Plan on the table to allow Europe’s ‘snowbirds’ into Thailand for up to 9 months

[eeworldwide]

I think that thailand refuses or is unable, to view themselves from the outside perspective.

 

What made Thailand a popular tourist destination in the past, was that it was

• cheap
• carefree
• accessible
• fun
• exciting    

People came to Thailand because it meant they could get away from the bureaucracy which plagues the west; one could come here and clamber on a motorcycle and travel on pavements. You could dash away and be anonymous at a full moon party, or go up north and get lost in the jungle and fall in love with some crazy isaan girl and have mad sex parties until dawn (if that floats your boat) or you could take the family to a high-end resort in the south and have all manner of fun on boats and beaches.

 

You could be a pretty broke student backpacker with $50 in your bumbag, and you could stay in a crappy hostel and meet up with other fellow stinkies, and hitch it down to the south and have an adventure and make friends for life.

 

You could go kickboxing and train with some of the best in the word. Go rock climbing, sky diving, snorkelling and deep sea diving, and all at competitive prices.

You could finish it all off with a couple of hedonistic nights in Bangkok, which might still only cost you 1500-3000 baht, if you weren't completely insane ( less than that 10 years ago)

You could visit the silk factories in the north and go camping in Kao Yai, or if you were elderly you could receive great medical attention and get pleasured by a pretty nurse into the bargain.

If you were american you could have a stab at setting up a business pretty easily ( it would fail after a year or 2  - but still have some fun).

 

Simply put, that has all gone; poof! Up and disappeared like a fart in the wind, never to return.

 

It was going downhill long before Covid, and now it's well and truly gone forever.

The problem lies within Thailand and their inability to appreciate tourists and to integrate - and hell - even to learn the bloody english language properly.

 

Nobody is getting on a plane to stay here anymore.

 

As long as covid exists it will be over.

 

Thailand needs to accept that the world is not standing at the departure gates across the globe straining at the leash to get here - and even if and when they DID get here - they'd soon find out how deathly BORING it is now!

 

There's a horrible pall of depression hanging over everything and the current political situation is further dragging everything down and is like a powder keg waiting to blow. 

 

You can't have FUN here anymore.

 

Pattaya is dead - its all GONE. The fun was in the relative anonymity - the great melting pot hodgepodge of people from all over the world - getting lost in clubs in Silom and China town and waking up hungover with a bad tattoo  - it's all gone. It's over.

 

Stupid hairbrained "Schemes" are not going to solve it  - because nobody is thinking about thailand. Nobody wants to come - everyone just wants their lives back - and that starts at HOME. And HOME is screwed because some Chinese clowns wanted to eat bats for dinner.

 

[newnative]

  At last some good thinking.  Bring back the snowbirds and allow everybody here to stay as long as they want.  Throw out all the visa rules and requirements for the next few years.

[BritManToo]

14 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

One thing for sure, they don't want any back packers only people with suitcases full

of money need to apply.

Vietnam and Cambodia was full of white backpackers earlier this year.

Everyone seemed happy with that, as far as they were concerned Thailand can keep the rich tourists.

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, eeworldwide said:

You can't have FUN here anymore.

I'm having loads of fun here.

Just saying.

[eeworldwide]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

I'm having loads of fun here.

Just saying.

In the context of tourism - you know what I mean.

 

Im still having fun - I've been here for 17 years. But its certainly not as fun as it used to be.

 

Perhaps because I'm getting old and boring?

[BritManToo]

Just now, eeworldwide said:

In the context of tourism - you know what I mean.

Im still having fun - I've been here for 17 years. But its certainly not as fun as it used to be.

Perhaps because I'm getting old and boring?

Been here nearly 12 years, having more fun than I used to have.

Although COVID has put a bit of a break on my explorations of neighbouring countries.

I think lots of older people get stuck in a comfortable rut and stop seeking adventures.

Edited August 31, 2020 by BritManToo

[Mac98]

It's a start, and if these long-stay tourists are shown to be COVID free then that third week of restrictions could be dropped, then further easing could gain traction.

[sungod]

3 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

New simple plan - keep them out as currently or resume normal operating procedure...

 

Enough of this BS planning...start with 3 week quarantine in Phuket and then only allow up to 9 months yet paying for a one year visa? 

 

tell me again why tourists are dying to come to thailand rather Vietnam or Indonesia?

This might have something to do with it.

 

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/08/29/indonesia-sees-record-high-in-covid-19-cases-for-third-day-running.html

[Isaan sailor]

“Drea...ee...ee...ee...eem, dream, dream, dream, dream....

The Everly Brothers

[Blumpie]

17 minutes ago, eeworldwide said:

In the context of tourism - you know what I mean.

 

Im still having fun - I've been here for 17 years. But its certainly not as fun as it used to be.

 

Perhaps because I'm getting old and boring?

Your previous post was spot on.

When this is all over, Thailand won't be the same at all.  What it was and what it will become will be entirely different.  It turned to s*** and it will probably be far worse 2 years after COVID.  

I estimate it will take 4 years from now to even think of recovering after all is said and done.  It is very sad for everyone, but especially Thais.  Even though we don't agree with the government, these are real people who are basically destroyed.  

[Pikasso]

5 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

 

How are they going to know which tourists are which? which tourists have been in thailand for more than 3 weeks? which foreigners are tourists and which foreigners are long term residents, retirees, employees? will they have police checks all over the country continually stopping and checking foreigners? it's a mad plan.

Electronic tracking ankle bracelets.....

[barryofthailand]

these people are crazy.  They are only interested in money.  Tourists will not come here and be Quarantined. Give it up the tourist trade is dead for the next two years 

[Miami007]

Another brilliant idea to desperately find someone who may want to endure 2 weeks of quarantine and then another week of roaming on Phuket..

 

They are talking about 50,000 but 6.7 million Europeans visited last year. A drop in the bucket...

And which medical tourists will wait 3 weeks before getting their procedure?

 

Seniors will also not spend time in Asia, if they are not ensured of a quick return home, if there is a need.

 

Sure, this is what Thailand may want, but it ignores the customers

[JonnyF]

14 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm having loads of fun here.

Just saying.

So am I. But we're expats, not short term tourists. We know what places remain good and where to avoid. We know when the alcohol free days are, we know the scams to avoid, we know the local places off the beaten track, we have friends and "acquaintances" here, we have our own transport, condos etc.

 

Imagine getting off the plane not knowing any of that. Getting scammed by the taxi, overcharged for a a hotel. The next day is Buddha day so you can't have a beer and the day after that you find the place you go to closes at midnight and the cops try to pish test you or ask to see your passport on Sukhumvit on the way home. Then off to Koh San Road to find out it now resembles the high street in your local town. Fed up with that you're off to Pattaya and you're fined for smoking on the beach, so you go to a bar and 40 flag following Chinese tourists stand outside taking pictures of you. Then you find out you can't vape and end up having to bribe a cop when he catches you with your e-cig that you thought was perfectly legal (why the hell wouldn't it be?). All of that at 40 Baht to the pound so it would have been much, much cheaper in the Greek islands.

 

I agree with eeworldwide. The chaos and lack of rules was the charm. The Army has removed the fun bit by bit, law by law. It's not even cheap now, and the cost of flights post Covid will make it even less affordable. The "smiles" will become suspicious looks once the borders open because the likes of Anutin have convinced the masses that all foreigners are now diseased and dirty.

 

It's a long way back from all that.

[Thomas J]

[Keesters]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the millions of people that are not only unemployed but now running out of savings as well.

"Running out of savings". I think he means can't get any more credit or buffalo ???? funding. 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Keesters

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Another day, another ‘plan’ flown up the pole to see if it will catch some wind.

T.A.T is full of wind.... catching it should be easy, they should bottle it, sell- ship it as a "Tatse of Tailand"

[T.A.T] and prop up the tourism industry with the proceeds..

Another day another hair-brained scheme

Grasping at any idea that comes into their miNUTE brains.

[BritManToo]

I'm surprised they haven't come up with a plan to try and keep foreigners already in Thailand a bit longer.

It wouldn't be hard at all, just extend all permissions to stay by 6 months.

 

Of course that wouldn't make much money for them in bogus insurance policies, overpriced testing, and compulsory prison quality hotels at 5* plus prices.

Edited August 31, 2020 by BritManToo

[whitfield]

Come on, let the snowbirds quarantine in their own homes with an App which reports their location every 4 hours between 9am and 10pm.  2 food shopping trips per week.  Mandatory covid test at the end of the 14 days and if clear free to roam.  Time to get real.  I know lots of these people.

[Miami007]

15 minutes ago, sungod said:

This might have something to do with it.

 

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/08/29/indonesia-sees-record-high-in-covid-19-cases-for-third-day-running.html

This is not a competition between Thailand and Indonesia or another country in the region 

 

There is an alternative called "Staying Home"

[maechanman]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm surprised they haven't come up with a plan to try and keep foreigners already in Thailand a bit longer.

It wouldn't be hard at all, just extend all permissions to stay by 6 months.

 

Of course that wouldn't make much money for them in bogus insurance policies, overpriced testing, and compulsory prison quality hotels at 5* plus prices.

That would be logical thinking though.

[Bender Rodriguez]

why not try to "keep" the farangs that are already here that want to spend their money as long as they can, kind of plan ... the one's that cannot get a valid visa at immigration because of .... (fill in....)

[Cabradelmar]

The prisons are being fitted now to allow for all the tourist to "live the life"????... Or simply come stay for 9 months while being tracked in lockdown at inflated prices????... It's losing its appeal quickly????

[NCC1701A]

Did anybody ask the Thai people who live on Phuket how they feel about this plan to bring all these potential sick people to their island?

 

What happens if someone makes it through the two week quarantine and then travels around the island for a week only to start showing symptoms? Many cases to prove 14 days may not be long enough. What if that person got a massage from a woman who went home to her family and her three children went to three different schools the next day? What if one of her children was a beautiful uni girl who happened to fly back to Bangkok and went clubbing every night with hundreds of hiso people in Thonglor? 

 

What if I was hitting on that same girl. You see the problem here.

 

Will they seal the island up like last time? 

 

Would you get on a plane knowing that you could contract the China virus and arrive in a foreign country with a potentially long hospital stay? 

 

This new coffee I am trying might actually have mild hallucinogens in it. 

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by NCC1701A

[eeworldwide]

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

So am I. But we're expats, not short term tourists. We know what places remain good and where to avoid. We know when the alcohol free days are, we know the scams to avoid, we know the local places off the beaten track, we have friends and "acquaintances" here, we have our own transport, condos etc.

 

Imagine getting off the plane not knowing any of that. Getting scammed by the taxi, overcharged for a a hotel. The next day is Buddha day so you can't have a beer and the day after that you find the place you go to closes at midnight and the cops try to pish test you or ask to see your passport on Sukhumvit on the way home. Then off to Koh San Road to find out it now resembles the high street in your local town. Fed up with that you're off to Pattaya and you're fined for smoking on the beach, so you go to a bar and 40 flag following Chinese tourists stand outside taking pictures of you. Then you find out you can't vape and end up having to bribe a cop when he catches you with your e-cig that you thought was perfectly legal (why the hell wouldn't it be?). All of that at 40 Baht to the pound so it would have been much, much cheaper in the Greek islands.

 

I agree with eeworldwide. The chaos and lack of rules was the charm. The Army has removed the fun bit by bit, law by law. It's not even cheap now, and the cost of flights post Covid will make it even less affordable. The "smiles" will become suspicious looks once the borders open because the likes of Anutin have convinced the masses that all foreigners are now diseased and dirty.

 

It's a long way back from all that.

Thank you - and well said!

 

Thailand really was heaven on earth 20 years ago -and well before that.

 

As you said, it's a long way back - if at all.

 

Its a wake up call for Thailand and also for major investors here. This could get really bad.

 

IF you think of think of the massive amounts of money invested into International schools that have just been opened here for example = how are they going to survive?
There are no new tribes moving to bangkok for business now - certainly not with families.

 

And all those international teachers who have not been home for months - how long can this go on before they need to get back to their homeland to visit dad who's in hospital with covid? Or mum - who's actually now dead?

 

And the holidays are no longer the same in Thailand. 

 

If you go to Pattaya and stay at a family resort like the Hard Rock Hotel - it's as boring as heck. Pattaya is dead - there's not atmosphere and nowhere to EAT!!

 

And what about BKK nightlife?

 

It thrived and RELIED on visitors and first timers coming in and rollin goggle-eyed down soi Cowboy and stand agape in Baccara and losing their minds in Crazy House - that's all gone! Gone!! Gone for good!

 

I'm not going down Soi Cowboy anytime soon - I only took visiting friends there. So sad.
 

I remember the good old days where you could sit in an outside bar on the pavement until 5am and get drunk with people of the night - that went ages ago and with it - a huge part of the charm of BKK.

China Town is f***d.  Kao San Road is F*****d.

 

It's ALL f*****d.

 

[ChouDoufu]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

The thing is, many snowbirds have a retirement extension

had.

 

it should be simple enough to revise policy to allow expired extensions to be renewed within a certain window.  burden retirees with more (mostly useless) paperwork and insurance requirements in addition to quarantine at extortionate rates?  when they realize they have to start all over with a new visa with added requirements, many will simply find another more welcoming destination.  

 

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by ChouDoufu

[Alotoftravel]

For those on long term stay who are Covid free (like after the mandatory quarantine ) it would be great to covert to this long term stay . Just a thought .

[scammed]

2 hours ago, PEE TEE said:

I'm Lost !! What is a Snowbird ? is it a racist name for white people ? 

climate refugee

[bipper]

 

The vast majority of these over many years were here for 2/3 weeks, working with families or singles and of course backpackers. The type going to be attracted by "the plan" are rich, retired and extremely adventurous, considering age and wealth. This will cost more to set up and monitor for a handful of the above. It's mindless nonsense.

[Deli]

6 hours ago, samsensam said:

Then they’d be clear to roam around the island for their third week. After 3 weeks on the island the visitors would be free to travel to other parts of Thailand.

 

how are they going to know which tourists are which? which tourists have been in thailand for more than 3 weeks? which foreigners are tourists and which foreigners are long term residents, retirees, employees? will they have police checks all over the country continually stopping and checking foreigners? it's a mad plan.

They have the super smart BMW ????