josephbloggs

On 5/20/2022 at 8:41 PM, John Drake said:

Still won't let go of the insurance scam.

Ok, I have asked this question to several posters who shout "insurance scam" yet not one has replied. Not a single one.   Maybe you can be the first?

Explain the scam.  That is all I ask.  You can use any insurance company you like - Thai or foreign.  The requirement ($10k cover) is super minimal and has been continually reduced (form $100k to $50k to $20k to $10k).  You are NOT mandated to use a Thai company and I would suggest most foreign tourists buy travel insurance in their own country., so the majority of policies will be provided by foreign companies.   If you are employed in Thailand (as a foreigner) you are covered by social security and don't need further insurance at all.

None of that exactly says scam does it?  A scam would usually have a single beneficiary, no?

So come on, you can be the first.  I know you have collected all your "likes" already for shouting scam so it is job done for you, but it is really boring and I just want one single scam shouter to reply and explain it.  

55 minutes ago, RandiRona said:

Safe passage?? Most Asean countries has opened their borders and figured out what is safe for them. Thailand still believes that 10k scam Insurance and cumbersome ThaiPass approval would keep bringing trillions of baht to Thai economy.

Yawn, here we go again, and no "scam screamer" has ever answered this question, maybe you can be the first.

Explain the scam.  The insurance requirements are very minimal and have been reduced several times already.  You can buy from any insurance company you like - foreign or Thai - there is no mandate to use any company.  If you are employed here you do not need any insurance as you are covered by Thai social security.  So where is the scam?  Can you please enlighten me.

And the cumbersome Thai Pass take 5-6 minutes and is pretty simple, and you receive your approval in a  matter of hours.  No better or worse than many other countries.  Likely it will be gone soon but it really is not hard, I suspect though that you've never done it.

Anyway, enlighten me as to the scam please, I might learn something.

20 minutes ago, d2b2 said:

Do you not have health insurance? Are you one of the people who expect a Gofundme appeal to cover medical expenses in an emergency?

 

the Thailand Pass basically accepts all health insurance or trip insurance policies issued from any country. It has no requirement that you buy insurance from Thai providers. It just requires you demonstrate responsibility, but showing you are covered.

 

You may as well talk to the wall.  He doesn't reply to any questions, doesn't respond to logical information, he just yells "scam" and then runs away.

7 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

Announcements are hitting the street that 1 million tourists have arrived this year, and each was required to purchase Covid insurance. The absolute cheapest I've seen is ฿650, and I'd bet most of those tourists bought insurance a lot more expensive. That's a minumum of ฿165,000,000. Don't tell me there aren't brown envelope discussions on how to keep this cash cow alive as long as possible.

Well done, you managed to drop "brown envelopes" in too!  You are on a roll!

Don't you think most foreign travellers buy travel insurance in their home countries?  So are these foreign companies sending their brown envelopes by DHL?

And if they wanted to keep this "cash cow" rolling why have they been continually decreasing the coverage amount required?  Why wouldn't they still ask for $100k cover?  Why drop it to $50k, then $20k, now $10k?

Again, have a think and then come back to me.  Maybe in your next post you can add "another nail in the tourism industry" then I think you have ticked all the TVF cliche boxes.

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

You really are like a dog with a bone. Again, apply for Thai Pass without proof of insurance. STILL waiting.

Sorry you didn't answer how that is a scam. If you had to buy insurance from a single company that was owned by someone in government and it was overpriced I would agree with you.

But you can chose any insurance company you like: Thai or foreign.   So how is it a scam?  Still waiting for you to explain.

And if you have Thai social security (Ie. you are employed here) you are already covered and can submit a letter from your employer in lieu of insurance.  I know people who have done that.

So, again, in your own words, please explain how it is a scam.  

18 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

The insurance scam is raking in the money, particularly now that the pandemic is for all intents and purposes over.

You do like your TVF cliches don't you.  First it was "Thai Pass cash cow".  Brilliant.  Oh, then when it was pointed out that TP is simple and free you bleat "insurance scam".

The insurance requirements are very low (you can get it for 650 baht - I just did).  You can buy from any foreign insurance company you like, there is no mandate to use any particular company.  If you are employed by a Thai company you are covered by social security so don't need to buy anything.

So please explain these cash cows and scams that are free and non obligatory.  Please try and explain by yourself in your own words without using cliches and TVF buzz words.

And do you not think that everyone involved - government, hoteliers, travel companies - would make a hell of a lot more money were TP and these restriction not in place?

Apply some logic please, can't wait to hear your explanation of this scam.

21 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

They'll keep squeezing as much as they can from the cash cow known as Thai Pass as long as possible.

You mean that cash cow Thai Pass that is completely free for everyone??
 

16 hours ago, drgoon said:

We are in Isaan and can't seem to find a booster seat for our 6yo other than on Lazada etc.

 

 

 

So order from Lazada then.

1 hour ago, RamenRaven said:

This means everyone will be required to have a smartphone in order to enter Thailand right, since QR codes are mandatory?

 

What about old-fashioned people who don't use phones? Even right up to early 2020, no immigration officers anywhere in the world would even care if you had a smartphone or not.

 

This means forcing phoneless elderly relatives and friends to use smartphones if they want to visit Thailand and having to budget around $100 more to get phones for them.

 

And what happens if you have a laptop but no phone, or if your phone runs out of batteries and you have no power bank?

 

No one is forcing anyone to use anything.  You don't need a smartphone at all, but you do need a computer to do the application.

Proof of vaccination can be the paper certificate they give you when you get your vaccine (which you can upload on to Thai Pass when you apply).  They then email you an approval with a QR code.  You are free to print this out and carry it with you - the immigration officer can scan a printed QR code just as well as one on a phone screen.  Print it out, carry the paper with you.

Simple.

On 5/13/2022 at 3:08 PM, KanchanaburiGuy said:

Hmmm. 

 

Do you think you can generate enough additional business to pay for a substantial capital investment like 2 e-motorcycles?

 

You can't really pay for them out of the profits of your existing business, because then you're just buying toys. You've got to be able to pay for them out of the additional business this new direction allows you to generate.

 

I dunno, 2 e-motorcycles seems like a mighty big hurdle! 555

 

Cheers! 

And he'd also have to invest in an online platform to allow people the convenience of browsing his menu, seeing pictures, reading reviews, ordering and paying, and tracking.

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Double check this tomorrow (if you have not already received a Thailand Pass QR code). As it is not unknown for applications, even though confirmed, to later vanish from the system -- I have had it happen.

 

Also, once you get QR code, scan it to be sure its says Accepted or Confirmed (I forget the exact wording). And do that again shortly before your trip. It happened in my family that the code actually said "Rejected",  or had at some point changed to say this, and we discovered it only at the airport and you can imagine what a problem that was. I'm told that occurs in only 1 case in 100 but that is no comfort if it happens to you. So scan the QR.

 

Indeed the Pass might not be needed come July but there is no assurrance on this. For those who already hold year round insurance there is no cost or down side to applying up to 60 days ahead of time. This who would be buying insurance solely to meet Pass requirements I would advise to wait until 2-3 weeks before the planned trip.

Interesting, thanks for the tip.  Just scanned mine to be sure, all good.

Similar experience to others on timing.  I am going to the UK for a quick trip so did my TP late Friday afternoon.  Very simple.  Received my approval by email early the next morning.  Really not the big deal so many posters make it out to be.

They then emailed a survey so I completed that and gave my feedback that you really should be able to upload PDFs.   If they are genuinely following up with the surveys it is good that they are seeking feedback to improve.

I also expect the whole TP thing to be gone soon anyway.

1 hour ago, Harveyboy said:

yep insurance ..scam scam scam

Yawn Yawn Yawn.

Explain who is being scammed and how.  The coverage amount required is extremely low, you can use any insurance company you like, Thai, foreign, it doesn't matter.

You do realise the government, hoteliers, absolutely everyone, would make heaps more money if there were no entry requirements.  So explain the scam.   I suppose you also said hospitels were a scam but they got rid of that requirement months ago, oh then the quarantine was a scam but, oh, they reduced that down to one day months ago but it was still a scam (even though those same hotels would make a lot more money if the country was open) but then they dropped that requirement so maybe it wasn't a scam.

Oh, but now the insurance is a scam even though they have continually lowered the amount of coverage required now to a very small amount that costs peanuts to buy...........and you can buy from whoever you like.

Can you even think for yourself?  Or are you one of those posters who just goes around shouting "scam" at everything??  

2 hours ago, Capella said:

I flew to Fiji recently. The airline check in staff took just a few seconds to check my vaccination certificate, travel insurance, and prebooking for a covid test after arrival.

 

Why do some people want covid drama to go on forever, and are addicted to mindless bureaucracy? Does it make people feel artificially safe? Is everyone suffering from Stockholm Syndrome?

Great, took you a few seconds.  Not everybody would have everything in order or be so easily checked, especially if they were vaccinated in different places.  There would undoubtedly be delays and annoyances and congestion at the check in.    Why wouldn't you want that stuff cleared up for everybody in advance so check in is just as simple as can be?

And if you were referring to me I have no idea why you think I want the Covid drama to continue.  I actually think they should drop Thailand Pass now and just go back to how things used to be (and I suspect that within a month that will happen).  But until that happens I would rather have people getting cleared online by the destination health authority and not have that done by airlines at check in.  Too much potential for mess and people delaying me.  Just because you say you got checked once quickly it does not mean that would be the same for every passenger.

1 hour ago, wasabi said:

where did you find insurance for 650 THB?

 

***update found the site with the low cost insurance using FWD insurance which was accepted.

Glad you found it.  It is actually linked to on the Thailand Pass site.   30 days' cover, 650 baht.  

Here's a direct link in case it helps anyone else:

https://partner.fwdgi.co.th/en/fwdgi/corona-virus-inbound-insurance?utm_source=tqmbroker

3 hours ago, Capella said:

There's a big QR code on international vaccination certificates. It can be scanned and checked in seconds, just like a passport. 

 

Airlines could also collect it via their own websites along with other APIS data that they already collect. 

 

Too easy.

So every single airline should invest in online systems to check vaccination status from any country and make sure it will satisfy the (ever changing) rules of every single country they fly to?  

Really?? 

Or how about they don't do the work of every single country's health department and instead you upload to them directly to make sure they are satisfied and you can fly without stress. That sounds good doesn't it? 

Why don't airlines just put the ESTA form on their website too? Perhaps they could also handle via applications too as they already have websites that do stuff. 

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

To all the people saying the airlines can check vaccination status.  Would you REALLY want that rather than having it done online before you travel?  Imagine how annoying and slow check in would be as they checked each person, different people vaccinated in different countries with different types of documentation - it would be a nightmare!!  Totally impractical and would slow things down immensely.   A horrible idea.

 

Just have it verified online in advance.  

I am travelling to Singapore next month, that beacon of efficiency.  I have to have my vaccination status verified online to generate a letter for Singapore immigration.  What's the problem with that?  Why would you want the airlines doing that at check in??  I want my check in to be as quick and painless as possible.

Then there would be the people who aren't vaccinated or don't have the correct proof - the arguments at the desk as they are told they can't fly, all the people waiting behind them.

It is an incredibly stupid idea and I can't believe so many people here are proposing it rather than a simple online pre-flight verification process.  And to think these same posters say Thais have no logic!

7 hours ago, Capella said:

Thais don't need insurance, but we still need a Thailand Pass.

 

As others have said, it's pointless. If they want to check vaccination status, they can do it at flight check in.

To all the people saying the airlines can check vaccination status.  Would you REALLY want that rather than having it done online before you travel?  Imagine how annoying and slow check in would be as they checked each person, different people vaccinated in different countries with different types of documentation - it would be a nightmare!!  Totally impractical and would slow things down immensely.   A horrible idea.

Just have it verified online in advance.  

I am travelling to Singapore next month, that beacon of efficiency.  I have to have my vaccination status verified online to generate a letter for Singapore immigration.  What's the problem with that?  Why would you want the airlines doing that at check in??  I want my check in to be as quick and painless as possible.

1 hour ago, garyk said:

This reminds me of the 800,000 in a Thai bank for retirement.  Everyone was saying it was a pittance. Thailand is happy to take your money.  

Yawn.

If you dislike paying a Thai insurance company 650 baht for your cover then feel free to use any foreign company as they care more about making you happy than making money.

1 minute ago, garyk said:

Ok, 650/person , conservative estimate of 100,000/Mo.  at 30 baht / person = 2 million one hundred and sixty six million dollars x 12 = twenty six million dollars / year.  

I don't think it is the 650 bath people are moaning about it is the blatant rip off.

650 baht for $20k USD cover is a blatant rip off?????

It IS the 650 baht that people are moaning about - it is exactly what you are doing!

Jeez.

3 hours ago, Dexxter said:

Thailand have made getting a visa harder as well. Their Ministry of Foreign Affairs decreed that Honorary Consuls throughout the world are no longer permitted to process or issue any visas to enter Thailand. In Australia we could go to the Consul in our state capital city to get a visa. Now only Sydney and Canberra are permitted to issue them. Yet another hoop to jump through. I sit here wondering how safe I feel sending my passport to them through the post. If you want to ask them a question over the phone you can only call during a 3 hour window between 9:30am and 12:30pm weekdays, yet another silly restriction.

Boo Hoo.  You want foreign embassies to have offices accepting applications in every city?  It is the same the world over.  Live life on the edge, send your application by DHL, you'll be fine.

It is not Thailand making it harder for you, it is the way of the world.  And be thankful for your three hour window, we don't get that with the British embassy.

1 hour ago, wasabi said:

where did you find insurance for 650 THB?

One of the three Covid policy insurance companies linked to when you apply for Thailand Pass.  30 days cover for anyone up to the age of 85, no questions asked, covers the $10k cover they require (it actually covers for $20k).  Took me two minutes to apply and pay and receive my policy that I could upload to TP.   650 baht, what is the big deal for people here?

If you genuinely need help DM me and I can give you the company details, so easy.

2 hours ago, rumak said:

to make sure they make some money   

Another tiresome comment.  You can use any foreign insurance company you like.  They provide three very low cost local options if you need it (650 baht for me just now) but otherwise use whoever you want.

Thailand Pass is free, no one is getting rich from this.  It's just another idiotic Thai bashing thing to say.

4 hours ago, kennw said:

And for those people that can afford to self insure, and those in the age bracket that the insure companies dont want to know about?  

It is 650 baht.  If you can afford to self insure you can afford 650 baht.  Guess what?  I self insure, but I am going to the UK this month so I spunked the 650 baht to get the insurance cover for Thailand Pass.  Crazy spender, I know.

And that 650 baht covers people up to 85 years of age with no questions.

Why do people on here have to make massive mountains out of things that are barely even molehills?

 

8 hours ago, SmartyMarty said:

I've just done the TP, no paperwork involved, no uncertainty, and all approved in a matter of hours. Very easy.

Exactly the same.  I just did it for the first time as I'm going to the UK.  Was expecting it to me a nightmare after all the moaning you read on here.........then you realise most of those moaning have probably never even done it.

It was really pretty simple, fill out some info, upload a few images.  5 minutes max.  Really not that big a deal.  And like someone else has said if that puts you off then how the hell do you manage to book a flight or a hotel?

Would I rather I didn't have to do it?  Of course, and I expect pretty soon you won't have to.  Was it difficult or troublesome?  Not in the least.  And the insurance cost me a whopping 650 baht.

5 hours ago, LukKrueng said:

There used to be a temple in BKK where they were teaching youngsters to repair appliances. I called them when had things like that and they'd come and take it. I'll try to look for the name and contact number.

 

That's the place:

https://thailandtourismdirectory.go.th/en/attraction/23310

Wat Suan Kaew

That's excellent!