Temporary sub-forum for all news, updates, developments and discussion on Coronavirus/Covid-19 in Hua Hin, Thailand and globally. Any and all topics on the outbreak will be moved into this forum for ease of information access.
thecolonel wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:21 am
*Please move post if necessary *
What with this latest lockdown until September 1 earliest, I can't be the only one on here who is considering returning to the UK for a month or two. So I'm looking to discuss that here with anyone who is in the know
So....
I'm not up to speed on travel restrictions... (numbered for reply/discussion)
1. Assume no restrictions on flights out of Bangkok - you obviously need to get a test done within 3 days of your arrival in the UK to show that your negative from Covid - this can be either a nucleic acid test such as a PCR test or the cheaper antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device
2. Any restrictions getting into UK? Mandatory quarantine? at the moment Thailand is on the Amber list, meaning you would need to quarantine at home, not a hotel for up to 10 days. HOWEVER, with infections and deaths increasing in Thailand, it’s quite possible that Thailand could move to the red list when it’s reviewed at the end of this week - if so then it would mean hotel quarantine in the UK for 10 days at a cost of £1750. You can pay for a test that you take on day 5 and if negative your “released”. There are also mandatory tests that need to be taken after 2 days and 10 unless you opt for the 5 day option. Also 48 hours before travelling you need to complete a Passenger Locator Form giving details of your visit and where you are staying etc.actually the second test is on day 8 not 10. These tests have to be booked before you travel to the UK.
3. How quickly would I get a jab(or 2)in UK? (Age 60) if your registered with the NHS and have an NHS number (separate from your NI number) you can apply online for a vaccine or try going to one of the numerous mobile units - shouldn’t be a problem
4. Returning to Thailand. This is clearly the important part. What do I need to get back in? 1 jab, 2 jabs? Quarantine? Mandatory health/travel insurance (i have visa). I don't want to leave if its just too risky getting back in this is where you will need additional advice, but I believe that you will need to be fully vaccinated, have the Covid insurance for $100,000 cover and then go into approved government hotel quarantine and similar to your outward travel, be tested for Covid within 3 days of arrival and then after you arrive. The Phuket Sandbox scheme may be an alternative but that’s looking risky at the moment. also don’t forget to go to Immigration and get a re-entry stamp (1000 Baht)
Yes, I can google all this but interested if anyone else researched this, particularly recently, and has any comments. Perhaps they've even gone back(to Europe) already and can advise better of situation.
TIA
Sent from my M2007J20CT using Tapatalk
I’ve answered some of your questions to the best of my ability, but you’ll need to wait for others to fill in any gaps.
Small edit above underlined
I left Thailand for work on 30th June and due to the worsening situation in Thailand and the timeframe for getting vaccinated have decided to go back to the UK rather than try and get back into Thailand. This is what I’ve found out so far checking online and asking people who have travelled recently into the UK. I am unvaccinated - it’s a different scenario if you have already been jabbed.
Flying into the UK from an Amber country (which Thailand currently) is you’ll need a PCR test valid 72 hours before flying and you will have to book & pay for 2 PCR tests in the UK for days 2 & 8 of home isolation. There is an app that has to be downloaded 48 hours before you fly and you must prove you have paid for those PCR tests on the app. Home isolation is 10 days in the UK but you can pay to take an additional test on day 5 (has to be booked in advance) and your isolation finishes once this test is confirmed negative.
I looked at the self test kits and 2 tests are about £100 but you will be relying on the post. You can shop around for centres that will collect your kits once you have done the test.
If the UK changes Thailand’s status to red then there is no option other than paying for 10 days in a Quarantine hotel at a price of £1750.
My work colleague arrived back in the UK last week and unfortunately someone on his flight tested positive so despite having 2 vaccinations he had to do the full 10 days home isolation.
From asking people in the UK you can probably get 2 vaccines within 2 months. A couple of people I am currently working with managed to get 2 AZ injections within 6 weeks (but that was with an employment letter).
As for getting back I’ll check the situation at the time and do Quarantine if I have to. Hopefully Thailand will be over it’s current wave of infections in 3 months time.
thecolonel wrote: ↑Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:21 am
*Please move post if necessary *
What with this latest lockdown until September 1 earliest, I can't be the only one on here who is considering returning to the UK for a month or two. So I'm looking to discuss that here with anyone who is in the know
So....
I'm not up to speed on travel restrictions... (numbered for reply/discussion)
1. Assume no restrictions on flights out of Bangkok
2. Any restrictions getting into UK? Mandatory quarantine?
3. How quickly would I get a jab(or 2)in UK? (Age 60)
4. Returning to Thailand. This is clearly the important part. What do I need to get back in? 1 jab, 2 jabs? Quarantine? Mandatory health/travel insurance (i have visa). I don't want to leave if its just too risky getting back in
Yes, I can google all this but interested if anyone else researched this, particularly recently, and has any comments. Perhaps they've even gone back(to Europe) already and can advise better of situation.
TIA
Sent from my M2007J20CT using Tapatalk
Have sent you a PM which might help, not sure, too long to put on here
Have a pleasant day
ricardo wrote:I left Thailand for work on 30th June and due to the worsening situation in Thailand and the timeframe for getting vaccinated have decided to go back to the UK rather than try and get back into Thailand. This is what I’ve found out so far checking online and asking people who have travelled recently into the UK. I am unvaccinated - it’s a different scenario if you have already been jabbed.
Flying into the UK from an Amber country (which Thailand currently) is you’ll need a PCR test valid 72 hours before flying and you will have to book & pay for 2 PCR tests in the UK for days 2 & 8 of home isolation. There is an app that has to be downloaded 48 hours before you fly and you must prove you have paid for those PCR tests on the app. Home isolation is 10 days in the UK but you can pay to take an additional test on day 5 (has to be booked in advance) and your isolation finishes once this test is confirmed negative.
I looked at the self test kits and 2 tests are about £100 but you will be relying on the post. You can shop around for centres that will collect your kits once you have done the test.
If the UK changes Thailand’s status to red then there is no option other than paying for 10 days in a Quarantine hotel at a price of £1750.
My work colleague arrived back in the UK last week and unfortunately someone on his flight tested positive so despite having 2 vaccinations he had to do the full 10 days home isolation.
From asking people in the UK you can probably get 2 vaccines within 2 months. A couple of people I am currently working with managed to get 2 AZ injections within 6 weeks (but that was with an employment letter).
As for getting back I’ll check the situation at the time and do Quarantine if I have to. Hopefully Thailand will be over it’s current wave of infections in 3 months time.
Chatting to a pal yesterday that is looking to do the same thing. Getting to the UK is relatively straightforward and there are some very cheap flights at the moment (have a look at Finnair via Helsinki which is also "amber" at the moment).
The ballache as usual is Thailand and the nightmare of trying to get back in here. Vaccinated or not, the country is still effectively closed.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
buksida wrote:Chatting to a pal yesterday that is looking to do the same thing. Getting to the UK is relatively straightforward and there are some very cheap flights at the moment (have a look at Finnair via Helsinki which is also "amber" at the moment).
The ballache as usual is Thailand and the nightmare of trying to get back in here. Vaccinated or not, the place is still effectively closed.
I never even got that far Buksi!
Perfectly OK with test pre flight out, but all the red tape in UK(not to mention cost) just puts me right off
And as you say, that's before all the uncertainty and hassle of getting back in here
Too much aggro. But if it looks like going beyond Sept 1 then I might reconsider.
buksida wrote:Chatting to a pal yesterday that is looking to do the same thing. Getting to the UK is relatively straightforward and there are some very cheap flights at the moment (have a look at Finnair via Helsinki which is also "amber" at the moment).
The ballache as usual is Thailand and the nightmare of trying to get back in here. Vaccinated or not, the place is still effectively closed.
I never even got that far Buksi!
Perfectly OK with test pre flight out, but all the red tape in UK(not to mention cost) just puts me right off
And as you say, that's before all the uncertainty and hassle of getting back in here
Too much aggro. But if it looks like going beyond Sept 1 then I might reconsider.
A man can only be without golf for so long!
Sent from my M2007J20CT using Tapatalk
Within the next two days the UK will review its traffic light system so watch out for whether Thailand goes from Amber to Red and kill your plans in their tracks
buksida wrote:Chatting to a pal yesterday that is looking to do the same thing. Getting to the UK is relatively straightforward and there are some very cheap flights at the moment (have a look at Finnair via Helsinki which is also "amber" at the moment).
The ballache as usual is Thailand and the nightmare of trying to get back in here. Vaccinated or not, the place is still effectively closed.
I never even got that far Buksi!
Perfectly OK with test pre flight out, but all the red tape in UK(not to mention cost) just puts me right off
And as you say, that's before all the uncertainty and hassle of getting back in here
Too much aggro. But if it looks like going beyond Sept 1 then I might reconsider.
A man can only be without golf for so long!
Sent from my M2007J20CT using Tapatalk
Within the next two days the UK will review its traffic light system so watch out for whether Thailand goes from Amber to Red and kill your plans in their tracks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Don't they have more colours now? Amber plus, red minus, yellowish-green, etc.
buksida wrote:Chatting to a pal yesterday that is looking to do the same thing. Getting to the UK is relatively straightforward and there are some very cheap flights at the moment (have a look at Finnair via Helsinki which is also "amber" at the moment).
The ballache as usual is Thailand and the nightmare of trying to get back in here. Vaccinated or not, the place is still effectively closed.
I never even got that far Buksi!
Perfectly OK with test pre flight out, but all the red tape in UK(not to mention cost) just puts me right off
And as you say, that's before all the uncertainty and hassle of getting back in here
Too much aggro. But if it looks like going beyond Sept 1 then I might reconsider.
A man can only be without golf for so long!
Sent from my M2007J20CT using Tapatalk
Within the next two days the UK will review its traffic light system so watch out for whether Thailand goes from Amber to Red and kill your plans in their tracks
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well the “good” news is that Thailand stayed on the Amber list, so no hotel quarantine required (which is also increasing from £1,750 to £2,285 from the 12th August). The other positive news on this subject, is that the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain have moved from Red to Amber, opening up greater and cheaper flight options. Little prospect of return restrictions easing in the near future - if anything they’re likely to get worse before they get better if the Phuket Sandbox Scheme falls apart!!
There was an article on Google suggesting that Thailand could be moved to the red list before the next official review due towards the end of August -if that happens you would normally get a few days warning in which to book flights and get everything sorted. I presume that if you do travel to the UK with the intention of returning to Thailand, you’d need the $100,000 Covid insurance valid from the date you return and until your visa expires?
You dont need nhs number to get vaccine. There are walk in centres that need no appointment. They take ypur details but my thai gf got nhs number 1 week after first vaccine. Now we are waiting for 8 weeks for second and to see if hua hin goes sandbox on october 1
