CRUNCHER

One thing I have been wondering about is what happens when, and if, large numbers of tourists return to Thailand for people who are not proficient in English. I am thinking of some of Thailand's main targets- Russians and Chinese, but there are many others. Tour groups will be alright because the tour companies will sort it out. Not all Chinese tourists, however, come in groups; quite a number were independent tourists.

China has a digital certificate for those vaccinated which includes English, but whether this will satisfy Thailand Pass I do not know.

For Chinese there is no hurry.  There will be no tourist until after the Winter Olympics in February. You can take that to the bank. I have even seen a suggestion that China will not allow outbound travel until after the Asian Games in September.  That remains to be seen.

But as I said there are many others for whom language will be an issue in using Thailand Pass.

34 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

How you got" don't shoot the messenger " from what I posted to Sheryl is strange to me. But. I'm sure you are not from the North East USA and need .... I won't say. Slowly and in a non tree hugging way read my post Slowly! I EXACTLY explained some useful things that she as a respected poster might be able to tackle.  Are you from Cali? 
And btw. Thanks again Sheryl. 

Point taken.

It is difficult to keep a dedicated thread on topic. Perhaps I have been guilty.

I have 6 threads open on my computer and they are mixed up.

Just because things get done eventually does not mean success.  A system like this should be user friendly. After 17 days it is definitely not that. 

44 minutes ago, bolt said:

I have successfully applied 2 times using Chrome Incognito mode

 

Both applications were tests to see how it work, and both were approved

 

I

I don't blame you for testing. A good idea.  I wonder how many others are doing this giving the Government a false impression of the success of Thailand Pass. 555.

I won't need this until next year and I am monitoring the situation hoping that by the time I need it at least some of the issues are resolved. I am not confident.

1 minute ago, alex8912 said:

How you got" don't shoot the messenger " from what I posted to Sheryl is strange to me. But. I'm sure you are not from the North East USA and need .... I won't say. Slowly and in a non tree hugging way read my post Slowly! I EXACTLY explained some useful things that she as a respected poster might be able to tackle.  Are you from Cali? 
And btw. Thanks again Sheryl. 

You asked if she was mad. Not a pleasant comment. The difference in her posting  a clear indication of the mess that Thailand Pass is in. 

13 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

Wow. You are mad!  You seem different in many postings lately. Why don't you start a completely helpful thread ( since we all respect you) that clearly shows how to manipulate this ridiculous TP system?  This should be easily operated on an  iPhone to get pass.  Or maybe  a Video that we all can use?  You and several other posters seem very helpful. But if you are having troubles with TP. We should all try to work together on ONE thread and since you are American and the most visitors are now American it may be more helpful to us to have this thread based on Americans currently trying to come to Thailand using TP. (Another thread for others)  Remember when TVF actually helped everyone instead of just useless never going anywhere threads?  I for one want a clear cut way to come to Thailand for 60 to 90 days ( or a little more) THIS SEASON. There seems to be no real channel or thread for this. It's just all over the place <deleted>. I mean you can't comment on moderation but can we somehow organize a non bickering completely helpful thread on to EXACTLY how get a TP??  And I'd love a little additional info on the 60 day tourist visa which REALLY should be easier to get and not take " a minimum of 15 working days" info as well. These threads Sheryl seem to go on and on but just a little useful info seems to come through. Thanks! You are always helpful. 

Don't shoot the messenger.

Sheryl is smart, switched on and well versed in Thai ways.  If she has a problem then there is a big problem. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to work that out.

When she gets it worked out, and I am sure she will, a lot of us will learn something; I am already. I follow her posts with interest.

Good luck Sheryl; you deserve it.

The general frustration in this thread (as well as others) is palpable. It is not a question of the Government's left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing; the left hand does not know it has a right hand.

This insurance issue has been bubbling for over 2 weeks and it is about time the Government gave a definitive answer.

I can dream can't I. 

33 minutes ago, pkrv said:

M&S is on the ground floor of Centralworld opposite Good Goods, on the western avenue from the main atrium with the escalator spiral.

That sounds like Bangkok.

M&S Pattaya is inside the Central Department Store on second floor.

Something interesting came up in a conversation recently.  I was told (but haven't check it out yet) that if husband and wife took out a joint health insurance policy there could be some saving on premiums.

My question at this time is has anyone had experience of using a joint policy for Thailand Pass and were there any problems?

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

This Axa policy fits the bill, ok for short durations, over priced for longer term but will get you in the country

Thanks for taking the trouble to post.  It could certainly be useful to some people.

Unfortunately this policy is not available to anyone actually in Thailand. See the website FAQ. Fine if you plan a long trip out of Thailand you can apply in the place you are going to. Anyone going for a short trip really need to sort out insurance and Thailand Pass before they leave Thailand,

It is only available for those under 75 years. This will eliminate a lot of elderly retirees in Pattaya currently feeling trapped. It only has limited benefit to those to whom this thread applies.

2 hours ago, Rocking Robert said:

One major health issue and the 25,000 is gone in a flash

Of course you  are right.  I was just sowing a germ of an idea. It would need fleshing out.

The Government has set the bar at US$50,000 so 800,000 baht would need to be doubled. It would need to stay in the bank full time. If you had to dip into it for medical treatment there would need to be a grace period for top up (lighting does strike twice in the same place, but seldom) and you would need to produce medical receipts when renewing your extension.

Just some thoughts; more are needed.  At least I get to keep my money rather than pouring down the drain with expensive insurance I do not want and do not need.

8 hours ago, JCP108 said:

Now this information in the Thailand Pass FAQ. Explains why many of us are not getting a quick approval. 

What about Thailand?

Covers treatment could be interpreted to mean only covid. Includes suggest full insurance part of which covers covid.

Semantics I agree, but this could easily cause confusion. From posts in other threads a few people still believe they only need covid insurance.

5 hours ago, gejohesch said:

That's what I had understood, I would not imagine any insurance would give you coverage for 410 EUR!

 

OK, good to know. Thanks. 

 

That's not what I read in the information provided by my local Thailand embassy. One of the docs they passed on to me is a 3 pages summary titled "Schemes for Entering Thailand (by Air Travel), effective from 1 November 2021". It is very clear 90% but, surprise surprise (this is Thailand....), is confusing when it comes to the insurance. I attach jpegs of Page 1 and Page 3 (Page 2 is additional stuff not relevant to insurance):

 

Page 1 : "Insurance : Non-Thai travelers need health insurance with min. coverage of 50,000 USD"

So, that's as you say. However, here comes the following:

Page 3 : "THAILAND PASS REGISTRATION (From 1 November 2021)

               1. STEP 1 Please prepare the following documents:

               1.4 Health insurance which covers treatment and medical expenses in relation to COVID-19, with a minimum coverage of 50,000 USD throughout the period of your stay in Thailand."

 

So here you have it, COVID-19 is explicitly mentioned. Confusion ..... again! ????

Good point. Someone said somewhere that some insurances may not work if only tested positive.

I agree. Confusion. I think what they mean in 1.4 is "...which includes treatment..", but this is not what they said.

Has anyone gotten round to using vaccine certificates issued in Thailand?  A bit early perhaps.

1 hour ago, Salerno said:

"Precise" or "accurate"? Not everyone is over 70:

 

*For Economy, Standard and Premier policies, the Single trip policy will cover you for one trip up to:

365 days for persons aged up to and including age 70.

90 days for persons aged between 71 and 75.

31 days for persons aged between 76 and 85.

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance

True. Not everyone is over 70. This thread is about elderly retirees many of whom are over 70.

As to the Post Office insurance here are the conditions:-

I must correct myself.  To those who pointed out that travel insurance can be for one of more years, you are indeed right.  It is the individual trips than can only be for 30 or occasionally 60 days. I should have been more precise. 

Still no good for anyone who needs to be stamped in for three or  more months such as many retirees.

45 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

It is available for retirees who kept residency in their country of origin, which I would recommend for everyone as a minimum backup plan.

 

How many of the hundreds of thousands in pre covid times were denied entry. There were a handfull reports about problems.

 

Why should Thailand have to be grateful to those people?

They came here for the cheaper life, the better climate and the girls, not for altruistic reasons

Why should I go to the expense and trouble of keeping a residence in my home county just to get travel insurance when I live in Thailand? As to using a relatives address since I do not live there would be making a false declaration to get insurance; undoubtedly a criminal offence. Submitting a false statement to the Thai Government to the effect that I have valid insurance when I do not is definitely a criminal offence.  Travel insurance is usually valid for 30 days or, sometimes 60 days. No good if I live here all year round.

I do not know how many people were denied entry because of too many visa exempt or tourist visa.  Certainly more than a handful just from reports on Thai Visa over the years.  Further, many who relied on tourist visa from surrounding countries were denied them for having too many.  At best they got a stamp in their passports saying "no more". The reports on Thai Visa were likely the tip of the iceberg. 

I am certainly here for the life style, but that does not mean that the money I have contributed to the Thai economy can be so easily dismissed. It is a two way street. I pay my way, but that does not mean that I have to take out insurance I do not want and do not need.

I never said I expected gratitude. I only want equitable treatment.