Senior Player

True. I'd also flown back to England before my first year was fully up and re-entered to get an additional 11 or 12 months on the first visa, something you were allowed to do. It was on my next visit after this that I just went for a bog standard visa exempt. But you're right, I've never done back-to-back visa exempts. Well, not since 2011, and I didn't have a problem even then. One thing I've noticed, and there's no exact science to it, but I think certain people are just pulled up and made an example of, especially in front of long queues.

Surely it doesn't matter what your previous visa history is when entering Thailand, as personal circumstances can often change. For instance, I came in on a 1-year visa once, but then the next time I visited I just went for a normal 30-day exempt which I was perfectly entitled to do. The only thing the immigration officer said to me upon arrival was: "Only staying for 30-days this time, not a whole year?" My reply was "not this time" or words to that effect. He simply smiled, quickly stamped my passport and I was waived through.

I promised myself I would never respond to amateur armchair critics, but as you decided to trumpet the fallacy that the UK has had the worst (if not one of the worst) Covid deaths in the world, I feel this needs to be addressed. Firstly, the UK is divided into 4 nations which each have a separate response to treating and controlling the virus. Secondly, it's how the deaths are recorded. Thirdly, a recent study published in the Lancet, showed Britain’s Covid death toll—as measured by excess deaths per 100,000—is far from being the worst in the world or indeed the worst in Europe. The U.K. ranks roughly in the middle of a global league table of excess death rates, coming 102nd out of 191 countries and territories. Previously, countries have been judged by Covid death rates alone, which relies on infections being accurately recorded. These would place Britain at 168—or 24th worst. Lastly, the UK population had one of the most rigorous daily Covid testing of any nation on earth, so it wouldn't at all be surprising that the country would record much higher infection rates than many others. For the record, I still haven't caught the virus here in England after 2 years and I fall into the higher risk category!! Though I DO agree that lockdowns have had a terrible domino effect on the UK as a whole, with life-threatening hospital treatments for serious medical conditions being put on hold. But that is another subject entirely, and questions the folly of locking-down a nation of healthy people rather than adopting "focused protection" of the most vulnerable instead.

The last time I read anything about dropping all restrictions it was to be done on 1st of July. This was on the proviso that the virus became endemic and meets the approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Are you saying the Thai authorities have brought the date forward from July 1st since this previous announcement?

And they're both correct. Just in case anyone from TAT is reading this, I won't be booking a flight to Thailand until ALL restrictions are lifted. And just to make sure that the Thai government doesn't do another U-turn, I will be leaving it for a couple of months after their so-called 1st of July Victory-Day with the proviso of it being "dependent on incoming infection rates and approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO)". Not sure why Thailand has to wait for the WHO giving them the green light, but there you go. With a good wind at my back, I might even be sunning myself in Thailand by early September at this rate.

What's the vaxx status for entering Thailand right now from the UK? There doesn't appear to be any info on their Thai embassy website for how many jabs are needed to avoid a longer quarantine. Is it 2 dose or is it 3 (the so-called booster)?

I don't know whether you're aware but there's now a nasal spray available that's passed its Phase 3 clinical trials called the SaNOtize Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray designed to kill the Covid-19 virus in the upper airways, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs. I honestly no longer see the need for this constant barraging of the unvaxxed when a few squirts up the hooter will be the future. It's also just been approved in India, Israel, Bahrain, Indonesia & Thailand.

Dropping ALL restrictions is the only way I see things ever picking up again. Sure, I'm vaxxed but I'm not jumping through hoops, getting RT-PCR tests, self-ATKs, or uploading a Certificate via the ‘Mor Prom’ app just for a holiday. Nor do I want to wear a mask for a 12-hour flight. For me, this is welcome news. Though the proof will be in the pudding.

I've just watched a few vloggers on YouTube and I've never seen the place looking so dead—bars empty, shops shuttered-up or closed, streets practically deserted. Still too many hoops to jump through for a stress-free holiday. When ALL restrictions are dropped that's when I'll be heading back out there again.

A very illuminating read. Provides further grist for the mill as to why I won't be booking a flight to Thailand any time soon.

I agree, it can be a total headache if you've never had to do it before. Fortunately, I've had some experience with the Thai electronic visa application system with these types of files. However, there are free converters available online that allow you to upload your PDF which converts the document to a JPG format and then downloads it to your PC, or phone, or whatever device you use. There is no real need to purchase software and install it as it can be done totally for free via a website. Here is such a free online PDF converter to JPG site... https://pdf2jpg.net/ There's plenty more, but that was the first one I happened across. You just need to make sure your settings for the file size come within the Thailand Pass upload parameters before you upload the final converted JPG file from your PC to the Thailand Pass site. I hope that helps.

If you're doubled jabbed and pass the required PCR tests, then it doesn't matter what your home country daily infections are. But don't fret, you can have my place, because I'm not flying to LOS, despite being doubled jabbed. Not until these hurdles are totally removed.

I agree with @smedly. Until Thailand drops all the money gouging red tape and hoop jumping, it won't generate that much interest for the UK as a whole. Apart from the usual die hard, desperate to return types, this won't do anything to tempt your average seasoned traveller. It's now been close to 2 years since I last travelled to Thailand, but I won't be packing my bags or booking my flights anytime soon. Not only is the costly quarantine procedure, tests and Covid insurance still in place, but what's actually open to enjoy once I've been released from my holding pen and how will I be treated when I finally emerge? Realistically I'm looking at next year, but even then it's going to take some convincing and big incentives before I'll feel comfortable with the idea.

Until a COE is no longer a requirement, or special insurance, or a stay in an approved hotel for 6 days, I'll be putting off my return to Thailand for my usual 2 to 6 month stay. Yes, it's good that Thailand has reduced the number of days in quarantine, but it's just not enough to tempt me back into making that longhaul flight to the land of smiles.