July 1st BKK-USA-Phuket?

[troubletribbles]

I'm thinking about flying back home to USA for the summer vacation (and get a vaccine boot!)
I live in Bangkok and I know I will still need a 2 week ASQ... but I read that as of July 1st Phuket will be quarantine free and I will just need to stay there 7 days before leaving. Anyone heard anything about the logistics? Will I need to fly direct to Phuket? Or can I transfer in BKK? 

[up-country_sinclair]

Are you able to stay at any open hotel in Phuket, or are international arrivals limited to a select group of hotels?

[mtls2005]

No one knows anything now.

 

But everything I've read on this matter over the past few days mentions a direct flight to Phuket (HKT) as being mandatory in the initial stages. A sanitary gateway at BKK, for the BKK-HKT flight (CIQ, Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) remember that acronym) has been mentioned for future use.

 

 I think you could get an open-jaw, perhaps on Qatar Airways (QR) BKK-DOH-USA-DOH-HKT; I think QR plans to fly DOH-HKT, QR 840/841 - not sure if these are dailies, as of 1 July 2021.

 

 

[kokesaat]

My wife and I spent 13 months in the US, thinking we were going to be gone only 6 weeks.  My advice if you're planning on traveling:  have a plan B in your hip pocket.....covid or no covid.  Whatever covid rules apply now or when you leave may not apply when you plan to return.  Quarantine rules could go away.......or they could get worse.

 

[treetops]

4 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

I think you could get an open-jaw, perhaps on Qatar Airways (QR) BKK-DOH-USA-DOH-HKT; I think QR plans to fly DOH-HKT, QR 840/841 - not sure if these are dailies, as of 1 July 2021.

 

Yes, currently being sold as daily flights.  Also a potential option with Emirates EK378/379 six days per week (no Sunday) from July 1st.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, kokesaat said:

My wife and I spent 13 months in the US, thinking we were going to be gone only 6 weeks.  My advice if you're planning on traveling:  have a plan B in your hip pocket.....covid or no covid.  Whatever covid rules apply now or when you leave may not apply when you plan to return.  Quarantine rules could go away.......or they could get worse.

 

 

this is unfortunately  true

 

OP, I am going to the US this summer too.  I have thought about the Phuket possibility but it is at this stage still only something under discussion, far from being sure.

 

Also:

- far from clear, even if it happens, how much actual freedom you'd have. Not even clear you'd be able to swim in the sea. Maybe yes, maybe no.

 

-There have been discussions that it might be limited to group tours. A total deal breaker IMO if this proves to be the case.

 

-There has also been talk that the price tag, at least initially, may be  such that you could get luxury ASQ in Bangkok, complete with several room apartment, for less. Not sure of course, but seems to be what they have in mind. If so it will probably fail and then they may lower prices but that may take a while.

 

So while I will keep an eye on developments I am certainly not counting on it.

 

 

 

[Jeffr2]

We're considering the same thing.  But need clarity as to how we'll get back into Thailand before making any commitments. 

 

Airfare is really cheap right now.  We found flights to Denver for $800!!!  RT with NO change fees.

[Bangkok Basha]

1 hour ago, Jeffr2 said:

We're considering the same thing.  But need clarity as to how we'll get back into Thailand before making any commitments. 

 

Airfare is really cheap right now.  We found flights to Denver for $800!!!  RT with NO change fees.

Who's flying to DEN for $800 RT, please?

[digibum]

49 minutes ago, Bangkok Basha said:

Who's flying to DEN for $800 RT, please?

I plugged BKK to DEN into Google Flights and 21,475 RT JAL and American.  28,760 ANA and United.  Plenty of flights in that price range.  

[Jeffr2]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Basha said:

Who's flying to DEN for $800 RT, please?

Use Skyscanner.net or Kayak.com.  It also depends on what days you pick.  2 stops, Japan, then either Chicago or LAX.  I was looking at dates in July, back in November.