Sambotte

There is a proverb : "L'important, ce n'est pas la destination, c'est le voyage" (could translate by : "what matters is not the destination, it's the journey"). I may wait to see how this works or not... Doubt it will work for travellers, especially high-medium net-worth. Countries meaning (really) business like Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, to name a few (and the list will grow for sure) are asking : nothing ! or just insurance ! or just one test. No sand-or-hospital boxes ! No 3 tests. No bureaucratic nightmare. And no change of plan every month or so... I still doubt Thailand government want to restore tourism business, it's just political announcement. No more Farang-set ! (Français, not on the list).

Having been travelling all my life, and mostly long time in Thailand (my answer is here actually), i would say simply : + Business, daily business like renting a condo, a scooter, buying a transport ticket, food, massages, shopping, etc. Thailand is imo by FAR the No 1 in the world ! Like it's on another planet. Everything works well, good price, excellent service, trust, easyness, quality, politness ! And i mean by far. Compared to any country in Europe, USA, and hmm of course Latin America, Africa, India, but too Philipine, Laos, Cambogia, Vietnam, etc. + People. No argument, always polite (with very few exception in overtouristic area), easy to live by, funny. +- : not many are strong intellectually and culturally suited, but to be nice is more important. + People are beautiful (and let's say "slim" to not offense the others ????) especially in the north. And let's say it : girls are much more "cool" than in many other countries. + Buddhism ! It's a philosophy, a way of life, source of many of those positives (but curiously it's not the case in India as i remember - 20 years ago that's said) + Safety. +- Climate : the BIG problem is pollution. The high season is actually the smoky season, even in the south. At least it's not cold, there are some nice beachs, mountains, the Mekong, etc. +- Government/immigration policy : opposite to "before", it has become very complicated, and not nice sometimes. Hope it will change for the best, not only for Chineese/Indian tourist-pack, but for high or medium networth tourists/travellers/expats too. Waiting for that. - Driving ha ha ! Not a big issue for me, but wow !... Being in Mexico now since 6 months (with 2 in Colombia), i can say i really can't wait to come back in Thailand !!!!!! But i may have to wait actually, some clarification about the entry soooo-many conditions still affecting maybe the strongest force of Thailand, it's hospitality (but i mean business too ???? ).

My 2 cents : For vaccinated : Scrap everything ! Or ask only insurance if it's easy to get online. Asking for a test is borderline. 3 tests is a no-go. Quarantine was... paranoia. For unvaccinated : First scrap the covid-pass, witch is a way to force people to get the vaccine (western idea) Insurance ok. One test before, borderline one test on arrival, period. (Many countries ask only one test) Quarantine is a no-go for many (high networth) COE looks like an emergency-only thing, scrap it. Or make it instant, online, working (like USA) if necessary for other purpose. Tracking app is borderline, but ok for 1-2 weeks. Same rules everywhere should be obvious. In short : make it easy ! - Vaccinated : that's it. Or in crisis time ONE test before. - Unvaccinated : + ONE test on arrival (but no queue, no delay) (- If really necessary : Insurance easy online and quick, COE easy online and instant, Track-app 1-2 weeks.) - Same rules everywhere. No covid-pass. No travel restrictions. No lockdown. Those are such a mess it makes visitors (particularely investors, long term high networth, etc.) think twice "and tomorrow what's next ?". My advice too : stop obeying the "medical experts", they are not gods (Malice 1993) - and Buddha is better ????-

Very good and interesting post. First time i read article here, but i will look for it. Yes it may looks long. But one in a week is worth it, and such intelligent post is rare imo (everywhere). I happen to just have read (for the 4th time) "Le comte de Monte Cristo" from Dumas, a perl, very long, very excellent. There is mention of cannabis actually, but not with much accuracy. To fully legalize it is very obvious (i mean, even medecine says it's good, that's something... ????). (parano-complotist mode on) except it would be a LOT of money to miss for... let's say many corrupt people in charge... And for big pharma. Business as usual... Psylocibe is indeed a very interesting medecine, on rare and controlled experiences. There are a few must see documentary about it. Salute from Colombia guys, i have been lucky (or wise) to pick-up still-free countries since the begining of the panic (Thailand, Mexico, Colombia, in that order) and just (by chance here) in timing with the numbers of covid cases. But i miss Thailand !!!!!!!!!! ???? Sadly it does really not look like they actually want tourism to resume anytime soon. I am a high net-worth traveller, let me come back, pleaaaase ????(i mean like normal tourism/traveller/expat business, without all those infamous lockdown, assurance, quarantine, pre-autorisation, immigration randomness, and the so many no-go hurdles...). That said, as a French, not been back since 10 years, i am ashamed of my country pretending to be a democraty and the country of "les droits de l'homme"... Would be hilarious if not so sad and so bad...