AMFWolfie

Interesting regarding travel/medical insurance. Spoke to an insurance company only yesterday https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/ for European cover for the wife, absolutely no problem, then, because they are one of the very few who have no upper age limit, I enquired for me. They said their maximum cover was only 93 days which is fine for a 90 day trip but they have removed Thailand from their list of World Wide Cover!! Wouldn't give a definitive reason but cautiously hinted the restrictions in place leading to too many claims!! The Thailand Pass insurance/medical requirement may now only be $10,000 but for over 65 or 72 in some cases, it may as well still be $100k or more because few companies apart from AXA Thailand (providing no pre-exisiting medical) will provide cover for any extended period unless you are prepared to pay in excess of £700 - £1200 for a policy. Would be interested if anyone staying for six months in Thailand and six months in their own country in the over 65 group take out travel insurance or medical insurance and with who, or do they simply not bother or take out a 30 day cover just to get over the Thailand Pass issue!!

Well this takes the biscuit!! I've heard some pipe dreams on the is site from various Thai officials/groups/government etc but really, cannabis for well being!! Are they really that naïve to think without THC levels there are practically no benefits to be had. I took part in one of the first clinical trial in Thailand for a very painful torn shoulder and the amount of paperwork and tests I had to undergo was crazy let alone a document I had to carry with me to say it was legal for me to have this tiny bottle of cannabis oil which by the way, did <deleted> all. To be fair, at the time I would have tried anything to avoid a 300,000 baht operation and must have tried every alternative treatment known to man. Not because of the cost but the recovery period was so long but cannabis oil is not the magical "fix all" they rant on about!!

You are 100% right, If they checked their figures pre-Covid the trend for this time of year would be the same sort of percentage. The lack of PCR test before flying to Thailand has nothing to do with it. Who in their right mind would come to Thailand knowing full well they will get a PCR test on arrival and all that entails without first checking you are clear before risking coming here!! Just poor news for news sake.

Accurate reporting is an absolute nonsense. Possibly correct on actual reported positive tests by hospitals but what about all the ex-pats, holiday makers and Thai's that found themselves showing positive and either had no idea where to report it, scared of the consequences of reporting it or simply couldn't be arsed and simply self-isolated at home. That doesn't include the asymptomatic who never even knew they had it. Defined by the CDC as “when a person is infected with a virus and will never feel any symptoms at all,” asymptomatic has become a catchall phrase for those who feel fine and aren't exhibiting any of the common markers of Covid-19 — lack of taste or smell, dry cough, fever The true figures are more likely to be double or treble that of reported cases which would explain why over Christmas and new year every other person we know went down with it including myself and 18 staff yet now it seems to have run its course which is of course is a good thing and hopefully that was the beginning of the end. Still cant get to grips with all this temperature test nonsense when all but a very, very small minority even get a fever with Omnicom and they are normally unvaccinated. Probably as much use as wearing a mask in a car or on a motorbike!! I'm sure there are many that disagree but just travel around Pattaya and see the massive lack of interest in following any of these now well outdated rules by both Farang and Thai's alike and stop reporting on these farcical figures produced by the "experts" too lazy to do their job properly..

I agree with everything you say especially the SHA hotels desperately wanting any business and should indeed keep any infected on test & go in there hotels on day one and be grateful for the the additional business. Only issue now if the 5 day PCR test when most have left that hotel, usually because they are not where you would want to spend too long in them, and moved on to final resort style accommodation or condos which can either offer 24/7 room service in resorts or 24/7 deliveries by Grab, Bolt or many other food delivery companies. The problem is policing these people. I've already met many selfish, ignorant <deleted> who openly admit they have been fully jabbed and will carry on regardless as its THIER holiday and <deleted> everyone else and it this type of mentality the Thai government has come to expect from many farangs and possibly why they are insisting on hospitalization where there is a measure of control especially if someone deteriorates rather rapidly but really unlucky if asymptomatic with no symptoms. I digress, because this is about insurance companies and covid cover or lack of it for asymptomatic people. Under some comparison sites they have highlighted on the policy the option of asymptomatic or symptomatic cover only so you have the choice at the point of ordering. All this became apparent last year when a few unfortunate people doing 15 day quarantine were dragged spitting and screaming to the hospital after failing their day 5 RT-PCR test stating "but i have no symptoms" It soon spread on social media that symptoms or not, make sure you are bloody sick by the time you arrive. I thought this was the reason insurance companies were now offering the choice of policy!! I think the Thai government needs to openly clarify quarantine at home whether house or condo and insurance regulators need to make travel policies and medical cover in Thailand very much clearer than they are currently doing or this is just going to stop more and more people traveling to Thailand because of bad press due people simply not reading the policies before buying!! All that said I hate travel and medical insurance companies with a vengeance and would rather not bother especially once you're older than 65 because the cost is ridiculous and they all use claim agents who's sole purpose in life is to stop you getting paid out for a claim!! parasites and leeches the lot of em..

To be fair not doing your homework on where you are traveling to is not an excuse BUT even the big travel companies like Tui do not inform their clients of the risks or requirements to enter Thailand. I have had three sets of friends suddenly pop up and say they are coming to see us in Thailand, deposit paid to Tui with balance to follow. When I asked if they had their Thailand Pass for entry , quarantine hotel for test & release (as it was last ear) they just glazed over wondering what the f*c* I was talking about. Long story short they were told nothing of restriction being told its their responsibility to check entry requirements. One single male traveler fully refunded, one couple that just want a holiday with no bul<deleted> requirements have had deposit switched to all inclusive resort in Mexico, 3rd couple already here after spending hours with them doing all on-line forms and visa's back in December and fortunately had the pass before it was stopped. Now enjoying Thailand in Bang Saray and were prepared to jump through hoops as were staying for 4 - 6 months. They were very aware of the what would happen if 24 hour test & go came in positive and like myself are more than happy to quarantine at home should they contract Covid while in Thailand which I did and have. Very Naive for people to think they wont get it and should prepare fore the worse even if fully jabbed with booster. Still wont protect you but will make the illness much milder and more importantly much shorter, (in most cases) even with underlying conditions like me with diabetes..

Thai step son tested positive over 8 days ago although coughing and sneezing several days before but was showing negative at the time. Was in his room isolating from the moment he tested positive and has been ever since. Only symptoms was like a cold but then again had double vax and is only 23. Thai step daughter tested positive 3 days later, again double vaxed but with no symptoms at all and 32 years old. Still isolating even though 5 days on lateral flow showing negative now. Both kids have rooms away from the main house and were banned from entering and both ordered from wherever they fancied, paid on line and was delivered to the gate with no contact with the outside world. New Year day I tested positive and although double vaxed and 3rd booster all from the UK, feels like a flu with cough, sore throat and usual runny nose and generally unwell but then again a lot older and a smoker so you could say my own fault. Wife tested negative evey day including today and still runs the business even though 80% staff have all tested positive and remain self isolating. That said, all Thai nationals isolate at home and did/do not go to hospital (unless seriously ill) and easily order food for home delivery and seems to be generally accepted but does make a total mockery of the numbers of infected with Covid and which variant they have in Pattaya which is considerably higher than any official figures on record because no government RT-PCR testing was easily available to them or us. Our only option is pay to have a test in a private hospital and end up doing 10 days in that hospital at our own expense for what basically is a heavy head cold or flu at best. Personally tell no one in authority anything and sit it out if you can and get the GF to order for you paying on line. I for one would rather stay home self isolating, fending for myself rather than be in hospital at THB 25,000 a day!!

I think we're a bit of a ways off the whole world having it. With an increasing population one per second currently 7,917,014,345 https://www.worldometers.info/watch/world-population/and only 286,858,647 infected cases, that's sounds a lot, but a very small percentage of the whole world 3.6% and no virus in living history has ever effected the whole world population.. And when you consider the number of actual deaths associated to covid, its less than 0.69% which although tragic, wont have much of an impact on the worlds population..

Not strictly true!! If Omicron was airborne the whole world would have it. The virus is transmitted on minute droplets of water from sneezing, coughing etc from an infectious host much the same as all types of these viruses are transmitted including the flue and common cold which on the scale of things which is why its such a small percentage of people being infected

The question I thought was simple, where does a Thai National go to get an RT-PCR test in Pattaya if they suspect they have covid and if positive does that go towards registrering the number of infections recorded in the area? This should be government run facilities to help curb the spread not a private hospital jumping on the band waggon charging 3800 baht to test the locals which most don't even have that kind of money so will continue their daily lives spreading it around..

I'm curious as to where the figures for Covid infections in Pattaya come from? My step son has been coughing and sneezing for a few days now and despite testing negative on lateral flow test we bought back from the UK, yesterday he has tested positive for Covid although no idea which strain and currently isolating in his room. Tried to contact several hospitals and apart from no one answering, there seems very little information as to what to do, where to go etc to get an RT-PCR test. I would have thought centers or testing clinics would be advertised everywhere but apparently not. Can find nothing on line in Thai or English which is concerning to put it mildly and begs the question how these figures of mass infections are calculated. Perhaps just not looked hard enough but interesting not easy to find apart from racking up at a hospital and see what happens which I'm loath to do because hes had two vaccines and is not seriously ill.... yet!! Anyone else with similar experiences??

Haven't actually read all the comments about this yet but seems another over reaction which will certainly be the final straw for some hardened travelers planning to get away over Christmas and new year. Only so much mucking about people can put up with especially after already jumping through hoops to get here. Have several friends all booked up ready to go over the next 10 days but cant quite make out if they can travel with no additional quarantine or not?? State a 2nd RT-PCR test on arrival so will that be the day after arrival, 2 day after 5 days after etc etc. Nothing very clear to risk the flight but you will assume the airports will know as it their risk to fly you home if unable to stay or refused entry I believe. What I don't understand is the Omicron variant is not actually from South Africa, its where it was first discovered and has now mutated all over the world so by stopping flights and entry, is it still not simply going to mutate amongst the unvaccinated so very little anyone can do to stop that!! Interesting last week that when Sky news interviewed the top viral specialist in South Africa he did say although it spread easier it was less fatal than the original strain and Delta. When the Sky team then went out and interviewed locals in one of the townships, they were saying its simply a flu outbreak and not much to worry about. And this is from a country with a a very low vaccine rate.... Do wonder if everyone is over reacting to something they cannot stop...apart from mass vaccinations perhaps..

Actually, it's only the RT-PCR test you pay for, Thailand Pass is free as was the COE and as are all Lateral Flow test issued by the UK. Unfortunately, not only are countries asking for negative RT-PCR test to enter but most airlines are requiring same before boarding. That said, I do agree there are a lot of companies making serious money from people willing to pay to travel whether business or leisure, but prices are dropping as more and more providers pop up. Last year £225 now £69. Still a broken system because of all the counterfeits with no way of checking if real of false by airport staff which makes a mockery of the entire thing. It’s only the fear of turning up in Thailand, as an example, and failing the RT-PCR test on arrival and having to spend 10-14 days in hospital, possibly at your own expense that keeps the majority doing the tests properly. Don’t think it will take long though for travellers to do their own lateral flow at home for nothing and then get a micky mouse certificate on-line!! This morning SKY news reported 9 European countries advertising on social media offering fake Covid Vaccination Certificates for travel by anyone unwilling to get vaccinated!! Just another supply and demand scenario which seems to have no legislation or willingness to stop them by the social media giants. Just proves the lure of travel is by no means dead!!!

Cant say I blame you, winds me up wearing a mask on a motorbike or walking on the beach or in any open spaces. This is not an air born virus and the sooner Thailand realises it the better...

Give it time, early days, friends and family might just regret those choices!! South African's have high numbers of unvaccinated with cases doubling daily “JOHANNESBURG — Some South Africa hospital wards are jammed with patients infected with the omicron coronavirus variant as President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans on Monday to get vaccinated. At this time, we think about 75% to 80% of hospitalizations are unvaccinated," https://www.voanews.com/a/south-africa-readies-hospitals-as-omicron-variant-drives-new-covid-19-wave-/6340912.html That said, we haven't seen the number of death's yet which will eventually prove or disprove how deadly this variant is. Hopefully as the optimists say, it will just be another flu type virus we will learn to live with. Apart from the unvaccinated that will probably die or be seriously ill costing governments billions and overwhelming the NHS.. just saying...

Not trying to sound to negative but with the Thailand Pass being so hit and miss, airlines not much better but to take a PCR test with results in 48 hours is cutting it fine and certainly not risk I would recommend. I've just got back and despite having a rejected Thailand Pass which took seven days (still no idea why rejected) resubmitting exactly the same documents and getting an acceptance 2 days later, I thought long and hard as to which company to use for PCR test and opted for a local walk in clinic (£69.00) with results by midnight which at the very worse, if it hadn't arrived by next morning, there would still be time to do something about it. There are enough companies out there offering same day results or within 24-hours so why would you choose a 48 hour one whether it was Boots, Superdrug or any other household names. That, said I paid the £80 + extra over a standard fair to get a fully changeable, fully refundable flight, specifically in case this sort of thing happened as you've all heard the horror stories, this chap being one of them. As many have commented, still very easy to get here by Christmas!!! What does <deleted> me off more than anything with a split flight is the length of time it takes by clueless check in staff with no idea whether its a genuine RT-PCR test from a legitimate company or a copy/imitation pulled off the internet for a tenner, AND to go through the same nonsense when you change planes and they want to go through the whole rigmarole again!! (Amsterdam in this case resulting in 2 hours delay) Its a broken system and only a matter of time before everyone realises it and although I'm not condoning it, its human nature to find a way around something that's costing them money and enough people out there are willing to oblige. Wont even start on the wearing face masks on a motorbike, on a beach or generally outside in open spaces!! Bit to off topic...

100% agree. Apparently only 26 arrivals have been tested positive with Covid since 1st November. No mention what nationality, if returning Thais that not need testing or whoever those positive people were so none the wiser and how unlikely is it the other 70,000 + could pass on something they don't have!! Ludicrous statement

You would think some mention of compulsory face masks in public and the consequences would be top of some agenda or documentation when applying to enter Thailand like Thailand Pass perhaps!! But no, nothing. So applies to double vaccinated tourists I suspect which although exempt from more than a days quarantine, still has to wear a mask or suffer up to 20,000 baht fine which I assume will only apply to foreigners as your average Thai wont have that sort of money!! Sounds a bit like " I know, we cant afford to pay the police so let the foreigners do it for us!!" with these ludicrous fines while on holiday...Talk about shooting themselves in the foot as per normal with ill conceived ideas..

Well only a matter of time as Austria have implemented non-vax lockdown, Germany considering the same and many other countries in Europe under proposal. UK to a degree getting in certain events and already in Wales full scale. Still need to book a table for max 6 people to drink and eat in a pub in Wales so vaccine passport all over UK only a matter of time!! I for one, and I know this will generate some comments, agree if you've been fully vaccinated I don't see why I cant visit a bar, restaurant or any other such venue providing all staff and management are of the same ilk and why should we be penalised by the odd few who refuse to get the vaccine especially when the majority of serious hospital cases are non-vaccinated people who, incidentally wish to <deleted> they had been vaccinated, laying there on a ventilator struggling to draw breath. Not saying easy to regulate but to get economies and social gatherings back on track, it will be the only way forward.

Not sure where to start with this or even if its worth bothering with being so farcical. Who on earth is this video aimed at because unlike some they have done, they never recruited a falang marketing company or it would still be on the cutting room floor. All this portrays is cabinet members out on a jolly and would be wasted on majority of any potential tourists let alone Thai people who have already expressed their reaction all over Thai social media and no, its not good or flattering.. ...enough said...

Another self-important statement from someone who has no clue how people feel, how they are surviving, or what they are thinking. AND to think he can second guess what he thinks the tourists are thinking is just beyond belief. Go out and enjoy Loy Krathong in your thousands said he and no worries about Covid, its taking the day off...clown. Perhaps take a leaf out of Austria's book. Open places to double vaccinated who are being penalised and lockdown those that refuse to get them. Oh wait a minute, still not enough to go round and was his fault right from day one. Will be interested to see how this pans out in UK and Europe with the Vaccinated V Un-vaccinated and who and where the different groups will be allowed to go... Personally and possibly selfishly, after having 2 + booster, I feel I am be restricted and penalised simply because the major amount of infections come from those not vaccinated which is bourn out by all statistics keeping this pandemic alive and well for the foreseeable future with higher risks of more mutated strains and variants putting everyone at risk all over again... I know a lot of you out there will disagree but wonder how many of those haven't had the vaccinations.....

I've heard some nonsense in my time and really not sure why anyone including this forum are even bothering to mention it!! Sounds more like a headline for effect rather than news! Surprised I even bothered to comment on it

I think that's wishful thinking. Thailand love their paperwork and vaccination's/boosters for an ever changing/mutating virus such as Covid will end up as regular as the flu virus and the last thing any country wants is another outbreak. Take yellow fever, I had it as a child in 1959 in what was then Malaya and although immune, I still had to get a certificate of vaccination from the UK before I could visit several places in South America. "Yellow fever vaccine is Required when a foreign government requires proof of vaccination for travellers entering their country. The “requirement” is for the purpose of protecting countries from the risk of importing or spreading yellow fever." Maybe I'm wrong and time will tell but after this world wide fiasco of Covid, I cant see any government risking an outbreak of a mutated variant getting into their country and devastating the population and the economy unless everyone has a vaccine to protect them forever and we are a very long way off that currently and that's without those not even willing or able to have the vaccine for whatever reason.. Lets just agree to disagree on this one .....

Firstly we're not discussing "You do realize a lot of people were unemployed, and burnt through their savings and credit cards, just to pay their bills. Do you think they have money for a holiday?" The people under this thread/discussion have money and time and are wanting to go back. Those struggling obviously are not going anywhere let alone to Thailand Secondly "Why wouldn't most expats be like you?" Most don't have the luxury of homes or places to stay for long periods in both Thailand and their home country and those that do are a very, very small percentage of ex-pats making those trying to get to Thailand now and in the next few months.....tourists. Obviously a few will be returning ex-pats of that I have no doubt Thirdly Agreed "Let's see if enough of them return to sustain bars going back onto full rents and full expenses here" What I think will happen is it will suddenly look busy convincing Thai's and some Farangs to open bars, pay key money and full rent but will be sadly disappointed come end of Jan/Feb when a lot leave to return to work only to be replaced with far less people prepared to jump through hoops. That said, many I know use an on-line agent like https://royalvacationdmc.com/thailand-1-day-quarantine-packages/ who basically do everything for you. They book the 1 day quarantine hotel, AXA insurance and complete the Thailand Pass. All they do is send copies of passport and Covid Vaccination Certificate available easily of the NHS app and the agent does the rest. Therefor the "hoops" diminish all for about £25-40 which is all they add to the price of the package and <deleted> all for these type of single male tourists. Personally now with hindsight, I wish I had done the same and saved myself the grief. No different from using an agent in Thailand for the marriage or retirement visa every year apart from the cost.. And finally, "coming back to Thailand until entry is as close to pre-covid" Is probably never going to happen and that applies to anywhere in the world including the UK. It really does depend on how little the "traveller" has to do and I believe as travel agents start to re-appear they will have staff to complete the required documents for travel to all parts of the world including Thailand. We're already seeing little shops appear in some towns offering Travel and Visa documents services who I believe will thrive all the time these requirements/hoops are in place which may be forever!!

Just a quick update on this. Just received my Thailand Pass after only 2 days of re-submitting, approved!!. Interestingly enough it was exactly the same information as I originally submitted as got rejected which leads me to believe the refusal or acceptance relies entirely on the person reading through the submitted documents very much like when applying for a visa with a clearance officer. Still heard nothing on my Thai wife's Thailand Pass after 9 days!!