Thailand travel bubble in chaos: Plans for international flights between participating countries put off indefinitely

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, PEE TEE said:

I have a 28 year lease on a house in thailand would this be proof of residency . to get back if i were in the UK. and a valid retirement visa   

 

No.

Added note your on a "permission of stay" That's temporary POS.

Edited July 8, 2020 by DrJack54

[Mr Meeseeks]

4 minutes ago, PEE TEE said:

I have a 28 year lease on a house in thailand would this be proof of residency . to get back if i were in the UK. and a valid retirement visa   

 

You are not a resident.

 

If you have a non-immigrant visa it is for "temporary stay for purposes other than tourism".

 

Doesn't matter what you own or rent in country, that isn't even considered.

[webfact]

Thailand expects to delay plans for 'travel bubble' on virus worries

 

FILE PHOTO: Immigration officers stand in front of an empty arrivals hall at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International airport amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Thailand, June 3, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand expects to delay plans for so-called travel bubbles given a resurgence in coronavirus infections in countries that had managed to contain the initial outbreak, a senior official told Reuters on Wednesday.

 

Thailand partially lifted a three-month ban on foreign visitors this month and had been planning to further boost tourism, a key contributor to its economy, by creating travel bubbles later in the year with countries like Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong that had managed to contain the virus.

 

But fresh outbreaks are creating uncertainty, Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said.

 

"The travel bubble that was going to begin in the fourth quarter could be delayed," he added. The government had previously said the travel bubble could begin in September.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-08

 

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"We adjusted our forecast for foreign arrivals this year to 8.2 million from 10-12 million," Yuthasak said.

 

Thailand recorded 6.7 million foreign arrivals in the first five months and is allowing business travelers and tourists seeking medical treatment to enter for the rest of the year.

 

The government this month will roll out a $722 million (£574.89 million) domestic tourism stimulus to boost revenue.

 

Tourism, mainly international visitors, is crucial to Thailand's economy. A record 39.8 million foreign tourists visited the country last year and spent 1.93 trillion baht, accounting for 11% of its GDP.

 

Thailand on Wednesday marked 44 days without a local transmission. It has reported total 3,197 virus infections, with Thai nationals returning from overseas accounting for new cases.

 

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Himani Sarkar)

[Mises]

Those countries that closed their borders such as Australia, New Zealand and Thailand that rely on tourism for a significant part of their economy are either going to have to open up and let COVID 19 do its worst, which is not very much for 99.9% of people, or remain closed for years and kiss goodbye to tourism, airports, airlines, hotels etc.

[steven100]

2 hours ago, Rancid said:

Assuming this continues the whole thing should be over within 6 months. If so then we'll all wonder why governments in most countries got it wrong and destroyed their economies.

I don't think they got it wrong. It's a virus and it's killing people so they need to act.

Unemployment will be the most affected .... with thousands of businesses closed or closing for good.

Economies will be starting again from scratch ...... it's like the world economic clock has been reset by a giant. You can blame all the governments you like but how was it started and introduced ? CHINA.

[nobodysfriend]

International flights indefinitely suspended for the moment ... that should mean Visa and 90 day reporting Amnesty should be indefinitely prolonged as well .

[mike787]

I told you it aint gonna happen...wait until late 2021-2022 at earliest to return. 

[nobodysfriend]

1 minute ago, steven100 said:

the world economic clock has been reset by a giant.

It's not a giant , it is so small that one needs an electron microscope to see it ... but it's impact on the world is gigantic .

[Isaan sailor]

Travel bubbles don’t work in large countries with multiple regions and airports.  Too easy to get into the bubble if you have Wuhan virus.

[Stadtler]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

t was planned that the bubble would include countries like China, Japan and South Korea.

 

But since the idea was mooted those countries have had renewed outbreaks of the virus.  

Stadtler is most dismayed and upset that Stadtler won't be seeing Chinese returning soon.

Edited July 8, 2020 by Stadtler

[86Tiger]

1 hour ago, Kaopad999 said:

I agree, keep international travel bans in place until  there is a vaccine for the virus.

Once the vaccine is available, then only allow  people to enter  Thailand that have had the vaccine.

Until then, keep he flood gates tightly in place.

That could be a very long wait.  The ever elusive AIDS vaccine has been just on the horizon for 20+ years.  It is always just few more months and few more millions of $ in the future.  But no shortage of those trying to get the millions $ for research.

 

There has never been a successful covid virus vaccine in the history of medicine.  But, this very well may be the one just send more money.....

[Keesters]

Thailand... Plans... Chaos.

 

Who'd have thought. 

Edited July 8, 2020 by Keesters

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

 

It is indeed true, right now, that CV cases are skyrocketing in many parts of the U.S., but death rates are not so much, thus far.  Whether that's because of the normal lag time between when a case is diagnosed thru the progression of illness to a death, OR, whether medical intervention is getting better OR something else, I don't think anyone knows for sure at this point.

 

 

 

It is a bit of both plus that the surge in cases in the south & west have been disproportionately in younger people as that is who rushed out into bars etc when they reopened.  What remains to be seen is whether this will be followed by a spike among older people. They do after all often live in the same family.

[mommysboy]

1 hour ago, Swimfan said:

Please show us accurate research that 20% confers immunity 

In general, we can say a significant portion of a given population already have immunity or seem impervious to the virus right from the get go- perhaps 20-60% depending on the virus.  So, imo the hypothesis has some merit.  When it comes to covid 19 of course we simply don't know, and that's why we shouldn't also be so dogmatic in our opposite views.

[ronaldo0]

Why did the uk have them as safe on their list then all of a sudden shifted them to highly unsafe like America ? 

[Swimfan]

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

It is a bit of both plus that the surge in cases in the south & west have been disproportionately in younger people as that is who rushed out into bars etc when they reopened.  What remains to be seen is whether this will be followed by a spike among older people. They do after all often live in the same family.

The death rate often peaks several weeks after the rise in infection numbers, probably too early to tell yet. Though one Texas doctor i saw on the news stated the patients they are seeing now are ten time sicker than patients they were seeing in March/April.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, CLW said:

Expect another U-Turn tomorrow.

 

They will never catch up with the UK, when Thailand thinks about one, Bojo has dropped several more bollxxxs that need circumnavigating.

You cannot blame any government for erring on the side of caution and many on here should be a little bit more considerate in what they wish for. Short term gain often leads to long term pain.

[Guderian]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

while the government figures out what countries should be in the bubble over the next couple of months.

Don't hold your breath, they're evidently not in any hurry to make a decision.

[DavisH]

3 hours ago, Rancid said:

In Australia the PM stated that as restrictions eased pockets would continue to pop up, but that was acceptable as the hospitals were ready to deal with it.

Then in Melbourne cases started to pop up, the media started screaming 2nd wave, and the rush for toilet paper restarted. Parts of Melbourne are now under house arrest for 6 weeks. So again we see this is not about easing the burden on hospitals, the idiots are trying to exterminate a virus.

So will be no travel bubble between Oz and Thailand any time soon.

Latest research suggests that a 20% infection rate confers herd immunity, in other words the virus will die out naturally. This news was of course not well received by vaccine makers. The US is in a panic as cases rise, the media is going wild. What they are not reporting in that the death rates have been falling for weeks and continue to do so. Assuming this continues the whole thing should be over within 6 months. If so then we'll all wonder why governments in most countries got it wrong and destroyed their economies.

Where did you read 20% for herd immunity? It should be closer to 60-70%. And the death rate lags weeks behind the infection rate. It will increase, but perhaps not as much as when the NE of the USA got hit. But who knows, given the number of retirees in Florida and a high percentage with pre-existing conditions in many states of the US.

[fersken]

If they do not open up to the EU soon and cancel their 14-day quarantine so that they can get started in all the empty hotels on the tourist islands, they will face a huge bill on the other side of this virus ????

[natway09]

Some of your comments seem a bit of the old  "Thai knocking" again.

Obviously many posters on here know exactly what to do but it is not an easy decision to make.

They had the intestinal fortitude to admit that their planned idea was not feasible at this time & I for one applaud them for that.

The worldwide situation is changing every day so it is no wonder that today's plan will not be of any use tomorrow.

It was an effort to get an industry off it's back & at least on it's knees which employs thousands of vulnerable people who are desperate to earn even 20% of what they earned before.

The smart alec comments I notice knock, knock, but as usual offer no solutions which of course 

if you stop & think about it before posting there are none at this time

[unamazedloso]

i think its smart but the amnesty needs to be extended and families somehow need to reunite. I am in Thailand and have nothing back in Aus for me. Would have to stay in a hotel until it blows over which i certainly dont want. Married with kids here that need me so hope this amnesty is extended. 

[rupert the bear]

several countries in the region qualify,get on with it.japan s korea vietnam hk etc but not china.why- it lies.tourism and travel wont catch with these crazy rules either.100k insurance only an island to travel in,groups ahhh social distancing ha ha etc.its almost childlike.the economy must expand its the worse prognosis in asia.high up there in the world.tourism and manufacturing a deadly double so......manu demand they cant help its external but eu is opening and usa to  some degree but tourism at a regional level must start or it goes to the wall.theres several countries there,here they dont test.why?its obvious why.you wont find cases if u dont look.theres not a massive no of them but they are here ,clusters exist everywhere even in aus china japan s korea so.......tracking and....testing will cure that.so we wait till foreigners come in then increase tests then bingo we have a scapegoat.more control. the govts side stepped a no of issues and stays in the driving seat,the rich get richer and the poor get the picture.same old story but when will the masses choke on this swill?they are obedient and gullible thats for sure.

[Sumarianson]

4 hours ago, BestB said:

1 step forward, 3 steps back.

 

China should have never been on that list to begin with

But the Chinese are the only tourists possible to Thailand for this government. Does not matter that it started in China or the Chinese government lied. Just want the money.

[Millcx]

4 hours ago, ezzra said:

The reason why China was on the list is that Thailand would Not Dare not to include China in, and what? say no to the really big boss to the north?...

When they are building them a railway 5555

[Mikeasq60]

Im going to bet Thailand will be open in the near future or face dire consequences with the economy. It'll make this CV small in comparison. Im married to a Thai so I know I can return. Im working in one of those far flung countries I cant leave at will presently. The people making the lock down decisions can survive a shutdown for a long period of time and not worry about a thing. The Thai govt cant deny the Thai economy is hurting badly.

[vinny41]

47 minutes ago, fersken said:

If they do not open up to the EU soon and cancel their 14-day quarantine so that they can get started in all the empty hotels on the tourist islands, they will face a huge bill on the other side of this virus ????

And Here is a good example of why the 14 day quartantine period should remain

The two new cases are males who showed no symptoms. The first one returned on 23rd June and tested positive on 5th July. The second one returned on 24th June and tested positive on 5th July

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1280727620426928128/photo/1

So 1st person tested positive on day 11 and 2nd person tested positive on day 10

Cancelling their 14 day quarantine and letting everyone in with quarantine looks like a stupid option

Edited July 8, 2020 by vinny41
typo

[pubba]

18 minutes ago, unamazedloso said:

i think its smart but the amnesty needs to be extended and families somehow need to reunite. I am in Thailand and have nothing back in Aus for me. Would have to stay in a hotel until it blows over which i certainly dont want. Married with kids here that need me so hope this amnesty is extended. 

I'm in the same boat. Hoping for some news on the visa amnesty soon. I was planning to apply for a new 1 year visa based on marriage at Laos or Vietnam but both options are closed indefinitely. 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

50 minutes ago, mommysboy said:

In general, we can say a significant portion of a given population already have immunity or seem impervious to the virus right from the get go- perhaps 20-60% depending on the virus.  So, imo the hypothesis has some merit.  When it comes to covid 19 of course we simply don't know, and that's why we shouldn't also be so dogmatic in our opposite views.

 

There's a big difference between contracting the virus and being contagious to those around you but without symptoms VS somehow being immune to the virus.

 

I haven't read or seen anything like what you seem to be suggesting about any significant portion of the previously un-infected population somehow being "impervious" or immune to the virus itself. Once again, opinions offered, but no link to any credible supporting evidence.

Edited July 8, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Mikeasq60]

3 hours ago, Walker88 said:

Maybe Thailand is being wise. According to some research, the virus has mutated into a more 'catchable' form, so opening borders could bring it back in.

 

Also, a few people who have gone to Govt hospitals have told me some patients get whisked away as Covid is feared. That may be exaggeration or it may be a precaution for anyone who shows Covid-like symptoms. I hesitate to say it, because there is a view the govt is downplaying the actual # of cases, but since multiple people have told me, I mention it so anyone who has become complacent in Thailand can be reminded that precautions still make sense, especially those above 60, of which many expats reading here are. It doesn't hurt to try to stay safe.

 

Regarding the economic impact, 'seedcorn' is saved for rainy days. It's now raining. Thailand has built up a sizable amount of FX reserves since 1997, and if there was ever a time to use them for the benefit of the people, that time is now. People are hurting badly. The majority of BKK hotels remain closed, and even the ones open are furloughing or rotating staff.  Some work one week, then get 2-3 weeks off....without pay. Help them get through this! (Yes, I am well aware such concern for the Thai people might take a little prodding of the govt, but if they ever want to gain real popular support, aiding the people would be a pretty nice way to do it.)

 

Because Thailand has some accumulated wealth in govt coffers, it need not make the decision between opening and saving the economy, OR keeping things closed and suffering the economic fallout. They can use Thai monetary reserves to buy time until more is known about the virus, better treatments become known and available (such as how HIV doesn't have a vaccine, but has truly effective treatments), or there is actually a working vaccine.

 

This is an unprecedented time in modern history, so there is no set path or 'normal' solution. Day by day.....

Whats the fate of the common flu if I may ask?