Quarantine procedure “Tell your story” post it here !

[Pattaya Spotter 1,522]

On 7/22/2020 at 8:14 PM, BritTim said:

I somewhat suspected the free state quarantine would be something like that. For foreigners, using the Alternative to State Quarantine, and paying from the privilege, I doubt it will be quite so awful. At least, insofar as rooms are available, you will have the option of choosing your own hotel. It would be wise for wealthy returning Thais to choose ASQ also.

My understanding is that ASQ is mandatory for all entering non-Thai nationals.

[madhav 148]

1 hour ago, PatrickC said:

 

Photos of menus are attached - you choose from 2 choices each meal and the meals alternate every week. You can also order extra food from the extra room service menu. Menus might be subject to change but gives you an idea. Some of the food is pretty tasty. No complaints from me. Fruit comes with most meals. Veg comes with dinner generally.

 

Fresh food from outside the hotel is indeed not allowed - no fruit or veg. Also no dairy (yoghurts etc) and no food from restaurants (via Grab etc). What they do allow you to order from outside the hotel is snack type food - crisps, biscuits, chocolate, etc. This you can order through Grab. 

 

The food is really quite nice and I ordered some extra bits and pieces from Tops through Grab and it got to my room all ok. You won't go hungry. The question is whether you will find the food nutritious or not. I've found at the Movenpick that the meals are quite well balanced. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for answering my questions and posting the menu. Unfortunately it looks like there are basically no veg options at all which is a little sad.

 

In most English speaking western countries like the USA, UK, Australia (and likely other countries also) statistics show that something like 30-40% of the population have now started to reduce or limit the amount of meat they consume. Meaning there is a absolutely huge demand for plant based options. Pretty much every single restaurant has had to adapt and offer several veg/vegan options on their menu. Yet for some strange reason restaurants here make it out like they don't exist? I don't understand why Thailand is so behind in regards to this. 

Edited August 6 by madhav

[PatrickC 252]

2 minutes ago, madhav said:

Thanks so much for answering my questions and posting the menu. Unfortunately it looks like there are basically no veg options at all which is a little sad.

 

In most English speaking western countries like the USA, UK, Australia (and likely other countries also) statistics show that something like 30-40% of the population have now started to reduce or limit the amount of meat they consume. Meaning there is a absolutely huge demand for plant based options. Pretty much every single restaurant has had to adapt and offer several veg/vegan options on their menu. Yet for some strange reason restaurants here make it out like they don't exist? I don't understand why Thailand is so behind in regards to this. 

 

If you tell the hotel ahead of time of dietary requirements, they might be able to accommodate. They are very responsive. If any hotel can accommodate, it is probably this one or the Anatara - but the Anatara is double the price.

 

I am not judging your eating choices, but what I'd say to you is that you need to decide your priorities. If you really want to get back to Thailand, you need to do what you need to do. What food you eat will hardly matter in the end, once you are out and living where you want to live.

 

There are many complaints about ASQ - about the prices, the food, the lack of exercise, but it is a means to an end and these are all first world problems. There are worst fates than 2 weeks in a comfortable room with food delivered 3 times a day and daily walks. 

 

No one is shackled to any bed here. 

[madhav 148]

5 minutes ago, PatrickC said:

 

If you tell the hotel ahead of time of dietary requirements, they might be able to accommodate. They are very responsive. If any hotel can accommodate, it is probably this one or the Anatara - but the Anatara is double the price.

 

I am not judging your eating choices, but what I'd say to you is that you need to decide your priorities. If you really want to get back to Thailand, you need to do what you need to do. What food you eat will hardly matter in the end, once you are out and living where you want to live.

 

There are many complaints about ASQ - about the prices, the food, the lack of exercise, but it is a means to an end and these are all first world problems. There are worst fates than 2 weeks in a comfortable room with food delivered 3 times a day and daily walks. 

 

No one is shackled to any bed here. 

True, I imagine they would provide something if you explained the situation. 

I am actually in Thailand, have lived here for years on a Non-B visa. However I need to leave in Sept and plan to return back in Dec. I do hope by that point in time all this would have ended. However I do see your point. It was more in regards to the disconnection between the very real demand for more plant based options and a very limited supply here. However I agree they are definitely 'first world problems'. We can easily adapt and adjust when we get some perspective and look at the bigger picture. 

[PatrickC 252]

1 hour ago, madhav said:

True, I imagine they would provide something if you explained the situation. 

I am actually in Thailand, have lived here for years on a Non-B visa. However I need to leave in Sept and plan to return back in Dec. I do hope by that point in time all this would have ended. However I do see your point. It was more in regards to the disconnection between the very real demand for more plant based options and a very limited supply here. However I agree they are definitely 'first world problems'. We can easily adapt and adjust when we get some perspective and look at the bigger picture. 

 

I would advise you to think very carefully before leaving.

 

While some of the posters have gone a bit over the top complaining about the process - it is not that difficult and it can be done, it is still a nuisance, no doubt about it.

 

The most difficult thing is getting the Thai embassy to prioritise you. If you have voluntarily left, you might not be high on their list. There will be other categories who will possibly be given higher priority.

 

I also would not count on the situation returning to normal.

 

If you've got to go, you've got to go, but it would take something extremely dramatic (such as my mother dying) to get me out of the country now, until this is all over.

 

I'd also say that while it is not too painful, the covid tests you have to do are extremely uncomfortable, and I'd not volunteer for them unless I absolutely had to.

 

Finally, perhaps most importantly, keep in mind that if you get covid while outside of Thailand, you will be denied entry to get back in. 

Edited August 6 by PatrickC

[cerox 611]

Thank you guys.

 

How do you actually book the ASQ? For example I found some places (because the list is now bigger) available in October/November via booking.com.

 

But this is just a normal hotel booking without quarantine package / meals etc. and with cancellation possible.

[ubonjoe 45,466]

25 minutes ago, cerox said:

Thank you guys.

 

How do you actually book the ASQ? For example I found some places (because the list is now bigger) available in October/November via booking.com.

 

But this is just a normal hotel booking without quarantine package / meals etc. and with cancellation possible.

You have to do the reservation directly with a ASQ hotel. After completing the  certificate of entry application the embassy will inform you when to do it after your flight is confirmed.

[cerox 611]

Thank you.

 

One of you guys wrote about the balcony and he was able to use it. So I can open the door/window to the balcony and use it as I want? Because other people wrote they were not allowed to open a window.

[cerox 611]

What happens if one gets tested positive but has no symptoms?

Just isolation (e.g. 14 more days) until you get a negative test? Why do people need to go to hospital if they have no symptoms?

[cerox 611]

From your experience / the people who are already in ASQ or have completed it:

Was your covid test accepted? Did you talk to the embassy and they recommend a place/doctor where to do it? Just in case Immigration says the test is not valid.

[PatrickC 252]

2 hours ago, cerox said:

Thank you.

 

One of you guys wrote about the balcony and he was able to use it. So I can open the door/window to the balcony and use it as I want? Because other people wrote they were not allowed to open a window.

 

Depends on the hotel. Different hotels, different policies. At the Movenpick I am allowed to use the balcony. 

[PatrickC 252]

2 hours ago, cerox said:

What happens if one gets tested positive but has no symptoms?

Just isolation (e.g. 14 more days) until you get a negative test? Why do people need to go to hospital if they have no symptoms?

 

No idea on this - have not asked my hotel as I'm hoping it hopefully won't happen.

[PatrickC 252]

2 hours ago, cerox said:

From your experience / the people who are already in ASQ or have completed it:

Was your covid test accepted? Did you talk to the embassy and they recommend a place/doctor where to do it? Just in case Immigration says the test is not valid.

 

My COVID test was accepted. My GP did the swab test, sent it off to pathology, got the results and wrote up a covid negative certificate.

[PatrickC 252]

3 hours ago, cerox said:

Thank you guys.

 

How do you actually book the ASQ? For example I found some places (because the list is now bigger) available in October/November via booking.com.

 

But this is just a normal hotel booking without quarantine package / meals etc. and with cancellation possible.

 

You can't use booking.com. This is booking hotels on the assumption that there will no longer be quarantine. That is a lost hope though.

 

You need to book directly with the hotel. Contact them direct.

[cerox 611]

Thank you.

But I guess you use online booking platforms to see which ones are available, right? Then contact them for the ASQ package.