Thanks for your response. I haven't entered Thailand yet - supposed to leave shortly but I'm scrambling to figure out if I can get home. EK won't move us to the BKK flight (can't expect them to override award inventory for an issue that they didn't create, but it would have been nice) so we're on a waitlist. If that doesn't come through soon we'll have to cancel the whole trip.

Yes it is better to do the test and go for sure. All I had to do was wait in the hotel until the results came in. It only took about 6 hours or less. Then free to do about anywhere in Thailand. I see no reason why it should be an issue for you as you are going to get a PCR test on Day 1 in Phuket and then leave before day 5. As I said they never asked from me anything. You could try for the test and Go? I had mine in less than 24 hours but for some it takes a lot longer for sure.

Thanks I guess we'll start that process now and hope that EK clears us off the waitlist for BKK-DXB. Appreciate your help.

Good luck and if this is your first time to Phuket be aware of the ridiculous taxi prices. :)

use Grab or Bolt instead!

I stand sharply corrected - tests negative (but attitude only partially)
 

It starts at the airport in Bangkok: Not only alll was well and neatly organized with the immigration officers even being friendly and welcoming, also from touchdown to hotel limousine it was 40 minutes (and this during a relatively busy afternoon arrival time) :tu:.

Not many "genuine" tourists tough, with backpackers and some elderly (white) couples looking for winter sun.

The whole experience is pleasant, but somewhat patronizing with for examle Santiago de Chile being more stressful, but "bona fide". Thais are scared about Covid and are running around like chickens - unfortunately they also will all get it as we did :(.

A special positive mention for the Shangri La hotel package, a really nice experience with impeccable service. They even thoroughly polished our nice Rinmowa bags with alcohol upon arrival :p. THB 17000 is a god price with private transfer, testing and (nice) breakfast. Dinner can be ordered with 20 % discount from their à la carte menu with wine available. A real world class product! And when checking out this morning profusely thanking them, they even provided their email address to send result of day 5 test stating that they understand that we may not be comfortable with the Moo Chana app :D. Fantastic, we did not ask for it.

This said beside the hot climate and the pollution, Thailand may have changed an we may consider it as a stopover in the future thinking at nice places like my friends at the Rabbit Resort in Pattaya or the "railway hotel" Centara Grand in Hua Hin.

For business and dealing by counting on Thais, I am still done tought. My future posts will focus on nice landscapes, good accomodation and Sixt which has now BMW X1 model rental cars.......

Grab would not come to some areas. Just my experience. And I had Thai fiends with me so it is not because of farang.

As much as we may disagree based on your previous posts, I am pleased to see that you may have had a slight change of heart upon return to Thailand :tu:
I am not sure I agree about the patronising part, but definitely agree about the efficiency. Not sure how many in your travelling party, but 17k for Shangri-La seems like a bit of a rip-off !

Funny, we were advised on numerous occasions to not even install the Mor Chana app as we live here (bigger risk for me than my partner, of course) :)

I would think the elderly tourists would be "genuine" though with regards to your comment - the backpackers, I agree those are not the ones to help rebuild the economy.

Value for money
 

Less than 500 Swiss Francs with a private transfer in a confortable minibus and good driver, two PCR tests and ATK test kits, plus a perfect room with balcony and even more perfect service for two people...... Would say we even had a good time.

The "patronizing" might be a cultural thing to make believe the locals they are protected, but Omicron is all out and FFP2 masks useful not only for the pollution.

And "standing corrected" is not a sign of weakness, but of being fair.

here in Thailand you have to look for KN95 masks....FFP2 I have not found so far, but KN95 is very similar and also provides quite a good protection

As I already said I am glad to hear you had a good time. The mask thing can be debated and personally I hate it too - but it is what it is.

To your last point, I never claimed anything about weakness on your part - merely said that I was pleasantly surprised that we could finally agree on something :) I am very pleased to see you are being fair and not biased :tu:

I was there end of last year and then again in February till early March and I agree with you. I do not think the Thais are scared of getting covid. They are more scared of a covid outbreak again and destroying the economy. Yes a lot of shops are closed and even half of MBK is closed but I see a lot of activity getting started now especially in BKK and Phuket. Even Krabi and Phi Phi was getting busy.

That is my philosophy too, having lived here prior to and throughout this craziness. As you say, at this moment people are more scared of the follow-on effects in terms of further restrictions, etc rather than covid. Personally when I travel I am not afraid of falling ill but rather of testing positive upon return and the subsequent ramifications ..!

From SFO United check in to BKK immigration entry, what documents do I have to print? Not ok with all digital?