Thaiophil

6 hours ago, baansgr said:

If they charge 1,900 Baht, I don't see how anyone has lost out. For those whingers, what about all of us that did our extensions in March and have religiously done 90 day reports...I don't feel I am worse or better off as it's what is required normally.

1900 baht is a bargain. For those of us locked out, the cost to get in is min $2000 - flight, ASQ, Covid tests, visa fees etc

Most airlines are playing the game of pretending they fly to Thailand to get your money, then cancelling and offering you another date.

As far as I can see, the only flying options just now are:

getting on the outbound leg of a Thai repatriation flight

flying Emirates who have permission to fly into Bkk once a day

Before booking any flight, check on airline tracking app such as flightradar whether their advertised flights in and out of Bkk have actually occurred

28 minutes ago, uncle_tom said:

Can one reliably get a Covid test within a 72 hour window in the UK?

- If the Covid test then throws up a positive result, do you lose the money you paid for the air fare?

- Where are these quarantine hotels in Thailand, and how much will they cost? I could tolerate sitting in a decent three or four star room for a fortnight, but not a one star windowless hovel..

some of your questions are covered in the threads on returning to Thailand, including one specifically from UK.

-private UK clinics offer pre flight Covid tests timed for departure flight

-travel insurance can be bought to cover cancellation in case of positive test

-lists of ASQ hotels with prices are available online (though mostly in Bkk as far as I can see). Considering the associated medical support, prices are reasonable imo

London Embassy not answering phones or email. You likely have to go in person.

How are these unicorn tourists supposed to get to Thailand if the airports remain closed? 300 a week is barely one plane load

19 hours ago, rooster59 said:

A popular critique of this much ridiculed scheme came from yours truly on Wednesday.

The main practical problem will be getting a flight. Charter flights will not magically appear for such small numbers spread across several countries. 

But I guess after the govt painted itself into a corner with its seal the borders approach, it is aiming to socialise the idea of tourists coming back with the people

@DaLa lucky you

27 minutes ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

Why would any tourist want to fly all the way from the West just to holiday in a sealed zone in Phuket? Phuket aint that great at the best of times. It's <deleted>, is the answer.

I agree, but OP was looking for signs that Thailand will reopen and this is one.

As tourism is 15% of the economy, the Thai economy is tanking and millions of poorer Thais depend on it for their livelihood, they have to resume tourism sooner rather than later, but obviously there will be restrictions for a long time

I am waiting to get back to Thailand from the UK. Thai Airways tell me they will start flying again in Oct and Bangkok post today reports agreement to let tourists back in to sealed zones in Phuket and maybe other tourist areas from Oct. Oct is usually when the tourist season starts kicking off, so there is some logic

For sure, entry will remain restricted but various indicators suggest some liberalisation in Oct

Thailand is also trying to make advanced purchases of vaccines