ASQ Report -- Day One (Pullman Bangkok)

[FalangTingTong]

Greetings from Quarantine!  I'm only on the tail end of Day One but thought my experience of getting in etc. might be useful to someone, so here goes.

 

I'm a US citizen and live in Germany; I flew from Berlin, so YMMV for any other situation.

 

PREPARATION

 

I decided to enter Visa Exempt because it was a lot faster than getting a visa.  Hopefully getting a real visa after ASQ will not be a hassle.

 

The "Fit to Fly" was a bit funny because it wasn't at all clear what the "correct" form is, and anyway the thing itself is utterly meaningless, as you will certainly be told if you get one from a German doctor.  The form on the Thai Airways site is basically identical to the form the Thai Embassy in Washington tells you is NOT acceptable.  Fortunately I caught that and was lucky enough to find a doctor who could set me up in Berlin.   As backup I had the one from Dr Donna (which I did after getting my PCR results, see below) and another from a doctor friend elsewhere.

 

The PCRs worked out fine but it was a bit stressful waiting for the results.  In Berlin now there are lots of "test centers" but they just take samples for PCR; they all promise "next day results" but that actually means the end of the next day.  So be sure to give it plenty of time!  I took two, using different  labs, in case one didn't come back in time.  And indeed, one lab was definitely sketchier than the other: I gave the sample at 10am and they took it to the lab at 10am the next day.  The other place got it to the lab within half an hour.  Both results came back 6pm the day before my flight: time to spare, but not so much that I wasn't a bit nervous.

 

The COE was a breeze by comparison: I bought my insurance (the AXA one, covers asymptomatic as well as general accident/illness) and registered on a Sunday; they processed it before noon Monday.  Getting the flight and ASQ set up took a couple days but that was mostly down to my own indecision.  I also booked a flight out within my 45-day window, to Singapore, and uploaded it to the website with a clear indication of what it was.  The Embassy processed this again in under four hours and I had my COE, just needed my PCR and Fit to Fly.

 

I printed three copies of (almost) everything and went to the airport, arriving three hours before departure, which turned out to be about right in order to avoid a line.

 

FLIGHT

 

I flew Qatar Airways, BER DOH BKK, in Business.  You can look up whatever info you like about the service on YouTube, but I will just comment that the Q-Suites product is way better than British First, and that they kept my glass full enough on the way to DOH that I had to sleep it off on the way to BKK.

Check-in was slow but efficient.  A manager checked all my documents and made copies of some.  I also had to fill out a Qatar Airlines form which I wish they'd e-mailed me, but it only took a couple minutes.

 

Berlin Brandenburg airport is a total clusterf*** and every time I go there I really miss TXL.  The (shared) lounge at the far end of the airport was open, and had nice views, but was subject to rules only a German could think up: they had food and drink but you couldn't consume it in the lounge, you had to take it out into the hallway to eat and drink, then come back in.  And no alcohol.  However, take note!  Right before the stairs up to the passport control there is a lovely little shop selling sandwiches, snacks, good beer, decent wine and even cocktails in cans.  For totally reasonable prices.  So I did manage to have a couple before boarding: in the vast seating area near the gate, where incidentally most of the airport staff seemed to be hanging out.

 

Transit in Doha was pretty mellow.  Lounge was open but I gather it's the less-nice lounge; I hadn't been in DOH in many years so I don't exactly remember.  Everybody was professional and document check for boarding the next leg was very quick, this time done by Thais.  I mostly slept on the way to Bangkok but did remember to use the lavatory shortly before landing.  I'm not sure I actually saw a lav in the airport.

IMMIGRATION

 

We were herded into a seating area for most of the wait, and only had to move seats once.  We got our ASQ hotel numbers to pin on our shirts.  Documents were checked again, once minimally and once more thoroughly. Here it turned out you needed to have your boarding pass so they could check your seat number, presumably for contact tracing.  Fortunately I still had mine; I usually don't pay much attention to it after boarding.

 

Then we were led to another document check right before the actual immigration window.  There a lady asked where I will stay after my 14 days quarantine (nobody seems to have gotten the memo that it's 16 days) and of course that was the one thing I'd forgotten to print.  She accepted my email reservation and had me write that hotel's name down on the entry form.  As I did not have a Thai phone number she had me write my email.

 

The immigration officer took his time, and seemed slightly annoyed that I had put my ASQ hotel down as my address in Thailand, because, just as nobody told me, they obviously want the *next* one.  He also checked my reservation on my phone and then had to type in Sheraton which he did slowly, but with a smile.  In fairness he was probably trying to impress the younger, female immigration officer standing beside him.  As I would have done!

 

A handler with perfect English met me at the airport and passed me on to a driver; I was the only passenger in a late-model BMW, it was a nice ride in to Si Lom.

 

We landed around 12:40 and I was checked in to my room by 14:30.

 

HOTEL

 

I am doing ASQ in the Pullman G.  I chose it based on reviews praising the food and the view.  So far I can absolutely corroborate that: food has been great, views are stunning, I can see a stretch of the river and a chunk of IconSiam and one of the expressways and a lot of standard-issue CBD stuff.  And just now some fireworks for Chinese New Year.   Also, the deposit was only 5000 THB, which gave me a little more peace of mind while waiting for my PCR test results.

 

I got a yoga mat delivered within a few minutes when I asked and it's a nice thick one.  Bathroom is very nice, with a tub and great water pressure in the separate shower.  American-sized toilet, for XXL Americans, no bum gun.  I opted for the older room on a higher floor for slightly cheaper (60K vs 65K) -- if you are sensitive to that kind of thing, the all-white updated rooms are probably spiffier but I probably have the better view.  There were no USB sockets, but I brought my own adapters so no problem.

 

Plates and silverware are provided, as are a sponge and detergent to wash them.  All food is served in plastic containers; so far I've been eating out of them too but maybe I'll get fancy and bust out the plate tomorrow.  Tea kettle is provided and they serve coffee twice a day if you like, or tea.  I am a tea snob so I brought my own.

 

There was no crazy control or disinfection of my personal effects or anything like that.  People were friendly and helpful and spoke very good English.  I have chosen to do a much needed 16-day alcohol-free liver cleanse; you can't order alcohol, but there is room service for other things.  They give you more than enough to eat, so I haven't even checked the menu yet.  They even give you kangaroo butter twice a day, in case you are Australian!

 

I chose all my meals before check-in but if you want to do it as you go they'd probably let you.  Front desk is very responsive on the LINE app.  There are vegetarian options for everything but (I think) the tea set, but as I'm not a veg I didn't ask if they could do it meatless.  In any case only the savory stuff would have meat.

 

There do seem to be other people around: I can hear a family with a kid in probably the next room, and there are quite a few tables out on this floor.

 

While I would definitely recommend the Pullman, especially if food quality and view matter, I should also note that I recently saw there are Golf LSQ's. With, you know, golf.  Outdoors.  Pretty expensive but I would consider that for next time.  Who knows what kinds of deals you can make out on the green!

 

All in all, I'm satisfied with the experience and I look forward to emerging, blinking, into the pollution and chaos and LIFE once the DT's wear off.  (Just kidding!)

 

It's obviously a big hurdle and expense but coming off the sh**-show that is Europe right now, I think I made the right choice.  I'll try to post again to summarize at the end, if I don't lose my mind by the 26th.

 

TAKE-AWAYS

 

1. The Embassy wants us to come, and is working faster than I ever would have expected from any embassy.
2. Allow sufficient time for your PCR tests, do not assume 24h turnaround.
3. Fit To Fly might be tricky, I recommed Dr Donna as at least a fallback option.  Apparently it's more normal in the US and UK.  Link: https://www.medconsultasia.com
4. Have everything printed out before you fly.
5. Don't forget post-ASQ address with whatever will document it; that is your "address" in Thailand even if it's only for a few days.
6. Keep your boarding pass!
7. BYO USB charger just in case.

[OneMoreFarang]

If anybody wants to know what could possibly go wrong have a look at this one. Enjoy!

A Story About When ASQ Goes Wrong – Stickboy Bangkok (stickboybkk.com)

 

[DrJack54]

Excellent effort OP.

So comprehensive. Keep us updated. 

Bars are shut in bkk so your updates useful to others commencing your journey

[FalangTingTong]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Excellent effort OP.

So comprehensive. Keep us updated. 

Bars are shut in bkk so your updates useful to others commencing your journey

Thanks, just trying to return the karma as I've gotten a lot of useful info here.

 

I am hoping that bars will reopen by the time I am released, or at least restaurants might be allowed to serve, or that hotel bars are not "bars" and will have whatever secret permission they use to serve drinks mid-afternoon.

 

I'm no old Thailand hand but I wouldn't mind sitting in Jack's "Restaurant" and watching the catfish for a few hours come March.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, FalangTingTong said:

I'm no old Thailand hand but I wouldn't mind sitting in Jack's "Restaurant" and watching the catfish for a few hours come March.

Depends on your plans. Bangkok is very different right now. I live in bkk and it's currently classified as Red zone. Places like Soi 4 etc are closed.

Pattaya just opened bars till 10pm.

So many businesses closed it's bit sad.

On the other hand plenty of places to chill.

My lady loves koh Samed (me also) and beach bars open there now.

Doing some research in your quarantine  might be good pastime.

Good luck with your quarantine.

[EdrigoSalvadore]

Thanks for the story.

What about the smart phone APP? Do you really need to install it on your phone?

[FalangTingTong]

1 hour ago, EdrigoSalvadore said:

Thanks for the story.

What about the smart phone APP? Do you really need to install it on your phone?

 

I did install the ThailandPlus app, which is the one used for contact tracing.  The Embassy required it in writing and it's tied to your COE number; however nobody has physically checked whether I have it.  They do know, or at least they are able to know, since I'm registered, but I strongly suspect nobody at immigration was paying any attention to that.

 

It is very grabby about location-tracking permissions, at least on iPhone, which does make technical sense: how can you trace contacts if you don't know where people are?  I'm new here, so I don't want to do anything that might annoy a random immigration officer in the next couple months.  I doubt the Thai government will do anything more nefarious with my data than Google is already doing.  I also doubt the app is sophisticated enough to flag me as a slacker if I don't always have it enabled.  Then of course there is the orthogonal question of how useful contact tracing can possibly be if only COE holders are using it... but let's interpret that generously and assume we're all going to attend some big potato festival as soon as we're freed.

 

If you mean the COSTE health-monitoring app, I would recommend not registering before you get to your hotel.  The hotel may have also registered you, and this can lead to problems with the app.  By all means download it, but wait for guidance from the ASQ hotel before registering.

[user70]

7 hours ago, FalangTingTong said:

getting a real visa after ASQ will not be a hassle.

Can you apply for the regular or special tourist visa after the ASQ while still in Thailand? If not many days of extension can you obtain once the 45 days of vida exemption are over? (Typically we're allowed one 30-day extension but I don't know whether the covid-19 pandemic has changed that)

 

Also, could you purchase a SIM card in Thailand (eg at airport, on the way to ASQ, or at ASQ)?

 

Lastly how did you organize your transfer from the airport to the ASQ?

 

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by user70

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, user70 said:

Can you apply for the regular or special tourist visa after the ASQ while still in Thailand? If not many days of extension can you obtain once the 45 days of vida exemption are over? (Typically we're allowed one 30-day extension but I don't know whether the covid-19 pandemic has changed that)

If you enter visa exempt, you will definitely be entitled to the regular one-time 30-day extension. Unpredictable is whether, subsequent to that, there with be 30-day or 60-day "Covid" extensions.

 

If you qualify, you can apply for certain classes of non immigrant visas within Thailand. You cannot apply for additional tourist visas.

 

2 hours ago, user70 said:

Also, could you purchase a SIM card in Thailand (eg at airport, on the way to ASQ, or at ASQ)?

I have heard reports that you cannot arrange a SIM card at the airport, and will certainly not be allowed to stop off anywhere between the airport and ASQ.

 

I suspect this is a common issue, and most ASQ hotels will be able to help you acquire a SIM card. However, while in the ASQ, you can probably get by with just Wi-Fi. 

 

2 hours ago, user70 said:

Lastly how did you organize your transfer from the airport to the ASQ?

You do not need to do anything (assuming you are entering by air). Your ASQ package includes the airport to hotel transfer.

[zzzzz]

good report,  Am so glad i never left last year

question;

how busy/full was the flight?
any Thais on it?

[10years]

Nice report. Since you’re still fresh, thought I’d hit you up for some more details.

 

Was your Qatar ticket one-way? Is your Singapore flight also one-way? Was the Singapore flight required to get the COE? Did you have to show it when you checked in for the Qatar flight? Did the Singapore departure have to be within the 45-day time frame? Do you actually intend to use the Singapore ticket? The reason I ask is that pre-pandemic, I never had to show an outbound ticket when I entered VE. The airline required an outbound ticket, but it could be past 30 days.

 

How was check-in like at the hotel? Were the staff all decked out in hazmat gear? Did they ask where you’ll be staying after ASQ?

 

Did you ask the front desk for a USB adapter? Usually Pullmans are good about providing stuff like HDMI and LAN cables for free.

 

How’s the Wi-Fi/Internet?

 

Pullman is part of the Accor group. I’m a member of their rewards program at the diamond level. Could you please ask someone if an Accor cardholder can use his privileges during ASQ, such as a free room upgrade? Can nights there be counted as rewards nights? If so, you might want to consider joining the program. You might reach a higher tier after only 10 nights. And Pullman G has a wonderful sister property right on the beach in Pattaya.

[roquefort]

24 minutes ago, 10years said:

Nice report. Since you’re still fresh, thought I’d hit you up for some more details.

 

 

How was check-in like at the hotel? Were the staff all decked out in hazmat gear? Did they ask where you’ll be staying after ASQ?

 

Did you ask the front desk for a USB adapter? Usually Pullmans are good about providing stuff like HDMI and LAN cables for free.

 

How’s the Wi-Fi/Internet?

 

Pullman is part of the Accor group. I’m a member of their rewards program at the diamond level. Could you please ask someone if an Accor cardholder can use his privileges during ASQ, such as a free room upgrade? Can nights there be counted as rewards nights? If so, you might want to consider joining the program. You might reach a higher tier after only 10 nights. And Pullman G has a wonderful sister property right on the beach in Pattaya.

I did my ASQ there in December. No Accor cardholder rewards allowed for ASQ.

Wi-fi is fine and yes, check in staff were in semi-hazmat gear but very efficient. They didn't ask where I'd be going after ASQ.

[natway09]

Thanks for the epistle.

No bum washer at a Sheraton ? Are you sure ?

Must be the only hotel room in Bangkok without 

[Nanaplaza666]

I geuss if you are allowed to order burgers and shakes from the 25° burger bar downstairs you will gain a few pounds in the 15 days your there ???? best burgers and shakes in town by the way in my opinion . 

[FalangTingTong]

12 hours ago, user70 said:

Can you apply for the regular or special tourist visa after the ASQ while still in Thailand?

 

What BritTim said matches 100% what I have heard from various sources here, and also what an Agent told me.

 

12 hours ago, user70 said:

Could you purchase a SIM card in Thailand (eg at airport, on the way to ASQ, or at ASQ)?

 

I believe there was not, at the airport.  I certainly didn't notice any, and they were definitely herding us from Stamp to Luggage to Handlers to Cars.  I also don't think ATM or exchange is a possibility, but maybe someone tried and knows more.

 

12 hours ago, user70 said:

Lastly how did you organize your transfer from the airport to the ASQ?

 

This is included in every ASQ package.  I have read reports that sometimes they take two people at a time, in a van or whatever.  The Pullman took me by myself in a very sweet BMW.

 

[FalangTingTong]

1 hour ago, natway09 said:

No bum washer at a Sheraton ? Are you sure ?

 

I will know the bum-status of Sheraton on the 26th.  Here at the Pullman, no bum gun, however I would not say no bum washer as the shower has excellent water pressure.

 

1 hour ago, natway09 said:

Must be the only hotel room in Bangkok without 

 

My previous experience in Bangkok was at the Eastin, which was very nice indeed, and also had no bum gun.  It has occurred to me that they might have bum guns for Thais and five-square-meter toilet bowls for Falang, and maybe you can ask for one or the other, but I'm new here, still not sure which way to point that thing.

[FalangTingTong]

8 hours ago, zzzzz said:

how busy/full was the flight?
any Thais on it?

 

Business was more full than I had expected, probably 3/4 on both legs but you feel it more in the seats than in the Q-Suites which are very private.  Mostly Germans, some of them of the... um... stereotypical German-goes-to-Thailand look, let's say.  Germans like to wear their masks nose-free so that was annoying but hey, welcome to Covid-Era Travel, you have to just grin and bear that stuff if the crew isn't enforcing.  I'm sure Elon Musk would use more entertaining language but I have lots of German friends, not gonna be mean today. ????

 

I did not pay attention to Coach but based on the number of people waiting for each flight I'd say maybe 1/4 full, whereas Business was more like 3/4 full.

 

Yes, there were a few Thais, but very few, spouses AFAICT.  On DOH BKK the cabin crew was mostly Thai ladies.

[FalangTingTong]

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Was your Qatar ticket one-way?

My Qatar ticket is round-trip, returning on the date I hope to / must return if everything goes as planned with the visa.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Is your Singapore flight also one-way?

Yes.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Was the Singapore flight required to get the COE?

I read in another thread on this forum that someone had to book a flight like that last-minute in order to board another Qatar flight; and that fits with what I had generally heard about Visa Exempt entry pre-Covid.  No idea if it's actually required, but I made a point of marking it as such in 18-point red Helvetica Bold and uploading it to the Embassy and having it printed out for the Qatar folks.  Cost 50 EUR which isn't even a rounding error in the overall cost of this project. I booked it for 42 or 43 days after my entry because IIRC local counting of days allowed includes the day you arrive and the day you depart.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Do you actually intend to use the Singapore ticket?

No.  If I can't leave when I want to leave, I will change my Qatar ticket.  I was super double happy with the service on Qatar.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

How was check-in like at the hotel? Were the staff all decked out in hazmat gear? Did they ask where you’ll be staying after ASQ?

Nobody's in hazmat, also not at the airport.  Everybody who interacts with people has a sort of paper covering for their clothes; in some cases a proper surgical outfit. Almost everyone at the airport and hotel just has the standard blue surgical masks.  Check-in was fine, took place in the parking garage, the staff member spoke perfect English, I was checking in right after lunch and I think he would have offered me something but I wasn't hungry.  You have to put your shoes in a bag and wear the slippers they give you, but then they give you the bag-o-shoes in your room.  Porter took the luggage up, nobody drenched it in disinfectant (nor me!) and I felt very well treated in the circumstances.

 

Hotel asked about post-ASQ before I flew.  At BKK I was asked twice; they definitely want that info.  If I had known they'd be that interested I'd have booked a longer stay somewhere and possibly canceled it, I was sort of half expecting someone to take issue with my only having bothered to book 3 days after ASQ.  Obviously I'll not be staying on the street, but I figured 16 days gives me plenty of time on Booking dot com.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Did you ask the front desk for a USB adapter?

No, I had one anyway, and I had enough cables for charging.  Front desk has been very nice, I'm sure they would help me get one if I needed it.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

How’s the Wi-Fi/Internet?

Excellent so far, I've had a couple video calls and no issues.  Mostly just surfing and watching YouTube though.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Could you please ask someone...

I'm not that bored.  Just send them an e-mail, they'll answer you.  I'm not a member so I didn't ask.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

free room upgrade?

There were two room types available when I booked: updated, white, lower floor; and not-updated, brown, upper floor.  I would have chosen brown/upper even if it were more expensive.

 

2 hours ago, 10years said:

Can nights there be counted as rewards nights?

No idea, this is my first Accor experience.  Again, email them: I never waited longer than a day for an answer from the staff here.

[FalangTingTong]

1 hour ago, Nanaplaza666 said:

best burgers and shakes in town by the way in my opinion . 

 

Thanks for the tip!  I have been thinking I should try the room service once or twice and cancel the standard lunch or dinner.  The food is good and plentiful but I am curious what else the restaurant is capable of packing into a single-use plastic container.  Not at all averse to paying for the experience.

 

[FalangTingTong]

20 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

If anybody wants to know what could possibly go wrong have a look at this one. Enjoy!

A Story About When ASQ Goes Wrong – Stickboy Bangkok (stickboybkk.com)

 

 

Haha that was a pretty good rant, though it didn't make me overwhelmingly sympathetic to his plight.  I'll save Part Two for after my day-five PCR test just in case.

 

Good to know Stickman had a son! ????

 

[OneMoreFarang]

25 minutes ago, FalangTingTong said:

 

Haha that was a pretty good rant, though it didn't make me overwhelmingly sympathetic to his plight.  I'll save Part Two for after my day-five PCR test just in case.

 

Good to know Stickman had a son! ????

 

StickBoy owns Stickman and many other domains. ???? (really)

And StickBoy is in Bangkok and knows what he talks about - Stickman is not in Thailand and out of the loop since years.

[onebir]

21 hours ago, FalangTingTong said:

Berlin Brandenburg airport is a total clusterf***

If so, that's just a cherry on the cake of its construction.

[onebir]

21 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

StickBoy owns Stickman and many other domains.

Is there a StickBaby on the way?

[treetops]

2 hours ago, FalangTingTong said:

Germans like to wear their masks nose-free so that was annoying but hey, welcome to Covid-Era Travel, you have to just grin and bear that stuff if the crew isn't enforcing.

Qatar doesn't require face masks to be worn in Business Class.

[mlkik]

13 minutes ago, treetops said:

Qatar doesn't require face masks to be worn in Business Class.

They did when I returned in December. They issued plastic face shield and I had to wear a mask. Yes I flew Business class.

[mlkik]

16 minutes ago, treetops said:

Qatar doesn't require face masks to be worn in Business Class.

So if you fly Business class you cant pass on covid ? What the duck

Edited February 13, 2021 by mlkik

[treetops]

16 minutes ago, mlkik said:

They did when I returned in December. They issued plastic face shield and I had to wear a mask. Yes I flew Business class.

 

As the OP experienced:

Quote

Business Class customers are asked to wear their face shield and mask onboard at their own discretion, as they enjoy more space and privacy.

 

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-releases/2020/July/qatar-airways-further-enhances-its-safety-measures-onboard-for-p.html

 

[Letseng]

On 2/12/2021 at 2:33 PM, FalangTingTong said:

Greetings from Quarantine!  I'm only on the tail end of Day One but thought my experience of getting in etc. might be useful to someone, so here goes.

 

I'm a US citizen and live in Germany; I flew from Berlin, so YMMV for any other situation.

 

PREPARATION

 

I decided to enter Visa Exempt because it was a lot faster than getting a visa.  Hopefully getting a real visa after ASQ will not be a hassle.

 

The "Fit to Fly" was a bit funny because it wasn't at all clear what the "correct" form is, and anyway the thing itself is utterly meaningless, as you will certainly be told if you get one from a German doctor.  The form on the Thai Airways site is basically identical to the form the Thai Embassy in Washington tells you is NOT acceptable.  Fortunately I caught that and was lucky enough to find a doctor who could set me up in Berlin.   As backup I had the one from Dr Donna (which I did after getting my PCR results, see below) and another from a doctor friend elsewhere.

 

The PCRs worked out fine but it was a bit stressful waiting for the results.  In Berlin now there are lots of "test centers" but they just take samples for PCR; they all promise "next day results" but that actually means the end of the next day.  So be sure to give it plenty of time!  I took two, using different  labs, in case one didn't come back in time.  And indeed, one lab was definitely sketchier than the other: I gave the sample at 10am and they took it to the lab at 10am the next day.  The other place got it to the lab within half an hour.  Both results came back 6pm the day before my flight: time to spare, but not so much that I wasn't a bit nervous.

 

The COE was a breeze by comparison: I bought my insurance (the AXA one, covers asymptomatic as well as general accident/illness) and registered on a Sunday; they processed it before noon Monday.  Getting the flight and ASQ set up took a couple days but that was mostly down to my own indecision.  I also booked a flight out within my 45-day window, to Singapore, and uploaded it to the website with a clear indication of what it was.  The Embassy processed this again in under four hours and I had my COE, just needed my PCR and Fit to Fly.

 

I printed three copies of (almost) everything and went to the airport, arriving three hours before departure, which turned out to be about right in order to avoid a line.

 

FLIGHT

 

I flew Qatar Airways, BER DOH BKK, in Business.  You can look up whatever info you like about the service on YouTube, but I will just comment that the Q-Suites product is way better than British First, and that they kept my glass full enough on the way to DOH that I had to sleep it off on the way to BKK.

Check-in was slow but efficient.  A manager checked all my documents and made copies of some.  I also had to fill out a Qatar Airlines form which I wish they'd e-mailed me, but it only took a couple minutes.

 

Berlin Brandenburg airport is a total clusterf*** and every time I go there I really miss TXL.  The (shared) lounge at the far end of the airport was open, and had nice views, but was subject to rules only a German could think up: they had food and drink but you couldn't consume it in the lounge, you had to take it out into the hallway to eat and drink, then come back in.  And no alcohol.  However, take note!  Right before the stairs up to the passport control there is a lovely little shop selling sandwiches, snacks, good beer, decent wine and even cocktails in cans.  For totally reasonable prices.  So I did manage to have a couple before boarding: in the vast seating area near the gate, where incidentally most of the airport staff seemed to be hanging out.

 

Transit in Doha was pretty mellow.  Lounge was open but I gather it's the less-nice lounge; I hadn't been in DOH in many years so I don't exactly remember.  Everybody was professional and document check for boarding the next leg was very quick, this time done by Thais.  I mostly slept on the way to Bangkok but did remember to use the lavatory shortly before landing.  I'm not sure I actually saw a lav in the airport.

IMMIGRATION

 

We were herded into a seating area for most of the wait, and only had to move seats once.  We got our ASQ hotel numbers to pin on our shirts.  Documents were checked again, once minimally and once more thoroughly. Here it turned out you needed to have your boarding pass so they could check your seat number, presumably for contact tracing.  Fortunately I still had mine; I usually don't pay much attention to it after boarding.

 

Then we were led to another document check right before the actual immigration window.  There a lady asked where I will stay after my 14 days quarantine (nobody seems to have gotten the memo that it's 16 days) and of course that was the one thing I'd forgotten to print.  She accepted my email reservation and had me write that hotel's name down on the entry form.  As I did not have a Thai phone number she had me write my email.

 

The immigration officer took his time, and seemed slightly annoyed that I had put my ASQ hotel down as my address in Thailand, because, just as nobody told me, they obviously want the *next* one.  He also checked my reservation on my phone and then had to type in Sheraton which he did slowly, but with a smile.  In fairness he was probably trying to impress the younger, female immigration officer standing beside him.  As I would have done!

 

A handler with perfect English met me at the airport and passed me on to a driver; I was the only passenger in a late-model BMW, it was a nice ride in to Si Lom.

 

We landed around 12:40 and I was checked in to my room by 14:30.

 

HOTEL

 

I am doing ASQ in the Pullman G.  I chose it based on reviews praising the food and the view.  So far I can absolutely corroborate that: food has been great, views are stunning, I can see a stretch of the river and a chunk of IconSiam and one of the expressways and a lot of standard-issue CBD stuff.  And just now some fireworks for Chinese New Year.   Also, the deposit was only 5000 THB, which gave me a little more peace of mind while waiting for my PCR test results.

 

I got a yoga mat delivered within a few minutes when I asked and it's a nice thick one.  Bathroom is very nice, with a tub and great water pressure in the separate shower.  American-sized toilet, for XXL Americans, no bum gun.  I opted for the older room on a higher floor for slightly cheaper (60K vs 65K) -- if you are sensitive to that kind of thing, the all-white updated rooms are probably spiffier but I probably have the better view.  There were no USB sockets, but I brought my own adapters so no problem.

 

Plates and silverware are provided, as are a sponge and detergent to wash them.  All food is served in plastic containers; so far I've been eating out of them too but maybe I'll get fancy and bust out the plate tomorrow.  Tea kettle is provided and they serve coffee twice a day if you like, or tea.  I am a tea snob so I brought my own.

 

There was no crazy control or disinfection of my personal effects or anything like that.  People were friendly and helpful and spoke very good English.  I have chosen to do a much needed 16-day alcohol-free liver cleanse; you can't order alcohol, but there is room service for other things.  They give you more than enough to eat, so I haven't even checked the menu yet.  They even give you kangaroo butter twice a day, in case you are Australian!

 

I chose all my meals before check-in but if you want to do it as you go they'd probably let you.  Front desk is very responsive on the LINE app.  There are vegetarian options for everything but (I think) the tea set, but as I'm not a veg I didn't ask if they could do it meatless.  In any case only the savory stuff would have meat.

 

There do seem to be other people around: I can hear a family with a kid in probably the next room, and there are quite a few tables out on this floor.

 

While I would definitely recommend the Pullman, especially if food quality and view matter, I should also note that I recently saw there are Golf LSQ's. With, you know, golf.  Outdoors.  Pretty expensive but I would consider that for next time.  Who knows what kinds of deals you can make out on the green!

 

All in all, I'm satisfied with the experience and I look forward to emerging, blinking, into the pollution and chaos and LIFE once the DT's wear off.  (Just kidding!)

 

It's obviously a big hurdle and expense but coming off the sh**-show that is Europe right now, I think I made the right choice.  I'll try to post again to summarize at the end, if I don't lose my mind by the 26th.

 

TAKE-AWAYS

 

1. The Embassy wants us to come, and is working faster than I ever would have expected from any embassy.
2. Allow sufficient time for your PCR tests, do not assume 24h turnaround.
3. Fit To Fly might be tricky, I recommed Dr Donna as at least a fallback option.  Apparently it's more normal in the US and UK.  Link: https://www.medconsultasia.com
4. Have everything printed out before you fly.
5. Don't forget post-ASQ address with whatever will document it; that is your "address" in Thailand even if it's only for a few days.
6. Keep your boarding pass!
7. BYO USB charger just in case.

Tks for your detailed info.

We are planning to do the same journey ex Austria in a few weeks. May I ask for how long you had to buy insurance cover for visa exempt? Was this only travel/Covid19 insurance or general medical insurance in/outpatient?

We will also go on Qatar in business. Was the flight heavily booked?

Did you have a return booked on QR or did you just buy a "disposable" return flight out of Thailand? You mentioned you intend to extend your stay.

We are undecided whether we should get STV or visa exempt and extend while in Bangkok.

Tks for any advice you can give.

 

[DrJack54]

58 minutes ago, Letseng said:

We are undecided whether we should get STV or visa exempt and extend while in Bangkok.

Bit depends on how long you wish to remain in Thailand. Also your options for extensions, meaning age for retirement option etc.

There are always agent options to obtain non o for volunteering etc.

Note this is not possible if you enter with STV.

Personally I would enter visa exempt.

[geisha]

12 hours ago, 10years said:

Nice report. Since you’re still fresh, thought I’d hit you up for some more details.

 

Was your Qatar ticket one-way? Is your Singapore flight also one-way? Was the Singapore flight required to get the COE? Did you have to show it when you checked in for the Qatar flight? Did the Singapore departure have to be within the 45-day time frame? Do you actually intend to use the Singapore ticket? The reason I ask is that pre-pandemic, I never had to show an outbound ticket when I entered VE. The airline required an outbound ticket, but it could be past 30 days.

 

How was check-in like at the hotel? Were the staff all decked out in hazmat gear? Did they ask where you’ll be staying after ASQ?

 

Did you ask the front desk for a USB adapter? Usually Pullmans are good about providing stuff like HDMI and LAN cables for free.

 

How’s the Wi-Fi/Internet?

 

Pullman is part of the Accor group. I’m a member of their rewards program at the diamond level. Could you please ask someone if an Accor cardholder can use his privileges during ASQ, such as a free room upgrade? Can nights there be counted as rewards nights? If so, you might want to consider joining the program. You might reach a higher tier after only 10 nights. And Pullman G has a wonderful sister property right on the beach in Pattaya.

Hi, about the Pullman advantages etc ,it’s all on the Accor website concerning the ASQ approved hotels.