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What should I prepare for my flight to the USA from Thailand regarding COVID-19 testing requirements?

COVID-19 travel requirementsUSA travel regulationsPCR and antigen testingThailand flight proceduresExpat travel tipsCultural etiquette in Thailand
Jan 5, 2022
3 years ago
Braulio *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
There was an interesting scene tonight at the check on counter for the 10 PM JAL flight to Tokyo. A farang was yelling at the check in agent “With this letter you have to give me a boarding pass!”

Some gentlemen kindly moved him to a seating area. Moral of the story? Bring a hard copy of your negative test issued the day before the flight for travel to the USA .

And remind the traveler that raising your voice in Thailand is not a good way to win friends and influence people.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post recounts an incident at a check-in counter involving a traveler who insisted on receiving a boarding pass due to having a letter, despite not having the required travel documents for a flight to the USA. The primary takeaway emphasizes the need to carry a hard copy of a negative COVID-19 test taken the day before, as the traveler faced frustration due to a lack of this documentation. Comments in the discussion touch on the complexities of COVID testing requirements, the need for good travel documentation, and the cultural nuances of communication in Thailand, particularly regarding the importance of maintaining a calm demeanor.
Toon **********
You're a total clown and vaccines did f all. You're a sheep.
2 years ago
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Merv ***********
If he spoke quietly in Thai .. he might have more luck? And with a smile ... :-)
3 years ago
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Brian ********
Me won't travel till corona is finished haven't got the patience
3 years ago
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Greg **********
Raising your voice and carrying on like a pork chop doesn’t help in any situation…especially in the land of smiles
3 years ago
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Kevin ***********
I had to run around looking for a PCR test within 48hrs of my flight out today. I gave her the cert, she said "was this done yesterday?". I said "yes". Never even read it let alone scanned it. What a fkin joke.
3 years ago
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Sean *********
@Kevin **********
 In other words, Business As Usual, chai, mai? ;-)
3 years ago
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Kevin ***********
@Sean ********
 Not a Thai requirement, so no.
3 years ago
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Kevin ***********
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Susan *********
Raising your voice like that in most countries won't get you what you want. It just makes you look like the loud, entitled American.
3 years ago
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David *******
@Susan ********
 -Of course! Isn’t that the stereo type that we have been assigned?

I’m born in the USA,have been in and in out of Asia since 1980.I’ve never seen this behaviour in my Countrymen.

But please ,don’t let me change your worldly point of view.
3 years ago
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David *******
Why is a Caucasian living in foriegn country an “Ex-Pat”?But an immigrant in a Western or European Country is a foreigner?
3 years ago
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Stéfan ********
@David ******
 an expat is someone temporarily living in a foreign country, while an immigrant is someone who is in the process of obtaining citizenship. Nothing to do with race.
3 years ago
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David *******
@Stéfan *******
 -Thank you for the clarification , but let’s stay on topic.
3 years ago
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Stéfan ********
@David ******
 you asked
3 years ago
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Stéfan ********
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Susan *********
@David ******
 it’s not my ‘worldly point of view’. I’ve read this in so many places and people from other countries tell me this. I think it pertains more to travelers than to expats, for sure. I'm an expat, and I don't see this from other expats.
3 years ago
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John ******************
@Susan ********
 I've talked to people from other countries also, some impress me, some are dullards...same world over. Some amuse me, I've had idiots attack President Trump, when they live under Macron or Merkel...or the Queen.
3 years ago
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John ******************
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John ******************
@David ******
 Good response.
3 years ago
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David *******
@John *****************
 -Thank You. I’ll go no further.

Admin: Sorry about going off topic.
3 years ago
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David *******
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Braulio *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Susan ********
 BTW he never boarded the flight
3 years ago
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Susan *********
Yeah, but Americans (and I am from the U.S.) has this reputation. I try NOT to be loud and entitled.
3 years ago
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Braulio *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Susan ********
 He was an American
3 years ago
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Braulio *********
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John ******************
@Susan ********
 I've seen loud-mouth, Obnoxious Brits, Russians, Germans, ect...
3 years ago
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John ******************
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David *********
Yanks are always loud
3 years ago
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John-Paul ******
@David ********
 with good reason perhaps.
3 years ago
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David *******
@David ********
 -Limeys are always drunk.
3 years ago
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David *******
Awesome Dude!Do you mind if I share this with my “ Free The Shoe Bomber! “ group?I’ve been a Richard Reid Fan since 2002!
3 years ago
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David *********
@David ******
 🇺🇸
3 years ago
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David *********
@David ******
 cheers 🍻
3 years ago
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Brian ********
@David ******
 every night me enjoy
3 years ago
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Brian ********
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Ellis ******************************
@David ********
 Loud, dumb and enthusiastic 🇺🇸
3 years ago
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Ellis ******************************
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Tom **********
WTF would some not bring a folder with printed copies of all you need, guess you think the work things on phone is enough, Grow up woke and realise it is not in the your pocket, earn it. Muppet 😬
3 years ago
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Tim *********
That's a good book!
3 years ago
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Michael *******
550 antigen easy peasy lemon squeezy.
3 years ago
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Braulio *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael ******
 Easy Peasy at the airport
3 years ago
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Peter *********
Where at the airport is it? Which floor? What's the name?
3 years ago
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Peter *********
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Rogerio ******
+1 for that last sentence.
3 years ago
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Mike ***********
The confusing part is that USA doesn’t require PCR test. An antigen test is ok, and then the day prior is easy as the tests take 15 minutes. However, the airlines need PCR test usually. Best solution if concerned is to have PCR test done less than 72 hrs before and a antigen test done day prior. No travel these days is easy! 😬
3 years ago
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Vic *********
Good thing there's no chance of catching COVID in that 72 hour window.
3 years ago
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Susan *********
@Mike **********
 I don't think it's the airlines. It's the country of your final destination. The airlines just follow those rules of that country.
3 years ago
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Jared **********
last year I went back to US on an antigen test, and the requirement is the same this year

Always good to check your airline, any transit countries, and when in doubt make a phone call.
3 years ago
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John *********
@Jared *********
 last week when I flew from Bangkok to the US a PCR test within 24 hours was required to board. Mine was checked in Bangkok and then again to board in Frankfurt.

Requirement were posted either in the cdc website or state dpt. Cant remember which.
3 years ago
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Kevin ***********
@John ********
 It's actually "one day" which they explained means if you are flying at 23:59 one day, you can get a result at 00:01 the day before.
3 years ago
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Jared **********
@John ********
 maybe for the airlines but for the US rapid antigen is acceptable, I had no issues with Swiss Air last year but no point in looking until the week before you fly it can change so quickly
3 years ago
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Jared **********
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Jeffrey *********
@Mike **********
 Very few airlines require a PCR test unless one is required by the destination or transit country (which it often is these days). The only frequently used carrier I'm aware of that insists on PCR tests for all passengers no matter what is Etihad, though I'm sure there are others out there.
3 years ago
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Mike ***********
@Jeffrey ********
 good to know, thanks! The difference in testing isn’t always called out clearly
3 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
@Mike **********
 Very true, and unfortunately most websites aren't up to date :/
3 years ago
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Jeffrey *********
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