JerseytoBKK

5 hours ago, Stevemercer said:

As others have said, Most Thai people don't see the value, or understand the point, of small gifts and souvenirs from overseas.

I remember bringing my prospective mother-in-law a decorative boomerang from Australia when I first went to Thailand. She was very perplexed, put it away in the back of a cupboard somewhere, and it was never mentioned again. She only genuinely smiled at me for the first time when I gave her money.

Go with the decorative bottle of Mexican tequila and some decent tinned shortbread biscuits.

Omega 3, brand name perfumes / beauty products / vitamins / health products are also welcomed.

Vitamins are very expensive in Thailand and I always bring back bottles. Now my girlfriend's aunt is asking if I can bring some specialty vitamins for her. This is a good idea for someone you know well but I wouldn't do it for a casual friend since you don't know if they like to take vitamins.

10 hours ago, wn78 said:

Thanks, didn't know that.  I thought chocolate was universal.

Chocolate is universal. I've frequently bought many bags of Godiva chocolate and it's been very appreciated by my girlfriend, her family and all her friends. When she posts pictures of the latest food haul on FB they all want some. Godiva is very expensive in Thailand but in the US it's about 1/3 the price. Go to their website and get an assortment of bags. Light weight compared to a bottle. I've also bought big tins of Walker shortbread cookies (around Christmas they sell the tins) and that's another food item that's expensive here.

This will be officially approved by the CCSA early next week. Will probably be effective very early April.

Why? Because China has just launched a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate for its citizens planning cross-border travels. Thailand will of course want those tourists in ASAP.

You have 3 weeks to enjoy your seafood buffets.

8 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

I believe the pandemic will last longer and kill more without vacination. Yes governments are pushing vaccination. Many people I talk to resist the idea, but they can't give one good reason not to take an injection other than it seems they do not want the government telling them what to do. These are the same people who get in cars, take colonoscopy exams, eat processed food and do all sorts of other things that have some vague risk.

 

The Spanish flu infected everyone it was going to get eventually. Everyone who did not survive the pandemic died of course but the main cause was secondary infection. Due crowded conditions, bad sanitation and bad medical care, even exposure to long term cold and damp. My understanding is it mutated to a much less lethal strain that remains today as H1N1 variants.

Here's one reason: there isn't any US officially approved vaccine against Covid. Pfizer and Moderna only have emergency use authorization which is much different from official approval.

From the cdc.gov website: "The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID-19. There is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19."

"The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)." 

I just got my first Pfizer jab last Monday, but I'm OK with being a test subject. No one knows if there will be any long term ramifications. So far only side effect was a sore arm that occurred 8 hours after the jab and it went away completely about 36 hours later. I will get the 2nd jab in 15 days because I love to travel and understand these are the new rules. Not everyone is willing to risk their health in pursuit of what they enjoy.

Interesting read that gives a lot of details about both the headline claim, possible effectiveness against other strains and finally Pfizer's push to re-label so that extreme cold storage isn't necessary. WSJ story that msn re-published.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/pfizer-shot-is-highly-effective-after-one-dose-study-shows/ar-BB1dP5Q6

On 2/14/2021 at 6:39 AM, sammieuk1 said:

Getting my first jab on Thursday when can I come back without being rinsed to death ????

Got my first jab about 3 hours ago. Pfizer. Which means in 3 weeks I'll get the 2nd jab

23 hours ago, VBF said:

There's a coincindence....so am I....and my second one on May 6th.     YAY!!!!!!!  ????????????

 

But I ask the same question....  ????????

Why is the 2nd that far away? In the US, Pfizer is 3 weeks apart and Moderna is 4 weeks.

Here is the link for flat rate boxes to Thailand using USPS:

https://postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/MailServices?country=10424&ccode=TH&omil=False&dmil=False&mdt=2%2F10%2F2021&mdz=9%3A59&m=12&dvi=300

Last Feb when I was getting tired of the pollution in Bangkok, I looked to see where I could go for a month. Surprisingly Cebu showed among the lowest pollution figures. I asked the Pilipino who cuts my hair in Bangkok about it since I heard the stories about the bad pollution and he said it used to be bad but the government cracked down and it's much better. I didn't go last year because Covid was starting to spread quickly but will go once things open up.

Today's AQI is 21. Over the last 12 months I looked about 15 times and it's usually in the 20-40 range. 

https://www.iqair.com/philippines/central-visayas/cebu-city

Since this is a Thai expat site, when you ask about another country you'll usually get some bad or no longer accurate info. Find a Phils expat site for more reliable and current info.

I intend to scuba with whale sharks at Oslob, scuba off Panglao Island, take a trip through Bohol, maybe get to Moalboal and possibly Malapasca Island to dive with the Thresher sharks.

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

So many people are of the flawed opinions that their Embassy is solely there to serve the people of its nationality in foreign countries - that is not quite true. Thats just one of the minor duties of an Embassy or Consulate. 

 

The real mission of the Embassies world wide is as a ‘country liaison’ for security, business and trade. To foster relationships, maintain lines of communication for trade, economics and law. 

 

 

I sometimes read the comments on this forum and wonder what is going through of some when displaying the sense of entitlement that just because they are from x nationality their Embassy is exists to protect them.

 

I slightly disagree with your second paragraph. It should be: The real mission of the Embassies world wide is to act as a cover for their spies to further their country's interests and undermine the security, business and trade of their host nations.

2 minutes ago, JerseytoBKK said:

That's NOT the only takeaway , it's just just one comment from many doctors that were interviewed and the NY Times did a good job presenting multiple viewpoints. Of course you didn't quote the doctors that said it's a serious concern. Your attempt to smear this NY Times story is pathetic.

From the NY Times story:

Dr. Jerry L. Spivak, an expert on blood disorders at Johns Hopkins University, who was not involved in Dr. Michael’s care, said that based on Ms. Neckelmann’s description, “I think it is a medical certainty that the vaccine was related.”

“This is going to be very rare,” said Dr. Spivak, an emeritus professor of medicine. But he added, “It happened and it could happen again.”

11 minutes ago, shdmn said:

The only possible conclusion is that it's a giant conspiracy, obviously.  ????

 

I'll save the rest of you a click.  As usual, the only takeaway from this story is buried near the end.

 

That's NOT the only takeaway , it's just just one comment from many doctors that were interviewed and the NY Times did a good job presenting multiple viewpoints. Of course you didn't quote the doctors that said it's a serious concern. Your attempt to smear this NY Times story is pathetic.

6 hours ago, Utapaolion23 said:

I've taken the Phiyzer Vaccine and many friends, all over 65. No problems but a Sore arm the same as a Flu Shot. In fact, no one has died in the US from the shot  that Ive heard of. Friends have also taken the Maderna Vaccine with no problems. Suspect big money behind saying <deleted> about them in foreign Lands. Brown Env......

Healthy doctor. 56 years old. Florida. I came across the article while searching for something else. Should have made headlines especially here in Florida where I've been the last 4 months, but it didn't. Wonder why?

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/health/covid-vaccine-death.html

Thai Navy:  Yes, we acknowledge that 40% came in from the sea. We need more submarines to control the coasts. However, we have intelligence reports that over 65% came in over land.

Thai Air Force: We have reports that some flew in by small planes and hang gliders. We need a dozen stealth fighters to be able to sneak up on them to catch them.

Thai Navy: We would like to help the Air Force so include money for an aircraft carrier.

Thai Army: Now wait a minute, this blame game didn't go as planned. We need more tanks, ballistic missiles and expensive watches.

PM : It's obvious that I need to go on a shopping trip up north to buy much more equipment so that we can secure our borders from the foreign plague that is trying to  denigrate the purity of Thailand.

2 hours ago, Slip said:

I can't turn up any info on this either through a general search or one on their site except with the avanti atrium hotel.  Would you be kind enough to post a link?

Here's the Qatar link and the link to their sponsored ASQ hotels: https://www.qatarairways.com/en-th/travel-alerts/travel-to-thailand.html?cid=EMTH716410

The page has lots of info about the entire process and the current requirements but they note to always check the local embassy for the most up to date info.

35 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Coincidentally I just got an email from Qatar saying they will operate 2 daily flights into Bangkok. They call them 'semi-commercial', and Qatar claim to be partnering with Bangkok Hotels to offer ASQ packages.

I just checked the price for https://www.grandecentrepointterminal21.com/bangkok/alternate-state-quarantine-package/ and the price using the link from Qatar is 4K cheaper for the Grand Suite at 75K Baht. 

4 hours ago, ChakaKhan said:

Im very selective when assessing a future purchase...if that was the type of model I would even pay for.....

 

Could have a lot of miles on it and dogged out by previous owners.....Im happy with a reliable Honda, not a Lexus

You obviously agree with all the people who made this song a #1 hit:

https://youtu.be/6EqFVWzOfN8

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life...."

35 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

the pandemic will be over on November 3.

3 months ago I thought the same thing, but not now. Are our "leaders" going to just miraculously give up their newfound powers over us? Now that they see how easy it was to scare the majority of people and turn them into children frightened by monsters hiding under the bed, they will feel duty bound to continue to rule us with a firm hand.

As of 3 months ago there were only letting people in from just a few countries - China, Cambodia and Myanmar. Contact hospitals in Bangkok that have the authority to start the process and to get the latest info. I contacted 6 before I got the info posted below.

More info here: 

24 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Considering it is elevated I would love to know how you think that is going to happen. 

You've never seen pictures of bridges that were washed away? Bad rains can bring down half a mountain side. Elevated highways get washed away regularly.

4 hours ago, ourmanflint said:

Debt contrary to most opinions is how Britain expanded its empire in the 18th/19th century, China is doing the same today, but is refraining from direct control over countries, instead settling for economic control.

So yes that is the risk, but the benefits of a regular train service between Kunming and Bangkok is quite exciting. It will still go wrong at some point though, no doubt

"the benefits of a regular train service between Kunming and Bangkok is quite exciting"

I agree that it will be very exciting for Thai people. There will be many betting pools set up to predict which province and how many times the tracks will get washed out every year.