PM: Foreign Tourists Not Welcome Yet

[hotandsticky]

34 minutes ago, Dialemco said:

Usually come to Thailand twice a year. I was lucky left last March before lock down since then have stayed at home and  surprised to see how much my bank balance has grown by just staying at home no wonder I was so welcome previously whilst in Thailand. No foreign tourists, no Money, no honey  I am sure I am not alone so politicians better come with a realiatic plan for tourism to start up safely very soon

 

 

It's OK, no need to hurry back, keep saving up your money.

 

It is nicely quiet over here, except for busy pockets of domestic tourism which is booming in some areas.

[soi3eddie]

5 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Foreign tourists not welcome yet just send your money via Western Union and save us locking you up for 14 days ????  

Recently in Pattaya there seems to be plenty of incoming support remittances to "Tee Raks". Surprised me to see how many Western Union booths there but few (currency exchanges open).

 

[Harry Fingerling]

9 hours ago, Zikomat said:

Bye bye “phuket model”.

Never really on the cards, TAT just feed the sheeple.

[CM Dad]

14 hours ago, aussienam said:

I wish that the Prime Minister would please allow retirees back.  We are not tourists.  Tourists come at their own leisure and convenience.  As expat retirees we are desperate.  6 months stranded abroad.  Still paying rent in Thailand and abroad.  Sleepless nights filled with anxiety and losing hope.  compassion is needed.  Please expand ASQ facilities and help us get back.  

The Thai government, which is predominantly Thai-Chinese, does not want foreigners back unless they are Chinese, or at least Asian.  They cannot find a way to allow the Chinese in without also allowing others.  The idea of "bubble" groups failed when the Asian nations of China and Korea had a second burst of infections.  That is why it is better for them to simply say no to all for the time being.  However, they do want your money, so please keep paying your rent here in Thailand.

I am not a retiree, I have a Thai family and consider Thailand my home.  I have not been back to my country of birth for fifteen years and have no desire to go.  The Thai government made a well-publicized campaign to promote the country as a retirement have a few decades ago.  When the campaign succeeded and tens of thousands of foreign men came, there seemed to be a change of heart.  The current military government has made it very obvious during the past several years that retirees, in fact all non-Asian foreign males, are not really wanted here now.  Sadly this new attitude, coupled with Covid-19 which originated in China, has resulted in a backlash where many Asians in Western countries are made to feel unwelcome there as well.  The worst thing about this pandemic is that the fear it has caused has become intolerance, and instead of welcoming others, those who are different in any way have become the dreaded OTHER and blamed for all ills.  The Health minister labeling farang as dirty for not taking the masks he offered is a prime example.  I do appreciate the fact that infections and deaths here have been extremely low and see the need for caution in reopening the country.  However, although there have not been any domestic infections for the past 100 days, the vast majority of infected arrivals have been Thai.  Interestingly, I have also noted that when I am out, it is always Thais I see without masks or wearing then down on their chins, not farang. 

[raccos21]

[Expat Tom]

The xenophobia of Thailand increased drastically after the coup as Western governments rightly criticized the arbitrary ouster of the elected government of Thailand. The current government has been pro-China and anti-Western and has brought the economy great peril. I have been in Thailand for many years but have felt unwelcome since the coup.    

[Plima]

16 hours ago, YetAnother said:

an extremely wealthy man , likely never saw a poor day in his life, telling others, that are now desperate, cant feed their family, little-to-no-hope 'not to panic'; pathetic; he needs to totally revamp his worthless cabinet

Very true, but how did he become a wealthy man? Not from being Prime Minister who on paper earns 125.590THB or......

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Thailand

[Madeline Thompson]

16 hours ago, YetAnother said:

an extremely wealthy man , likely never saw a poor day in his life, telling others, that are now desperate, cant feed their family, little-to-no-hope 'not to panic'; pathetic; he needs to totally revamp his worthless cabinet

Agree - it breaks my heart to see this happening to Thailand. The people are very resourceful here but he's giving no room to accomplish anything. 

 

[jerolamo]

First, Thailand is not a country with credible reputation and you just deny the real situation about COVID-19 infection in Thailand. No one intelligent will trust about a self elected coup government propaganda. And no test = no case, sure... not only Thailand do that, and at this game some other of your African brothers have the same result on this way.

 

And not panic would be to just open the border. Because the COVID-19 virus is no more strong to kill more than a normal flu.

 

Thailand government (but not only Thailand) is in total fear panic.

The world is in panic in front of the COVID-19, and doctors start to speak about this.

 

When this panic situation will be finish, we will look closer at the reality and will write some lines in the book of human history.

[kg1947]

57 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

The Thai government, which is predominantly Thai-Chinese, does not want foreigners back unless they are Chinese, or at least Asian.  They cannot find a way to allow the Chinese in without also allowing others.  The idea of "bubble" groups failed when the Asian nations of China and Korea had a second burst of infections.  That is why it is better for them to simply say no to all for the time being.  However, they do want your money, so please keep paying your rent here in Thailand.

I am not a retiree, I have a Thai family and consider Thailand my home.  I have not been back to my country of birth for fifteen years and have no desire to go.  

CM - well said ... too much common sense doesn't apply to the bureaucrats .

[Bender Rodriguez]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The measures included a 400-billion-baht rehabilitation budget, 100 billion baht of which was spent.

wow 100 billion went to whom ?

[djuiiy]

I'm stickng with Novermber reopening. The Airlines know when reopening is happening. thru this crisis EVA air and Thai Airways have not been advertising tickets less than 2 months in advance. They have been selling November tickets the whole time, and continue to do so so far into September. As every day goes by and they continue to sell, it makes November reopen more likely.

[Polaky]

10 hours ago, Zikomat said:

Bye bye “phuket model”.

Don't worry tomorrow there will be a new statement.

[Ganesh108]

2 hours ago, LukKrueng said:

That's bs. REAL tourists were always welcomed here. Those who report problems are the ones that stay here long term on the wrong type of visas, those who circumvent the ve and tourist visas. Those who rent cheap long term accommodation, don't travel much or even at all, and contribute nothing to the tourism industry

 

I'm not sure how a tourist can possibly stay somewhere and 'contribute nothing to the tourist industry' - unless he living off cosmic energy and travels by levitation.

 

Smart countries know: Today's poor backpacker is tomorrow's well-off middle class tourist. Treat him nice and you have a friend for life. 

[swisstree]

Hi. How is life now in Bkk? Did the pubs reopened? Is it still a party place or the fun is gone? Thanx for the update !!

[Seeall]

16 hours ago, aussienam said:

I wish that the Prime Minister would please allow retirees back.  We are not tourists.  Tourists come at their own leisure and convenience.  As expat retirees we are desperate.  6 months stranded abroad.  Still paying rent in Thailand and abroad.  Sleepless nights filled with anxiety and losing hope.  compassion is needed.  Please expand ASQ facilities and help us get back.  

Yo Already paid?  So your done then.. thank you..

[peter48]

 Never mind Farang can take holiday money & go to get warm Sun and beaches and drinks and meals in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Crete, Corfu, Canaries, Turkey, Italy and so on. 

[peter48]

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

It's OK, no need to hurry back, keep saving up your money.

 

It is nicely quiet over here, except for busy pockets of domestic tourism which is booming in some areas.

But Thailand's economy is tanking, poverty and stress rising ,its currency falling , its exports declining, and tourists bringing in dollars, Euros, sterling, Chinese Renimbi just not there to help.    

[Seeall]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Spent 25% holding onto the rest for what, people need it now?

Might need some more Stryker vechiles to stop any complaints...

[Seeall]

4 hours ago, crazykopite said:

What a compassionate individual you are do you have to be so harsh ☹️

how is it a losing bet?  A decade ago I moved here and its all good...

[Seeall]

3 hours ago, vandeventer said:

If you are not letting the tourist in just yet,and not buying the submarines this year,

how about putting more Thais back to work. Start doing more infrastructure as the

roads really need it. Create more jobs for your own people,until we all go back to

normal.

I am sure there are many great ideas ..... however.....  the cash destination needs careful consideration dont you think?

[Seeall]

3 hours ago, PumpkinEater said:

Unless all Thais are covid tested Who knows how many cases are out there.

Test the entire country then make the claim “free of covid”.

i am in the camp of small consequence of catching the virus. 99% live!

how is that going to help the TH economy?

[Seeall]

3 hours ago, shackleton said:

I think they need to get their act together

The left hand the Tourist Board is saying we need Tourists  back urgently  especially in Phuket Pattaya Hua Hin ect

The right hand the Government is saying No  we don't we can wait

Mixed messages daily 

Does not give the Hotels Restaurants pubs bars ect not much Confidence

For their future prospects 

 

Those on salaries from the Gov .... why should they be concerned..?  unless their salary starts getting cut......

[Patjqm]

28 minutes ago, peter48 said:

 Never mind Farang can take holiday money & go to get warm Sun and beaches and drinks and meals in Spain, Portugal, Greece, Crete, Corfu, Canaries, Turkey, Italy and so on. 

Bulgaria  Black Sea...been there 2x this year...prices same as Thailand..

[Seeall]

2 hours ago, FalangJaiDee said:

These are the boomer rants that keep me coming back to thaivisa. See you soon pal

Boomer rants?  After reading most of the "invaluable and insightful" (at least according to the posters) I quite liked and agreed with this post!

[Mavideol]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and people should not panic.

... because we gave up on the 5S and 5T but are still working on the 5BS's solution

[Bkktodd]

17 hours ago, aussienam said:

I wish that the Prime Minister would please allow retirees back.  We are not tourists.  Tourists come at their own leisure and convenience.  As expat retirees we are desperate.  6 months stranded abroad.  Still paying rent in Thailand and abroad.  Sleepless nights filled with anxiety and losing hope.  compassion is needed.  Please expand ASQ facilities and help us get back.  

Not only somewhat desperate as you point out but we have lots of money invested in thailand.  Money locked up in thai banks to secure the retirement visa, rents/fees to maintain out homes/condos and “family” we mostly likely all have there. We should have been able to return along with students and worker visas with valid retirement visas.  Ill sit in a bkk room under house arrest for 14days watching tv news of  all the people who get killed in car accidents /jumpers or ragged  drunk thais.   Stop treating us like we have the plague.  

[sawadee1947]

9 hours ago, pookondee said:

The brainwashing of fear will be the biggest hurdle, not Covid or its figures.

 

Plainly, Thailand (and Prayuths) strategy has been to watch what other countries are doing and go one better.

 

That is an idiots lazy approach.

Akin to opening a business and simply charging 10% less than your competitor, instead of actually working out the margins needed to turn a profit.

 

And anyway, opening up will never happen when individuals are running around saying stuff like:

 

oh.. international travel will be 2-5 years away...

oh.. we need a vaccine...

oh.. we need track and trace....

bla bla and all the other rubbish

 

But all throughout, even though the simple fact has been that 98-99% of the total population will recover from this like a mild to bad cold...

people are still carrying on like its an instant death sentance.

 

Its stupid you can't fix.

And the stupid people have made to many stupid decisions on a grand scale.

 

So just who will make the first moves? 

And how can any nation open up international travel when stupid xxxxs everywhere are still cowering in fear.

 

Its hard to see how there can be any recovery to this.

If the threat disappears in time, yet the fear and MSM B.S. keeps getting perpetuated, then what hope have we got?

 

Very dark times for humanity.

Though you got many "likes" you're absolutely wrong. 

You are spreading fake news like Donald. 

Fact is we never had covid before. So we are unprotected. Even a small percentage of covid infected will die It's cynical not to say that every fatal case is too much. 

The main reason not to agree with your nonsense is that we have to learn every day how this virus can change our lives after recovering. 

It has impact on many parts and left you with many malfunctions. 

Disability is the price you have to pay. Mainly your brain would work properly. 

Covid is a threat to our world and the decision of Prayut is a hard but good one. The vaccine is only half year ahead. 

My advice for you: inform yourself about this disease before giving the loud speaker for all those Donalds in our world. ????

[JusticeGB]

Uncle Tu thinks that by keeping the statistics for covid19 low Thailand will become a more attractive place for tourists to visit and in the same breath denies them the ability to come!

[Bkktodd]

3 hours ago, FalangJaiDee said:

These are the boomer rants that keep me coming back to thaivisa. See you soon pal

Seems they like their country suited you just fine but not your former country.  Taking a <deleted> on other retirement visa holders (doesnt mean retired it means over 50) whilst you stay in thailand getting your pension is rich.  Some of us travel back and forth...hence multi entrance stamp..because WE CAN.