless you specify special dietary requirements prior) - you get what you're given. Luckily I find the food on Thai airways to be better than most, ie actually edible.
• No duty free, No alcohol.
• Face mask to be worn at all times (you can take it off to eat obviously).
• Flight actually left on time! Seemed like the plane reversed out and straight onto the runway for take-off.

 

Suvarnabhumi

• Upon arrival you are greeted by something reminiscent of ET, with everyone wearing hazmat suits.
• It's then a short walk to a temporary seating area with plastic chairs running the length of the walkways (either side of the travelator).
• Your documents are checked, here is the last time you can use the toilet for a while, so I'd advise you to do so!
• Once called up, your passport and temperature is checked and you're then taken to luggage collection. All in all it took just over an hour (less if you were at the front of the plane).
• Luggage area has no shops (money exchange/sim card) open or any ATMs. Luggage already waiting for me.
• Through to normal immigration where again your passport and travel documents are checked. Very short wait time here luckily.
• You are the escorted outside the airport, luggage sprayed with disinfectant and you're put straight onto a coach. No chance to smoke if you're a smoker.
• Waited on the bus for 1 hour before it left. All coaches wait to be filled then seemingly leave in a convoy. No toilets, and we weren't told anything about where we'd be staying. All I knew was that turning left would take me to Bangkok, and turning right to Pattaya!

 

Hotel

• Arrived 3 hours from landing at Bangkok.
• Traffic a lot lighter than normal, no real hold ups and from the journey I could tell we were heading into Bangkok. About an hour later we arrived at the hotel - The Bazaar hotel next to the Suan Lum night bazaar Ratchadaphisek. A 4* hotel, not too shabby.
• Outside the hotel we formed a queue and again we had our documents and temperature checked (for smokers - you can smoke outside here while you wait).
• At check-in we were all given digital thermometers, a face mask and some hand gel. We were all told to join a Line messenger group so that the hotel could maintain communication with all of us. I've muted it though as the inane <deleted> being spoken about annoys me! From here we can also order dry stuff from 7-11 or drinks from reception (Coke, Thai Tea, etc - no booze).
• No room sharing is allowed, but if you come with family then it is possible for you to have joining rooms (so... sharing allowed?). 
• Hotel is non smoking, with no balcony or opening windows. The hotel manager informed me that he cut the smoke alarms and told me to smoke in the shower with the heat up to max! Knowing Thailand, I'm expecting a fine at the end of my stay! So far I've only had a couple (I'm using this as an opportunity to stop) as it just highlights how disgusting a habit it really is as I feel like I'm sleeping in a bar.
• We have to install an app on our phone (COSTE) where we have to submit our body temperatures twice a day.
• 3 square meals given at 07:00, 12:00 and 16:00. No choice, but it's all pretty tasty Thai food and I've not felt hungry.
• Day 3 we had our first covid swab test on the ground floor in an outdoor area - the first taste of fresh air I'd had in days. The test itself was a little unpleasant, not used to having things rammed down my nostril.
• I enquired if I would be able to leave my room should the test results come back negative (I'd read here that some hotels allowed it). No dice, there's CCTV cameras down the hallway and I overheard them warning my neighbour for daring to step out into the hallway.
• Wifi is decent enough and I've been able to work without any fuss. I was initially planning on ordering a SIM card, but I haven't needed to.

 

That's pretty much it for now. I hope that this may be of use to someone. I can update this thread as the days go by, but it seems that from previous reports that Thailand has really improved on their state quarantine procedure. I am due to have another COVID test before I'm allowed to leave, and on the final day I am allowed to check out from 5am - Which I intend to do!

 

[GeorgeCross]

my first thought when i read all this was "oh my god tourism is dead, no-one without ties, would put themselves through this <deleted>"

 

nice report though - thanks for posting!

[tso310]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering what time to queue up at LHR. My wife is on Sundays flight and I've prepped her by showing her a couple of vlogs on Youtube about SQ. 

I have to say that she had 2 major mistakes coming from the Embassy. First they only put her name on the CoE. They sent a second email a few hours later acknowledging that had made a mistake and resent with the full name. The surname they sent to Thai Air had the surname misspelt. Her Thai passport, ID card and Thai driving license all have the correct spelling in English. I only discovered this when after paying the fare then trying to check her reservation on the links sent I could not get anything. When I queried this with Thai, within 2 hours of e-mail being sent they mailed the E-ticket. Incorrect surname. Emailed them back stating the embassy had made the mistake and included the CoE. 2 hours later new E-ticket sent with amendments correctly made. I don't often praise Thai Air but they responded professionally. 

[sammieuk1]

Think I will give it a miss sounds every bit as enjoyable as jail good luck ???? 

[Upnotover]

I don't think TAT ought to publish your report, sounds dreadful.  Small question, 

1 hour ago, pazienza said:

They only accept bank transfer using a debit card (no online payments), so make sure you have a card reader handy

Card reader?

[86Tiger]

Yep, rich high rollers definitely are bursting at the seams to get into this heavenly land of smiles.....

[treetops]

2 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

my first thought when i read all this was "oh my god tourism is dead, no-one without ties, would put themselves through this <deleted>"

I agree, but remember this is State Quarantine while tourists will be in Alternative State Quarantine which appears to be slightly better.

[sammieuk1]

47 minutes ago, treetops said:

I agree, but remember this is State Quarantine while tourists will be in Alternative State Quarantine which appears to be slightly better.

If you can't open your windows or leave your room it's Alternative State prison ASP ????

[Kadilo]

Wow can’t wait. Thiacatraz sounds heaps of fun. i think I’ll wait until they become more desperate I’m a few months.  
 

Cheers for the update, good of you. Best of luck. 

Edited September 18, 2020 by Kadilo

[lou norman]

I hope to leave ASQ at midnight (early morning) on day 15. Are there any special checkout requirements or can I just settle my account and leave?

[faraday]

That was very interesting OP, sounds arduous, but if I was stuck in blighty I'd grin & bear it.

 

What do you do all day? 

[scorecard]

Thanks for sharing, nice details.

 

One question; you mentioned your flight was full, would you please share:

 

1. Your guess of the total passenger numbers, and

 

2. Would you please share if there was distancing, or every seat occupied.

 

Thanks. 

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Kadilo said:

Wow can’t wait. Thiacatraz sounds heaps of fun. i think I’ll wait until they become more desperate I’m a few months.  
 

Cheers for the update, good of you. Best of luck. 

"... i think I’ll wait until they become more desperate I’m a few months."

 

Interesting comment, I'm having similar thoughts about waiting:

 

1. I am a foreigner, 76 years old coming soon, had Thai PR for 22+ years. 

2. I have severe recurring bronchitis and I've had pneumonia before.

3. I can apply for a repat flight because I hold Thai PR. 

 

Both 1. and 2. mean that if I catch the virus I will very likely and quickly be in ICU and chances of death are quite high.  

 

I got caught out of Thailand, and now sitting it out in Australia (my birth/passport country).

 

The number of people returning to Thailand, to Australia and many other countries who are tested on or soon after arrival and are positive for the virus is quite high.

 

All meaning of course that when they sitting on the flight they were positive and if they weren't totally serious about masks, hand cleaning etc., then chances of spread of the virus is high.

 

So better to sit it out for a while and hope there's better processes developed and a vaccine is approved and large numbers are being inoculated.  Having had the jab would (one would hope) be a strong bonus when flying with others who are positive.

 

 

 

I 

[baansgr]

What was the social distancing on the plane? Every other seat?

[lou norman]

1 hour ago, baansgr said:

What was the social distancing on the plane? Every other seat?

Don't know if this helps. but... I left Chicago on the 9th. Flight to Korea was 30% full. In Korea the plane filled (mostly Thai). Every seat taken.

 

 

[TimBKK]

9 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

If you can't open your windows or leave your room it's Alternative State prison ASP ????

At least in prison they give you an hour in the yard each day.  This sounds like 2 weeks of solitary confinement, with wifi.

[baansgr]

34 minutes ago, lou norman said:

Don't know if this helps. but... I left Chicago on the 9th. Flight to Korea was 30% full. In Korea the plane filled (mostly Thai). Every seat taken.

 

 

I thought as much, few friends from UK are holidaying in Europe and planes are full, no distancing whatsoever....seems pretty pointless all the measures at check in and after when the actual flight you are sat less than an inch from someone....

[stretch5163]

10 hours ago, treetops said:

I agree, but remember this is State Quarantine while tourists will be in Alternative State Quarantine which appears to be slightly better.

have to lol at your optimism but Quarantine is quarantine be it State or Alternative your not exactly going to be allowed to use hotel facilitys so it has not impact which 1 you in.

 

Still locked up for 14 days

[ThailandRyan]

Only question not asked or answered was, did your purchased bottle of Whiskey make it to the room with you and are you having a tipple now and then to ease the stress.

[treetops]

18 minutes ago, stretch5163 said:

have to lol at your optimism but Quarantine is quarantine be it State or Alternative your not exactly going to be allowed to use hotel facilitys so it has not impact which 1 you in.

 

Still locked up for 14 days

Not completely correct as many reports indicate controlled use of the facilities being allowed.  Even the OP stated:

 

Quote

I enquired if I would be able to leave my room should the test results come back negative (I'd read here that some hotels allowed it). No dice, there's CCTV cameras down the hallway and I overheard them warning my neighbour for daring to step out into the hallway.

 

[ChipButty]

23 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Only question not asked or answered was, did your purchased bottle of Whiskey make it to the room with you and are you having a tipple now and then to ease the stress.

One shot a day just might last him

[ChipButty]

Thats purgatory Im staying put, cant even go for a swim, 

[Poet]

15 hours ago, pazienza said:

As I write this, I am on day 4 of my state quarantine.

I, for one, am glad that the Thai government, in their wisdom, are keeping you locked up and protecting the people of Thailand from your filthy emissions.

Clearly the generals have watched "Train to Busan" and have decided to say a firm "No way, mister!" to that sort of thing.

 

Edited September 19, 2020 by Poet

[pazienza]

14 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Small question, 

Card reader?

This is probably UK specific, but for bank transfers to new people over a certain amount (£250 in my case) we use a little hand held card reader device which gives us a unique code when making transactions. Top tip - all card readers (any bank) will work no matter who you bank with (so if you are a Natwest customer, an HSBC/Barclays/Santander/etc card reader will work).

 

7 hours ago, lou norman said:

I hope to leave ASQ at midnight (early morning) on day 15. Are there any special checkout requirements or can I just settle my account and leave?

All I know is that I'll have a second covid test done a couple of days prior to day 14. Forgot to mention before that although I landed on Monday, Tuesday was officially day 1.

 

6 hours ago, faraday said:

That was very interesting OP, sounds arduous, but if I was stuck in blighty I'd grin & bear it.

 

What do you do all day? 

Luckily I am able to get on with work, and I'm quite busy at the moment so it is a good, albeit boring time filler. I also brought with me some resistance bands for exercise. I was hoping I'd eventually be able to use the gym facilities but these will have to suffice.

 

5 hours ago, scorecard said:

Thanks for sharing, nice details.

 

One question; you mentioned your flight was full, would you please share:

 

1. Your guess of the total passenger numbers, and

 

2. Would you please share if there was distancing, or every seat occupied.

 

Thanks. 

 

5 hours ago, baansgr said:

What was the social distancing on the plane? Every other seat?

Ah, quite a key point and thank you for reminding me.

 

No social distancing was observed at all on the flight, and every seat was taken. The only safety measure was to wear a mask for the duration of the journey.

 

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Only question not asked or answered was, did your purchased bottle of Whiskey make it to the room with you and are you having a tipple now and then to ease the stress.

haha, yes I have it here with me. My only regret is that I didn't stick another in my suitcase! I'm having to ration it each day.

 

----------

 

COVID results came back late yesterday and we were given the all clear. The hotel did reiterate though that we are not to leave our rooms. Their reason being that any small (untraceable) amount of infection could still be in our system so we need to maintain strict quarantine until the end. We've been given a questionnaire to complete regarding our mental health and stress levels, so I plan to suggest that even "yard time" for an hour each day outside somewhere would be beneficial for everyone's well-being. It's frustrating, because I can literally see a little rooftop garden on the floor below me!

[pazienza]

15 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Think I will give it a miss sounds every bit as enjoyable as jail good luck ???? 

At least in Jail you'd get to taste air and socialise with others ????