talfarlow

Thanks Sheryl. Much appreciated.

Just now, Sheryl said:

It remains very hard to get a medical visa/COE and now that Embassies are issuing Touriust Visas, little advantage to it -- easier to just come in on TR.

 

The only difference is on TR you have to quarantine in a hotel whereas on medicalk visa quarantine is at the hospital. I suspect hotels both cheaper and more comfortable.

You're referring to temporary residency TR?

On 9/13/2020 at 12:22 PM, steve187 said:

my son works for Bangkok hospital Bangkok, and its his job to 'recruit' overseas patients to use his hospital, i asked him the other week about these medical tourists and his reply was its almost impossible to tick all the boxes, regarding doctors signing paperwork etc etc

Hi Steve,

I'm curious if your son  works at Bangkok General? I'm also curious to hear if there's anything new on this? Maybe you could recommend a contact even? Thank you.

On 9/13/2020 at 10:34 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Only if you meet criteria - either further stay in medical grounds (need hospital letter saying you are unable to travel, and for how long) or meet criteria for an extension based on retirement or other category. You can't just extend for tourism.

Is this still true? I'm seeing different packages for sale that are reasonable for the 2 week quarantine.

Can anyone report anything new on this process? I'm back to the point I was a couple of months ago unfortunately - would definitely go for medical treatment if possible...just looks daunting at best. Anything anyone can add to this topic? Thanks everyone.

Cheryl and Steve,

Thank you so much for your responses, thoroughness etc...

I'd seen ads in a couple of places (can't recall now) for medical services - and some suggestion about medical tourism etc.. I was finding it hard to believe you couldn't see your spouse or kids but a nose job got you in the door! I imagine we'll see an industry blooming around the globe for "easy entry" approaches that just leave people stuck at the gate somewhere.

Just curious what people know or are hearing about Visas for medical reasons. I guess Medical tourism is the term often used. What's the current status or does anyone know of recent situations?

Thank for any thoughts on it!

Tal

5 hours ago, Chrysaora said:

I have watched a few videos taken in Pattaya, and all from the last few days.  Almost no one there is wearing a mask.  Maybe they think they are immune.  Now I admit, the videos focus on hookers and hoodlums but if you think you are going to go there and avoid the virus, I'm going to guess that our next outbreak will decimate Walking Street.  

 

Good luck.  You'll need it.

Same in Vietnam. The numbers, if you have confidence in the government aren't bad relatively speaking. I was surprised to see while doing errands, commuting etc that almost no tourists are wearing masks. Honestly, people seem a bit flippant about this who are tourists. It's starting to happen though in parts of the North for sure and now quietly in Ho Chi Minh guest hotel areas that "Sorry, we're full" is the new mantra. They don't want the "touring" crowd to come in and make their family sick or their long time guests.

3 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

I agree Thailand is a gossipy place but the computer crime laws are also strict and ruthless, the government has made clear it will use these for spreading rumours about COVID. Rumours without fact are dangerous but it also stops any genuine concerns because of the fear of unjust prosecution.

 

My personal belief is that Thailand cases can be found in the published figures reported in the PUI daily. The problem being that no mention is ever made of who has been tested positive or negative. So a best guess for me would be in the 1000 up range who are positive and have been identified but who knows how many more walking around.

There's a similar perspective here in Vietnam. While the public often doesn't trust the government, the strict laws on internet usage (pretty big brother before the virus thing) leave people being very, very careful of what they post.

Just now, BeltAndRoad said:

You have more chance of jumping from your hotel balcony then catching the corona virus.  Pretty sure you can get a 1 month extension at Pattaya immigration for about 2000 baht. You may want to check the new law Thailand just passed about holding planes on the tarmac, it would not be nice having to sit on a plane for an unknown time.

All sounds pretty reasonable 30-60 days w/o too many hassles. Given what's going on it looks like rates are low just everywhere in the world.

Sitting on the tarmac doesn't sound like fun. Have to keep my eye on the banks not exchanging money....a bit strange.

Just curious what people's read on Pattaya right now it given the global outbreak.

I assume prices (hotel etc..) are down for a number of reasons but I'm wondering how risky people think it is in terms of the virus at this point? I'm interested in any angles on it. Which part of Thailand seems to have been hit the hardest?

Also, I come semi regularly to Thailand but always for less than 30 days. Can I just go to immigration within Thailand (BKK or Pattaya and get another 30 days? I might be looking at a 6 week stretch or so where I'd like to lay low.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on it.

17 hours ago, zydeco said:

Or have someone take action for you. According to the Bangkok Post, Vietnam has now quarantined an area as well. First outside of China to do so.

Vietnam has seemed fairly transparent in how they're dealing with this. There have been reports of some larger quarantine "hospitals" in areas around Hanoi where the majority of cases seem to be.

As of yesterday, things may have changed - it's hard to tell. I had heard of a 500 bed area near HCM but no cases were mentioned. Yesterday, it was announced that schools would closed through February and for the first time that I've seen, 65 cases were in "self-quarantine", meaning being monitored at home. This number seemed to come out of nowhere.

On 2/12/2020 at 8:41 PM, bkkcanuck8 said:

No, just Vietnam is likely being much more honest about the impact while at the end of the year TAT will likely say tourism grew by 5% YOY again (just like they do when the shop owners are saying tourism off by 30 - 40%). 

 

The impact will be sharp and staggering this year, and then it will likely be many years for it to recuperate as people will continue to have altered their travel patterns (especially companies which will encourage less travel / conferences and more teleconferencing again) -- and until the memory fades a little those travel patterns will be depressed - hitting tourism even after the pandemic has burnt itself out.

Vietnam has done a good job relatively speaking. Everyone's done a better job than China.

Thanks again everyone for the suggestions. I did find something at Fortune Town that fit the bill. Again, to all, thanks very much!!

Hey guys, thanks again for the responses. I'll check out the pricing on B&H shipping. I can get things from Amazon and then send it with a Vietnamese American Shipper....shipping does add up. If at all possible, I'll check out the MRT stop.

Cheers.

1 hour ago, mogandave said:

Is there some reason a music stand wouldn’t be ideal?

Yeah, maybe my post is unclear - I want a "holder" for the ipad mini that would/could attach to a music stand. In general, I associate the product with music stores more than say office supply stores. Any ideas on a holder that you've seen in a music store?

Just started checking - much better selection than I'm finding here in Vietnam.

I looked on Lazada here in Vietnam and they don't seem to have it. I've also had <deleted>ty experiences with Lazada here (as have others). Poor quality products and they won't take things back. Maybe different there but again, not a lot of time for straightening out orders. I'll look though.

Thanks for responding.

Thanks tominbkk. Yeah, I live "next door" in Vietnam. Can get through Amazon but thought I'd just pick up something while visiting.

I'm looking for an ipad holder for my mini (newest). I want something I can put on a mic stand for reading music or notes about songs, quick off the cuff recording from the internal mic etc..

I'm going to be visiting BKK soon so I won't have a lot of time to just wander around. Does anyone know of any stores (Apple accessory or Music stores) that you've seen holders (w/clamps) for the job?

I'll try linking a photo below.

Many thanks for any known places where they may sell them.