sambum

""Read full post ......................" etc etc etc You have just confirmed exactly what I was saying! I did not say anything about paying more now than before Covid! :- What I was saying is that with all the hassle involved and "jumping through hoops" it would not be worth it for ME! "Had to upgrade health insurance below 10k." :- At my age I can not even get health insurance!!!! And:- "3pcr - some $60 plus 2x2200b in thailand" Gobbledegook! I have no idea what you are talking about, which in itself answers the question asked in the article:- "Is it all worth it?" So, my answer to the question is still "NO"!!!

"that's why we are going on vacation, not to be restricted while we are there!!" Then sorry, you've picked the wrong vacation destination, mate!

"Let us know if you think it's worth it" That is the question asked at the end of the article we are responding to. I got half way through your post and the answer was blatantly obvious - NO!

I thought all bars were still closed - only restaurants are allowed to sell alcohol with food? That is certainly the case where I live (but it is surprising how many bars are now restaurants! ????)

(P.S. "Flip Flop"!)

"The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister is planning to propose to the CCSA (Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration) the return of the “Test&Go” tourism program as early as this February to attract a year goal of about eight million international arrivals while expecting substantial tourism income." And then goes on to explain all the hoops and restrictions that the aforesaid 8 million will have to adhere to in order to enjoy their "holiday" i.e. :- "the new “Test&Go” plan could proceed under strict guidelines of the Public Health Ministry. Visitors are required to conduct two RT-PCR tests which were on the first and the sixth day of their arrival. Other tight preventive measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and possible clusters should be further discussed with the Ministry." (Which could mean that further restrictions may be introduced depending on the progress of Covid - 19) So, I'm a tourist looking for a hassle free 2 or 3 weeks holiday of sun and fun where I can enjoy a few beers on the beach during the day, and enjoy the night life that Thailand is famous for when the sun goes down? Erm, no, it doesn't work that way any more - it all reminds me of the Monty Python "Dead Parrot" sketch ("I've got a slug?"............ "Then it's hardly a replacement then, is it? ) "8 million providing substantial tourist income"? I am tempted to say "In your dreams, pal!", but he might dream up something even more "believable" ????

"Most of the international flights I take cost under 1,500bht (many at 1,000bht)." Are you sure you don't mean "internal" flights? ????

he’s getting something out of his "handbag." Could be a clue there then! ????

"Two phone numbers were given for information on his whereabouts" Which are?

That's exactly right! A new batch of bars opened in my neck of the woods, and when every other bar in the area was charging 60/70 baht for a beer they were charging 100 baht. Needless to say, they were pretty much deserted, and my friends and I only had one beer and then left, but before going on our merry way, I asked why they were charging so much for their drink. (OK - you know the answer already!) "Because we don't have many customers!" The mind boggles!

Same thing happened on Samui - the reasoning being people need to eat, but it would appear that social distancing does not happen, (impossible to police) and I believe lots of stallholders are not observing some recommended safety recommendations e.g. cleaning their hands regularly, although they may wear masks, because they can be seen - how can you tell how often a stallholder washes his/her hands during the course of the day? Personally, I avoid markets for this very reason, but I do appreciate that people need to eat, and also that people need to make a living, but in a market one should be doubly cautious - you only need to see the numbers when there is an "outbreak". On Samui, we were used to seeing zero daily figures of new cases then suddenly 30+ due to a "cluster" at a local market.

And we all know what "a couple weeks more" means in Thailand, but I get your drift! And yes, he has a vested interest, but I think a lot of people will agree with what he says!

On the one hand TAT are trying their hardest to attract people to Thailand, and on the other hand the Government seem to be making it as difficult as they can for people to get in! It's a funny old world!

Even more so if the bars were open! (Restaurants have to close at 9pm)

"as this hospital group seems to have."? I think you mean "hospitality" group! ????

I thoughthe extra 300 baht per international arrival was going to pay for that?

"Tea toddlers" I like it ????

The guy talks a lot of sense , but as you say, this Government will take no notice whatsoever because it was not their idea in the first place. Many years ago, I made a suggestion to a Thai landlord regarding a cheap way of providing warm water, and he pooh poohed the idea. A few months later, the subject came up again, and I said, "You know, that was quite a good idea you came up with a while ago - why didn't you give it a try?" He gave me a wry look and lo and behold, a few days later he did make an effort to instal it, and it did work to a certain extent (not 100%), but the point is you are more likely to get a Thai - any Thai - to do something if they think it's their idea! You are just a dumb farang, and it makes no difference that farangs invented telephones, televisions, and telegraph poles, (or trains and boats and planes!) they think that they had the idea in the first place! .

Oh, they've been getting criticised for a long time! ????

And how much is this insurance likely to cost for an elderly gentleman?

I have an Extension based on Marriage (Marriage Visa) and agree completely with what you say. This year I had to take more than 100 photocopies in total to Immigration because they want 2 (signed) copies of everything! What really made me "laugh" was when the I.O. said she wanted a photo of the roof of the house! My wife politely explained that we couldn't take a photo of the roof of the house because there's a bloody big tree in the way!

You don't think the Army has anything to do with it then?

P.S. It wasn't me in the instance I quoted, but I have had an experience at the same hospital (Most expensive on the island) where I took a friend for treatment some years ago, and the doctor wanted 4000 baht just to say hello! There were cheaper hospitals at the time, but now even they have "jumped on the bandwagon" and prices have soared in recent years - one problem about living somewhere that presents a level of difficulty getting to and leaving from, I guess! Well done on your prices by the way - was this "upcountry" perchance?

At least when he/she gets in they will pay the same price as a local for visiting tourist attractions or having a meal. Actually, what was said is that "Thailand is also well-known for its affordable and high-quality healthcare" Now if anyone thinks that having to pay 19,000 baht for ONE stitch in a cut finger is "affordable", then they must come from a different planet to me! Actually the whole article reads like an excerpt from a TAT new employee's handbook!

Whereas it's 40k a month for a 'mixed" (Thai and Farang) couple! I questioned the logic of this many years ago, and the best answer that I got is that a single man needs more to spend more on bar fines and lady drinks!