Thailand – Should I Go Now?

Asia Travel Specialist gives you an honest, real-life assessment on what travel to Thailand is like NOW! Yes, things will ease and indeed improve but what is it like today for your clients and why should you promote this to your clients?

Our Specialist Andy Carroll took up the challenge and has booked a trip to discover on your behalf just what it’s like with a 360 degree view.

The pre-travel requirements are perhaps the most daunting and most concerning, with a smorgasbord of terms for how to enter. Here is Andy’s assessment of what to do or not to do.

For most the test & go scheme is the one to go for. This is now a pre-departure test, test upon arrival and then a lateral flow test on day 5. You must pre-pay and pre-book the day 1 test, we can arrange this on your behalf and is straightforward.

Travellers are required to apply for the Thailand Pass, this is a little annoying as the documents need to be uploaded in JPEG format not PDF, but just a minor issue. Adequate travel insurance is mandatory, something we are amazed people are only saying now. Travellers should always have adequate travel insurance! Who wants to find out they don’t have coverage when they need it most? With the pre departure formalities taken care off, it is time to travel to Thailand. Check in times have been extended to 4 hours prior and we do suggest getting there early, as things can take longer and it just avoids any worries. In reality Andy was through the check in process and security at Heathrow in 15 minutes or less, he was one of the first in line though. The airport was much quieter than imagined, which isn’t a bad thing. This was Andy’s first flight with Thai Airways internationally. The flight to Phuket was a night flight which worked really well. As travellers go to the boarding gate, there is a quick temperature check on the wrist and on the plane they go. Mask wearing is required both at the airport and on the flight. Service onboard is very good and you are encouraged to remain seated. As it’s a night flight, you most probably would do anyway? On arrival, what is it like?

Yes, that is what we wondered too, what can we expect? Well, expectations have been exceeded in Phuket. Arriving at about 16:30 in the evening, the only flight at that time, a very organised and well thought out system was in place. There is help to prepare your documents into the right order, then through to security for passport checks. Then head downstairs to collect your luggage and head outside. Here you hand over your PCR booking, the relevant documentation. Finally a quick PCR test is performed and it’s off to the waiting transfer.

For Andy, his flight landed 45 minutes earlier than expected and he was checking into his hotel at the South of Phuket before the plane was scheduled to land! The arrival process was so simple and well organised a huge credit to Thailand Tourism and the Government. It was quite clear that travel numbers are much lower, which we would love to see increase, but it does give huge benefits. The roads had a lot less traffic so the drive was quicker and the welcome at the hotel was so genuine and friendly. We have missed those Thai smiles! You do need to isolate in your room until you receive your PCR results, but as you will be arriving at the hotel around 17:30 after a long flight, it is more than likely a relaxing night would have been on the cards anyway. When you wake the next day you should have the email waiting and you are free to go! Andy’s assessment after 12 hours in Phuket is one of genuine surprise in a very positive way! What other expectations will be exceeded? Watch this space…

Should you go to Thailand NOW? From what our Asia Travel Specialist is experiencing so far it is a resounding yes!

Andy will be updating more as he travels across this fabulous country and sharing with you just what to expect.