Returning to Thailand from London, valid Covid tests

[gordog 11]

Hi, in 2 weeks I will fly to Bangkok. I will be using a connecting flight , and depart london in the early evening. 

 

I was wondering if anyone who had travelled to Thailand, from London could recommend a Covid test and Fit to fly service. 

The reason I ask is that most seem to offer two services, a "results within 2 days" PCR test, but this would cut things very fine due to the timing. If my flight was delayed it would go over the 72 hours. Also, although it says 72 hours prior to leaving London, there is also the possibility that I could have problems on the transit connection perhaps?, as by the point of arrival there, I will over the 72 hours.

 

It seems the 24 hour tests are not fully accredited to the same level as the 2 day ones.

 

I was wondering if anyone who has left London for Thailand could say whether they have used these 24 hours tests and been fine or not?, and if so , could recommend one

 

Many thanks

 

Michael

 

 

[UB40 193]

Don't worry. If your PCR 72 hours prior to ETD is positive, wave bye-bye to all prepaid money.

If you your test was done in time prior to ETD and is negative, there shouldn't be any problems, because you aren't responsible for delays of flights

[federicoP 103]

51 minutes ago, UB40 said:

Don't worry. If your PCR 72 hours prior to ETD is positive, wave bye-bye to all prepaid money.

 

Not necessarily.

 

In this case Covid insurance with TGIA can be refunded, and many airways companies and ASQ accept a postponement

[Whale 287]

10 hours ago, gordog said:

 

 

It seems the 24 hour tests are not fully accredited to the same level as the 2 day ones.

 

 

 

 

I used a 24 hour test. Was done at St Thomas' (same hospital Boris was sent to). No problems. Never heard anything about 24 hours tests being not fully accredited (sounds false to me). All the places you have the test done are just supplying them to the labs thats are setup for the test. Ask your provider (the ones taking the sample) if theres any issues. I can't imagine an uncredited PCR (or ASSAY 2 as it is also known in UK) being a possibility in the UK.

[Whale 287]

11 hours ago, gordog said:

Also, although it says 72 hours prior to leaving London, there is also the possibility that I could have problems on the transit connection perhaps?, as by the point of arrival there, I will over the 72 hours.

Not an issue as your CoE will have the connecting flights listed on it. I presume you are travelling via Qatar or similar and not leaving the airport not an issue if so.

[charliebadenhop 139]

With a valid test, can you forego 14 day quarantine?!

 

[ubonjoe 47,794]

23 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

With a valid test, can you forego 14 day quarantine?!

 

No

[nchuckle 2,020]

This is a very tricky area as my investigations have shown. Doing 48 hour one ‘should ' be ok because the issue date on the certificate will be closer to your departure time. It appears this might be the criteria used rather than the test date . A call I had with Emirates confirmed this but on another matter they contradicted themselves. That was the combined document often supplied  'Covid PCR test & Fit to fly' . The Emirates guy on the phone said it was ok,the reply I had to an email on same subject from them said the specimen I sent them wasn’t because 'it didn’t say fit to fly " . It clearly did but in same sentence on heading. I attach a copy here . I guess the proof of the pudding is at check in . Can anyone who’s flown actually provide feedback? . The Thai embassy said a combined certificate was ok but they’d like to see it as a separate sentence ??! 
Also some recent mixed feedback on Trustpilot about Medicspot (the company on the certificate shown here) in terms of getting delayed results although a few weeks ago another poster reported a good experience. I think they amongst others are somewhat overwhelmed with demand. It’s certainly the most stressful and uncertain part of the process with the most to lose at the final hurdle 
Any helpful comments welcome .
 

24BE9D61-FEC5-477D-8087-489D01BAD268.webp

[charliebadenhop 139]

But if you still need to do the full quarantine, what is the big deal, and why pay for the test?

 

 

[gordog 11]

11 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

But if you still need to do the full quarantine, what is the big deal, and why pay for the test?

 

 

 

Because if you don't pay for the test you won't be getting on the flight.

 

Quarantine is still required because it's possible that a person could contract the virus before departing. 

 

Both measures together reduce the likelihood that other people could become infect 

[charliebadenhop 139]

Ahh, ok. Now I get it.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Dazzler 2]

24 minutes ago, nchuckle said:

This is a very tricky area as my investigations have shown. Doing 48 hour one ‘should ' be ok because the issue date on the certificate will be closer to your departure time. It appears this might be the criteria used rather than the test date . A call I had with Emirates confirmed this but on another matter they contradicted themselves. That was the combined document often supplied  'Covid PCR test & Fit to fly' . The Emirates guy on the phone said it was ok,the reply I had to an email on same subject from them said the specimen I sent them wasn’t because 'it didn’t say fit to fly " . It clearly did but in same sentence on heading. I attach a copy here . I guess the proof of the pudding is at check in . Can anyone who’s flown actually provide feedback? . The Thai embassy said a combined certificate was ok but they’d like to see it as a separate sentence ??! 
Also some recent mixed feedback on Trustpilot about Medicspot (the company on the certificate shown here) in terms of getting delayed results although a few weeks ago another poster reported a good experience. I think they amongst others are somewhat overwhelmed with demand. It’s certainly the most stressful and uncertain part of the process with the most to lose at the final hurdle 
Any helpful comments welcome .
 

24BE9D61-FEC5-477D-8087-489D01BAD268.webp 53.22 kB · 4 downloads

I thought that a Covid 19 Certificate was required from the testing centre stating the test was negative, AND a separate Fit to Fly Certificate was needed from a qualified medical officer/doctor stating that after a general medical check the person is deemed fit to fly i.e. two separate certficates.

I am about to enter the process so would ideally like to hear from someone with experience of the requirements who has travelled successfully ...

[ourmanflint 2,473]

18 hours ago, gordog said:

Hi, in 2 weeks I will fly to Bangkok. I will be using a connecting flight , and depart london in the early evening. 

 

I was wondering if anyone who had travelled to Thailand, from London could recommend a Covid test and Fit to fly service. 

The reason I ask is that most seem to offer two services, a "results within 2 days" PCR test, but this would cut things very fine due to the timing. If my flight was delayed it would go over the 72 hours. Also, although it says 72 hours prior to leaving London, there is also the possibility that I could have problems on the transit connection perhaps?, as by the point of arrival there, I will over the 72 hours.

 

It seems the 24 hour tests are not fully accredited to the same level as the 2 day ones.

 

I was wondering if anyone who has left London for Thailand could say whether they have used these 24 hours tests and been fine or not?, and if so , could recommend one

 

Many thanks

 

Michael

 

 

Join the Facebook group "Thai expat UK (LDN) to Thailand travel during COVID-19" they have tons of info

[gordog 11]

1 minute ago, Dazzler said:

I thought that a Covid 19 Certificate was required from the testing centre stating the test was negative, AND a separate Fit to Fly Certificate was needed from a qualified medical officer/doctor stating that after a general medical check the person is deemed fit to fly i.e. two separate certficates.

I am about to enter the process so would ideally like to hear from someone with experience of the requirements who has travelled successfully ...

 

I think you need both

 

https://thaiest.com/blog/fit-to-fly-health-certificate-for-travelers-to-thailand

 

 

[nchuckle 2,020]

2 hours ago, gordog said:

 

I think you need both

 

https://thaiest.com/blog/fit-to-fly-health-certificate-for-travelers-to-thailand

 

 

Despite having already paid for a kit I’ve found and booked another at coronatestcentre.com who for £145 (2day) do the test at one of their centres in London ,Manchester etc (less chance of you messing it up yourself) AND issue a separate  fit to fly certificate which will be based on your test result . Maybe I’ve unnecessarily spent another  £145 but I will have 2 'bites of the cherry' ,a small price to pay given I’m already £2000 on the hook for flights and hotel ASQ. I even called them beforehand and spoke to someone very helpful .