Just wanted to say a big thanks to all for the helpful advice and guidance. I’ve finally gone through the pre-flight visa/CoE application process and wanted to give any newcomers my experience:
- I’m a UK citizen back home at present. I’ve applied to return to Thailand with the STV (90days extendable 2x).
- obtained medical insurance cover from Tune for B20k (for 180 days cover) on 19Feb to start the process (policy schedule issued);
- submitted my e-visa application on 22Feb. Visa fee was £60. This was approved next day;
- passport mailed to Embassy in London by Special Mail and visa issued on 25th; passport received back by me next day;
- submitted application for CoE pre-approval with indicative ASQ hotel and proposed flight. This was approved on 28th (a Sunday!)
- confirmed my ASQ hotel reservation (Furama Silom, cost B32k) and booked return flight (Qatar Airways from London to Bangkok via Doha, cost £483) and submitted all these confos for final approval and CoE issuance on 29th. CoE was issued by the Embassy less than an hour after submission!
- took my Covid PCR test at Boots yesterday and received certificate with negative results today (cost £120). Recommended with easy booking at your nearest Boots which offers the testing service;
- made on-line request to “Gogodoc” and had a 5 minute telephone consultation with a U.K. registered GP at 4:20pm this afternoon with Fit to Fly certificate issued within the hour (cost £72.50). Recommended for responsive service from U.K. based GP pool. Cost is comparable with other U.K. providers of the FtF.
So, this whole process has taken me less than 2 weeks. Thai Embassy in London quickly
approved my visa and CoE. The result of the PCR test was provided within 24 hours. My FtF certificate quickly issued today. So, I will now fly back to Bangkok from Heathrow on Saturday afternoon. Then to endure a 14 day quarantine!
