Felt 35

I will go home and get the Pfizer when they eventually drop the quarantine here down to a week or hopefully less for returnees.

Felt 

5 hours ago, BadSpottedDog said:

Do they even realize there are a lot of people with this problem?

No 

7 hours ago, connda said:

"...world not infringe on visitor's right to privacy?"  That would be based on how you personally define infringement of privacy rights.  An application tracking your movement 24/7?  I define that as technology that is just like those used to track criminals on parole, just without the lock.  Mor Chana is already out there but the Thai government needs the extra-special tracking capability to keep their eyes on the pesky foreigners who are all seen as risks to Thai national security.  This isn't anything new.  The government has wanted to implement this for years but it would have impacted tourist numbers.  With the "Covid pandemic" as a backdrop and an excuse, they now roll it out.  And my guess is that if "Covid" was eradicated tomorrow, the ThailandPlus (invasive tracking) will remain in place forever after.  "New Normal" means never going back to the way things were.

It just makes me ponder how long it will take before they come after long-stay expats.  In Prathet Xenophobe I don't believe the elites running the show can help themselves. Paranoia and ingrained historical distrust of all foreigners is the norm and it's something that the "New Normal" will never change even as countries in the West are told by the likes of the World Economic Forum and "experts" that their borders must come down.  Thailand will be the next to the last country on that list right before North Korea.

In the meanwhile, TAT will be forecasting tourist numbers pulled out of a magician's hat.  Informed tourists will weigh all the now required regulations and requirements (such as ThailandPlus tracking) and make up their own minds whether or not to make Thailand a vacation choice.
Some informed foreigners will accept it and show up (those who don't mind being tracked and herded into chaperoned tour groups that are closely watched and monitored); other informed foreigners (like most of my American friends who have been coming here annually for years) will balk and go somewhere where the host country's government is more accepting of foreigners and magnitudes less paranoid.  It will all be a personal choice based on a tourist's appetite for lack of privacy vs freedom of movement.
So....
The bottom line:  Thailand will never recover their previous numbers of foreign tourists in the next 5 or 10 years if ever.  And they've done it to themselves because my guess is a lot of the regulations and requirements will remain in place well after the Covid scare is over and the world moves on to the next calamity.  And the requirements and regulations will be there to embrace the next "crisis" whatever it may be.
ThailandPlusNewNormal.    Now there ya have it!

????Well said.

On 2/19/2021 at 11:17 AM, webfact said:

Behind the scenes the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tourism Ministry, the Tourism Council, ATTA (the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the THA (Thai hoteliers' Association) have been pressing for an end to the two week quarantine that many see as a huge hurdle to the reintroduction of foreign tourism. 

Many ministries here but where are the health ministry in the midst of this plan....... 

I can not give you any advice, but I was and looked at a car today (one of the two best-selling brands in Thailand I would think!) and was offered finance. The car in my name and my wife as a guarantee. Was also offered what they here call extra accessories for free, include one year "first class insurance" and Thb 25000, - as a discount on the down payment amount. I asked if I would get Thb 25000,-on discount if I paid in cash, but then the answer was no. I also offered to pay down 50% of the total if I got lower interest rate but then again no, the interest would be the same if I paid down 20 or 50%???? ????

Felt 

25 minutes ago, Catkiwi said:

Whatever? You are not very clever are you? The ratio of Thai's or Thai decedents in Europe does not even begin to compare to the ratio of Chinese decedents in Thailand. Perhaps you could upskill at some stage and come back to class with a more informed opinion Mr. Felt.

Mr. or is it Mrs. Cat. I'm to your information very well aware of the presence of Chinese descents in Thailand being married with a Thai Chinese for nearly a decade but that not mean I think that a government without support from all the citizens (doesn't they call it democracy!) should have the right to decide a new foreign public holiday. Btw, good luck with your polite attitude.

Felt.

1 minute ago, Catkiwi said:

They are not "making every Thai observe" It has been declared a government holiday. Therefore, government run departments etc. will not be open. Everyone else is free to carry on and celebrate, or not, as they wish.

Whatever, Btw, "Songkran in Thailand is celebrated on a low scale between Thais in many European countries but to make it a Public Holiday would be considered making the European's observe a Thai Public holiday.

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Considering the Chinese population and heritage within the Thai population its hardly surprising and in my area its pretty much the same every year.

Ok fair that the Chinese celebrate their public holiday but to make every Thai observe a foreign public holiday is a stretch because there are actually millions of Thais with no relation to China whatsoever. 

On 2/10/2021 at 12:52 PM, Felt 35 said:

That was exactly the price I had in mind to offer them, but I reckon that they will demand closer to 380 -400000 as the car both outside and inside looks and works as new.

Felt

I quote myself and should of course known better than to bid on a used rental car here. Second hand don't count it seems either do it that its a "rental car". Thb 450000,- thank you.????

Felt????

Anyone know why the park in Phuket Town (Rama IX ) or better known as Suan Luang and the monkey hill Toe sae)suddenly has started with reduced opening hours for they who want to go there for a walk/exercise? It remind me a bit to much about the same period last year a month just before the lockdown.....????

3 hours ago, orchis said:

Friday 12 is added as a holiday this year.

Thanks, so Monday 15/2 is business as usual then I assume!

Felt

Anyone know if we are heading into a long weekend or is it just Saturday/ Sunday many places close due to Chinese New Year!

Thanks

Felt

3 hours ago, beachproperty said:

Well a brand new Yaris Altiv is 539,000 baht for the base model. So yours being 2-3 years old with low miles I would make them an offer of 350,000 Baht (Probably worth 400,000 - 425,000 baht). Good Luck!

That was exactly the price I had in mind to offer them, but I reckon that they will demand closer to 380 -400000 as the car both outside and inside looks and works as new.

Felt

What can I expect to have to pay for a Toyota Yaris Ative 2019 (I assume entry model but no letter indicate which model on the trunk). As far as I can find out from some insurance documents in the glove compartment, is that it is registered with the car rental company in November 2019 (no copy of green book in car), but I assume that it was produced by Toyota in 2018! The car looks and drive like new with only 14500 km on the computer and apart from a rim capsule that probably have got a scratch from a driver hitting the curb and some almost invisible small scratches in the paint here and there. I have now rented it for 4 months and the car rental company have told me they usually change their fleet every 2-3 years so I will like to give them an offer.

Thanks for any advice.

Felt

4 hours ago, zzzzz said:

residing to me means living here, which i have been doing for decades, even thou i renew my extension yearly

 

If its NOT given to all us NON thai's living here, ( be they farangs, Indians, Chinese, Burmese Khmer's) whats the point?

I'm a resident...eh at least for tax purposes????  

????I really hope it will be possible to get a Western tried and tested vaccine in a private hospital by the time they roll out the home made one????

The "tide" have turned????

Hua Hin Air Quality Index (AQI) and Thailand Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

Phuket Air Quality Index (AQI) and Thailand Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

19 hours ago, Knocker33 said:

Apart from the Chinese. Why would anyone want to celebrate anything to do with China.

Must be a really slap in the face on many Thais having to observe a Chine Public holiday annually????

6 hours ago, madmitch said:

Those International school prices apply to BIS and maybe UWC. Headstart, BCIS, Kajonkiet International are just over half these prices, Oak Meadow under half. And if your kids are youger there are many additional options at a range of prices.

 

Why someone hasn't opened a decent international school in Hua Hin I don't know.

Hua HIn International School | (huahinschool.com) / Halio for International Students - ศูนย์การเรียนหัวหิน - Halio International School Hua Hin / The British Educational Children's Center | Bright Start for a Brighter Future (thebecc.com) / Beaconhouse Yamsaard School school in huahin โรงเรียนสองภาษา โรงเรียนภาษาอังกฤษ รังสิต ปทุมธานี ลาดพร้าว หัวหิน (bys.ac.th)

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

if you are not at least 65 years old and completely done I would not live in Hua Hin.

it is very boring as there are not many restaurants, like the small town that it is you see the same people everywhere you go, horrible shopping, terrible beach, filthy air (AQI yesterday was 182) and water and not much to do, maybe golf or volunteer to take care of a elephant. After 9pm it is hard to find  place to eat.   

 

the up side is immigration office will be better than Phuket, everything is it's cheaper, perhaps safer having a child not having the red light areas like Phuket and less police corruption. everything you need in concentrated in one area. Bangkok only 3.5 hours away by VIP bus.

 

have you actually tried to leave yet? 

Spot on???? The small experience I have had with Immigration and some other governments offices there make you feel in helpful hands which will be a rare experience down South IMO. Have to ???? of the age thing but correct. First time in Hua Hin I felt the home for elderly was around every corner. Another plus in Hua Hin, unless living in the middle of town, the traffic is much much less than in Phuket and that 24/7. 

Felt

Chinese New Year’s day declared a special public holiday.

No need for that most people the world over will never forget Chinese for a while.

1 hour ago, Unify said:

The AQI was between about 80 she 127 up until the last few days. Now Phuket is hovering in the 45-90 range. However, usually it's better than that, depending on where you are on the island.

Huh...better than most just couple hours ago Talat Yai, Mueang Air Quality Index (AQI) and Phuket Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

Somewhat different in Hua Hin but 90 there is actually acceptable  Hua Hin International School Air Quality Index (AQI) and Hua Hin Air Pollution | AirVisual (iqair.com)

On 2/6/2021 at 12:17 PM, USNret said:

I've been in Thailand since January 2020; non-O extension for marriage with Thai wife & 5-year-old daughter.  We've been in Hua Hin since March and became "accidental residents" as this is where we settled in when COVID came.  Thinking now about resettling to Phuket.  Wondering if people can offer comparisons.  

For perspective... we would like a decent international school for our daughter; choices are slim here.  Air is horrible here from the smoke. We hope to rent a pool villa... 2-3 bedroom home with private pool.  What sort of comparative lifestyle can we expect there?  

Thanks

There are maybe more choices for schools in Phuket but except the schools I think bringing up a child in Hua Hin is more relaxed and safer (except the air) for both children and parents. That aside and IMO its depends on lifestyle and preferences. Hua Hin is dusty, cool to cold in periods of the year and always windy in my experience.  Phuket have some of the best air in Thailand and still bring out a bit of tropical feeling even if cement have taken over a lot of the island. Phuket is greener but also have more or less rain 6 months a year included periods with flooded areas which sometimes can make it difficult to commute and for outdoor activities. When it comes to rental I think great deals can be made at both places this time.

Felt