Bad News from Cambodia

[Scouse123]

2 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

I read this on an international travel website this morning:

 

"It seems that some countries are competing with each other who can have the most draconian and traveler unfriendly entry requirements"

 

 

And they are not wrong, are they?

 

It's just ridiculous now and shows those in authority are clueless and not fit for purpose.

[andre47]

3 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

I read this on an international travel website this morning:

 

"It seems that some countries are competing with each other who can have the most draconian and traveler unfriendly entry requirements"

And other countries don't care about spreading the virus.

[BritManToo]

15 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

I read this on an international travel website this morning:

 

"It seems that some countries are competing with each other who can have the most draconian and traveler unfriendly entry requirements"

It'll be interesting to see how long SEA countries can hold out with no foreign tourists or international trade.

Cambodia is in a particularly weak position over this, even their currency is foreign (USD).

But Thailand, Laos, Vietnam can probably do without for a fairly long time.

[otherstuff1957]

33 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

What do you mean?

 

Can you expand on that statement?

Non-O retirement Visas are not being offered in many of our home countries anymore.  If people cannot go to Laos or Cambodia to get one, the Non-O retirement visa is indeed dead in the water. 

However, I would say the the Non-O retirement visa is dead in the water for now.  Depending upon whose income is impacted by the end of tourism, these decisions may be quickly reversed.

[baansgr]

22 hours ago, heist said:

Given how much work the IOs put into skimming an extra 300 thb off everything there is no way I would trust them with that amount of cash. Be cheaper to fly back to Australia every 3 months.  

And the fist sign of anyone not being refunded, visitors would stop immediately..

[JohnOFphon]

So what do you do if you have a Non OA and want to leave and come back with  Visa Exempt??

 

Forced to pay an agent 25,000..buy useless insurance...6,000 plus.????

Get married to a Thai....yikes!!!!

 

I guess Immigration wouldn't be interested in letting current OA holders change to an O without leaving and coming back.?

That would help us, and we know they have no interest in doing that.

Searching for answers...coming up blank.

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, JohnOFphon said:

I guess Immigration wouldn't be interested in letting current OA holders change to an O without leaving and coming back.?

That would help us, and we know they have no interest in doing that.

Searching for answers...coming up blank.

You are confusing what Immigration will allow, with what the MFA will allow.

Immigration only help themselves make money, but they aren't the guys that make the rules.

The current amnesty completely excluded Immigration from the chain of command, for a good reason.

 

I suspect the current amnesty will be extended, probably until the end of the year.

There are no borders opening, and no aircraft flying.

Pointless to worry about something inherently unpredictable.

 

[NanLaew]

21 hours ago, Pilotman said:

yes it has changed and from what I can gather, Asia as a whole thinks that the western countries have all gone stark raving mad. Seeing the massive over reaction and violence in the UK with the BLM issues, they may well be right.  Thank Goodness I am not in the UK/US/Any western country, right now. Thailand is a model of calm and rationality in comparison. 

It helps when the government has ALL the guns.

[Pilotman]

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

It helps when the government has ALL the guns.

true, it does make deciding who to vote for a lot easier for the public when you figuratively have an M16 stuck in your ear.  

[DJ54]

$3000 is insane ... if you had a family of 3 ... nearly $10k. IMO there

will be a delay getting it back...... ooops Johnny lost the cash box.

 

Nothing worth seeing there for the headache

[Burma Bill]

Great news, and well done the Cambodian Authorities whilst the covid-19 pandemic is on-going. No doubt when the "all clear" is given, these requirements will be lifted and hundreds of thousands of tourists will flock into the country again - especially the Chinese gamblers to Sihanoukville and others to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. No such requirements for those of us foreigners already living in Cambodia.

[Max69xl]

22 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

It's an absurd demand that will mean the end of mass tourism, upon which a significant section of the population has become dependent, if implemented long term; even more so with regards Thailand, if it imposes similar conditions.

Why would Thai immigration ask for a deposit when it's easier to demand a travel/health insurance? If entering a neighboring country which were in lockdown the same time as Thailand, a 14 days quarantine would not (logically) be necessary. 

[BritManToo]

45 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Why would Thai immigration ask for a deposit when it's easier to demand a travel/health insurance? If entering a neighboring country which were in lockdown the same time as Thailand, a 14 days quarantine would not (logically) be necessary. 

Because, like the condo-jet ski-m/c deposit it's really easy to keep.

[Bangkok Barry]

22 hours ago, problemfarang said:

Let me add up another thing. Lets say Laos will do the same things or Thailand. Now imagine how many people can bring 3000$ with them. Also many people staying in thailand already started to ask money from their parents or friends. 

 

It will be a nightmare for the people in my situation: After july, go to Laos to get a new NON-O visa. 14 days in laos + 3000$. We all know that a very normal level hotel is around 400-500 baht in Savanakhet.. Daily food and so on.. you will spend min 1000 baht per day. dude... 

If Laos does this. If Thailand does that. Utter nonsense to speculate what the situation will be six weeks from now.

Make up something else to worry about while you're waiting.

[Bangkok Barry]

20 hours ago, blackcab said:

It's worse than that. The announcement says that everyone will have to pay for $165 testing. Then, if any one person on the plane tests positive, everyone in the plane will be quarantined. Everyone will then pay $1,281 for their quarantine, whether they test positive or not. If you test positive, your treatment and quarantine will cost a minimum of $3,255.

 

First you need a $50,000 medical insurance policy and a covid 19 negative test dated within the previous 3 days.

 

Enter Cambodia, then pay for a test. You then have to gamble $1,281 and 14 days on whether anyone else in the flight has the virus. Hopefully, your health insurance will refund you for this part of the process if you are positive. If you are negative, I would imagine your insurance won't refund you. After all, health insurance doesn't reimburse healthy people. If everyone tests negative, it's still self isolation at your home address/hotel and another test on day 13.

 

You must really, really need to enter Cambodia to go through that. One positive result and everyone is locked up.

Easy for most to simply not go there. Problem solved.

[VBF]

21 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

If Laos does this. If Thailand does that. Utter nonsense to speculate what the situation will be six weeks from now.

Make up something else to worry about while you're waiting.

And that, as @BritManToo said above sums it up.

As much as I'm as dismayed as others about all these rule changes, the regulations are changing almost on a daily basis both in SEA and elsewhere. Basically governments worldwide are still grappling with the unknown.

 

Add to that the inherent corruption in some countries, government stupidity / incompetence  in almost all countries, (!) then trying to predict more than a few days ahead is futile.

 

Despite my earlier comments about feeling more comfortable in UK at present, we are making a pig's breakfast of it too, (witness our "policies" on quarantine and / or masks)  but as I said....still grappling with the unknown.

I wonder if any of the "experts" on TV could do a better job of pleasing everyone - I doubt if I could. ????

[Burma Bill]

39 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Easy for most to simply not go there. Problem solved.

Yes indeed whilst the pandemic exists - goes for many other countries as well. Peace of mind for us foreigners already living in Cambodia.

[ChouDoufu]

21 hours ago, ukrules said:

I guess that's the end of any and all tourism to Cambodia until this is over.

 

What I don't understand is the need for both cash and insurance, why not just insurance?

 

Obviously with cash there's a lot more room for corruption.

 

cheap charlie insurance policies can have high deductibles, in the $thousands, and usually have a staff of lawyers to assist in non-payment of claims.  even legitimate insurers may deny coverage for covid19.  note the embassy list only required $50k insurance coverage.  there was no requirement that the policy provide a certificate guaranteeing covid19 cover.

 

also note the deposit can be in cash, or by credit card.  at least you have some protection there.

 

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50732611/foreigners-to-be-charged-for-c-19-quarantine-tests/

 

but $100 for covid19 testing?  somebody's nephew is making bank.

[ChouDoufu]

4 hours ago, BritTim said:

Excluding travel bubbles with a few Covid-19 free countries, I think they have already written off tourist income for the foreseeable future. If, by October, they can reach an agreement with China for supervised visits by Chinese tour groups, I believe they will be very satisfied.

 

EDIT: And being Covid-19 free is the only realistic chance they have of the Chinese authorities allowing visits by Chinese tour groups.

there are options.

 

china could lease a section of beachfront, put up gates and walls, restrict access to tour groups and employees.  require all employees, after testing, to remain on site for the duration of the high season.  tour groups would stay inside the quarantine/restricted zone. 

 

basically setting up an expanded airside terminal on the beach.  changi airport on steroids.  come to think of it, expand the zone to include a dedicated airstrip for chinese charter flights to reduce contact with the local population.

 

everyone wins.  tourists are separated from the general population, but still get their tropical vacation.  some locals are employed.  ministers, generals and friends maintain their high standard of living.

 

this:

https://www.beaches.com/all-inclusive/

 

 

[uhuh]

25 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

there are options.

 

china could lease a section of beachfront, put up gates and walls, restrict access to tour groups and employees.  require all employees, after testing, to remain on site for the duration of the high season.  tour groups would stay inside the quarantine/restricted zone. 

 

basically setting up an expanded airside terminal on the beach.  changi airport on steroids.  come to think of it, expand the zone to include a dedicated airstrip for chinese charter flights to reduce contact with the local population.

 

everyone wins.  tourists are separated from the general population, but still get their tropical vacation.  some locals are employed.  ministers, generals and friends maintain their high standard of living.

 

this:

https://www.beaches.com/all-inclusive/

 

 

cf Cuba, Dominican republic...

[uhuh]

25 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

there are options.

 

china could lease a section of beachfront, put up gates and walls, restrict access to tour groups and employees.  require all employees, after testing, to remain on site for the duration of the high season.  tour groups would stay inside the quarantine/restricted zone. 

 

basically setting up an expanded airside terminal on the beach.  changi airport on steroids.  come to think of it, expand the zone to include a dedicated airstrip for chinese charter flights to reduce contact with the local population.

 

everyone wins.  tourists are separated from the general population, but still get their tropical vacation.  some locals are employed.  ministers, generals and friends maintain their high standard of living.

 

this:

https://www.beaches.com/all-inclusive/

 

 

Some insurances just don't pay. No need for a lawyer.

A Thai hospital would be very reluctant to sue a western insurance in its home country. 

[gamesgplayemail]

They will be rich on July 31 st ????

 

 

[BritTim]

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

So you can't tell the difference between 'victims' and 'troublemakers'?

It is often the case (as with the demonstrations against systemic racism) that victims become troublemakers when they agitate for just treatment. If you believe victims should quietly accept their fate, we hold different views on human rights. 

[BritManToo]

9 minutes ago, BritTim said:

t is often the case (as with the demonstrations against systemic racism) that victims become troublemakers when they agitate for just treatment.

Are you suggesting some of the protesters had been slaves?

[Dumbastheycome]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Are you suggesting some of the protesters had been slaves?

It seems we are all slaves to the many variables of  life! No matter which side of  any fence we stand beside.

I can acknowledge that stand.

It's the ones  who straddle the top wire I would  like to  see lose a moment of concentration !????

[Letseng]

On 6/12/2020 at 8:48 AM, Pilotman said:

yes it has changed and from what I can gather, Asia as a whole thinks that the western countries have all gone stark raving mad. Seeing the massive over reaction and violence in the UK with the BLM issues, they may well be right.  Thank Goodness I am not in the UK/US/Any western country, right now. Thailand is a model of calm and rationality in comparison. 

...and under emergency law.

You forget that Europe isn't a country. But many countries with different governments and laws and people.  In my neck of the woods we have nothing like UK, Italy, Germany etc. All statues are standing, no covid deaths for weeks and a handful of new infections now and then. We have efficient testing and tracing. 

[Chivas]

On 6/12/2020 at 10:19 AM, ukrules said:

I guess that's the end of any and all tourism to Cambodia until this is over.

 

What I don't understand is the need for both cash and insurance, why not just insurance?

 

Obviously with cash there's a lot more room for corruption.

This is the end of all tourism in Asia for the forseeable future

You wait till Thailand lists its huge onerous requirements for inbound travellers and it will make Cambodia took like an attractive proposition.....

[Catkiwi]

On 6/12/2020 at 11:48 AM, problemfarang said:

 

yes. And also think like this: You go for a new NON-O ... 14 days in laos or cambodia and another 14 days in thailand... 28 days... damn

Take a carry out!

 

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, Chivas said:

This is the end of all tourism in Asia for the forseeable future

You wait till Thailand lists its huge onerous requirements for inbound travellers and it will make Cambodia took like an attractive proposition.....

All tourism and most international trade as well.

Can't see many businessmen wanting to lose 14 days to make any sort of deals.

The Cambodia clothing factories will be shut for a long time.

[andre47]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Can't see many businessmen wanting to lose 14 days to make any sort of deals.

The Cambodia clothing factories will be shut for a long time.

I don't think so. They will allow the Chinese to come without quarantine. They run the factories. Cambodia is already a Chinese province.