Finally bit the bullet and booked my first trip to Bangkok in more than 2 years! Registered for Thailand Pass on a Tuesday night at about 8:30 and got the QR email about 8:30 on Thursday night.

 

Maneuvering through the TP site was a lot smoother than I was led to believe. Thought it would be clunky and glitchy, but no big surprises or hiccups.

 

Some people recommend preparing all your jpegs before applying, but I found it clearer to do the scanning and jpegs as I went along, because the site shows exactly what they want. For example, they want only the bottom half of the passport and they want it to be perfectly flat. That meant I couldn’t use the pic I took of my passport. I had to scan it.

 

The site also tells you if the jpeg is too big. There is an easy way to downsize a pic that takes the guesswork out of it. Double click on a pic to bring it up in the Windows Photos app. Click on the icon with 3 dots. Click on Resize. It will give you 3 preset choices. Click on Best for viewing.

 

The US just has a cardboard vaccination card. But you can get a QR code through the VAMS website. VAMS is a service of the US’ CDC, so it’s free and ultra legit.

 

For insurance, I didn’t see any place to input the Social Security Office alternative. So I loaded pics of my SSO ID card, the eligibility page from my account on the SSO website and the SSO Connect QR code. I was worried about the card as it’s more than 2 years old but it turned out not to be a problem.

 

Seems like TPs don’t get approved as fast as before because they need to get a confirmation of your reservation directly from your T&G hotel. Note: If you book through Agoda, they can check your reservation online without having to communicate with your hotel. That could speed things up.

 

Actually I learned about the approval before receiving the email with the QR code. I got a email from my T&G hotel providing details on my airport transportation and hotel reservation. So out of curiosity I checked the status of my application on the TP website and it said approved.

 

Since I'll be arriving next month, no need for a pre-boarding PCR test. You can't believe how much of a relief that is. The entry process is already stressful, but that means that once you get the TP approval, you're done. One less headache to fret about.

I got my Pass in 2 days too, hassle free. I noticed that almost all seats are already taken in my flight (Narita-Suvarnabhumi) , early April !!! 

Mine took 8 hours, astounding. 

My non O single entry took about the same time too, I'm wondering if they're just sitting there twiddling their thumbs as everybody (myself included) went to Vietnam instead... 

Since I'll be arriving next month, no need for a pre-boarding PCR test. You can't believe how much of a relief that is. 

 

I would be more worried about the PCR test on Arrival in Thailand.

 

Personally, i would rather take a test before departure - That way, at least i would know that I'm Negative before my long journey.

18 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

 

 

"........Personally, i would rather take a test before departure - That way, at least i would know that I'm Negative before my long journey."

Have read that comment several times within these pages.

 

There is no restriction on a person testing as often as he feels comfortable, every day if one wishes.  But there is major difference in a personal preference and a government requirement.  Personally, I would rather eliminate as many requirements as possible.

23 minutes ago, 86Tiger said:

I would rather eliminate as many requirements as possible.

So would most people obviously.

 

Surely a pre departure test would be much better than a test upon arrival ???

I think Thailand got this one the wrong way around.

If people are happy to travel not knowing if they are negative or positive before the flight, thats up to each individual.

 

But if their arrival test is positive & they get carted off to quarantine at their own expense, dont come crying about it on here.

 

Also, when i arrived in October, i was happy to know that everyone on my flight showed a Negative test pre departure.

I thought Medicare didn't cover you out of the country unless you had Medicare Advantage?