LMW 09 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok: Let's go outside (relaxation area experience)

Today is the day! After being locked up for 7+ days I finally get to go outside for an amazing 45 minutes! I am eagerly awaiting 3PM as that's the timeslot that I am given to go outside! But once there I feel it's a tiny bit of an anticlimax. It isn't as wow as I thought it would be? Should I just sit out my Bangkok Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) in my room? Hmm, I am not so sure yet!

Being able to go outside does give me a better impression of the hotel (as I get to walk around). My fellow rooftop ASQ-ers are all Thai nationals and are not really talkative. I always assumed that ASQ and SQ were separate but could they be the same hotels?

I also had another horrible sleep! My phone ran 4 times in the morning causing me to wake up again and again! (People really need to stop calling me between 730 and 10 AM)

As mentioned yesterday I am talking to a serviced apartment/hotel to potentially stay after my quarantine here in Bangkok and they are reconfirming and answering all my questions. I am feeling nervous yet excited about this happening so quickly!

We are ending the day by eating our 6th pasta dish in 7 days. Creativity in meal planning really isn't a strong point at Citrus 11 Sukhumvit but let's see! (At least I have a super clean room!)

LWM 08 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok: I tested negative for COVID-19

Yes! Today is the day where I receive the result from my rt-pcr test (the first of 2 during ASQ in Bangkok) and I am happy to announce that I tested NEGATIVE! Being COVID-19 free it means that it unlocks a new series of benefits during my alternative state quarantine in Thailand: Firstly I am able to spend 45 minutes outside as of tomorrow and secondly, my room will be cleaned for the very first time!

On the topic of going outside it practically means that I am able to go up to the 9th floor (rooftop) and spend 45 minutes there but regretfully unlike other ASQ hotels in Bangkok I am not really given a choice. I am simply informed of the timing where I will be taking to go outisde.

It's is also yet another Lazada day for me. One thing I now notice is that my packages are not checked but just disinfected.. hence could I order something illegal? (better not haha)

I am also spending some time today researching potential places to live after my quarantine experience. Debating between a hotel and Airbnb I stumbled across a long stay offer from a 5* hotel in one of their apartments!

I feel that slowly things are coming together!

LMW 07 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok: It is PCR Test day! (Not looking forward to it)

I woke up after a horrible night of sleep! Not because of the bed or any kind of noise (Citrus 11 Sukhumvit hotel actually has super comfy beds) but because of the fact that as part of your Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) here in Bangkok you have to undergo not one but two PCR tests.. and today is day one! When the time has come for me to go to the rooftop (9th floor) and take my covid-19 PCR test I am feeling a bit anxious as I don't really know what is going to happen: Let me just say that the nurses whilst super friendly aren't the most gentle in the world! (And I had to redo the PCR Nasal Swap twice!!)

Today I also receive a large chunk of my Lazada packages! It is interesting how no matter where in the world you order: delivery always seems to be a thing! But I love Lazada, it is easy, cheap, quick and I am simply instantly hooked to shopping on the Lazada platform. (And especially handy when you are stuck in an ASQ in Bangkok like me)

I am also happy to introduce my sister Marleen to the episodes! Obviously whilst in quarantine in Thailand there isn't a lot of interaction with others on the podcast but that should change the moment I am able to get out and start my actual life.

https://youtu.be/cOPsYtSS_Vo

LWM 06 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok Day 4: How to get a Thai sim card in quarantine and what Thai apps to download?

I received a Thai sim card from True! The hotel send someone to 7/11 to get me one! The question I struggle with is how do I register the sim card to avoid it expiring in a few weeks? I am also thinking about what apps I need to download for my new life in Bangkok: Grab, HelloFresh, Lazada.. but what else?

The hotel is taking a break from Thai Food and has switched to a few western options! Maybe this is partly due to my ''feedback'' or perhaps it was in the planning all along? We simply don't know but I suspect so.

Exercise during quarantine is challenging but I manage to get 5000 steps in and hopefully I am able to increase this number in the days to come! (I simply turn on the music and talk around my suite at Citrus 11 Sukhumvit Hotel)

Today my Lazada addiction also kicked in and I managed to order not 1 but 13 packages. This way I get a surprise every single day and at the same time, I get to build a cool new office set up and get a new toothbrush :)

Lastly, I am spending my evening taking calls! I was kinda dreading it but in a way, it makes all the time just go faster and that's what it's all about! 

https://youtu.be/cOPsYtSS_Vo

LWM 05 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok: It's feedback day and exercise day (breakfast is readyyyyy)

No need for an alarm when you are stuck at an ASQ hotel in Bangkok during the COVID-19 pandemic! Every single day at 730 my phone rings to tell me that breakfast is ready and I can pick up the food from my front door! 

Today is feedback day! This means that I am sharing my feedback with the hotel which centers mainly around the food, food temperate, food delivery time, and overall selection. I am happy to share that the hotel (Citrus 11 Sukhumvit) takes the feedback seriously and immediately is looking for ways to improve!

One thing that never improves however is my body temperature. The ASQ Nurse refused to accept that I just have a low body temperature by default and consistently wants me to retake the temperature to the point where I am getting some interesting suggestions to warm up my body.

 

On the topic of exercise I am concluding that I need to make it easy on myself and not stress too much! ASQ is already hard enough hence I need to be doing what I enjoy and or at least am able to finish!  

All in all it is yet another day in quarantine in Thailand, time is going back quick and one thing is sure: It is truly never boring inside the alternative state quarantine!

LWM 04 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok Day 2: Siam Paragon Chat and Shop and a ASQ food Mystery Thai Dessert

Welcome to day 2 of my alternative state quarantine hotel experience: 15 days in quarantine in Bangkok, Thailand at the Citrus 11 Sukhumvit hotel. I am feeling good, I am feeling happy and I am enjoying the bright windows that let through a lot of light and fresh air.

We continue to the story/battle on the ASQ Daily temperature check as the nurse still isn't happy with my results. (Not something I can control) and I come to the realization that ASQ is many things but the one thing Thailand's Alternative State Quarantine isn't is: environmentally friendly, this as the usage of plastic is just overwhelming. (But who am I to complain)

In my room, I found a flyer from Siam Paragon, one of the largest shopping malls in Bangkok. Siam Paragon offers a chat and shop service for ASQ guests. You tell them what to shop for and Siam Paragon's staff will deliver it to your hotel within a few hours! All in all a great service but with a THB200 delivery fee I am not 100% sure if I would make use of this service. (I think other options will give me free delivery)

We end the evening with another meal delivered straight to my door which comes with a mystery Thai dessert! I still do know what exactly it was but as with everything in life one has to YOLO it and try! Especially during ASQ one has to make sure to eat as much food as possible as you don't really know what kind of food is coming next!

LWM 03 - ASQ Quarantine Bangkok Day 1: Temperatures Issues and why I chose Citrus 11 Sukhumvit as my ASQ Hotel in Bangkok

Welcome to day 1 of ASQ Quarantine in Bangkok! Only 14 more nights today and I am free!  

Today's episode is all about temperature issues. Starting off with my personal body temperature: As part of your alternative state quarantine experience, you are required to measure your own body temperature twice a day and enter the temperate into an app called: COSTE.  The data is then sent to the nurse who in my case isn't all too happy with what she is seeing: I am still hypothermic (according to the app)   

Another issue with the temperature at Citrus 11 Sukhumvit is the food temperature: Meals are consistently cold and by default, not something I would enjoy eating. So what do I do? Complain? Let it be? What can be a solution? Do I just buy a microwave to make sure I have hot food during my ASQ Thailand experience?  I mean we still have 14 more days of alternative state quarantine to go! I need this quarantine experience to be as good as can be!

Lastly, I want to share with you the reasons why I chose my ASQ hotel. It's actually for very simple reasons so let's see in a few days from now if I have made the right choice and stay here! All in all, time is going by quite fast during day one and I am hoping that time during quarantine in Bangkok will continue to go by super fast! (And I am hoping to overcome jetlag as well)

LWM 02 - Arriving at my Alternative State Quarantine Hotel in Bangkok Thailand (Citrus 11 Sukhumvit)

Wow, I made it to Thailand! Hello Bangkok! I am starting today's episode from my transfer going from Bangkok Airport to my Alternative State Quarantine Facility: Citrus 11 Sukhumvit.

In today's episode, I will share with you exactly what the arrival procedure at my Bangkok quarantine hotel looked like. After meeting with the nurse (who explained my 2x daily temperature check) and doing the formal check-in I am whisked away to my quarantine hotel room for the next 15 nights:

Alternative State Quarantine hotel: Citrus 11 Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand

Room: Cozy Suite King Bed (42m2)

Price: THB49500

Join me as I share my first impression of my ''suite room'' which is turning out not to be a suite but more 2 connecting rooms. (Hence I have everything twice: Bathroom, fridge etc). More so it turns out that I am suffering from hypothermia and that measuring my daily body temperature isn't as easy one would think. (At least the nurses from the hospital seem to be very nice) Lastly, I am settling into my room for the next 15 nights. Unpacking and I get to taste the Thai food that I will be eating during my stay at the alternative state quarantine hotel.    

I made it to Bangkok, it's day 0 of quarantine: Let's get this over with! 

https://youtu.be/cOPsYtSS_Vo

Moving to Thailand during COVID-19 (ASQ Hotel Bangkok)

Today has finally come! With a slight delay of just 9 months (thank you COVID-19) I am finally relocating to Bangkok, Thailand - and I could not be more excited!

We are picking Life With Michael back up, right when I am about to leave my hotel in Abu Dhabi (Thank you UAE for hosting me the last few months) and I am making my way to the Abu Dhabi Airport to fly Etihad Airways 777-300 Business Class to Bangkok.

At check-in, there is a little scare as there seems to be something wrong with my documentation! To enter into Thailand during COVID you require a: Certificate of Entry, Fit to Fly document, A negative RT-PCRT Test, health insurance covering at least $100 000 worth of medical expenses related to COVID-19 and you need to have a confirmed alternative state quarantine booked. (ASQ hotel) I have all of these things but the Etihad staff still think there was a problem.

Hence in this episode, I will take you with me on my flight to Bangkok, what the immigration procedure is like at Bangkok Airport before making my way to my quarantine hotel!

If you are looking to travel to Thailand during COVID and you want to know what the airport arrival experience is like? Then listen to today's episode of Life With Michael as I will be sharing all of my experiences with you!  

I am thrilled to be living my dream! Giving up everything and building a new life as an expat in Bangkok!

https://youtu.be/cOPsYtSS_Vo

5 Salary Negotiation Tips

Many people struggle to effectively negotiate their salary offers. So today I want to make it a bit easier and give you 5 salary negotiation tips that anyone can implement no matter where they are in the world. These salary negotiation tips are universal and if implemented can really help you achieve the salary goals you have!

1 Be the first to ask for clarity on the salary that is on offer

2 Always give a range

3 Give a range that is based on competition

4 Position your range that benefits you

5 Be very specific (Harder for your future employer to negotiate)

I hope these 5 tips are helpful and that you can put them to good use!

If you have any salary negotiation tips to share then I would love to hear them! Similarly, if you have successfully negotiated an offer with any of these tips then I would equally love to hear from you!

**How to get in touch**

Join my FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3cZjvDO

Website: www.neverjustaccept.com

Social Media: @neverjustaccept

Email: [email protected] 

The blogpost with this podcast: [ENTER BLOGPOST]The YouTube video with this podcast: https://youtu.be/JBzSvMEl8iQ

About Mike

Starting as a college drop-out working for $10 an hour in a call center to earning well into the 6 figures (tax-free)! I realized that whilst there was nothing special about me, the one thing I was good at was negotiating great offers! So after working at various companies for 15+ years, I decided to leave my career behind and focus on teaching people how to get better and confident at negotiating job offers!

About Never Just Accept

Never Just Accepts teaches people how to negotiate their next job offer with confidence, clarity, and confidence! We do this through our 1/1 coaching program. For more information get in touch today! We would be happy to teach you how to negotiate your dream job offer!