Test & Go / Thai Pass: My story & observations

[howlee101]

This is my experience...Departed 13 Jan 22 out of Charlotte, NC to Atlanta, GA to Incheon, Korea arriving 14 Jan 22, then to Bangkok, arriving approx 11pm.  I had a Thai Pass and Test & Go, along with a Non-O visa (eVisa).

 

First - seem obvious but....have printed copies of any and all of your documents at the beginning of you first flight.  (NOTE: this is not a rant against airline gate agents but I wanted to express the confusion over constant changes to the "what is required".  I checked in at Charlotte....Delta agent asked for certain documents but not all (passport, Thai Pass, RT-PCR test results within 72 hrs, and Covid insurance.  She didn't want to see my Non-O eVisa but only asked what was my return date (not a flight number) although I did have a return flight from onward ticket dot com.  She didn't have a problem with my documents so I was cleared.

 

In Atlanta, the Delta gate agent made an announcement that if you didn't have a blue (staying in Korea) or brown (transiting through Korea), then you needed to bring all paperwork to the counter for verification.  The lady that checked my paperwork said the "requirements" were determined by Korean immigrations, and they seemed to change daily.  At first she announced the RT-PCR test had to be signed or have a stamp with the test administered 72 hrs prior to departure.  A few Korean passengers evidently didn't have the right test certificate/paperwork and was told they needed to call the test facility and have them send an email with the proper documentation...and the passenger had to go to another terminal to have it printed.  Keep in mind this was less than one hour before boarding. I don't think they made it on the flight because we were delayed because they had to unload some passengers luggage.  I was in panic mode because my document, which was sent to me by the lab in North Carolina, did not have a "stamp" nor "signature".  However, she seemed to accept what I had and placed a plastic wristband on my wrist.

 

In Korea, those transiting to other countries on Korean Air Lines, were directed to go to the "Transfer Desk" on the fourth floor. They we very helpful and professional assisting the passengers.  The lady checked my Thai Pass, covid insurance, RT-PCR test results (she did the math and even asked for my first boarding pass), and reservations from a SHA+ hotel (I would suggest getting the "Hotel Confirmation" directly from the hotel and make sure the check-in date reflects you arrival date regardless if you have a late arrival and won't get to the hotel until after midnight).  Also, they did not ask me about onward travel.  Another note, one older expat (sounded US) was being questioned about his covid test.  It seems he had a document for the antigen test (remember, thai embassy specifically requires RT-PCR test).  He also had a document from his doctor saying he had a PCR test and was negative...I'm guessing it wasn't within 72 hours.  Bottom line, he wasn't allowed to board the flight. 

 

Arrival in Bangkok - it may have been because we arrived late and the crowd was minimal but I managed to depart the plane, get to the first station to check paperwork, proceed to the next station where they inputted your information (not sure what but I just gave the person the document asked for).  After I was cleared, I proceeded to the immigration area (passport, TM-6 card, eVisa, address where I would be staying after the one day quarantine), after my visa stamp, picked up my luggage, strolled through customs in the "Nothing to Declare",  and, just outside the customs area, made it to the hotel waiting area. I met the hotel rep who directed me to a seating area to await the hotel shuttle driver.  From departing the aircraft to being seated to await the hotel driver was approx. 20 minutes.

 

Arrived at the hotel, got checked in a little after midnight, was told to expect a call when my RT-PCR test was available (scheduled for 3 am)....they called at 3am, I went downstairs immediately, got the results at 10am.  I schedule to stay another night so not sure what will be the process be for them to schedule my next covid test in 5-6 days. 

 

 

Again, this is for informational purposes.  I'll try to answer any questions the readers may have.  Good luck to new arrivals  

[DrJack54]

@howlee101 excellent. 

Thanks for report.

Sounds like an ordeal for some.

[asiaexpat]

The Pink document given to you at the airport is used to get the 2nd PCR test free. Ask the hotel for the nearest location to get the PCR test. After 5 days to 7 days get tested and if your MorChana app works correctly (ours did not) report the 2nd PCR through the app. 

[Sheryl]

As above, the T&G hotel will not schedule your day 5-7 test, that is up to you and you can do it at a large number of places. Show the pink slip when you go.

 

Although the hotel will not schedule this for you, if you email them the result they might help upload it to the app as that is hard to do yourself (I could not). At least, my hotel did.

[hamdan5485]

What are the apps need to be downloaded? Can they be downloaded before arrival i.e. not using Thai SIM card?

[howlee101]

1 hour ago, hamdan5485 said:

What are the apps need to be downloaded? Can they be downloaded before arrival i.e. not using Thai SIM card?

I could not download from the US.  When I first got to the hotel, I downloaded without a problem.

[edwardandtubs]

On 1/15/2022 at 1:10 PM, howlee101 said:

Arrived at the hotel, got checked in a little after midnight, was told to expect a call when my RT-PCR test was available (scheduled for 3 am)....they called at 3am, I went downstairs immediately, got the results at 10am.  I schedule to stay another night so not sure what will be the process be for them to schedule my next covid test in 5-6 days. 

Was the test uncomfortable? Was it the "brain tickler" type or just a throat and nostrils swab?

[howlee101]

26 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

Was the test uncomfortable? Was it the "brain tickler" type or just a throat and nostrils swab?

it was both a mouth (mostly the back of the tongue) and nostril swab.  She didn't go that deep but it's never pleasant.