madmitch

391 people is not what I'd call mass testing!

These problems have worsened during the first few years of the Government's tenure. In fact I'd say the only way these particular problems might improve is with a new, progressive Government that tears up Prayut's 20 year strategy!

A career in politics awaits????????

Many of these policies were sold through banks. The commission the banks make on these poicies is obscene; insurers often only get a small percentage of the overall premium, the rest going not only to the banks but also to other intermediaries. The companies have made a bad underwriting misjudgement here and if they've not taken out adequate reinsurance then they alone are to blame, though in all honesty I don't think any professional international company would have underwritten this. The OIC must stick to their guns here.

You are absolutely right, or at least you would be in certain countries. Unfortunately the majority of so-called insurance agents in Thailand are untrained and unprofessional and know nothing about insurance. All they are interested in is the commission they make from sales. I know people that have been on a three day course with no CPD and they call themselves insurance agents. Of course there are exceptions but I'd in general advise against buying from any friends of friends who are representing a particular insurance company and go instead to a professional insurance broker such as AA or Eric Dohlon in Phuket who will have access to several products and can find the best fit for the client.

How does this guy keep his job?

I don't think it's been mentioned but I highly recommend Ted Lasso. It's a comedy about an incompetent American coach who takes charge of a football team in England. But there's so much more to it than that and it's both funny and moving. It's won several awards and both series available on Apple+ TV, so you can get it in Thailand, as well as the usual not so reliable sources. Well worth watching.

The message being "we don't want you but we do want your dollars!"

Don't you just love the exactness of the figures that these so-called studies come up with?

Nitrous oxide filled balloons aren't uncommon, though not as common as helium balloons, and it could be the good doctor is confusing the two upon reading the article. I just hope his anaesthetists don't confuse the two!

The unelected Governor is using covid as an excuse to impose draconian rules. Does he actually want tourists? It probably doesn't affect his income stream. How many "restaurants" are actually busy at those times, I mean packed to the rafters with customers that may pose a major risk of infection? I'd say precisely zero! Apart from the odd brunch, I rarely drunk in those hours myself while in Phuket but as a tourist, a beer or cocktail by the pool in the afternoon goes down very well. I'm missing Phuket but i certainly don't miss the jokers running the place.

If Central were to adopt their tried and tested model and open a Selfridges branch in every shopping mall in England then the brand wold be totally devalued and they'd go out of business. The flagship Oxford Street store survives on the back of it's name and reputation. Only the well-off and tourists shop there these days as prices are well above anywhere else.

I don't think the place will be overloaded with Russians just yet; there were more flights per day two years ago than there are per week now. Also, the article conveniently forgot to mention that Russia isn't on the list of countries applicable for new scheme, so sandbox rules still apply.

If you make your appointment to renew you're given a slip that you can show with your expired licence if you get stopped. I was specifically told this by the lady making the appointments.

Thailand: the hub of regurgitating the same old nonsense and passing it off as a new idea!

It does appear that UAT (User Acceptance Testing) either isn't a part of the process in Thai Government projects or those that do the job are either incompetent or, more likely, aren't given enough time to complete the work to an acceptable standard. No Government project ever seems to be introduced without major problems.

Phuket would expect to receive 300,000 visitors throughout December, giving an average of 10,000 visitors a day, Mr Bhummikitti said. “The occupancy rate this month could gradually improve to 25-30% from 18-20% in October, before increasing to 35% in December,” he said. How many hotel rooms are there in Phuket? 300,000 travellers in a month, say averaging 10 days so that's 100,000 at any one time, also usually 2 to a room so I make that around 50,000 rooms at peak. That's nowhere near 30%, even if they do somehow hit 10,000 a day.

11.1 billion profit yet in the first six months of 2020, yet in that exact period the airline entered it's bankruptcy!

The surge if anything might be caused by Thais arriving from overseas as for some inexplicable reason they are exempt from taking a pre-departure PCR test! Hopefully the airlines won't let them onboard (other than THAI of course!)

Did you read my previous post? The SHA+ questionnaire is simply not made for guesthouses and small hotels. Many have made at least an initial effort to join, only to be turned down or even not attempting to provide all the required information as it is simply not practical or not possible. NB there are varying levels of licensing and most places are at least licensed at the local tessabaan and many pay room tax despite not having the highest level of licensing, in other words they are recognised as licensed accommodation providers where handing over cash is concerned!

Partly true but many licensed operations are also unable to satisfy the requirements simply because they are too small. They can't answer all the required questions and provide the required photographs (some of which are ridiculous) simply because they don't offer certain facilities. However, the fact that arrivals now only have to spend one night in a SHA+ hotel makes this protest at this stage unnecessary. Most small hotels can't offer the facilities to take care of the new arrivals, such as providing food in the rooms and even providing enough space to eat in the room. Until the Government stance changes, this requirement remains unchanged. Although Im back in the UK, my partner is still running our guesthouse and we are simply explaining to any guests to make sure they book their first night in an SHA+ hotel. Not had to send many emails yet!!!

You don't need a list. Go onto Booking.com and SHA+ hotels have the classification clearly indicated. I naively thought that the Thailand Pass was going to produce an instant QR code but, of course, that's not the way things work in Thailand. People don't want to wait any more, just like booking a hotel or even buying insurance: you want to click and it's all confirmed.

I like the last sentence The notice was marked as accurate as of yesterday (Oct 22). In other words, the rules cold change any time! TiT

I note from the TAT announcement that a certificate of entry is still required. It's just off-putting for many potential travellers, if they moved into the 21st century and gave instant confirmation, electronically attached to the passport then it would be an improvement. This, along with mask wearing and lack of alcohol and nightlife will stop the floodgates from opening.

Kevin was a friend of mine. Lovely guy, taken much too soon. Sadly I won't be able to make the funeral. RIP Kev.