billythehat

1 hour ago, poskat said:

what exactly does ready mean?

I was last in kata in oct and there were about 5 restaurants open and no shops.

most of the places there will need a certain critical mass of tourists before it is profitable to re-open, re-staff and re-stock.

 

so is it fair to assume that in typical thai style, they will allow tourists in but not have much for them to go to?

 

a few reports by people when they get back home will not encourage more people to take the covid plunge in an unvaccinated location.

Agree with all the points made.

However, it could depend on the demographic of potential mugs, I mean tourists. In this instance, it could be termite mounds of Chinese tourists to help alleviate some of the business pain. The rub being that most of their all-in-packages may include hotel, grub etc., so little pouring into the local economy in real terms.

This is gonna all take time and Phuket will need to find a path to reinvent itself as a safe and beautiful destination you want to take your family to. This is not going to happen in 2 months.
 

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

Whoops, I see a fly in the ointment, as the saying goes.

 

The article mentions that "slow vaccinations" are a problem and of course we keep getting the different messages from various officials (I do believe the TAT is missing a W from its abbreviation) so it seems a bit of a lottery that the 70% figure will be met by July 1.

 

Aside of that, is the fact that in Patong for example, long touted as a major playground for tourists, the state of the town is in abject disarray, with shops previously catering for tourists, falling down and many others in dire need of repairs.

 

Then of course there is the fear factor and I believe that will drive would-be tourists to Thailand, to seek holidays in the likes of Spain and Greece, for example, and with a much shorter aeroplane journey.

 

Much work needs to be done here to be able to get back on a level footing, and I really don't believe that will happen for another year or two, sad to say.
 

“Then of course there is the fear factor and I believe that will drive would-be tourists to Thailand, to seek holidays in the likes of Spain and Greece, for example, and with a much shorter aeroplane journey.”

My good Sir, with reference to the current travel situation in the UK to other European countries, please see the info below. My humble apologies for the disgraceful formatting but I couldn’t be ar**d to debug the source format (corona-virus-updates.)

Which European countries are closed to UK travellers?

• Austria: Travellers from the UK are not allowed to enter Austria. 
• Azores: You can only travel to the Azores if you are a resident and returning home or for essential reasons. 
• Belgium: British nationals who do not reside in Belgium or another EU/ Schengen country will only be able to travel for essential reasons. 
• Czech Republic: You can only enter the Czech Republic for essential reasons. 
• Denmark: Those who have a worthy purpose of travelling can travel to Denmark from the UK. 
• Finland: Only residents and nationals of Finland are allowed to enter Finland. 
• Germany: UK travellers can only enter Germany if they are residents or for essential humanitarian needs.
• Hungary: Hungary has closed its borders to most foreign nationals including those from the UK. You may be able to enter for essential reasons. 
• Iceland: Travel to and from the UK is not permitted unless it is for an essential reason or you are a resident of Iceland. Iceland is one of 12 countries on the UK's green list for travel. 
• Latvia:  You will only be able to enter Latvia for essential reasons.
• Liechtenstein: Travellers from the UK are not permitted to enter Liechtenstein unless they are a Liechtenstein or Swiss citizen, have a Swiss residence permit or type D visa, or hold a 'laisser passer'. 
• Luxembourg: Travellers from the UK are banned from entering Luxembourg for non-essential reasons. 
• Netherlands: UK nationals can only enter the Netherlands if they are residents or for essential reasons. 
• Norway: UK nationals are not allowed to visit Norway unless they meet certain exceptions. 
• Portugal: You can only travel to mainland Portugal if you are a resident, an EU national or if its for essential reasons. Portugal is one of 12 countries on the UK's green list for travel. 
• Russia: Flights from the UK to Russia are suspended until at least 1 June. 
• Switzerland: Those in the UK cannot travel to Switzerland unless they are a Swiss or Liechtenstein citizen, have a Swiss residence permit or type D visa, or holds a 'laisser passer'. 
• Slovakia: UK travellers are not permitted to enter Slovakia unless it's for essential reasons. 
• Spain: Travel to Spain from the UK is restricted to EU and Schengen state citizens and to those travelling for essential reasons. 
• The Canary Islands: Travel to the Canary Islands from the UK is restricted until 30 March. 
• Sweden: There is a travel ban in place  which means those from the UK cannot enter Sweden unless they are exempt. 

Which European countries are open to UK visitors? 

• Albania: Flights between Albania and the UK have resumed and UK travellers do not need to isolate on arrival in Albania.
• Andorra: UK travellers will need a negative PCR or TMA test no older than 48 hours before arrival in Andorra. You will also need to have a TMA + Rapid Antigen Test once you have arrived. You will need to self-isolate until you get the results back. You will need to take more TMA tests on the 5, 10 and 15 days after your arrival dates. Rapid antigen tests need to be taken on day two, four, six, ten, 12 and 14 of your stay in Andorra. 
• Armenia: Foreign nationals are now allowed to enter Armenia but will need a negative test no older than 72 hours. If you do not have a test and have no symptoms, you can get a test on arrival and then isolate until you get the result. 
• Azerbaijan: Travel to Azerbaijan is extremely limited. You will need to speak to your travel agent or call Azerbaijan Airlines for more travel information. You will need proof of a test no older than 48 hours before your flight. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days or you can take a test after six days and if it is negative, come out of isolation. 
• Belarus: All arrivals from the UK must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of whether they show symptoms. You will need a negative test no older than 72 hours. Be aware that all land borders are temporarily suspended.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: British nationals can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina if they have a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test result that is not older than 48 hours. 
• Bulgaria: UK travellers can enter Bulgaria if they have a vaccine certificate to prove they have had the second dose of the vaccine at least 14 weeks before travelling. Those who have not been vaccinated can enter Bulgaria with proof of a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, proof of a rapid antigen test no older than 47 hours, or a positive PCR/ rapid antigen test showing you have recovered from Covid-19 between 15 and 180 days before arrival in Bulgaria.
• Croatia: UK travellers who have proof of a negative test no older than 48 hours or have a vaccination certificate showing they had a second dose more than 14 days before travel can enter Croatia for tourism. Until there is a means to certify people who are vaccinated, all travellers should have a test with them. You will also need proof of accommodation if travelling for tourism.
• Cyprus: UK travellers will need proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours or can show proof of having two Covid-19 vaccinations. It is advised that until there are specified ways to certify vaccinations, you should come prepared with a negative test. 
• Estonia: Travellers from the UK will need proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours before departure. You will need to self-isolate for 10 days unless you have tested positive for Covid-19 within the last six months or have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the last six months.
• France: You will need proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours to enter France and will need to isolate for seven days on arrival. On day seven you will need to take a second Covid test.
• Georgia: UK travellers who have had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccination will be allowed to enter Georgia with no restrictions. Those who have not been vaccinated can enter the country by showing proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours. 
• Greece: You need to complete this form 24 hours before you arrive in Greece. You need proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours to avoid isolation on arrival. 
• Ireland: You will need to complete a passenger locater form. Anyone entering Ireland from Great Britain needs proof of a negative RT-PCR test no older than 72 hours. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days. 
• Italy: UK travellers can enter Italy provided you have proof of a negative test no older than 48 hours. You will need to self-isolate for five days, taking a test on the fifth day. You also need to call the Covid-19 helpline to inform them of your visit 48 hours before arrival. 
• Lithuania: Those from the UK will need to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival in Lithuania. You will also need a negative test no older than 72 hours before your arrival. Regardless of your test result, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days. There is a chance of getting out of isolation early if you take another test and test negative after seven days. Everyone travelling to Lithuania will need to fill out a registration form before travelling.
• Madeira: UK travellers are permitted to enter Madeira for any reason. You will need to fill in a questionnaire 12-48 hours before departure, need proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours and undergo a health screening at the airport. 
• Malta: UK travellers can now travel to Malta provided they have proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours. 
• Moldova: Those travelling from the UK to Moldova will need proof of a negative test no older than 72 hours or proof of a positive serology test on IgG antibodies no older than 30 hours. It is recommended that bring a paper version of your test result. If you have proof that you have had both doses of the vaccine, you will not need a negative test to enter. 
• Montenegro: UK travellers will need a negative test no older than 72 hours to travel to Montenegro or proof that you had the second dose of the vaccine over a week before travelling. 
• Poland: UK travellers are allowed to enter Poland. You will need a negative test no older than 48 hours or proof that you have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to avoid quarantine on arrival. You will also be allowed to enter without isolation if you can prove you have self-isolated or been hospitalised in the last six months due to testing positive for Covid-19. 
• Romania: Travellers from the UK can enter Romania with no restrictions. You will not need a test and you will not need to self-isolate. 
• San Marino: To enter San Marino, you will need to go through Italy, so follow the entry rules for UK travellers entering Italy. 
• Serbia: All visitors to Serbia must arrive with a negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arrival.
• Slovenia: The UK has been taken off Slovenia's red list meaning you no longer need to quarantine on arrival if arriving from the UK. However, you are still only allowed to enter for essential reasons.
• Turkey: UK travellers will need a negative test no older than 72 hours to be allowed to enter Turkey. You also need to complete this form 72 hours before travelling. 

4 hours ago, Henryford said:

I think there will be an explosion of cases after Songkran with everyone travelling all over the country. So i think there may be more lockdowns/closures to come.

Sir, a reasonable assumption but the situation in Lalaland could be more complicated as reliable data pertaining to actual vaccine roll-out and death figures are fudged to suit a political agenda. The media everywhere can/do influence the way of populist thinking of the majority of the great unwashed to sell copy. If there is an improvement in the figures and there are any signs of the story losing momentum, they will rush to find a way to whip up the fear and hysteria again to keep the train rolling and sell more copy, truth or lies.

A Thai friend of many years was giving me her opinion on the vaccination. She is an intelligent professional person with a good job in Bangkok. I told her that I had the jab and was she having hers. She said that she’d read in the news that there could be very bad side effects from the jab and that she was happy just to wear a mask. Good grief, I mused, but I knew any attempts to point out certain other facts would fall on deaf ears. Herd mentality versus herd vaccination…hmmmm, a proverbial rock and a hard place.

Meanwhile, here in UK almost 32 million vaccine doses have been given and I know many that have already had the 2nd jab. A few interesting related notes here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56663969

From 12/04/2021 there will be a relaxing of lockdown rules in England that will mean the re-opening of what was considered non-essential businesses (Pubs, restaurants etc.) but distancing rules still in place. Good news for the traders that have managed to avoid slipping under the waves and losing their businesses. How this relaxation will affect those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland I don’t know as all the news today is mainly on the death of the Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. 73 years married – got to be up there with the record length. 
 

On 3/1/2021 at 1:26 PM, owl sees all said:

 

and did you get to the loo?

IM sent ????

8 hours ago, owl sees all said:

This incident will make road-constructors think about future safety. 

 

It looks like it was on the inside of a curve too.

 

Good to hear that no one was hurt.

Mr Owl, a possible oxymoron in your first point, but I know what you mean. Construction contractors are at the end of the design process which (in Blighty anyways) starts with the planners. After much bureaucracy, dealing with tree-huggers etc. the process lands on the desk of the professional highway design engineer and his team. Eventually, the design is passed to the selected skilled and approved contractor(s) to construct the design and work with the engineers as any problems occur.  It’s possible that due diligence was not followed in this case and may suggest a catalogue of misunderstandings between the parties involved. I do, of course, accept the unforgivable use of my own oxymoron's in this paragraph.

Here’s another from last year; poor design and construction. What could possibly go wrong?

https://www.thephuketnews.com/road-over-kata-hill-dangerously-damaged-by-heavy-rains-77648.php

By the way, I do enjoy the odd peep into your life in Issan thread. Back in the last ice-age, I ventured through Issan stopping at an outpost called Nong Bua Lampu (or summat like that), as I was gasping for a pony and a bite to eat. Walking through the market looking for sustenance that I could stomach and didn’t still have a pulse, I spied some familiar looking tins. I excitedly looked at the label; Corned Beef said the label, 100% pork said the cartoon pig behind the label. Confused and sweating I replaced the tin and headed to the hot bugs over rice sit down. Thinking about it now, I should have bought the tin as a keep-sake of  my adventures.

12 hours ago, ChipButty said:

 

Something lost with the Spotify and other format/supply generation is the not seeing/owning some of the great album artistry and design on the covers, especially some the double fold designs. Have a couple left in my vinyl collection, although they look a wee bit dog-eared now. Some even had posters which,  if still present, push the value up considerably. Cheech & Chong issued an album based on their music score for the movie ‘Up in Smoke’. Inside the inset sleeve was and extra-large gummed rolling-up paper. Can’t remember what that may have been used for…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtWmU0AMo5A&list=PL2S2uKN8Su6CUfJFTnXxHk5eD36D5FmW1

...and not a bald man or wife-beater tee shirt was seen...probably...

5 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Back in the 60's me and a mate went to Newquay for holiday we rented a caravan and they where staying in the next caravan Sweet, they drove an old red van doing the season down there 

Newquay? Lad, you’d need a Kings ransom to live there now, aye, right posh it is. Reading your comment, funny thing life sometimes. Some of the best times were had when I had very little in the way of attachments and worldly things. Further down t’road, when I’d collected more baubles, there were less good times and many more headaches. But there was always the music.

Talking of which…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QHaKiuKgXg&list=FL67lKy6NKTfpYPzku873k6g&index=51  (link only)

6 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

Funny listing. I stopped after page 11 because it was  all the same; Almost all white American or UK males pre 1985. 1 female, a handful of Afro American and a couple Latin from USA.

 

The world of music did not stop 30+ years ago. it is not  only UK and USA.  Ryo Kawasaki, June Yamagushi, Yngie malmsteen, Sungha Jung and 100's of others.

Cheer up, lad, all contributions welcome I’m sure. Bring summat to the table of your own life music choices and share with the young-at-heart members here to peruse.

Meanwhile, here’s some men with ridiculous bushy sideburn mutton-chops to help get you in the Xmas mood in these difficult times.

...and these guys too...

5 hours ago, 3STTW said:

Wot no Dave Gilmour?

 Yes, he's here. Check out my links on page 10 - Pink Floyd live in Brighton, showing a very young DG. ????

a few more...

...good thread there, Chip Butty, lad. Sadly, I never found a decent chip butty in all my visits to Lalaland...can't get the good bread.

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

Have been closed for a while now.

Decidedly average breakfast I thought there, ruined further by the awful plastic white bread for the toast. Not very ‘Yorkhire’ in style at all if one has sampled such. 

1 hour ago, Cake Monster said:

My Missus and Daughter used to buy those horrible cardboard " French Fries " out of a Freezer.

I showed them how to make, and cook Traditional English Chips, and now they do not even want to look at the cardboard things.

Its what I had for Lunch today

My own homemade Steak and Kidney Pie, Chips and Peas. All swilled down with a large mug of Tetleys Tea.

Not every Day for this kind of Lunch,  ........ But just once in a while ... the bliss.

Aye, lad, food of the gods but I hope that included proper gravy made with real meat juices. ????

5 hours ago, simon43 said:

[quote]

the expressway will have traffic flow of 60,000 vehicles per day,

[/quote]

 

Think about that number for a moment.  That means that every minute of every day, there will be 42 vehicles passing a fixed monitoring point on that road.  In reality, the traffic will be quieter at certain times of the day/night.  But overall, the numbers quoted are IMHO, completely ludicrous!

Sir, I have considered your comments and would note further.

“Exat estimates that in the first year of operation, the expressway will have traffic flow of 60,000 vehicles per day, half of them cars and the other half motorcycles. Proposed toll fees are: Bt15 for motorcycles, Bt40 for four-wheel vehicles, Bt85 for six- to 10-wheel vehicles, and Bt125 for vehicles with more than 10 wheels.”

Hmmmm, curious statement, 50% cars 50% motosai? Perhaps cars with more than 10 wheels? Aren’t motsai’s banned from Thai expressways/tunnels anyway?

“completely ludicrous” you say. I agree but not as ludicrous as the ‘representational image’. Approximately 2km square of grade separated junctions without the 1.85km tunnel! Ho-hum, I wish I could get paid for coming up with pony like this. Chairing the consultation meeting and pulling the reveal rope to show the image whilst stifling a giggle to an audience gasping in wonder at the brilliance of it all.

On 10/15/2020 at 9:18 AM, LivinginKata said:

No money spent on sturdy rebars. I see no tie-ins from retaining wall to road, or any sort of reinforcement  to prevent soil erosion under the road. 

Sir, my humble opinion on the matter.

The transverse shear failure shown in the photo shows a fatal design flaw and poor construction method.

The surface metal shows a shallow depth flexible construction method not suited for the location. When flexible construction is used in locations like this, there is no scope for movement/expansion of the running metal surface, and, where subject to excessive lateral loads, will fail as shown. The fracture also clearly shows wholly inadequate base courses to the top running course. If properly constructed foundations had been installed, the failure would likely have not have been so pronounced.

Your comment about the lack of rebar; rebar is not installed in the above construction type and the edge kerb upstands would be bedded on a separate foundation. The upstands are not tied to the road construction as the two constructions would settle at different rates and there would be no bond with the rebar and base course in the flexible road construction.

I would suggest that piled foundations with a capping beam arrangement be used to support a flexible reinforced road construction. This type of road construction comprises reinforced cocrete slabs that are joined with expansion/contraction joints that allow some movement of the running surface when under load. Without sight of the ground investigation report, I cannot comment further.

The linked report says “no hab money etc.” so expect those cones to be there for a wee while. 

On 10/8/2020 at 2:44 PM, LivinginKata said:

Ok so I will pop my head up and comment. Our rental homes are not making any income. We have plenty tenants but they can't pay rent as in the entertainment sector. They just manage pay electric charges. Given we own our properties then our maintenance and on costs are low. As it happens I have some pension money that keeps us afloat.  I expect we need to eat into our savings to pay the bigger insurance bills like medical.

 

I don't expect any regular paying guests until late 2021. Very bleak for everyone with a small business.

Well done, sir. Philanthropy in these difficult times should be applauded, not slagged off. It’s your look-out and no one else’s business how you conduct your finances.

Okay, maybe the missus, but no one else. ????

1 hour ago, Psimbo said:

You come across as an extremely bitter and twisted individual, casting aspersions on other people's wives and friends. As with others above I know Amanda and her family very well (and have done for nearly 30 years) and your comments serve no purpose whatsoever. 

 

If you haven't got anything nice to say ................................

…anyone else here that personally knows Ms Chalisa and her family? She does appear to be very popular…????

On 10/7/2020 at 5:52 PM, London Lowf said:

When this thread started (over three years ago) the title was a little sensationalist and over-dramatic - events have now unfolded in such a way that fiction has become fact!

 

Yesterday Singapore Airlines/Silk Air cancelled my December>March trip (surprise, surprise) and, after ten winter months over the last six years, I have given up on Thailand and shifted my attention to the Caribbean or South America.

 

I don't believe that Thailand will open up to regular international tourists until there is a generally available vaccine, assuming that there is such a thing in the pipeline somewhere, and I really can't blame them.

 

Patong is indeed dead and I don't believe it will ever recover to it's (already poor) 2019 levels - the infrastructure will literally crumble in the tropical heat and humidity if there is no money to maintain it.

“I don't believe that Thailand will open up to regular international tourists until there is a generally available vaccine, assuming that there is such a thing in the pipeline somewhere, and I really can't blame them.”

The issue of international tourists being able to go to Lalaland is a more complex issue than Somchai High Command issuing the command to open the trap door and allow international mongers tourists back in at this present time. The Chinese on the other hand would come even if the whole island was buried under 2 meters of Buffalo pooh.

“Patong is indeed dead and I don't believe it will ever recover to it's (already poor) 2019 levels - the infrastructure will literally crumble in the tropical heat and humidity if there is no money to maintain it.”

Regarding the subject of infrastructure; the supply of potable water and treatment of surface/waste water must be maintained at all costs for public health and safety, lest malaria/cholera get a foothold. Conversely, with less strain on the existing sewer networks due to less tourists in the main areas that cater for such, the network would be unlikely to ’crumble’ too quickly. Can’t see they would fail to maintain the treatment plant in Patong either, but then again...

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

 

Things like profit on a Thai business should be considered relative to the business being in Thailand, it's actually a fine profit, when thinking of how many retired expats that have problems with funding a 800k baht deposit, or showing monthly transfers of 65k baht during a year; 1.4 million is almost the double of 800k baht, and almost 117k baht a month, well done...????

“it's actually a fine profit”

Without a breakdown of profit/loss/tax payments etc. how would you know what the ‘fine’ net profit was? The erstwhile businessman stated he'd made on average the sum, not what the actuals were.