Thailand Pass - Its even worse than the COE system.

[Leveraged]

Sitting in a hotel in Qatar waiting on my Thailand Pass to be.... Approved? Rejected? Anything? 

 

What an Abomination of a system. With the COE I got pre-approval on the same day, and full approval within 24 hours. Thailand Pass? Im on day 3, waiting.... 

 

Several thousand dollars tied up in tickets and bookings and all the other nonsense needed to get uploaded and now you just have to wait & pray. 

 

What on earth was Thailand thinking when they made this ridiculous system. The fact that your specific flight is tied all thorough your application is the dumbest thing imaginable. It forces you into a specific date with everything booked in advance.

 

This really is the stupidest, most insufferable and risky system they could have developed. 

 

If I dont get anything back today from them, whats a person supposed to do? Re-book your entire trip and try again??? 

[GrandPapillon]

your mistake was to come to Thailand in the first place ????

[Leveraged]

My wife & kids are there... 

[hamdan5485]

10 minutes ago, Leveraged said:

My wife & kids are there... 

I feel your frustration and nervousness. Hope all will be smooth for you.

[NativeBob]

just hop on the plane with all docs with you. at airport say the truth - Immigration officers are generally nice and supportive (when they are not in "corrupt mode"). Your kid birth cert. will help

Good luck!

[Mapguy]

Clearly, your mileage will vary depending upon where you are. My experience was that it worked in a timely (within 5 days) manner. The initial request was rejected, the missing information provided quickly, and an acceptance received almost immediately.  Some consular official was listening!  However, I have heard differently.  Perhaps it is the specific consulate to whom you are farmed out to that makes the difference.

 

I have also heard that a ticket need not be in hand --  just knowledge of the flight arrival information -- but I had a ticket in hand, as I think most people would.  The two-stage process COE, in my view, made more sense.

 

I would add that on arrival at BKK  that no one -- no one -- checked the iPhone data, only hard copies. So, OP, take those along!

[Oblomov]

It certainly seems to be inconsistently processed, and it really shouldn't be, but mine was approved instantly which took me by surprise. 

 

Someone did email me to clarify one detail and that was also instant so there is an email in there somewhere that can be used.

 

I suppose we're all at the start of the way we will all travel from now on so only hope it all gets streamlined and improved over time

[HashBrownHarry]

I did 4 x CoE apps and have just completed my Thai Pass.

 

Thai pass took me 20 minutes to upload all docs, once submitted got instant confirmation by e-mail and 3 hours later i got the QR code on the pass, could not have been simpler.

 

I suggest you try again, i found the process painless.

[soi3eddie]

43 minutes ago, NativeBob said:

just hop on the plane with all docs with you. at airport say the truth - Immigration officers are generally nice and supportive (when they are not in "corrupt mode"). Your kid birth cert. will help

Good luck!

No airline will let you on a plane without the Thai Pass (and all the correct documents). Good luck to OP in getting the pass issued in time.

 

[JustAnotherHun]

Quote

Thailand Pass? Im on day 3, waiting.... 

 

Several thousand dollars tied up in tickets and bookings and all the other nonsense needed to get uploaded and now you just have to wait & pray. 

I can understand your anger, but as you can read in the TP application form, it may take up to 7 working days until approvement. So if three days is to much to catch your flight you started the process to late.

In my case and thousands others TP worked smoothly.

Edited December 14, 2021 by JustAnotherHun

[JustAnotherHun]

1 hour ago, NativeBob said:

just hop on the plane with all docs with you. at airport say the truth - Immigration officers are generally nice and supportive (when they are not in "corrupt mode"). Your kid birth cert. will help

Good luck!

This might be the worst suggestion I ever read on TVF.

Fly in without a TP and you'll surely sit in quarantaine or even in a hospital until you'll be in the next flight to where you came from.

But htat won't happen because NO airline will let you board without the TP.

Edited December 14, 2021 by JustAnotherHun

[Lemsta69]

pay Thai Visa Centre to expedite it for you. simples

[ThailandRyan]

Opened up the Thai Pass app, uploaded the documents, the first time in about 20 minutes as I had to gather the documents, and actually spent just 5 minutes worth of actual effort uploading it all.  2 days later received a rejection for having 2 pages of the medical insurance certificate, one for covid and one for the 50K USD policy.  Was told what was needed in the rejection e-mail.  Contacted my Insurer here in Thailand and they sent me one certificate with both listed on 1 page. 

 

After spending 5 minutes gathering the documents again, I then uploaded the documents,  again 5 minutes worth of effort again, and within 2 hours had it approved and received my QR code for a return to Thailand in February using the Test N Go scheme. 

 

I did it while also still here in Thailand as I do not leave for the US until after the new year.  Of course it took 15 minutes prior to completing the app as I had to book a hotel for my return and print out the confirmation and have the booking code at the ready, gather the return flight number from my already booked flights and ensured I had the time of return with the date, have my Vaccine Certificate from the hospital at the ready photo on the phone, and then cropped the QR code for use and taken

 

The QR code and approval is good for 90 days from the date of approval as well, just in case travel plans change.

 

Of course YMMV. 

[GrandPapillon]

2 hours ago, Leveraged said:

My wife & kids are there... 

got it, well, just pray Allah and everything should be fine :p

 

[Nip]

14 hours ago, HashBrownHarry said:

I did 4 x CoE apps and have just completed my Thai Pass.

 

Thai pass took me 20 minutes to upload all docs, once submitted got instant confirmation by e-mail and 3 hours later i got the QR code on the pass, could not have been simpler.

 

I suggest you try again, i found the process painless.

Thought I'd never say it but I uploaded everything using Jpeg took 10 minutes. 3 minutes got my registration number, 5 minutes later I got my QR code. I think if you have everything sorted ie ready in Jpeg to upload then it's an excellent system. My son had his done and dusted in 20 minutes. 

[superal]

It is not a problem for computer literate ppl when applying for the T/P but for some of the older generation it can be puzzling . Also the fact that you have to pay up front for your flight & insurance , does make you concerned , hoping there will not be a problem or delay with your application which could lead to a lost flight . So I suppose flexible flights are the answer ?  I had reason to call the Thai embassy in London yesterday . After listening to all the recorded messages about the opening times etc  I was told that I was in position number 40 . I hung up . Earlier this year I had a similar experience and so I tried emailing them but what I got back was a pre written standard reply which was irrelevant to my enquiry .

Good old customer service seems all but gone and has been replaced by faceless robots , not just talking about the embassy but across the board in most consumer services .

[DrJack54]

15 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

 

I did it while also still here in Thailand as I do not leave for the US until after the new year

Clearly I need to follow these threads more. I was not aware that you could organize your return leg back to Thailand that early while still here in Thailand.

 

I was always concerned about the return. To have it all organized prior to leaving Thailand would be huge relief. 

[Brock]

Did your Covid Vax certificate have a QR code, or just a typed page.. QR codes seem to be processed immediately, Plain page takes 3 to 7 days I believe.. Also were you using a hotmail address?? It seems that Hotmail isnt accepted but gmail is good to go..

[jojothai]

15 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Opened up the Thai Pass app, uploaded the documents, the first time in about 20 minutes as I had to gather the documents, and actually spent just 5 minutes worth of actual effort uploading it all. 

What you say is not that easy or simple.

I have just done it recently and people need to understand that it takes time and effort.

You cannot do it all the first time, as you have to figure out what is required and how.

Allow 30 minutes to go through it first to figure out.

Then compile the docs that may take more time time than what you prepared.

Then allow up to an hour to get it completed.

You cannot save partially.

What insurance company sends you documents in jpg.? and also gets it changed with so little effort?

My insurance policy is a proper full insurance with 5 pages.

Not some one page thai policy worth next to nothing. 

My global insurance company are not going to change it to one page so i trust it will not get rejected.

The SHA plus+ hotels are not all on the list you can choose, even though they are listed on the link.

It took half a day to communicate from abroad to figure out what to do. I was lucky it did not take a lot longer.

It says you have to use a photo of passport. Ie not scanned.

Its a lot of effort getting a photo of passport without reflections.

It does not ask for visa or return flight ticket.

No consideration of people who have gone out for a week or two and are returning. If you state "returning to thailand" there is no section to clarify.

Its not been put together well.

Been used enough by now for them to have done something to improve it. Sadly TIT.

[onekoolguy]

Call the closest thai embassy. They can issue an immediate pass.

Mine took 10 days. I called them on day 7. No answer on any of the listed numbers. Finally had a Thai business friend assign it to his secretary. She kept calling until they finally answered. They said if no pass by day 10 call back and they would issue emergency pass. I got it on day 10 2 days before my flight.

Start making phone calls!

.

[The Hammer2021]

17 hours ago, GrandPapillon said:

your mistake was to come to Thailand in the first place ????

He's not in Thailand.

[The Hammer2021]

32 minutes ago, superal said:

It is not a problem for computer literate ppl when applying for the T/P but for some of the older generation it can be puzzling . Also the fact that you have to pay up front for your flight & insurance , does make you concerned , hoping there will not be a problem or delay with your application which could lead to a lost flight . So I suppose flexible flights are the answer ?  I had reason to call the Thai embassy in London yesterday . After listening to all the recorded messages about the opening times etc  I was told that I was in position number 40 . I hung up . Earlier this year I had a similar experience and so I tried emailing them but what I got back was a pre written standard reply which was irrelevant to my enquiry .

Good old customer service seems all but gone and has been replaced by faceless robots , not just talking about the embassy but across the board in most consumer services .

IT illiteracy is not age related!

[onekoolguy]

I have not seen it mentioned, but there is a company that will obtain the pass for you. Usually in 24 hours. The fee i saw advertised sounded reasonable considering the hassle of doing ityourself?

[THEN]

My TP application went like this:

 

1st of Nov - apply for TP.

5th of Nov - visit embassy (to no avail as the embassy only focus on people with less than 48 hours to their flight - which is fair enough).

8th of Nov - good swift dialogue with Embassy via FB Messenger. My application was rejected due to my insurance was 3 pages. I got a 1 page certificate and was immediately approved and received the QR code.

10th of Nov - rejected at TG check in counter, as my TP was created with a flight 1 day later. (mistake from TP side, not mine)

 

Luckily I had checked this with the Embassy and received this message:

If Airline has a problem, please refer to FAQ No.21

ttps://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2

21. Will my Thailand Pass QR Code remain valid if I change my flight to Thailand? - Flight changes are permitted within 72 hours from the original flight time without the need to apply for a new Thailand Pass QR Code, provided that all other required documents remain valid.

So the QR code is valid for 72 hours and not 90 days!

 

2 other passengers had already been rejected, but TG called them back after seeing FAQ 21 and I saw one of them returning with a big smile on his face.

 

Try contact the local Thai Embassy via FB messenger, they will most likely have same priority as in EU and focus on people with less than 48 hours to their flight.

 

Good luck

 

[Jaymatheson]

1 hour ago, Nip said:

Thought I'd never say it but I uploaded everything using Jpeg took 10 minutes. 3 minutes got my registration number, 5 minutes later I got my QR code. I think if you have everything sorted ie ready in Jpeg to upload then it's an excellent system. My son had his done and dusted in 20 minutes. 

Not my experience.  Had all docs required including covid certification with QR code.  Still waiting for approval 6 days later.  I get it, some people are approved immediately.... but many end up with a headache.

 

14 minutes ago, Brock said:

Did your Covid Vax certificate have a QR code, or just a typed page.. QR codes seem to be processed immediately, Plain page takes 3 to 7 days I believe.. Also were you using a hotmail address?? It seems that Hotmail isnt accepted but gmail is good to go..

I use Yahoo Mail.  Is there a chance that my brand of email address is the problem?

 

13 minutes ago, onekoolguy said:

Call the closest thai embassy. They can issue an immediate pass.

Mine took 10 days. I called them on day 7. No answer on any of the listed numbers. Finally had a Thai business friend assign it to his secretary. She kept calling until they finally answered. They said if no pass by day 10 call back and they would issue emergency pass. I got it on day 10 2 days before my flight.

Start making phone calls!

.

 

My local Embassy doesn't respond to emails, doesn't answer the phone, and their voice mail is full.  It's all starting to give me a twisted chuckle. 

[The Hammer2021]

18 minutes ago, jojothai said:

What you say is not that easy or simple.

I have just done it recently and people need to understand that it takes time and effort.

You cannot do it all the first time, as you have to figure out what is required and how.

Allow 30 minutes to go through it first to figure out.

Then compile the docs that may take more time time than what you prepared.

Then allow up to an hour to get it completed.

You cannot save partially.

What insurance company sends you documents in jpg.? and also gets it changed with so little effort?

My insurance policy is a proper full insurance with 5 pages.

Not some one page thai policy worth next to nothing. 

My global insurance company are not going to change it to one page so i trust it will not get rejected.

The SHA plus+ hotels are not all on the list you can choose, even though they are listed on the link.

It took half a day to communicate from abroad to figure out what to do. I was lucky it did not take a lot longer.

It says you have to use a photo of passport. Ie not scanned.

Its a lot of effort getting a photo of passport without reflections.

It does not ask for visa or return flight ticket.

No consideration of people who have gone out for a week or two and are returning. If you state "returning to thailand" there is no section to clarify.

Its not been put together well.

Been used enough by now for them to have done something to improve it. Sadly TIT.

You can scan a document and save it in JPG format thus eliminating reflection

[THEN]

I used yahoo mail and got confirmation that my application had been received. I did an extra application via my work mail on day 5 out of desperation, but I think Yahoo email is ok.

 

It was also impossible for me to get any feedback from embassy by phone, so I drove 4 hours just to learn that they prefer communication by FB messenger and that they focus on people with less than 48 hours to their flight.

Try to find the local Thai embassy on FB and message them asap.

[ThailandRyan]

37 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Clearly I need to follow these threads more. I was not aware that you could organize your return leg back to Thailand that early while still here in Thailand.

 

I was always concerned about the return. To have it all organized prior to leaving Thailand would be huge relief. 

I was following another thread on another forum that had folks doing it upwards of 90 days prior from their return and were still in Thailand.  The app does not ask anywhere on it from where your paying. Just your home address of whi has I still have an address in the US  but live here full time. Remember prior to covid many of us were going back and forth in ME OA visas.

[ThailandRyan]

29 minutes ago, jojothai said:

What you say is not that easy or simple.

I have just done it recently and people need to understand that it takes time and effort.

You cannot do it all the first time, as you have to figure out what is required and how.

Allow 30 minutes to go through it first to figure out.

Then compile the docs that may take more time time than what you prepared.

Then allow up to an hour to get it completed.

You cannot save partially.

What insurance company sends you documents in jpg.? and also gets it changed with so little effort?

My insurance policy is a proper full insurance with 5 pages.

Not some one page thai policy worth next to nothing. 

My global insurance company are not going to change it to one page so i trust it will not get rejected.

The SHA plus+ hotels are not all on the list you can choose, even though they are listed on the link.

It took half a day to communicate from abroad to figure out what to do. I was lucky it did not take a lot longer.

It says you have to use a photo of passport. Ie not scanned.

Its a lot of effort getting a photo of passport without reflections.

It does not ask for visa or return flight ticket.

No consideration of people who have gone out for a week or two and are returning. If you state "returning to thailand" there is no section to clarify.

Its not been put together well.

Been used enough by now for them to have done something to improve it. Sadly TIT.

Follow the threads  it gives acounts of others. Follow what they said they did, and prepare ahead of time and there is little problem.

[internationalism]

on day 5, just 2 days before departure, I have send them mail. No reply.

And started calling the first numer which begins "02" - bangkok landline. The other numbers are mobiles.

The first call lasted 1h and i have dropped it.

The second phone call 1h 10 minutes and was answered. Cod arrived in several h after.

Cost me some euroes for phone calls and over 2h of my life. Nerves.

 

On fb they can be contacted through foreign ministry page.

 

all shambles, as almost everything in thailand related to officialdom. 

Uneducated, lazy, probably poor paid. Don't care about the world around them.

That's the 3rd world level of service.

Don't be surprised if they change hotel rules.

My hotel promised private transport, no sharing with the other guests. When booked they said they are changing now their policy and I have to pay another 500b.

 

 

Edited December 15, 2021 by internationalism