Phillip9

Keep in mind, your body will just transcribe the DNA to mRNA, so the end result is the same--You will have the same mRNA inside you.   Your body will then translate that mRNA to stable protein which is actually what your immune system learns to recognize.

So a DNA vaccine would just and an unnecessary extra step.  

1 hour ago, treetops said:

Germany and France are OK, at least in the eyes of Thai Airways who have flights planned.

Correction:  Thai airways has flights scheduled from France and Germany.   It doesn't mean they actually plan to fly them.   
 

For the last year, they have continued to schedule flights to many countries they have no intention to actually fly.  They allow bookings and take your money and then cancel the flight a couple weeks before departure.  Then they refuse to give a refund, only a voucher for future travel.  Its all a great scam.  They have been doing this on many routes for a year.

28 minutes ago, DerbyDan said:

still waiting for a news story that airlines have switched the filters to an n99 equivalent.

 

nothing so far, i guess they can't afford it.

All modern aircraft have been using filters that are much better than the n99 standard for decades.  The filters used on aircraft are equivalent to an n100 mask.

https://www.ptitechnologies.com/about/newsroom/hepa-filters/

7 hours ago, rickudon said:

Maldives isn't that bad - only 270 deaths per million compared with over 2,000 deaths per million in Italy.

Almost all of those deaths were in the last month (while quite a lot of people were already vaccinated).  Maldives 7 day average daily death rate is ~1/100K.  Just a bad as Italy at its very worst even though 60% have already received one shot and 30% are fully vaccinated.

8 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Yes the recycled air is filtered but the filter can only deal with bacteria not adequately for  viruses, 

You just made that up.  Just keep your tin hat on when you fly.  That will protect you.

https://www.aviationpros.com/airlines/news/21144893/emirates-assures-aircraft-can-filter-out-9997-of-viruses

12 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

breathing aircraft  re circulated air is certainly not Covid risk free, or indeed virus free in general.

Thats just another myth.  All modern aircraft have HEPA filters that will remove virus particles from the air before it is recirculated.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/air-quality-during-your-flight-54164

1 hour ago, CANSIAM said:

I have read in the USA they are not concerned what citizenship you have but requesting where you work or an address where you are being vaccinated. 

Get vaccinated at a private pharmacy like CVS.  They won't ask you anything about your work.  They may ask for an address when you register, but they won't verify it.  Just put your hotel address.

Some of the local government run mass vaccination centers may only vaccinate local residents, so probably best to avoid them.

29 minutes ago, wasabi said:

I can't guarantee every flight will be like that but my guess is they will be for the next few months, thus now is a great time to fly. We flew economy but I was able to have a whole row to myself 

I had the same experience fly back to the USA through Singapore.  There were literally more flight attendants on the plane than passengers.  I had contact with almost no one the entire trip home.  I would consider my flights and arrival near zero covid risk.  

4 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

The US virus cases and death numbers are plunging and the country is starting to return to normal at only 40% fully vaccinated and 50% having one shot...where does Thailand's fetish for a 70% vaccination rate to re-open and return to normal come from...and is such a high rate necessary?

Keep in mind that the US is using much better vaccines than any vaccine that will be available in Thailand this year.  Look at Maldives, currently the worlds worst covid outbreak--much worse than India.  They are using the same 2 vaccines as Thailand, and they are 30% fully vaccinated, and 60% one shot, but still a disaster.

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

This is a recently posted video about a Thai woman who flew to NYC to get vaccinated at a CVS pharmacy.  Looks rather easy.  It sounds like she got the Pfizer vaccine.  Also, it looks you might have go back to the same pharmacy to get the second dose 21 days later?

Its all very easy.  You don't have to go back to the same CVS for your second shot.  You can choose any location giving the same vaccine.  You can register online and then see which vaccine is available at each location, and then schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at a location that has the vaccine you want.. 

44 minutes ago, Ken Yamagata said:

Is anyone aware of process difference between those who want to get J&J ones vs pfizer ones? 

At CVS pharmacy where many people are getting vaccinated, you can use their website to see which brand vaccine is available at each location.  Choose a location that has the brand of vaccine you want.  You will only have to show your passport for identification purposes.  They won't care if you are a foreigner or your visa status.  Vaccines are free to all nationalities.  Same process if you choose pfizer, moderna or J&J.

6 hours ago, oldcpu said:

I've heard (3rd hand) that some of the Phuket GMs have reported their Phuket hotels (big name 5-star) are close to fully booked for the high season starting in November/December.  I repeat - fully booked.

Why would that mean anything???  They were probably fully booked this time a year ago for the 2020 high season.   Hotels have no control over the border quarantine procedures.

Even if the Phuket sandbox does happen, I will bet you for at least the first 6 months it has so many restrictions, rules, and expenses that normal ASQ will be easier, cheaper, and preferable for most people.

6 hours ago, bangkok19 said:

if the South African variant happens to start spreading here, the AstraZeneca is effective against it!   

You must be joking.  South Africa completely stopped using the AZ vaccine months ago because they found it worthless against the variant there in multiple clinical trials.

23 hours ago, scorecard said:

Do you mean it's more easy or more difficult to enter most countries right now?

It depends on the country.  You have to carefully research the requirements for the country you want to enter.   Almost every country has different requirements.  Many are easier and some are more strict.

46 minutes ago, toolpush said:

That is the protocol for most countries as far as I know.

Its just not that simple.   You  must carefully check your destination country's requirements.

Some countries don't even require preflight tests, philippines and costa rica for example.

Some countries give you more time.  US and UK are 3 calendar days, which can be up to 95 hours depending on your flight time.

Some countries give you less time.  Norway is only 24hrs.

Many countries have requirements in addition to testing that often depend on whether you are vaccinated and/or where you are flying from.

2 minutes ago, jobsworth said:

 

I guess that if you test positive not only will you not be allowed to fly but also you will lose the money that you paid for the ticket.

 

And if you are in Thailand don't forget your expensive mandatory forced quarantine even if you are asymptomatic.  That will surely be many times the cost of the flight.

4 minutes ago, Geordieabroad said:

A covid test within the last 72 hours is all that's required

Completely depends on the country and airline.   Thats Australia's requirement.  Not the same for most countries.

33 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said:

Can your airline help?  A bit of a pain, but some of the airlines have offices here.  I've called them several times in the past and they've been great at helping out.  Just a thought...

Good advise.  I've never heard of a list of approved places to get a pcr test.  I think any hospital is fine, but if you want to be extra safe, call your airline and ask.  They are the ones who will determine if you can get on the plane and requirements can vary between airlines.

10 minutes ago, bluebird729 said:

But, surely (in the future), anyone can go to a private hospital and get a vaccine.  or has this been ruled out for the future ?

For sure sometime in the "future" this will be an option.  The question is just how far in the future.  Q4 2021, 2022, or 2023?

12 minutes ago, bluebird729 said:

But I am asking about paying for private vaccinations in clinics and hospitals.

Not an option yet.  

37 minutes ago, friendofthai said:

AstraZeneca is preferable choice for those who want to travel a lot. Because it is used widely everywhere. For example, it will help you if you are planing to stay in Thailand for a long time and to make visa runs to Laos. AZ is approved in Laos already.

This guy is a russian or chinese troll and all his posts should be ignored.  

Admins can you do anything about someone constantly spreading misinformation?

14 hours ago, HappyFalang said:

Thank you for the information.
So basically there is no difference practically when entering Thailand no matter if you had it or not?

The requirements are exactly the same?

Yes that's correct.