statman78

Also check with the airline you are flying since they may have restrictions. If it is not a direct flight check the requirements of the airport you are transiting through.

Haven’t read the book and probably won’t but I do believe big tech and big media are the new censors. They tend to allow stories that fit their agenda and if they need to report a story that doesn’t fit their agenda they will spin it so it doesn’t sound too bad. Just saw a interview with the head of YouTube. The new policy is to remove anything dealing with Covid that goes against the WHO recommendations. Of course we all know the WHO has been 100% correct when it comes to this pandemic ????

Back in June I used WellMed. Had the PCR test done at 1 PM and had the results back the next afternoon. The cost was 3500 baht. Well I departed in June there were no test facilities at the BKK airport.

The only flight is the Chiang Mai to Utapao as mentioned above. Some airlines are booking flights later this month but I heard that all of the current restrictions may be extended including the grounding of domestic flights. The decision should be made tomorrow (Monday 16 August).

I’m not sure which brands they have here in Thailand but most are 75%-80% accurate in detecting Covid if you are positive. The probability is near zero of testing positive if you do not have Covid.

Singapore’s model is the way to go once everyone who wants to be vaccinated is vaccinated with an effective vaccine. According to some experts we will not get to “herd immunity” with this virus. Vaccines will protect us from serious infection or hospitalization. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/12/herd-immunity-is-mythical-with-the-covid-delta-variant-experts-say.html?__source=iosappshare|com.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail

I would agree with this post but I’m not sure about point 2. If proof of insurance in still required I feel that tourism will still be dead. Also, if my memory serves me, the Thai government will be charging an extra entry fee to Thailand to cover insurance. Hopefully this woul cover Covid. Here is a link to a story about the fee but it is not the original story. https://www.traveldailymedia.com/thailand-adds-new-tourist-fee-despite-massive-decline/

Correct me if I’m wrong but Astra-Zeneca provides some raw materials to the Thai manufacturer who blends and fill the vaccine. If the Thai government bans exports it would be very easy for AZ to reduce or stop the shipment o& needed raw materials.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/12/herd-immunity-is-mythical-with-the-covid-delta-variant-experts-say.html?__source=iosappshare|com.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail I agree. The above link is to an article explaining why herd immunity may never be reached. We may never get rid of the Covid virus but vaccines greatly reduce the change of severe cases or hospitalization so we can get on with our lives.

It looks like it is taking longer. I went through the Chicago consulate for my COE in late May. I received my pre-approval in 1 day. To get my final approval it took an additional 6 days but that included the Memorial Day weekend.

I returned to Thailand in late June from the US. Just like you I have a non-o and entered Thailand with my valid re-entry permit. I only needed the $100k Covid coverage. I did not need proof of any other insurance. At the time I was applying for my COE there were people reporting that some consulates in other countries were requiring the extra coverage. I don’t recall anything posted from Canadians.