Richard Barrow Profile picture
Nov 4, 2021 20 tweets 9 min read Read on X
I’ve landed safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport. We disembarked from the airplane at 6:05am and were in the van leaving the airport at 6:49am. This is a THREAD of my experience of arriving with Thailand Pass and then the hotel. Overall, it was fast and efficient. I give them 10/10. Image
[2] A short distance from the gate we came to this area where there were many chairs set up. We just kept walking to the far end. However, if there are several flights landing at the same time, you might have to sit and wait here. Image
[3] I reached the queue for checking COE and Thailand Pass documents at 6:07am (3 minutes after disembarking) and I was finished here by 6:12am. Very fast. Though mainly due to only one flight landing and only 100 people on our flight. Image
[4] At the counter, I told him I had a QR Code and handed over my negative Covid test and my passport with TM6. He then asked for my vaccine certificate. That was it. He didn’t scan my QR Code. He didn’t ask for my insurance or my hotel booking. But they did for the COE people. ImageImageImage
[5] Next was Immigration. All counters were manned and there were no queues. I arrived here at 6:14am and left at 6:30am. The reason it took so long was because the dates on my re-entry permit were stamped in the wrong place and she had to call her supervisor. Image
[6] Next up was baggage claim. My bag was one of the last to come out at 6:37am, about half an hour after disembarking from the airplane. Which isn’t bad at all. Image
[7] After Customs, there was an area set up with desks where people were waiting from various hotels. They checked my name and then called the hotel transfer van. Image
[8] My hotel had a choice of shared van or private limousine. The driver was dressed in protective clothing. He sprayed our luggage and we sat in the back of the van. There was a plastic partition between us and the driver. Total time from plane to van was 45 minutes. Image
[9] As it was a shared van, I was concerned about air quality. The CO2 reading started at 559ppm but quickly rose to 2066ppm. Which meant I was breathing in air that had been in someone else’s lungs. I asked the driver to turn off recirculating air. It then improved quite quickly Image
[10] I arrived at my hotel in Bangkok at 7:31am. Check-in was done in an area outside. She asked for my passport and departure card. Image
[11] Next was the RT-PCR test. This was done by someone from the hospital. This was slightly more painful than the one I did in London on Monday. She also gave me an ATK test to do myself on day 6-7. She said I should take a picture of the result and email back to the hotel. Image
[12] I was in my room by 7:43am. You have to stay here until the results come back. She said at around noon tomorrow. They don’t give you a keycard so you cannot leave the room.

From airplane to my hotel room, it took 90 minutes. Overall a good experience and no real hassles. Image
[13] In my hotel room, I scanned a QR Code to order my three meals. I had choices between Asian and Western. I could also choose time slots for the food to be delivered. They then knock on the door when they deliver. When I went out, I saw just the food in front of my room. Image
[14] The meals are included in the hotel package. My first meal back in Thailand was appropriately, stir-fried basil and minced pork with a fried egg. For dessert I had mixed fruit. I had also brought some snacks with me from London #Thailand Image
[15] Someone sent me this from yesterday (bottom) which is a big difference to my arrival today (top). He said four flights arrived at the same time and as everyone had COE, there were multiple documents to be checked. He said it took more than 3 hours to get out of the airport. Image
[16] During booking, my hotel said if I arrived before 8am I could get results the same day. My test was at 7:39am but now they said I must wait until the next day. Other hotels are quicker. One person told me his test yesterday was at 10am and he checked out at 6pm the same day. Image
11:28am on Day Two: The hotel reception just called to say my test results are back and that I can now check out. Someone has to come up to get me as she said the lift doesn’t work without a room keycard.

I landed in Thailand at 6am yesterday and I took the test 28 hours ago.
My SHA+ hotel was Hyatt Place in Bangkok. I give them 5/5 for food and room, and 2/5 for communication. The hotel was really slow in answering emails during booking. Plus said test results will be same day for our flight. But that’s really fault of partner hospital who I give 1/5 Image
[19] I asked my taxi driver if he was worried that I had just arrived in #Thailand. He quickly replied by saying “no” as he’s fully vaccinated. He then added he’s more scared of ordinary Thai passengers than foreign tourists as foreigners had been vaccinated and tested properly. Image
[20] I also talked to the driver about the need for better ventilation in his taxi. The high level as soon as I got in meant I was breathing air from someone else’s lungs. I asked him to turn off recirculating and within 10 minutes it was a good level #COVIDisAirborne #CovidCO2 Image

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More from @RichardBarrow

Aug 6, 2023
The Bangkok Tourist Division has selected 150 restaurants and #ThaiFood shops in famous areas in #Bangkok.

This is a THREAD 🧵 of these shops with pictures and maps. Retweet to be automatically entered to win one of five books. Everyone who retweets will also get a PDF.

1/22 Image
📌 The Yaowarat area in Chinatown, is a vibrant district in Samphanthawong. Established in 1782, it's one of the largest Chinese communities outside China. It offers a diverse range of businesses like gold shops, eateries, restaurants, general stores, and hotels.

2/22 Image
Yaowarat is renowned for its delicious food, earning it the title Heaven of Roadside Food by CNN News. It boasts famous restaurants popular with Thai and foreign tourists. Some are even featured in the "Michelin Guide". The vibrant and unique seafood market is a must-visit.

3/22
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Read 22 tweets
Aug 4, 2023
I recently embarked on a train journey from Bangkok to Vientiane, and then continued on the Laos-China Railway to the Chinese border and back.

Here is a THREAD 🧵 with all the details. Feel free to repost and share it with your friends.

#RailTourism #Thailand #Laos

1/25 Image
My journey started at Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in #Bangkok. There are three trains you can catch to Nong Khai. The day train starts at only 251 Baht, but I recommend Special Express No. 25. It leaves at 8:25pm and arrives at 6:25am. A sleeping berth start from 894 Baht.

2/25


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At Nong Khai Station, you need to switch to the shuttle train to cross the Friendship Bridge into Laos. This goes at 7:30am. Don’t worry, they wait for the Bangkok train if it’s late. Thai immigration is at the station. Quick and easy. The 15 minute journey costs 20 Baht.

3/25


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Read 25 tweets
Mar 28, 2023
🚂 Good morning from Rapid No. 135 train going from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Pak Chong in Northeastern Thailand. The journey time is 3 hours and 40 minutes. Ticket price for 3rd Class is 85 Baht.

This is a live THREAD 🧵of my 3-day trip to Khao Yai by train.

#RailTourism #Thailand ImageImageImageImage
[2] The train journey into Isaan is quite scenic as you have to climb over a hill. As the train has to go slowly due to the hills, they are building a tunnel and a 50 metre high viaduct as a shortcut. This will be opened next year and should provide some fantastic views. ImageImageImageImage
[3] Our train arrived a little late at Pak Chong Railway Station. Waiting for us was a songtaew driver from Greenleaf Guesthouse. We will be staying with them and as we booked a tour as well, they offer a free pick up at the station.

📍MAP: maps.app.goo.gl/qs6bCegvZfcNmt… #Thailand ImageImageImageImage
Read 23 tweets
Mar 26, 2023
🚂 Good morning from Hua Lamphong Station. Today is the 126th anniversary of the opening of the first railway in #Thailand and the founding of the State Railway of Thailand on 26th March 1897.

This is a live THREAD of my steam train trip to Ayutthaya.

#RailTourism #Thailand Image
[2] There are six steam train trips a year on important dates. They go to three different locations: Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Pathom. Tickets are 299 Baht for 3rd Class (8 carriages) and 799 Baht for 1st Class (2 carriages). ImageImageImageImage
[3] Guide to Steam Train Excursions in Thailand – Thai Train Guide thaitrainguide.com/excursion-trai…

#RailTourism #Trains #Thailand ImageImageImageImage
Read 18 tweets
Mar 25, 2023
Good morning from Hua Lamphong Station. Today I’m on the #Kiha183 excursion train to Ayutthaya. This is a live THREAD 🧵 about this trip.

Follow @ThaiTrainGuide for more information on the trains.

#RailTourism #Thailand ImageImageImageImage
[2] To buy tickets for the #KiHa183 excursion train, go to the D-Ticket website dticket.railway.co.th/DTicketPublicW… and click on ‘Exploring Thailand by Train’. There’s a different destination every week. Call 1690 for more information. ImageImageImageImage
[3] Our trip today is to Ayutthaya. The ticket cost is 1,499 Baht and includes breakfast, lunch, bus and boat tours, and souvenirs. The price of other tours might vary. Sometimes cheaper sometimes more expensive.

#RailTourism #Thailand Image
Read 10 tweets
Mar 5, 2023
[2] The State Railway of Thailand are now planning on doing one-day excursions every weekend to destinations and festivals. This weekend is to Ratchaburi. Next weekend is to Chachoengsao and the weekend after is to Phetchaburi. Click for more information: thaitrainguide.com/excursion-trai…
[3] The price of the ticket on the #Kiha183 excursion train varies each time. Today’s trip is 1,499 Baht which includes breakfast (see photos), lunch and a coach tour. The Phetchaburi trip is 699 Baht as it only includes drinks and snacks.

#RailTourism #Thailand
[4] Our first stop in Ratchaburi was at Chulalongkorn Bridge. The railway bridge was built in 1901. They are now building a new bridge as part of the double track project. However due to unexploded bombs in the river they had to build it without putting pillars into the water.
Read 11 tweets

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