After fifteen days in Cambodia for the world's longest visa run, I'm finally back in Thailand! It's been quite a trip! To be honest, I didn't really mind being in Cambodia. I'm fond of the country, and enjoyed a change of scenery. What was a little frustrating was the slow process of re-entering Thailand. But I'm back now! I'm writing the post from my quarantine hotel waiting to check out. Luckily, the process of entering Thailand is way easier than it was last summer.
I was a little nervous as I waited in line at Phnom Penh Int'l. The queue was dragging, and it seemed like nearly everyone ahead of me was having trouble with their documents. Several people in front of me were turned away, unable to board the flight.
When I got to the ticket counter, I handed over my passport. The ticket agent asked to see my Thailand Pass, a QR code sent by the Royal Thai Embassy certifying that I had a valid visa, COVID insurance, quarantine booking, and pre-paid PCR test upon arrival. She scanned my QR code, checked my quarantine and insurance documents, and handed me my ticket. "Many people cannot fly today", she whispered as the angry couple next to me were told they were missing their proper documents.
It's a little complex to travel right now, and I definitely have sympathy for those who were not able to board their flight. It would have been a disaster if I hadn't been able to! I would have lost a lot of money on all of my insurance, quarantine, and flight bookings. Still, if you just carefully check with the embassy and follow all of the regulations, it's not too difficult. In the end, it only took me a few minutes to get through. I guess it pays to have all of your documents in order!
I had a bit of time to spare in the small departures hall of the airport, so I browsed the duty free shops for some souvenirs to take home. I picked up a little pot of Kampot pepper. Cambodia has the world's best black pepper, which is grown in the region of the town of Kampot. I have no idea what makes it so good, but every time I visit Cambodia, I have to bring some back!
The flight was uneventful. 50 minutes and one cup of hot tea later, we were touching down at Survarnabhumi Airport. It felt good to be back after the past two weeks away, but I wouldn't be able to enter the country just yet.
I first had to present my Thailand Pass and all of my documents to the Thai CDC. After clearing immigration on my brand-new 90-day visa, I found myself in the arrivals hall, where a bank of hotel staff were waiting to shuttle passengers off on their one night "Test and Go" quarantine. After a bit of confusion in the crowded hall, I found the representative for the Royal View Resort who took me in a van through Bangkok to the Victory Monument area.
We stopped briefly at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital for my drive-through PCR test. I just had to unroll the back window while the nurse swabbed my nose and throat. She handed me a ticket with another QR code I could scan to check my results within 24 hours, and finally, we were off to the hotel.
A one night quarantine is not so bad! I checked in, and finally felt that I could relax. For dinner, I had some delicious cashew chicken and a Chang Beer delivered via room service.
I turned in early.
The next morning began with a cup of coffee and breakfast (eggs on toast, sausage, ham, and a glass of oj). I checked my PCR results. Negative! Now, I'm just waiting until my official checkout at noon when I'll FINALLY be able to go back home.
It's good to be back!
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