Went to the cinema Chiang Mai 5 yrs ago for the release of James Bond Spectre there was about 20 younger people in the audience .. when the Royal anthem started I stood up .. looked behind and around to see I was the only one standing up .. felt like a right [deleted]

On 10/25/2020 at 6:41 PM, Maestro said:

I wonder if the fact that tourists with the STV must arrive in Thailand on a charter flight gave the Chinese the impression that these would be "tour groups".

 

From https://liveandletsfly.com/thailand-reopens-tourism/ (highlighting in bold red is mine)

 

Quote

 

The hurdles are high to obtain this visa, including:

• Mandatory 14-day quarantine upon presentation of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival
• Proof of booking a 90+ day stay in Thailand
  • The first 14 days must be booked in a government-approved “alternate quarantine” hotel or resort – full list here (.pdf)
• Arriving in Thailand on a chartered flight
• Criminal background check
• At least $100,000 in medical insurance

 

There is also the small matter of this requirement for the STV as stated on Thai embassy websites

'Two (2) copies of complete bank statement of the applicant’s account(s) showing all transaction for the past 6 months, with minimum balance of THB 500,000.- . Bank contact details should be included.'

Can't imagine many Chinese 'tourists' being able to comply with this one ..

There's a few in that photo eying up that pile of cash ..

Here it seems to be the answer to all our questions ..

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Chinese-scramble-for-Thailand-s-new-special-tourist-visa

1 hour ago, Selatan said:

17 hours ago, Henryford said:

Why would any tourist want to put themselves through this.

Chinese scramble for Thailand's new special tourist visa
 

Quote

One visa agent told Nikkei Asia that entering Thailand on a special tourist visa will cost at least 150,000 baht. Before the pandemic, individual tourists visiting Thailand could spend as little as 10,000 baht on a round-trip flight, while sharing a four-night hotel with their partner for 5,000 baht each.

But many Chinese are still applying for the special visas, as they have existing Thai connections -- some want to supervise their business activities here, some have children studying in international schools, while others want to manage their property portfolios -- and would like to return soon to deal with such matters, according to three persons familiar with the situation.

Expand  Expand  

 

Quote

An e-commerce businessman from eastern Zhejiang province, who gave his name Wu, is an early applicant for the special visa and expected to come to Thailand by the end of October.

"Thailand is my business focus for the second half of the year," he said. "I wanted to go back as soon as possible or else I am losing half a million yuan in revenue this year."

 

Looks like all us TV cynics were right .. not tourists but Chinese 'investors' come back to take care of their investments ..

4 hours ago, Phuketshrew said:

Bloody hell, there were 41 of them earlier, have we lost two already?

Escaped the quarantine hotel to buy Mama cup noodles and latex pillows ..

14 hours ago, anchadian said:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-15/thailand-chases-travel-bubble-pact-with-china-to-boost-tourism?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_content=business&cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business

By 

Natnicha Chuwiruch

October 16, 2020, 4:00 AM GMT+7 Updated on October 16, 2020, 10:33 AM GMT+7

 

Thailand is in talks with China to establish a quarantine-free travel corridor by January to rescue its ailing tourism industry.

 

The agreement with Beijing will be subject to the success of a limited reopening of the Thai tourism industry to foreign travelers this month, according to Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. China, which accounted for more than a quarter of Thailand’s tourist arrivals before the pandemic, will be the first low-risk country the Southeast Asian nation will sign up for quarantine-free travel, he said.

 

Yes looks like a test run and try build up some confidence in the 'terrified Thais' of the return of the Chinese hordes ..

8 hours ago, NanLaew said:

No mystery. These are Chinese Belt and Roaders.

 

Nothing to see here, move along now.

Yes and I suspect this is the last we hear of them now ..

8 hours ago, charmonman said:

Will they get a refund for the 10000 baht paid to the Thai Long Stay company for their “services “? For the $100000 health insurance they had to buy? For the ASQ hotel  and the at least 75 days hotel/condo they’ve had to pay for in advance? For the Covid-19 test they had to take? For the 2000 baht visa fee?

I can’t even get this Thai Long Stay company to respond to me in the first place. Maybe I am lucky. 

I have Thai friends telling me things are starting to get dire on the jobs/economic front.

Maybe I should be happy I’m not in Thailand. If it wasn’t for the 33 years I have spent in and out of Thailand and all the friends I have there I’d say to hell with the place.

Don't forget the refund for the ..

medical certificate from licenced doctor; Applicants must have no forbidden diseases according to the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) which include Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Elephantiasis, drug addiction and third stage of Syphilis. The certificate must not be valid more than 3 months.

copies of certificate of criminal record clearance from country of permanent residence. The certificate must be valid not less than 3 months.

Cost of copies of complete bank statement of the applicant’s account(s) showing transaction for the past 6 months, with minimum balance of THB 500,000. Bank contact details must be included.

blah blah blah

Congratulations ... but then again I know folk in that area near Phaya Phrai that prefer to grow and drink  their own tea plants pesticide free

13 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Noticed the Burger King near the Hard Rock Cafe was closed.  I thought the major chain locations would stay in it for the long run? Also, the large Pizza Company location in Maya Mall was also closed.  The last time I went into the McD’s at Thae Pae gate it was mostly empty during lunch time.  I think “Ghost Town” has arrived.  

Franchises  mostly owned and ran by Chinese Thais ..

Maybe they will ponder who it is that has brought this upon them ..

9 hours ago, lensta said:

So, my question is, if you are a citizen of a dirty country but reside in a clean country can you get a  Sexually Transmitted Visa or not? Are you considered dirty by nationality or by country of residence?

The Swiss Thai Embassy website states 'Applicants must hold an ordinary passport of Switzerland or must have permanent residence in Switzerland (Permit C)'

So it looks like you could apply for the STV if you have permanent residency of the 'low risk' country

1 hour ago, BestB said:

Do not know why so many of you praising him when he clearly wants and targets China and “some” European countries but main target is Chinese.

 

 

Hit it right on the button there

That 2nd photo is at Kad Kom it's near the 'smelly Klong' so guaranteed to flood there a few times every year so journos go and get their flood pics each time

An ex years back who had a room nearby woke up one morning to find a foot of water in her room .. good job she wasn't sleeping on the floor as some of her neighbours were, there was dozens of ruined mattresses by the side of the road that had been thrown out

9 hours ago, androokery said:

Capped at 1200 visitors per month and still expect to pull in 1 BILLION baht? That’s 833K per person per month. Wow. 

I think that's including the parking fees for their Lear jets ..

On 9/14/2020 at 9:03 AM, Thailand said:

So those temperature checks are all that is needed to source the virus?

Much cheaper than PCR swab tests .. I can't see them shelling out 10's of thousands baht testing migrant workers

3 hours ago, Swimfan said:

85 in hospital currently and no healthcare staff have been infected. Thailand must have the worlds best infection control procedures.

Herd immunity?

Siam Tv also have a selection

On 4/23/2020 at 6:27 AM, Canuck1966 said:

https://www.khaosod.co.th/covid-19/news_3993864

 

In other news foreigners on Samui, who handed out rice to migrant workers, were asked by the police to apologise for damaging the reputation of Thailand 

What sick twisted 'authorities' Thailand has ..