fulhamster

18 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

That means zero medical tourism. And how do they check those attending a conference? Rapid testing? Or no testing? Only from bubble nations? Does anyone in the administration have any answers?

 

I guess the husbands of Thai wives category was quickly abandoned? Nice. Compassionate. Of course we all know we are far less important to the nation than an attendee of a conference. 

Attending a conference means they spend the same money as married expats, but in a much shorter time.

2 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

Thailand golf courses have become overly reliant on tourists, not only for sheer numbers, but for the higher green fees as well.

 

Having said that, it would seem that Thailand golf courses are actually LUCKY that the COVID hit mostly during the low season.  The high season (Nov-Feb) will determine whether many of these courses survive.  There's typically not many tourists this time of year (not in Chiang Mai anyways) and the courses are forced to give discounts to the the locals, Thai and expats alike.  Many great deals out there right now, which I welcome.  

Around Pattaya some courses are offering reduced green fees, but to Thais only.

A few sport day promotions about, but the obsession with compulsory and single-use carts makes it expensive.

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

Some very good deals up North with quality courses offering green fees,caddy fee and cart for around 800 baht.

 

The best for 18 holes in Chiangmai is Sand Creek, which has been just taken over and is being refurbished. 280 baht green fee and caddy fee.

Very good value in the North.

Unfortunately, courses around Pattaya have jumped on the bandwagon of compulsory carts @600 bt and made carts single-use where not compulsory. So around 2K all-in when you include caddy "tip"

There was a promotion from "Amazing Pattaya" advertising half-price green fees, but when we arrived at the courses (Phoenix, Greenwood, Burapha) this was only for Thais. Driving licence or pink book counted for nothing.

Not surprising that many (who are able) choose to walk now.

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Marine is still closed to foreigners AND Thais which I've told you at least twice already. Fleet did close to foreigners but open now, ACDC which i dislike has been open throughout

Fleet made it clear that expats are not welcome, and many now will never play it.

More welcoming and better value is Kwan, 220 bt walking for 18 holes or 350 bt sharing if you need a cart.

13 hours ago, Phulublub said:

Golf in Thaialnd, for those of us here full time, is no longer cheap.  But it is not, by any stretch THAT expensive unless you play at peak time on top course all the time.

 

For example, Greenwood Sports Day is 600GF + 350Caddy.  So under 1500 all in, or 2200 if you take a cart

Laem Chabang Sports Day is 2059 all in (GF, caddy,cart) so under 2500 all in.

 

There are many similar promotions throughout the country

 

PH

Greenwood are advertising 390 bt green fee ---but only for Thais. The sport day rate of 1350 bt all-in does allow everyone that rate, but only twice a week.

The 2059 bt all-in at Laem Chabang is only available to card-holders of Pattaya Sport Club.

17 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Would be good to see the golf courses now scrap the dual pricing

And the compulsory carts. Or at least let us share.

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

The amnesty is a visa/extension amnesty, not a TM30 amnesty.

Hotels dont check your Visa/extension status, they take 2-3 details from your passport and send it off to immigration as a TM30 report.

 

The Visa amnesty doesnt change the hotel TM30 process, makes no difference whether they are aware of it.

When I was in BKK last year, the hotel was only interested in checking my visa, hoping I was on overstay so they could call it in and get the commission.

They weren't too pleased to see I was completely ok

1 hour ago, OneeyedJohn said:

The thousands of farangs stuck here, and the thousands of expats on 1 year visas/ extensions.

Most of these have seen their monthly pensions worth even less over the last 3 months.

17 hours ago, Tarteso said:

correct installation of electrical wiring and water pipes in the villas? ????

The key word here is "may"

I "may" win the lottery next month

4 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Your observations are supported by a falling industrial electricity consumption in 2020:

 

January: 6,889 Down 1.3%

February: 6,903 Up 2.5%

March: 7,386 Down 4.8%

April: 6,450 Down 7.1%

 

Business electricity consumption is down by a whopping 25.5% in April 2020.

 

Unit = Gwh

 

Yes, but domestic consumption has risen over the same period.

7 hours ago, robblok said:

Yes seems logical that exports will take a hit too. I mean other economies are taking a hit so export will take a hit too as client wont have money.

Especially as the baht remains strong no matter what

54 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Not selling from 2-5pm is really dumb in the context of C19. It just means people will all pile in from 11-2 and the place will be packed. Then from 2-5pm it will be empty. Makes no sense. Better to spread it out over as long a period as possible to stop too many people congregating at the same time. 

 

Same already at most supermarkets.

Makro / Tesco almost empty between 2pm-5pm

5 hours ago, Pattaya46 said:

You really need more than 10 hours a day drinking alcohol in bars ? 

How many expats could afford to drink in over-priced bars ??

Sorry, I'm confused.

I thought you only have to report 90 days when you have an extension for retirement or marriage ??

These still need to be renewed as and when they expire - there is no amnesty.

1 Glass and 5 straws for 5 people ????????

16 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Interest rates down baht up how much more mysterious can this get???? 

THe baht only goes one way????????

8 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Gotta love a strategist that predicts it could go either up or down

But you need to worry when he already knows how high or low it could go.

8 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

 

I say let the family members come back including Falangs.  Test and quarantine.

 

Selfishly, this is a fantastic time for some:

Golf 1/2 discounts.

Girls low lower then ever in 10 years.

Restaurants many offering 2 for 1 or other discounts.

No traffic.

Little crowds.

 

Geez, some could say this is the best of times.

 

But, I do understand many people hurting with lack of business domestic tourism will not support all of it.

So, they will have to figure out some plan to open things up to internationals.

 

 

Where are you getting the golf discounts ??

Not around Pattaya

8 hours ago, Bruno123 said:

Such doom and gloom as usual.. Khao Kheow Open Zoo is actually a nice day out. One of the better places with animals.

It was swarming with monkeys when we went last year.

11 hours ago, Traubert said:

Neither do you. There's a limit to what they can do with the baht.

Seems there is no obvious limit

19 hours ago, keith101 said:

I wonder if this news will have any effect on the rising baht ?

NO. It only moves in one direction