gumbleby

Quite a nice place, if getting a bit worn. I didn't stay there recently as it's a bit outside the action. I wouldn't hesitate staying there again though. It's in between a few nice restaurants and it's along the Songthaew route. It's a bit set back from the main road so fairly quiet. It's also very near the bus station and a supermarket with western products.

Any recent experiences using Bolt from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)? A few years ago I used Bolt a few times to go from BKK to Pattaya, but I gave up on them. Too many scams and difficulties finding the car (it wasn't always clear what level, many times the car has a different license plate than the app, and sometimes the driver claimed they couldn't find you, so you can't complain to Bolt if they insist on extra payment, and I got a bad rep with Bolt. Similar problems Pattaya to BKK. I had better experiences via Agoda, or booking from the stall in Jomtien Complex.

That's more or less how it worked end of December. Before you're allowed to go to passport control there's a check for your Covid documentation. Then passport control and waiting to collect your bags. After you pass customs you get to the international arrivals hall, where you are greeted by a mass of hotel representatives and staff to get all arrivals in contact with the right people. It seemed a bit chaotic, there's so many hotels now, but there's plenty of people pointing you in the right way. Go with the flow and you should be on your way in no time. Just make sure you have a copy (or 2) of your booking and your Thailand pass at hand. In may case I was asked me to wait a bit before I was taken to the car, which took me to the hospital for a snot donation, and then on to the hotel for what turned out to be about 8 hours quarantine. I had time left for dinner at Circus (formerly Telephone Pub) and a short visit to Dream Boys. Everything had to close by 11PM.

I arrived around noon, and had my results around 8PM, so I skipped dinner at the hotel and went to Soi 4 instead 😇. I was tired and my room was in the quarantine section of the hotel (not exactly cheerfull), so I didn't bring visitors.

Another issue I had was with the second PCR test (instead of a self-test). I went to the same hospital where I had my first test (had to return the next day - they didn't have free slots anymore, and I didn't find a way to book ahead). Luckily I spotted the notice with a QR code for a web site where I could later download my results, because I wasn't contacted by the hospital (despite the having my telephone and e-mail). I believe other people had more trouble. I had the impression staff themselves didn't know about this web site, they certainly didn't point people in the right direction. On top of that a few days later I received a notice on the Morchana app to tell me I needed to enter my test results, again despite the hospital having all my details. Luckily I had downloaded everything. The process for receiving test results could have been better organised, to put it mildly (not that there's no issues in my home country).

I did my 1 day quarantine at the end of december. My hotel first took me from the airport to a hospital for my Covid test, only after that was I taken to the hotel. Maybe this works faster. If you're tired of waiting for the result, it might be a good idea to call the reception after 8 hours or so. In my experience receptions are not exactly proactive. 3 times out of 3 we got our result only after we called the reception. Once because I saw the result on the Phuket app first, once when I called to ask when I would get my dinner, and my boyfriend also had to call before het got his result

My in-law family had Sinovac + Astra, and recently a Pfizer booster (they live upcountry).

Just got my Thai Pass. Two more weeks. Now I just hope Omicron doesn't throw up some last minute obstacles. Just like last time, my annual travel insurance policy was accepted without problems. As usual, I'm not covered if I have to go into for quarantine (I might be covered for a few days if I'm lucky).

I actually travelled to Thailand for a short holiday in september, using the Phuket Sandbox system. I wouldn't repeat it tomorrow, but after 18 months with no travel it was quite a relief to have a real holiday, however short. The administrative overhead was more manageable than many of the comments everywhere suggested. I used my normal year-round travel insurance without issues.

6 weeks for me I can't wait. Will definitely visit. How are Sky Bar and Double shot doing?

In Jomtien complex, try the Massage shop betweenthe entrance to Jomtien Complex and Dicks Café. I had some great massages there. The masseurs are a bit more experienced than the ones in the twink massage places a bit further down the soi. No happy endings.

Actually, even today, the name of the central train station in HCMC is Ga Sai Gon.

There are minivans. I suppose you can arrange them on arrival. With AirAsia you can book Pattaya Central as a departure/arrival point. Your ticket includes the transfer. Departure point is Central Festival shopping Mall (minivans leave from the service road on the right side of the mall (when looking towards the sea).

I only occasionally do long time, when the boy prefers long time (happens fairly often).

Yet another incompatible system.