habuspasha

So many posters express concern that opening Phuket in July to the vaccinated would be disastrous.  But infection or transmission by the vaccinated is rare (at least for those with two jabs of Pfizer or Moderna).  I'm one of these who was unharmful and untroubled in Phuket last month after quarantine and I hope to return in July more briefly without quarantine.  The surge bothers me but it won't make me any more dangerous.

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

I have heard from family and friends that getting tested is not easy, and private hospitals are charging fees that most Thais cannot afford. 

If so, how can they control

the situation from spiralling. 

Local Thai are very worried this time. 

I called Bangkok Hospital on Petchaburi Road last wed at 6 AM, scheduled a test for Thurs at 9 AM for 5,500 baht, and flew back to the US Fri at 9 PM. 

4 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

 No I mean the plan to open the country to people who have been vaccinated for Covid-19 without having to quarantine; initially in Phuket and later the rest of the country.

I was just told today by Thai Elite that they haven't gotten anything official yet on Phuket in July.  I'm planning on returning here in July, booking straight to Phuket since I have 2 Moderna jabs, but not willing to do another quarantine for a 4 week trip.  Shangri-La was tolerable enough in February because I came for over two months, but there are limits.

I've upped the ante through my '70s with Androderm testosterone patches.  Currently eyeing anti-aging supplements metformin and NMN-- discussed in David Sinclair, Why We Age and Why We Don't Have To.

Am I right in thinking the support of the Nation and its news ended some time before the crash?  The news was getting older and older before it disappeared completely.

If the air were breathable.

8 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Tm30 submitting remains still very important for security  I guess?

foreigners with proof of vaccine still need it?

Why Locals don't need this app?

 

 

I included proof of vaccine among the documents I showed immigration at the airport and no one at any of the stages of checking seemed to notice or care.

I just arrived without Thai plus ap.  At LAX on Tues they asked for it as one of the "seven documents" I needed to board the plane.  I said I knew nothing about it and they found someone who said I could get it after arrival.  On arrival Thursday I was only asked (a number of times, actually) for my address after quarantine.  No one asked for the ap.  I didn't have the sim card anyway.  They were not available at the airport so I only got it Friday from hotel minder.  Will upload ap if and when someone says I have to (and shows me how).

Going today.  Got a non-O at NYC consulate for $80.  Without asking for it (expecting an Elite Visa).  They were very helpful despite paperwork and hoops.  Wish me luck!  Due in late Thai Thurs night.  2 weeks at Shangri-la should be tolerable.

2 hours ago, JackGats said:

I thought the fit-to-fly certificate was totally separate from the PCR-test. I've see specimens of fit-to-fly forms on many websites and on them no mention is made of Covid per se.

Here I might be able to help.  I showed two sample FTF forms to a Consul officer in NYC to ask which to use.  Neither asked about Covid test.  One short one aske a few basic health questions.  Another was more detailed.  The officer, who didn't look carefully, dismissed the question with something to the effect that it didn't matter, that whatever they used would be fine.

And so I thank Aldriglikvid and others for the tip on Dr. Donna.

I just got my CoE and it says in small print at the bottom that all visitors must download a Thailand Plus application.  It seems this is a an ap for mobile phones that will track you in Thailand for possible virus contacts.  I'm wondering if this is absolutely necessary.  Many people have complained that the downloading is flawed.  I haven't been able to do it on my computer and my phone will not be good in Thailand until I get a sim card after landing.  Does anyone have any experience with this?

I'm confused.  Don't you need to have a Fit to Fly certificate BEFORE you get to Thailand?  I thought it should be filled out by physician or clinic in originating country.

I just got first shot of Moderna yesterday in NYC.  Hope to travel to BKK 10 days after 2nd shot Feb. 9.  "Proof" is a "Covid 19 Vacination Card" with computer link to all information.

If non-contagiousness is not certain yet, at the very least we should not have to pay for Covid insurance.

On the issue of colonialism, if we are limiting it to post 1800--excluding medieval Khmer and Burmese and Ayutthaya French--then British and Chinese influence were more important than short term Japanese.  After Chinese settlement and intermarriage I think Thai historians would say that Western cultural colonialism has been most significant.  One said to me--take monogamy for starters.

Another ad for skin whitening cream.  Just want the country needs.

I am told now by the local Thai Consulate that the repatriation flight is "better."  I'll take that as an answer.

Can non-Thai nationals take repatriation flights or semi-commercial flights?  If so, is there an advantage of one over the other?   I have seen statements that non-Thais MUST take repatriation flights and that ONLY THAIS can take repatriation flights.  And semi-commercial flights seem less sure.  Anyone know?

2 hours ago, teacherclaire said:

people who love each other usually get married; Another woman keeps a secret for 18 years; 

 

And from this and the fact of a singular forced separation after 14 years of apparently loving support, our commentator deduces all kinds of chicanery and double dealing.  That's what's sad.  

It's our commentator who doesn't stand a chance.

23 hours ago, Sammyinla said:

You are totally right. I am an Elite visa holder and I am on an email thread with 60 other members. All of them have applied to return to Thailand and it seems none of them have even received an approval letter from the MFA. I applied in August (first day of the program officially opening) and I submitted all the docs and I haven’t even received my approval letter. After I get the approval, I still have to submit additional paperwork and wait another month or so to get my COE (probably longer). This has been so frustrating. 

I just had Thai Elite Management submit my application to MFA.  They told me it would be "a month or more" before I received approval.  I would like to join the email thread.  Can you share the address here or in a PM?

5 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

That doesn't work either. There are no flights. Thai Longstay and Thai Elite do not answer at all. 

 

The consulates at least respond but just to say there are no flights available and no schedule for flights. 

 

The only people getting in are from the UK on Emirates.

 

 

To the contrary, I have found Thai Elite very forthcoming, including 2 email exchanges the same overnight (to the US). True, Longstay has retreated a bit, saying they have to wait for gov't.  No doubt waiting for gov't to accept Americans.  Most hopeful is inference that I could book my own flight.

1 hour ago, bermondburi said:

South Africa has just tentatively opened up today. It is visa free for Thais. 

 

If you're coming from a high risk country you'll need to spend 10 days in a low risk country before arrival. 

 

Your partner will need to quarantine on return to Thailand. There is no quarantine arriving in South Africa. 

 

I suggest you spend 10 days in Dubai if coming from the UK. Meet your gf there and fly on together. 

 

Details in the link. 

 

https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-naledi-pandor-re-opening-borders-and-ports-entry-international-travellers-during

Interesting Idea.  And thanks for the link.  I guess there would still be the issue of her return to BKK from Dubai with CoE.  Though maybe traffic between Dubai and BKK is sufficiently practiced to be routine.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Borders are closed and there are no direct flights between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

In addition, mandatory insurance, $2000 deposit, and 14 day quarantine on arrival in Cambodia. Then she would have get COE from Thai Embassy to return and  be quarantined 14 days on arrival back in Thailand.

 

It's a non starter and I don't think anywhere else is better in SE Asia, plus the return to Thailand requirements are across the board for any country.

 

Much thanks, Sheryl.  I was wondering why Flight Aware didn't show any actual air traffic between BKK and PNH.  I'll have to develop Plan D. Dubai maybe?  Or hope that my new Elite Visa can actually help.