Thailand Quarantine Process

Arrival: Step by step

• Upon stepping off the aircraft on to the airbridge, a swarm of Immigration officers and Airline staff await (30-40 people) – All with signs and asking what ASQ we were staying at

• We identified ourselves and were checked off a list (Name / ASQ booking)

• Rows of seats (all forward facing toward the terminal) were placed on the concourse (two rows on each side of the hall)

• ASQ’s were told to sit (filling up the rear of the rows of seats). We waited about 10 minutes

• All ASQ’s had our documents individually checked and were given a yellow ASQ badge (a piece of paper on a paper clip).

• Once finished, the ASQ’s were called up, and we followed an immigration officer down the hall

• The ASQ’s were called through to a ‘desk’ where our temperature was checked, our papers checked once more, and ASQ confirmed (at this stage, the CoE was taken).

• After this check, the ASQ’s were individually directed to another row of seats (deeper into the terminal where the concourses meet)

• While sat down, we had our paperwork quickly checked.

• In groups of 10 (in the order in which we’d sat down), we were called forward to follow an Immigration Officer who led us to the main Immigration Hall (the hall was empty, every booth was occupied by an immigration officer).

• It took about 10mins to get through immigration – the officer seemed to be triple checking everything before stamping me in

• Once through into the baggage hall, there were still lots of Airport staff and immigration officers

• Baggage arrived, we were guided through customs into the arrivals hall and out through the doors to the outside where the hotel staff were waiting in ‘pseudo hazmat suits and masks,’ checked off our names, and took us to awaiting vans.  

The ASQ Hotel (ChorCher // Bangkok)

• Upon arrival at the hotel, the bags were taken up to the room, I remained in the van while my temperature was checked.

• I was then taken to the lift by a member of the Hotel Staff (who was also wearing a ‘pseudo hazmat suit and mask’) and told my room number. 

• In the room, there is an instruction manual to read.

• Instructions to log into the Line App.

• Food is delivered 3x per day – There is a knock on the door once the food has been delivered

• Food quality is ok. Its mainly rice dishes, but that’s my choice – I could have had pork steak for dinner (each meal is one of 3 offered choices – we select what we want from a menu and inform the hotel via the line app the day before)

• There was an 18 pack of water in the room

• We have to take our own temperature and inform the hotel staff via the line App at 10 am and 8 pm.

• I am unable to leave the room until Day 5 or 6 once the result of the first COVID-19 test is negative (test taken on Day 5).

• After day 5 or 6, you can make a reservation for a 30-minute time slot to spend outside by the pool (but cannot go in it)

• After day 6, the room is cleaned

• After 14 nights, I left my hotel, got a taxi to the airport, and flew to Chiangmai

Merry Christmas Eve From Quarantine!

It’s Christmas Eve on Day 13 in quarantine and although I’ll be leaving soon, it’s still tough to be locked in a hotel room on a holiday that I wish I were spending with family or friends. Christmas day tomorrow won’t be any easier, but I’ll be leaving at 7am on the 26th which I’m grateful for.

Dinner was surprisingly good - turkey, grilled vegetables, salad, squash soup, a cookie, and under the roll was a piece of fruitcake. I understand this was special for the holiday, but if the kitchen can whip up something like this for the 100+ people in quarantine, what’s the deal with the basic Thai food every other day?

The pictures from my balcony were amazing. Caught the sunset and yes, the clouds really were pink.

*Also, I finally cracked the code on how to make “tabs” on Squarespace. Had to figure out a bit of HTML & CSS, but problem solved. You can see them in action on “Travel Blogs” & “Articles” in my portfolio

Day 12 // 2nd Time Outside

I scheduled another time slot by the pool for this afternoon. The front desk called me and asked, “Are you ready for your relax time, sir?” Sure am.

Again, there wasn’t much to do. I walked in circles around the small deck area while shirtless old men sat on their balconies and smoked cigars. It was a nice afternoon, but don’t think I’ll be scheduling any more “relax times” before I leave on the 26th.

Day 11 in ASQ

Despite the “chaoticness” that’s often associated with Thailand, especially the motorbike-filled streets and bustling night markets, the ASQ has been efficiently smooth. Meals are delivered on time, “outside time” is easy to schedule, my COVID test followed strict protocol, ordering from 7-11 was easy, and the nurses were prompt to remind me to send them my temperature twice a day.

Yes, it has been boring, but ultimately, it’s what you do with your time. I’ve been working online as a writer and editor, redesigned my website logo and worked on improving my site functionality, read books, rewrote my cover letter, exercised, and watched shows on Netflix that I probably otherwise wouldn’t have.

Quarantine sucks. No one wants to be locked up for 2 weeks, but I did it because I want to be in Thailand long-term, and if quarantine is a mandatory requirement, then so be it. It’s not ideal for those looking to travel as a tourist, but it's a nice workaround for me and many others rather than to permanently close the borders. 

COVID-19 Test

Forget the food pics because we finally have something to break up the routine - my first ASQ COVID-19 test. This is done on Day 5. If I test negative, I’ll be able to call the lobby and schedule a 30 minute slot to spend outside. Although I can’t use the pool, have to wear a mask, and will be the only person outside, it will be a refreshing break from the confines of my room.

Day 4

Quarantine is getting boring. I still have my routine, but it’s going to be a long 11 more days. The picture on the top is the guy who brings me my meals 3x a day. We don’t talk, but we’re best friends.

Lunch was the “halal” option and it came in a black box compared to the transparent plastic. Very exciting. Tonight’s dinner was so far the most substantial I have had. Also glad they gave me a bowl. I brought instant noodles in the plastic packaging and was so close to boiling the noodles inside my electric kettle, but now I don’t have to resort to Chinese-tour-group-traveler tendencies.

ASQ Balcony

2nd floor doesn’t provide a great view.

Day 2

Day 2 went as expected. I was surprisingly sore from my first TRX workout yesterday, but powered through it this morning. Food is…. alright. I definitely wouldn’t pay more than $5 for it if I were at a restaurant, but am glad that it comes at the same time everyday. It’s just a bit bland. I was hoping for a little more spice or garlic or “kick”. Tomorrow is No Meat Monday and I ordered the vegetarian option for both lunch and dinner and it’s the same meal: rice with vegetables. Yum.

I also realized that the majority of pictures I upload over the next 2 weeks are primarily going to be my food since that’s the only thing here that changes. Maybe I’ll try and get some cool photos of my hotel room, but not a whole lot to see.

Day 0

Go to airport. Show documents to ticket agent. Get tickets. Fly to Istanbul. 2-hour layover. Head to gate for Bangkok departure. Beirut flight departing at gate next to Bangkok. Both gates require passengers to verify all documents to receive a stamp on boarding pass before boarding. It’s chaos.

Board plane. Fly 8.5 hours to Bangkok. Not a full flight by any means, but I end up in a row with 3 people. Lucky day. Flight lands and single file we walk through the airport and are seated in chairs. Thai person covered in blue scrubs comes up to us to check all our documents and verify our state quarantine hotel. Our name is checked off a list, and we’re given a laminated batch with our ASQ number. We then go to a counter where more of our documents are verified, and corresponding info is written down on our T-8 health declaration form. We’re told to sit in chairs again (2nd checkpoint). The first group of chairs (around 15 people) is told to get up and walk to the next checkpoint. It’s a row of tables with about 8 Thai officials right before immigration. They check our T-6 health form and verify where we will be going after quarantine. That gets stamped, and then we head to immigration.

Foreign guy next to me spoke barely any English, and the issue was he had a Thai work visa but stated he was coming for tourism, and when asked, “What’s up with that?” he said, “Friend make visa give me.” He wasn’t allowed through. Lady confirms I will be traveling to Chiangmai after quarantine, checks docs, and I’m through immigration. I pick up my bags and walk outside. 20 people in scrubs see my ASQ number on my laminated badge, check their sheet, and then yell out the name of my hotel. A guy at the back comes up to me, verifies my reservation, and puts me in a van. Arrive at the hotel. Bags are taken to my room while I wait in the van. Temperature is taken twice, and it’s mandatory that I use hand disinfectant 3 times before I enter my room.

I scan a QR code that adds me to the hotel staff through the Line app. I get info about washing clothes, meal service (3 per day - choices can be selected 1 day prior), how to handle garbage, and general info about room.

The room came with 20 large bottles of water (2 already in fridge), 14 milk boxes, 14 juice boxes (lychee flavor), 14 instant coffees, and some hygiene stuff + laundry detergent.

The picture in the middle with all the stuff on the bed is all the snacks + alcohol I brought. Mostly granola bars, top ramen, some Oreos, assorted fruits & nuts, a bottle of Serbian Rakia, a small bottle of Bailey’s, and some other stuff. I hope it will tide me over because I don’t expect much from these Thai meals.

I called the hotel front desk and they said I’d be able to order stuff from 7-11, but that will have to be an adventure for another day.

I also moved the beds together because I hate sleeping on a twin. I bought an ab wheel and the rope thing with handles (suspension training?) you can put in the door to do exercises in my room. We’ll see how day 1 of quarantine exercise goes tomorrow.