madmitch

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.

So, where are the figures for the number of AZ doses produced by Siam Bioscience? Unless I've missed something, the number seems rather elusive!

Remember, this is Anutin speaking on behalf of the Health Department. At some point we'll have the CCSA commenting on the requirements, followed by the TAT, at least a couple of provincial Governors, Prayut himself, the Ministry of Tourism, Immigration, the Thai Hotels Association, the TCT and Uncle Tom Cobleigh and All. And everything will be as clear as mud!

“There are approximately 43,000 entrepreneurs throughout the country, and the number of SME operators in Phuket comprises 1.35% of the total number of SMEs in the country,” he said. Where do they get their figures from? Phuket alone must have at least 43,000 small businesses. Have they borrowed the TAT calculator? Is there an SME definition that I'm unaware of? Is something lost in translation or is the gentleman spurting complete and utter tosh?

Despite never having had a problem myself with my retirement extension, last year the skinny bespectacled IO asked me to help explain to the 90 year old Italian why he had just had his renewal declined. He'd gone below the 400,000 baht balance for a few days, despite subsequently having brought in nearly 2m baht. He was very confused and quite upset. He'd have had no option other than to use an agent, Despite being sure all my documentation is in order, apart from the standard missing photocopy, there's always that niggling thought that something's not going to be right. Don't have to worry this year. Swapped it for cold weather and large council tax bills! Not sure if it was worth the trade!

One well-connected hi-so crash prompts action. Three tourists do not.

One million tourists to watch a live perfomance? Not to forget the locals. And I thought there were strict limits on the size of gatherings!

TAT. One minute announcing unbelievable figures, the next discouraging tourists from visiting. Simply not fit for the purpose.