Flying to/from Thailand (Covid Era)

[Dannie Boy]

My daughter who had to flee to the UK because the Thailand Pass was taking too long has now had her new application approved just one day after registering. Pity it wasn't like that last week. Would have save a lot of time and money.

Can anyone confirm that to enter Thailand you have to have a PCR test done by a laboratory with valid result certificate? It certainly seems that way from my googling. Lots of other countries are accepting lateral flow tests (which is free in the UK) but I'm pretty sure that Thailand needs the full blown test (£125 in the UK if you can find a 'clinic')

Correct, only a RT PCR test accepted at the moment - when I did mine back in November it was only £65 so that’s a fairly drastic increase!
Edit. - I used these people https://www.nxhealthcare.co.uk/

[Green Nomad]

As far as I know has to be an RT-PCR test. But best thing as with all of this is to check with embassy every time. Also could depend on airline used. GN.

[HHTel]

Thanks for that DB. Looks a better option without the need to visit a clinic.
I've sent the link to my daughter.

The only problem I see with that is their hours are Mon - Friday which is pretty much the same as other sites I've looked at. She flies on Tuesday!!

[Mikeburysteds]

When I flew in to Thailand 17th Jan you needed a pcr test within 72 hours before you fly, but my problem changed when Emirates said a week before flying they wanted pcr within 48 hours of flying.
Got mine done by randox at a hotel just outside Heathrow Airport on the bath road, cost around 70 quid for 12 hour result,
Came through 3 hours later with certificate on phone that hotel printed off for me.

[HHTel]

Just looked at Randox which seemed promising.

What a busy company that is. First available slot is Tues 15. Even then only a couple of slots a day. Pretty much fully booked for the next 2 weeks. Obviously a popular choice.

[Mikeburysteds]

I used randox simply because there are so many cowboy companies doing this and people were not getting their results or certificates in time, like I said I booked the 12 hour and had result and certificates in 3 hours.
When I booked there were loads of slots so maybe a lot busier now.
Another plus with randox is that they give you a pass code to change your test day and time if needed, this was good for me when Emirates at the last minute said dubai needed 48 hour test,

[cookie102]

Terry, yes must be PCR and the real companies such as Randox and Collinson work 7 days a week. The Antigen tests from the NHS are free but can not be used for travel. If you need an Antigen for travel they are available from £15 but sadly not good for Thailand.

[Gregjam]

I will be flying to UK probably using Qatar Airways this weekend from BKK. Looks like I will not need any PCR or Antigen test. Can anyone confirm this please.

[Dannie Boy]

I will be flying to UK probably using Qatar Airways this weekend from BKK. Looks like I will not need any PCR or Antigen test. Can anyone confirm this please.

You need to check the airline rules - I’m flying with Etihad later this year and at the moment they’re still insisting on full PCR testing.
Regarding Uk rules, it’s very simple to ask Google
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-e ... vaccinated

[Mikeburysteds]

Emirates no longer require pcr test if transiting through dubai, but it depends on country of destination rules.

Before you travel

Transiting passengers are not required to present a COVID 19‑PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by their final destination.

Passengers booked with Dubai Connect/Stopover packages must follow the same PCR test requirements as applicable for passengers arriving/entering Dubai.

PCR test exemptions

Following categories of passengers are exempted from PCR test requirements:

UAE nationals are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 PCR test before departing for Dubai. They must be tested on arrival in Dubai, irrespective if they are holding a valid negative COVID‑19 RT‑PCR certificate from the point of origin. This is also applicable for passengers accompanying a 1st degree UAE nationals’ relative or domestic worker escorting a UAE national sponsor during travel.Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test.

[Dannie Boy]

Hence the reason why it’s important to check with the airline you’re traveling with - in the UAE the two major airlines are operating different rules. The rules for the UK are relatively simple, based on whether you’re fully vaccinated or not, just read the link I attached above for the detail’s

[HHTel]

Thanks for that.
She made an official complaint to the 'CBP Information Centre' (as suggested in your link) but their response is stated as 5 working days. That complaint will be followed through regardless. She's not going to let that go.
If she can get the Thailand Pass approval today then everything will fall into place. Cutting it very fine though. Still trying to get in touch with the immigration here. 24 hour hour hotline which puts you in a queue with no indication of how long that queue is.
It's looking increasingly likely that plan B is taken (flight to the UK).

Her previous visits have been a doddle, as you say, with 'interest and curiosity' at the airport. All very cordial. Unfortunately not this time.
One thing's for sure. She'll never pass through Dallas again.

An almost unbelievable outcome to this story.
Whilst her and her sister were shopping in Basingstoke, she got a call direct from the head of immigration in Dallas. As both my daughters said "Never heard such a groveling apology"
Basically he apologised for everything she's had to go through. He wishes he could have responded earlier and corrected her stay in the US. He apologised for his officer and that everything he did was wrong. He assured her that she will never have a problem entering the US in future and should there be any questions, to ask for a supervisor and refer him to himself.
I would love to know what action was taken against this racist imbecile but of course we'll never know. At the very least I'm sure he got a severe bollocking.

She arrives home on Wednesday and I'll coach her into following up and demanding something in writing appertaining to the above. Despite all the hassle and the cost of thousands of dollars, it's a bitter sweet outcome. At least there are some good guys in Border Control.

Complaining is sometimes the right thing to do.

We can now draw a line under this adventure and plan for the next one. She said that she'll never go through Dallas again but on reflection, I would personally return through Dallas just for the hell of it.

[migrant]

Good for her!!

[migrant]

It may not be successful but asking for some monetary damages couldn't hurt.

[Dannie Boy]

It may not be successful but asking for some monetary damages couldn't hurt.

Yes to cover her out of pocket costs as a minimum!!