Thailand to UK trip under the new Thailand Pass and a Rejected application.

[Scouse123]

Guys,

 

I left Thailand on November 2 until 21 just as the Thailand Pass system came into force. I flew in business class with Qatar air. I will give you a summary of this trip.

 

I had to complete a Passenger locator form within 48 hours prior to travelling to the UK ordered by UK government. It was straightforward and simple but included a compulsory LFT , (lateral flow test) delivered to mu home in the UK. You cannot  complete the UK locator form without buying this test as a code is sent to your email to enter on the form. No passenger locator form with you then you won't get past the check in at Bangkok. LFT tests are between 22 GBP to 30 GBP.

 

On arrival in the UK, there were no checks or requests for anything. I entered immigration via an e-gate, not through a human controlled immigration point.

 

The Thailand Pass kicked in whilst I was in the UK and I filled out everything whilst I was there and uploaded all my information. It took a week and was returned to me REJECTED around the 14th November.

 

The reason for rejection was because my hotel, The Landmark hotel,Bangkok, had asked only for payment for the room and stated on the document that the PCR test was to be paid on arrival. I phoned the hotel in a panic. They told me government policy had changed and PCR test had to be confirmed prior to arrival. She gave me a link, I paid and they then issued another hotel receipt by email stating everything including PCR test had been paid.

 

I then reapplied to Thailand Pass and was extremely nervous after the horror stories of late and the fact it took them a week to issue a rejection. I thought I was running out of time. It was the 15th and I was flying on the 20th.

 

I got the approval the same day from Thailand Pass. It was an anxious time through no fault of mine. I found Thailand Pass very user friendly and efficient.

 

Flying in Qatar business Q suites was a pleasure . The crew have downgraded their uniforms to near normal from almost ' Hazmat suits ' to a more friendly approach with mask and gloves with no plastic aprons and far less intimidating. The flight was excellent and the usual outstanding Qatar service.

 

On arrival in Bangkok you go through two checkpoints. The first you must sit and be called to the counter to check your documents for Thailand Pass and UK PCR Test within 72 hours. It was OK as in business class you are first off the plane. I would not fancy this system if and when I am flying economy as it creates a bottleneck on arrival.and if five or six planes arriving at a similar time, it will be chaos.

 

Immigration was pretty easy and straightforward. They have changed design and colors on exit and entry stamps!

 

After luggage collection and out to the required gate is another bottleneck whilst hotels are trying to get us all in our appointed taxis to our hotels. I got the private Landmark hotel sealed taxi, ( sealed from driver and front seat to rear passengers by permanent perspex screening) and was whisked to Bumrungrad hospital.

 

It was like a drive in and two nurses in full Hazmat suits administered my Covid test whilst I was in the rear seat of the taxi and off we went to the hotel.

 

Straight to the room at 8.30am, the result came back at 5pm. This was the most nerve wracking as I did not want 10 days in the Landmark. All clear at 5pm I booked my flight to Roi Et which was 3500 baht with 40KG of luggage. Normally it would be around 1700 baht but Covid times are rip off times.

 

Two Covid PCR tests were a further 60 GBP each,

 

I needed to visit the UK so it was worth it, many others would consider it not worth the worry, fuss and trouble.

 

Thailand Pass works but I am skeptical if the present formula will satisfy the masses and I predict horrendous queues if large numbers arrive at the same time.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2021 by Scouse123

[The Hammer2021]

Excellent information and review.  Was your vaccination status checked at UK Airport on arrival?

Did you arrange your Thai civid medical insurance before you left Thailand? If so which and how much?

Edited November 23, 2021 by The Hammer2021

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Excellent information and review.  Was your vaccination status checked at UK Airport on arrival?

Did you arrange your Thai civid medical insurance before you left Thailand? If so which and how much?

I have full health insurance, (including Covid for $100,000), with the Pacific Cross of Thailand under the Maxima plus program as a matter of course on an annual basis.

 

In the UK I was not asked regards vaccination status but I think if I had not sent in the LFT test as ruled by the passenger locator form, they would have come knocking.

 

I think I gave my vaccination details on the Passenger locator form.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 23, 2021 by Scouse123

[BKKBike09]

2 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Excellent information and review.  Was your vaccination status checked at UK Airport on arrival?

Did you arrange your Thai civid medical insurance before you left Thailand? If so which and how much?

No one checks anything in the UK if you use e-gate for passport control. I arrived the day before the OP (also on Qatar from BKK). Straight through. 

[The Hammer2021]

7 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

No one checks anything in the UK if you use e-gate for passport control. I arrived the day before the OP (also on Qatar from BKK). Straight through. 

Can we conclude thousands of travellers are entering the UK with no vaccination check? Or that the checking process is done via the ticket booking process?

[The Hammer2021]

8 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I have full health insurance, (including Covid for $100,000), with the Pacific Cross of Thailand under the Maxima plus program as a matter of course on an annual basis.

 

In the UK I was not asked regards vaccination status but I think if I had not sent in the LFT test as ruled by the passenger locator form, they would have come knocking.

 

I think I gave my vaccination details on the Passenger locator form.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your reply. But how do the Thai authorities know you have the relevant insurance?

[BKKBike09]

3 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Can we conclude thousands of travellers are entering the UK with no vaccination check? Or that the checking process is done via the ticket booking process?

I think it's quite possible no checking is done and that it's an 'honour system'. I had one jab from UK in April and one from Thailand in July, so there was no single record to be checked either in UK or Thailand to confirm I am double vaxxed (so I got a further jab here in UK in early Nov just so I can show two jabs from one country). Anyway, cases in UK are running around 40K a day and have been for months, so maybe it's a moot point.

 

3 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Thanks for your reply. But how do the Thai authorities know you have the relevant insurance?

Pacific Cross issue a letter which says (in my case):

 

"This Certificate of insurance guarantees that the insured persons above are currently insured By Pacific Cross Health Insurance PCL. The insured’s insurance policy is currently in force from 01 June 2021 until 31 MAY 2022 Health insurance policy which covers treatment and medical expense in relation to COVID -19 with a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD and a minimum In-Patient coverage to 400,000 THB and Out-Patient 40,000 THB for other medical and accident expenses (Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy)."

 

The letter also has full name, policy number and passport number.

[lanng khao]

When you checked in to leave Thailand didn't you have to show a vaccination certificate or the little yellow passport type book with your vaccination details  to be allowed to board the plane?..

[Will B Good]

Flying Q Suite for the first time this Sunday......hope they don't change the aircraft and find myself in ordinary BC!!!!

[Scouse123]

5 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Thanks for your reply. But how do the Thai authorities know you have the relevant insurance?

Because I must upload and produce it to get the Thailand Pass to gain entry back in to Thailand.

 

They require policy number and a scanned copy of the insurance as part of Thailand Pass application.

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, lanng khao said:

When you checked in to leave Thailand didn't you have to show a vaccination certificate or the little yellow passport type book with your vaccination details  to be allowed to board the plane?..

No.

[Scouse123]

5 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Can we conclude thousands of travellers are entering the UK with no vaccination check? Or that the checking process is done via the ticket booking process?

It is done by booking process and passenger locator form.

[Scouse123]

57 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Flying Q Suite for the first time this Sunday......hope they don't change the aircraft and find myself in ordinary BC!!!!

I don't think they will. I think you will be OK.

 

Q suites lends itself to Covid social distancing.

[treetops]

6 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

They require policy number and a scanned copy of the insurance as part of Thailand Pass application.

It is often reported on here that insurance must last until the date you are stamped in for, which for annual insurance and annual extensions of stay is going to be a pain for many.  A friend recently travelled and was told that 30 days insurance would suffice even though he would be stamped in for several months.

 

Did you have any isssues like this or does your extension expire before your insurance?

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, treetops said:

It is often reported on here that insurance must last until the date you are stamped in for, which for annual insurance and annual extensions of stay is going to be a pain for many.  A friend recently travelled and was told that 30 days insurance would suffice even though he would be stamped in for several months.

 

Did you have any isssues like this or does your extension expire before your insurance?

My extension is until July 18th 2022 and my insurance is until July 30th 2022.

 

So, a good move by me even though I wasn't aware of it when I did it, it just turned out that way.

 

As an expat I just make sure I have full health cover on a yearly renewable basis so the health insurance problem never crops up for me.

[Mike Teavee]

14 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

I think it's quite possible no checking is done and that it's an 'honour system'. I had one jab from UK in April and one from Thailand in July, so there was no single record to be checked either in UK or Thailand to confirm I am double vaxxed (so I got a further jab here in UK in early Nov just so I can show two jabs from one country). Anyway, cases in UK are running around 40K a day and have been for months, so maybe it's a moot point.

 

Pacific Cross issue a letter which says (in my case):

 

"This Certificate of insurance guarantees that the insured persons above are currently insured By Pacific Cross Health Insurance PCL. The insured’s insurance policy is currently in force from 01 June 2021 until 31 MAY 2022 Health insurance policy which covers treatment and medical expense in relation to COVID -19 with a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD and a minimum In-Patient coverage to 400,000 THB and Out-Patient 40,000 THB for other medical and accident expenses (Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy)."

 

The letter also has full name, policy number and passport number.

Do you need the 40,000 THB Outpatients insurance or will $100,000 USD COVID & 3.5Million Inpatients surfice? - I have the Pacific Cross "Visa Friendly" policy & removed the Outpatients but can add it back in at renewal time (Janiary) if it's needed for travel (March). 

 

Also, what was the service like onboard? I do enjoy the meals / few glasses of champagne whilst sat in  QSuites (& the lounges) so it would be a bit of a pi55er of all's I could get was a sandwich & soft drinks 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2021 by Mike Teavee

[Scouse123]

4 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

Do you need the 40,000 THB Outpatients insurance or will $100,000 USD COVID & 3.5Million Inpatients surfice? - I have the Pacific Cross "Visa Friendly" policy & removed the Outpatients but can add it back in at renewal time (Janiary) if it's needed for travel (March). 

 

Also, what was the service like onboard? I do enjoy the meals / few glasses of champagne whilst sat in  QSuites (& the lounges) so it would be a bit of a pi55er of all's I could get was a sandwich & soft drinks 

 

 

I only have full inpatient and $100 K Covid cover without any 40,000 baht out patient and it was OK.

 

There was full "dine on demand" meal service both on board and in the business lounges in Doha with free flowing champagnes and wines.

 

Full wine lists were available on board.

 

Have no fear!

[Greenwich Boy]

18 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Flying Q Suite for the first time this Sunday......hope they don't change the aircraft and find myself in ordinary BC!!!!

I upgraded to a Q Suite on the Doha to Bangkok leg earlier in the year. A real treat. I can't afford to do this every time but I never want to fly economy again!

[Mike Teavee]

52 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

I only have full inpatient and $100 K Covid cover without any 40,000 baht out patient and it was OK.

 

There was full "dine on demand" meal service both on board and in the business lounges in Doha with free flowing champagnes and wines.

 

Full wine lists were available on board.

 

Have no fear!

Thanks, you've made my day ???? 

[BKKBike09]

23 hours ago, lanng khao said:

When you checked in to leave Thailand didn't you have to show a vaccination certificate or the little yellow passport type book with your vaccination details  to be allowed to board the plane?..

At check in in Bangkok I had to show my vaccine certs - in my case one print out from NHS for the UK jab and the yellow vaccine passport for the one jab from Thailand. All they cared about was to check that both jabs were the same vax (AZ in my case). 

 

The UK Passenger Form asks what country's programme you've been vaccinated; you can't select more than one country so I said Thailand, given that's where the second dose was received. Didn't have to upload any screenshots or enter any specific details like dates of vax etc (AFAIR).

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, BKKBike09 said:

All they cared about was to check that both jabs were the same vax (AZ in my case). 

Why would they care about them being the same?

[BKKBike09]

10 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

Do you need the 40,000 THB Outpatients insurance or will $100,000 USD COVID & 3.5Million Inpatients surfice? - I have the Pacific Cross "Visa Friendly" policy & removed the Outpatients but can add it back in at renewal time (Janiary) if it's needed for travel (March). 

 

Also, what was the service like onboard? I do enjoy the meals / few glasses of champagne whilst sat in  QSuites (& the lounges) so it would be a bit of a pi55er of all's I could get was a sandwich & soft drinks 

 

 

As the OP has said, don't need any outpatient coverage - that's just part of my existing policy. 

 

Also as per OP's response, service onboard is top notch. Back to normal pretty much. Cabin crew wear masks but that's it. 

[BKKBike09]

2 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Why would they care about them being the same?

I don't know. Maybe because UK regs still don't approve mix and match for Dose 1 / Dose 2, so could be linked to that (in terms of whether you are considered fully vaxxed or not)?

 

This is what the NHS says about it (for walk in):

Availability of vaccines

If you’ve already had your 1st dose, you need to have the same vaccine for your 2nd dose.

 

 

[Will B Good]

38 minutes ago, BKKBike09 said:

I don't know. Maybe because UK regs still don't approve mix and match for Dose 1 / Dose 2, so could be linked to that (in terms of whether you are considered fully vaxxed or not)?

 

This is what the NHS says about it (for walk in):

Availability of vaccines

If you’ve already had your 1st dose, you need to have the same vaccine for your 2nd dose.

 

 

Approved vaccines (gov.uk)

 

You must have had a complete course of one of the following vaccines at least 14 days before you arrive in England:

 

Oxford/AstraZeneca

Pfizer BioNTech

Moderna

Janssen

Sinovac-CoronaVac

Sinopharm Beijing

Covaxin

 

Where 2 doses of a vaccine are required for a full course, you can:

mix 2 different types of vaccine from the above list, for example Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna

have the 2 vaccinations under 2 different approved programmes, for example Australia and Japan, UK and USA, France and Canada

 

I read that as you can???

[BKKBike09]

On 11/25/2021 at 8:32 AM, Will B Good said:

Approved vaccines (gov.uk)

 

You must have had a complete course of one of the following vaccines at least 14 days before you arrive in England:

 

Oxford/AstraZeneca

Pfizer BioNTech

Moderna

Janssen

Sinovac-CoronaVac

Sinopharm Beijing

Covaxin

 

Where 2 doses of a vaccine are required for a full course, you can:

mix 2 different types of vaccine from the above list, for example Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna

have the 2 vaccinations under 2 different approved programmes, for example Australia and Japan, UK and USA, France and Canada

 

I read that as you can???

That's interesting. I think that's updated UK guidance because when I left start of November, it was very clear that Sinovac / Sinopharm weren't approved in UK.

 

It also didn't say anything about mix and match of country programmes: when I filled in the Passenger Form for UK it only allowed one choice of country for where you had been vaccinated. 

[The Hammer2021]

1 hour ago, BKKBike09 said:

That's interesting. I think that's updated UK guidance because when I left start of November, it was very clear that Sinovac / Sinopharm weren't approved in UK.

 

It also didn't say anything about mix and match of country programmes: when I filled in the Passenger Form for UK it only allowed one choice of country for where you had been vaccinated. 

Sinocac and sinopharm are now approved I believe