Popular Post SnipTheCat Posted July 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 14, 2020 Since I was quite desesperated, and was wondering if any foreigner was getting a Certificate of Entry or if it was just "mission impossible", here is my story: Spent 3 days emailing and trying to call the thai embassy in brussels in order to get an appointment. Finally got someone on the phone and got an email with an appointment for the next day. June 26 : Provided copy of my passport, copy of my work permit, health insurance covering > 100k$ including covid19, letter from my company stating it will cover any covid19 related cost in the case the medical insurance doesn't work (required was either the insurance either the letter from the company, didn't take any chance and got both), Filled the declaration form, had an air ticket reservation (which got cancelled meanwhile) sent an email 3 days later asking if all the papers were ok? no reply July 9 : saw the new post on thai embassy website talking about repatriation flights as no commercial flight was going to thailand, with a link to apply for a flight on a first come first serve basis... Registered then tried to call the embassy all day... no luck, sent an email, no reply 10, 13 july : tried to call almost non stop during their service hour : no one ever picked the phone when the line was not just busy July 14 : Finally got someone on the phone, took my name and phone number and told me they would call me back at 3pm as they were all busy 4pm : Got a phone call "So, we have a repatriation flight for you on 24th of july..." "Yes... and my application for a COE? has it been approved" "Yes of course, all your papers are in order..." Next step : - Getting a reservation for a ASQ Hotel, they are almost all full, but got 2 with availability, need to wait tomorrow their office is open to make the booking, I hope I can get away with just a deposit as there is not a 100% Certainty on the flight date/time the embassy told me - Sending the ASQ reservation to the embassy ASAP - Going to the embassy to pick up my certificate of entry after the thai government validates my ASQ reservation - Less than 72 hours before departure, having a negative lab result for covid-19 + fit to fly certificate form a doctor, (so I guess I get tested next tuesday to have the result no sooner than wednesday and no latter than friday evening) - Embassy doesn't require to present the fit to fly certificate & test to them anymore, it can be done directly at the airport. - Repatriation flight will cost ~700€ and is to be paid at check-in - Note I need to have a photocopy of my passport and work permit for the immigration in thailand, along with medical certificate & letter of company (it would be safer to also have a letter from the health insurance where they say they cover covid19), and a filled declaration form. Mobile phone in working order and charged as they will verify you install the tracking app on it. Then 2 weeks quarantine, crossing my fingers to test negative, with all this I'd be out of quarantine 1 day before the limit to renew my work permit... This has been epic, hope all goes well... 21 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 Good luck. Sounds as though you have been getting plenty of healthy arm exercise trying to reach the embassy on the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tounge Thaied Posted July 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 14, 2020 Your diligence has paid off... congratulations. And thank you for sharing your story. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 2 hours ago, SnipTheCat said: Since I was quite desperate Just as well you were desperate to visit loved one i presume, otherwise nothing in this country worth the hoops and the agoney one have to jump thru just to come here... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trillian Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 Well done, congratulations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Congratulations. I’m in a slightly similar situation, however I have an extension of stay based on a marriage NON O visa, which is valid until 29th September I’m expecting my COVID health insurance $100K this week. Repatriation flights are 28th July and August 7th ASQ hotel has been selected 42kTHB for stay Most of my paperwork’s is approved, only waiting for the insurance copy then I can travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SnipTheCat Posted July 15, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 6 hours ago, ezzra said: Just as well you were desperate to visit loved one i presume, otherwise nothing in this country worth the hoops and the agoney one have to jump thru just to come here... I have a company in Thailand and have been living there for 11 years, I was on a business trip when I got stuck in Belgium, nothing to do with being desesperate to visit a loved one. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post robblok Posted July 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 6 hours ago, ezzra said: Just as well you were desperate to visit loved one i presume, otherwise nothing in this country worth the hoops and the agoney one have to jump thru just to come here... That is your opinion.. i differ. Plenty of reasons to be here I like it a lot more then back home. Nothing to do with loved ones. My life is here. 12 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnipTheCat Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 It's not done yet... spent the last 4 hours trying to get an ASQ reservation, even filled 2 forms to be told after that finally they have no availability, I have one option left... I suspect that with the new announcement that VIPs, diplomats now need to go to quarantine facilities that it will be difficult ???? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pib Posted July 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 SnipTheCat, It's been quite a "Get Back Into Thailand" obstacle course for you so far...looks like you are getting close to the end...best of luck. Below is a picture of you while running the obstacle course today. ???? 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clorox Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 (edited) lots of incident happening in Rayong, maybe this will not have an affect on you https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30391290?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=internal_referral Edited July 15, 2020 by clorox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post phetchy Posted July 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 25 minutes ago, robblok said: That is your opinion.. i differ. Plenty of reasons to be here I like it a lot more then back home. Nothing to do with loved ones. My life is here. I share your sentiment. My only potential concern is that I usually visit my mum in the UK twice a year. She's 89 and touch wood, she as mentally and physically able as some half her age. I was due to fly to LHR a week after the lockdown so the flights went up the swanee - no problem, money back from Qatar Air - eventually. So until things on the travel front get back to some sort of normal (long time I think) I will have a possible dilemma. If my mum calls it a day and I get the dreaded phone call (I'm her only close relative and will have to sort out the funeral, the will, sell the house etc.), I then have a difficult decision. Clearly my instinct and heart would say "go back, come what may. It's your mum for God's sake". Taking a step back and looking at the practicalities only complicates the matter. If I go back on a one way ticket, I will be subject to UK 14 day self-isolation (as it stands). If I adhere to this, I would be able to organise a funeral over the phone (she has a funeral expenses plan), and I may personally be permitted to attend but as for her many local friends? A wake would not be an option and to be honest the more I think about what I could or couldn't do on my own is daunting. The last straw would be if I could pull all of this off, how do I get back to Thailand, to my home for 20 years, wife and extended family of 11 years? I have to admit that as ungrateful, self-centred or upsetting it might be, I might have to consider staying here. I'm full of admiration for the OP, whatever his personal reasons, I am just not that sure that with all the trauma involved in getting to the UK, getting so many things sorted out and then faced with all sorts of obstacles to get back here, I could cope. I apologise for going off topic - a ramble I know, but bottling these things up is no help to anyone. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SnipTheCat Posted July 15, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 Update : Finally got a reservation in an ASQ hotel... It was absolutely Epic.. woke up at 3am (8am in thailand) and started contacting hotels that didn't answer or gave hope of availability (if I understand correctly, ASQ reservation go through a government platform and can be done only during business hours). First contact by phone then they require to continue by email, and some of them use google docs forms for registration. First hotel available require 100% payment in advance no cancellation or change policy, ask for clarification while contacting hotel #2... Send me an email with link to a form to fill, which I do immediatly and send them back an email, I was supposed to receive a payment link. Meanwhile contacted 2 other hotels : fully booked, fully booked (Already had 7 fully booked from last night). Hotel #2 => phone call to ask for payment link "sorry sir, we have just been informed there is no more availability"... huh.... Hotel #1 => phone call => "Sorry sir we just had a large reservation we are fully booked until August 8th" Didn't get a reply to my email from one hotel that last night told me they had availabily... (Let's say Hotel #3) : I call the number on the flyer... mobile phone number, the woman say there is availability and take my email to send me the information Trying to get some other hotels that didn't answer yesterday... wrong number, but online I find the right number... call.. full Hotel #4 : Number gets to Vejtani hospital... they transfer me to the hotel : availability, they will send me an email Didn't get email from #3 => call, girl pretty rude saying she is not in front of her computer and the reservation center will send me an email "later" Hotel #5 : number that didn't reply yesterday or earlier, got answer that they had availability, and asked me to send an email with copy of wp and passport + date Got email from hotel #4 : fill the form give my credit card detail send them an email with copy of passport and wp as requested Called hotel #4 to ask if they got all and it was in order.... Yes we have your email and we are processing our reservation, you are Mr X right? => yes. Cooling down... but feeling uneasy... 1 hour no reply... I send an email Meanwhile hotel #3 send an email saying no availability until August 6 No reply from #5, and nothing left to look for beside 2 in phuket (quarantine villas) and one in buriram... 1 hour later, I decide to call hotel #4... We have your form but we don't have your passport and you need a BOI document => you mean a work permit? = >Yes => I have already send you by email Sorry sir but we don't have them... => Ok, wait 1 minute I resend them rightnow => Ok now we got them So you want to come on #29? => No... 25th... => Wait sir I will check for availability.... Sorry Sir, our hotel is fully booked.... => [Important to stay calm here... getting angry will get you nowhere in Asia] I pleaded that the embassy called me to ask for the ASQ reservation urgently, and that I already confirmed 2 hours earlier they had availability, filled the form and gave my credit card... Asked her nicely to please help me get out of this situation (I learnt that it is often the best way... so ask for help) She talked with her manager, over heard some things, and she told me "We have received new instructions... things have changed" (I think I overheard they were keeping rooms at the request of someone) A few please later and pleading nicely... talking even more long with her manager... "Ok Sir, I will take your reservation, but normally we are fully booked... You know the Terms of payment? I will need to charge your credit card right now to secure the booking" => Yes please go ahead charge my credit card (almost in tears) 10 mins later Credit Card debited and got an email with a reservation. 3am to 1pm for this... I assume that the governement having removed the possibility for diplomats and VIP to do quarantine at home, that they are "blocking" quarantine space for them... I saw many people rejoice that finally there will be justice and that "VIPs" will have to go to quarantine as well... but... on another hand, there are only a fixed number of rooms available, and it will make things much more difficult for people who want to come back... Meanwhile also got an appointment for a covid test... which was also epic on its own... test has to be done within 72hours of departure, NOT the result, normal delay for result here is now 3-4 days... and july 21 is a public holiday.. but well, got that sorted out as well One step closer... Embassy Acked my reservation, waiting for more info, hoping the recent events won't cause repatriation flights to be cancelled as well... Quite a long post, I apologize... and I wish the best luck to people following the same "way of the cross"... 11 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moontang Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 6 hours ago, rott said: An awful lot of successful business people on here recently, and none of them seem to be desesperate for a woman. What is their secret.? not sure, but quite a few of them live in Thong Lo or Silom. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pib Posted July 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 Based on what SnipTheCat is going through as long as such policies are in place (i.e., quarantine, tons of paperwork, uncertainty, etc) I don't expect any tourists or business people will visit Thailand unless they are just into self-flagellation. Only those who absolutely must get back to Thailand will attempt reentry right now....and probably the near future. Wishing SnipTheCat best of luck as I know he must get back. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moontang Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 not surprising that the quarantine rooms are a complete ripoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted July 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 15, 2020 (edited) 1 minute ago, moontang said: not surprising that the quarantine rooms are a complete ripoff. They’re not really a rip off... 45,000 baht for 15 nights = 3000 per night - including 3 meals a day, 2x Covid tests, daily nurse checkups (temp checks). I checked the price and my ASQ goes for 2000 baht per night normally - so not a huge markup. Edited July 15, 2020 by richard_smith237 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moontang Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 I heard the food was disgusting..complete with sliced hot dogs and chipped/chopped/ham product. Hotel rooms are being deeply discounted, at the moment...oh, and the Thais are only paying 14,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HashBrownHarry Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 27 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: They’re not really a rip off... 45,000 baht for 15 nights = 3000 per night - including 3 meals a day, 2x Covid tests, daily nurse checkups (temp checks). I checked the price and my ASQ goes for 2000 baht per night normally - so not a huge markup. are you making progress with your return, if you don't mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjakob007 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 20 hours ago, bolt said: Congratulations. I’m in a slightly similar situation, however I have an extension of stay based on a marriage NON O visa, which is valid until 29th September I’m expecting my COVID health insurance $100K this week. Repatriation flights are 28th July and August 7th ASQ hotel has been selected 42kTHB for stay Most of my paperwork’s is approved, only waiting for the insurance copy then I can travel. Happy For you. which city are you planning to board flight to bkk? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjakob007 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 18 hours ago, SnipTheCat said: I have a company in Thailand and have been living there for 11 years, I was on a business trip when I got stuck in Belgium, nothing to do with being desesperate to visit a loved one. I am happy for you which city would you be boarding your flight? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjakob007 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 18 hours ago, SnipTheCat said: It's not done yet... spent the last 4 hours trying to get an ASQ reservation, even filled 2 forms to be told after that finally they have no availability, I have one option left... I suspect that with the new announcement that VIPs, diplomats now need to go to quarantine facilities that it will be difficult ???? There was an announcement a week back about 2 more hotels being added as Asq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjakob007 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 11 hours ago, SnipTheCat said: Update : Finally got a reservation in an ASQ hotel... It was absolutely Epic.. woke up at 3am (8am in thailand) and started contacting hotels that didn't answer or gave hope of availability (if I understand correctly, ASQ reservation go through a government platform and can be done only during business hours). First contact by phone then they require to continue by email, and some of them use google docs forms for registration. First hotel available require 100% payment in advance no cancellation or change policy, ask for clarification while contacting hotel #2... Send me an email with link to a form to fill, which I do immediatly and send them back an email, I was supposed to receive a payment link. Meanwhile contacted 2 other hotels : fully booked, fully booked (Already had 7 fully booked from last night). Hotel #2 => phone call to ask for payment link "sorry sir, we have just been informed there is no more availability"... huh.... Hotel #1 => phone call => "Sorry sir we just had a large reservation we are fully booked until August 8th" Didn't get a reply to my email from one hotel that last night told me they had availabily... (Let's say Hotel #3) : I call the number on the flyer... mobile phone number, the woman say there is availability and take my email to send me the information Trying to get some other hotels that didn't answer yesterday... wrong number, but online I find the right number... call.. full Hotel #4 : Number gets to Vejtani hospital... they transfer me to the hotel : availability, they will send me an email Didn't get email from #3 => call, girl pretty rude saying she is not in front of her computer and the reservation center will send me an email "later" Hotel #5 : number that didn't reply yesterday or earlier, got answer that they had availability, and asked me to send an email with copy of wp and passport + date Got email from hotel #4 : fill the form give my credit card detail send them an email with copy of passport and wp as requested Called hotel #4 to ask if they got all and it was in order.... Yes we have your email and we are processing our reservation, you are Mr X right? => yes. Cooling down... but feeling uneasy... 1 hour no reply... I send an email Meanwhile hotel #3 send an email saying no availability until August 6 No reply from #5, and nothing left to look for beside 2 in phuket (quarantine villas) and one in buriram... 1 hour later, I decide to call hotel #4... We have your form but we don't have your passport and you need a BOI document => you mean a work permit? = >Yes => I have already send you by email Sorry sir but we don't have them... => Ok, wait 1 minute I resend them rightnow => Ok now we got them So you want to come on #29? => No... 25th... => Wait sir I will check for availability.... Sorry Sir, our hotel is fully booked.... => [Important to stay calm here... getting angry will get you nowhere in Asia] I pleaded that the embassy called me to ask for the ASQ reservation urgently, and that I already confirmed 2 hours earlier they had availability, filled the form and gave my credit card... Asked her nicely to please help me get out of this situation (I learnt that it is often the best way... so ask for help) She talked with her manager, over heard some things, and she told me "We have received new instructions... things have changed" (I think I overheard they were keeping rooms at the request of someone) A few please later and pleading nicely... talking even more long with her manager... "Ok Sir, I will take your reservation, but normally we are fully booked... You know the Terms of payment? I will need to charge your credit card right now to secure the booking" => Yes please go ahead charge my credit card (almost in tears) 10 mins later Credit Card debited and got an email with a reservation. 3am to 1pm for this... I assume that the governement having removed the possibility for diplomats and VIP to do quarantine at home, that they are "blocking" quarantine space for them... I saw many people rejoice that finally there will be justice and that "VIPs" will have to go to quarantine as well... but... on another hand, there are only a fixed number of rooms available, and it will make things much more difficult for people who want to come back... Meanwhile also got an appointment for a covid test... which was also epic on its own... test has to be done within 72hours of departure, NOT the result, normal delay for result here is now 3-4 days... and july 21 is a public holiday.. but well, got that sorted out as well One step closer... Embassy Acked my reservation, waiting for more info, hoping the recent events won't cause repatriation flights to be cancelled as well... Quite a long post, I apologize... and I wish the best luck to people following the same "way of the cross"... Perseverance pays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomer6969 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Interesting OP, would like to see more of that kind. AFAIK the repatriation process is fit for purpose. But only if it is applied equally to ALL arrivals in Bangkok, no HISO or military buddies exceptions. But now I have some nagging doubts because of the Chinese cancelling flights from Thailand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 30 minutes ago, Boomer6969 said: But now I have some nagging doubts because of the Chinese cancelling flights from Thailand... They have stopped them from everywhere not just Thailand. See: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/international-travel-document-news/1580226297.htm 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusticeGB Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Yet the TAT is insisting that at least 4m tourists will come to Thailand before the end of this year. I can't believe that 4m people will go through the hurdles that you faced. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 29 minutes ago, JusticeGB said: Yet the TAT is insisting that at least 4m tourists will come to Thailand before the end of this year. I can't believe that 4m people will go through the hurdles that you faced. That would require a travel bubble with China by September. The chances are as close to zero as makes no difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorecard Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 23 hours ago, bolt said: Congratulations. I’m in a slightly similar situation, however I have an extension of stay based on a marriage NON O visa, which is valid until 29th September I’m expecting my COVID health insurance $100K this week. Repatriation flights are 28th July and August 7th ASQ hotel has been selected 42kTHB for stay Most of my paperwork’s is approved, only waiting for the insurance copy then I can travel. Congratulations, I hope you move forward quickly. Would you please share some details of the insurance you found. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveB2 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Sir, your tenacity in seeing this project through is admirable... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moontang Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) Unlikely to be mentioned on Agoda... Edited July 16, 2020 by moontang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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