New grand plan to bring tourists back to Thailand in fallout of COVID-19

[VBF]

7 hours ago, Nout said:

Its only 14 days in a nice hotel.

After you, old chap...I insist!

[VBF]

6 hours ago, Trip Hop said:

I'm sorry but as my dear old mam would say, you are in cloud cuckoo land.  Take myself for instance, 53 year old professional and 100% ownership of my own company.  According to the stats that I just checked, I earn more than 95% of the UK population.  I have no dependents in the UK and have very little overheads when it comes to housing etc.  I would love to return to Thailand for a well earned holiday and basically, if anyone can afford to do this, I can.

 

Am I actually going to do this, am I hell?  If a country wants me to visit and spend my money there, they are the ones that are going to have to jump through hoops for me, not the other way around.  There are plenty of other countries out there that don't have such ridiculous quarantine rules, with some even offering to take care of you for free if you were to catch Covid whilst there?  If I want to sit in a 5* hotel for 2 weeks and not move, I will go elsewhere where I will receive genuine 5* service and not the shoddy 3*/4* service only that is normally billed as 5* in Thailand.

 

Not Thai bashing, just a dose of reality from my office in a not so grim part of the UK!

Spot on at every point - great post! ????

My situation is nearly exactly the same as yours except I'm retired - my thoughts are exactly the same as yours.

[Prince77]

Is Marihuana already legalized or what do they smoke? ????

[DaRoadrunner]

18 hours ago, Lingba said:

These numbskulls are dillusional..another grand scheme of a joke.....keep dreaming....

I think we are screwed until they create a vaccine.

[alianware]

18 hours ago, alianware said:

Sad to know that thailand is a country of smile only for those deep pockets. Most of the ASQ hotels they offer are between 40000 - 80000 for 14 nights with only one breakfast. Farang who make long stay holiday have money but not prioritize luxus hotel. That money they could use for shopping or good food. I feel sorry for people who are beeing discriminate through this one side regulation. For my understand, Thailand is pactizing hotel monopol. 

 

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

6 hours ago, MRToMRT said:

I had an exchange with TAT yesterday in the UK. No details available yet at all. They took my Emil address and said they would email me when they know more.

I can understand they must be as confused as the tourists are, when there are new rules and regulations for this new visa almost every day.

[pj123]

8 hours ago, Trip Hop said:

There are plenty of other countries out there that don't have such ridiculous quarantine rules, with some even offering to take care of you for free if you were to catch Covid whilst there?  If I want to sit in a 5* hotel for 2 weeks and not move, I will go elsewhere where I will receive genuine 5* service and not the shoddy 3*/4* service only that is normally billed as 5* in Thailand.

 

 

So which countries are you referring to which (1) do not have "ridiculous quarantine rules"  (2) will pay for your Covid 19 treatment and (3) THEIR 5 star hotels offer 5 star service.

[FarangJon]

Just another grand Thai "The Brain" Joke.

[Albert Zweistein]

21 hours ago, alianware said:

Sad to know that thailand is a country of smile only for those deep pockets. Most of the ASQ hotels they offer are between 40000 - 80000 for 14 nights with only one breakfast. Farang who make long stay holiday have money but not prioritize luxus hotel. That money they could use for shopping or good food. I feel sorry for people who are beeing discriminate through this one side regulation. 

The other day I read an article in The Thaiger from another wise guy mentioning the next step in opening the country ; next will be for the expats and those on retirement visa because they have high purchasing power. This shows  clearly the real attitude of "the land of smile".

[Redline]

Oh excellent 

 

[hioctane]

12 hours ago, Nout said:

Very rare in Pattaya. The money shops have no dollars for years. Pre covid.

Maybe if you had some American friends! I am American and know many that go 2-3 times a year. 

[hioctane]

11 hours ago, Trujillo said:

1) If you arrive and at some point you test positive for covid-19 virus (how often do they expect you to check in for testing?), the information says you go to a hospital. Okay, and after you get better, are you deported? You can resume your stay as if nothing had happened? 

 

2) You are to book and pay in advance a "reservation" for accommodation. Does this mean you can't move around? Before you even get on the plane in your home country you must "declare" your accommodation (and one presumes show proof of booking and payment). What "tourist" who can stay up to 270 days (minimum of 30 days, weirdly) will pre-book a room for that whole time? Are "side trips" say to visit a beach or mountain forbidden? 

 

It seems there are a lot of real world situations that have not been addressed at all in this ... scheme. 

1) I am only guessing but your hospital todays probably would can't toward the days allowed in your visa. The initial 14 day quarantine does not. However with 270, what would you be worried about?

 

2) My suggestion would be to prebook the minimum (30 days). You don't need to specify how long you plan to stay. Even if you do, it is non binding as long as you don't overstay your visa.

[kjun12]

On 9/20/2020 at 3:21 PM, Mitkof Island said:

No thanks just a scam. Any takers ?

You're correct.  Is the Thai Govt. really this stupid.

[Sydebolle]

You cannot have your cake and eat it. Opening will bring infections but, as it has been said a million times before. The percentage of infections is nothing to the entire population and much less comparing the population to death cases. 

Only once the media publishes, in same sized letters and numbers, all figures at the same time and shows the PERCENTAGE to the entire population, then even Somchai will be understanding. 

Tourists swing by for a few days but no tourist will have Thailand dictate them a minimum of 30 days, of which half in a completely overpriced hotel with lousy food*. This has not been understood by hoteliers either, giving those who HAVE to go through this ordeal at least three decent meals a day as well as a feeling of „being with them“ might be the best PR exercise. But that would be - again - thinking longterm, for which there is no word in Thai. 

Yet another example of shooting oneself into their own foot! 

[Jimbo53]

19 hours ago, PEE TEE said:

i think your visa is still valid it would be ok to return and renew before the 18th dec, i do not know what requirements you would need on entry . i would call the thai consulate and ask .   

You obviously dont read much,the entry requirements are well known,there is very little chance that the OP will even be able to contact a consulate,(certain offices have closed,) let alone be able to re enter,as at present people with retirement extensions stranded outside of Thailand,do not fit the present criteria for being allowed entry,even although they have houses,and normally reside in Thailand,but the Bangkok Brainstrust will allow people that are Medical Tourists,and people that buy Elite cards entry. T.I.T.

[Jimbo53]

3 hours ago, kjun12 said:

You're correct.  Is the Thai Govt. really this stupid.

YES!!!

[condo62]

If you can travel soon and get tested before leaving and on arrival and do not have the virus why the need to quarantine for 14 days.....no thanks.

[smylee52]

One thing about Covid 19 is it exposes the underbelly of so many countries as they struggle to get back on track . Thai's grow up  learning  to 

appreciate a generous heart and it is encouraged in their religion and their culture . Well it seems that this generosity has disappeared when it has been truly tested . While the rest of the world's governments are dispensing thousands of dollars , pounds , Euro's to help their citizens what has Thailands ruling class done for the populace . I only know of a 5000 baht helping hand and I believe a second one time payment of 2000 baht . Absolute meanness in the face of such urgent need . What we are seeing is the Thai' ruling class are generous with their family and their Buddha but when it comes to helping  strangers there is a very tight fisted sealing up of the purse strings.

 

This tight fisted approach to governing now shows it self in policies that look to entice foreigners back by making it much more expensive to enter Thailand . If they brought in outside consultants who didn't begrudge parting with public money to invest in enticing foreigners back then they would have a much better plan .

 

The consultant would point out that it is quite insulting to have expats , tourists , business owners etc. bear the total cost for the privilige of returning to Thailand and giving the economy a desperately needed injection . In other words . Mr. government you are not stepping up and at least jumping through a few of the hoops you are expecting the foreighners to navigate . In fact Mr. Government it appears you are doing pretty close to nothing to smooth reentry of the people who are crtical to a recovery . It looks like you Mr .Government are doing and paying for almost nothing  . You just sitting back and issuing edicts that do nothing to excite people into wanting to return

 

Perhaps a consultant could educate the government to appear more as a helpful partner to ease reentry rather than an intransigent  inflexible dictator .

 

So people looking to renter need to pay for Covid 19 testing in their home country , pay for fit to fly , pay for Covid 19 insurance and arrange for rentry permission from their local Thai Embassy . These are all new charges and are unpleasant but understandable . 

 

The opportunity for the government to show they are truly committed to helping their country is when the foreigner lands in Thailand and the government accepts responsibility and the costs to ease the returnee 's safe reintegration into the LOS . If you want to sell the 14 day quarantine then the government should pay for it . They want more testing then the government should pay for it .  Probably cost 40 to 50 thousand baht for a stay in a 3* facility  but you now have someone who will cheerfully spend hundreds of thousands of baht and feeling a lot less unappreciated by Thailand .

 

It is time that Thailand realizes the bloom is off the rose and as each day goes by they run the risk of losing thousands of regular annual visitors who may find new welcoming destinations more to their liking .

 

 

 

[Xaos]

Circus 

[alianware]

15 hours ago, pj123 said:

So which countries are you referring to which (1) do not have "ridiculous quarantine rules"  (2) will pay for your Covid 19 treatment and (3) THEIR 5 star hotels offer 5 star service.

ofcourse that is rediculous. Dont you see that thailand is practizing hotel monopole ?? They want you spend much more for hotel and stupid shopping program. Why shoul tourist stay in "approved hotel" . Does it sound idiot ?? Yes it is. And why 14 days ??? Tourist make pcr test already from origin country and it should be enough when tourist get tested again after 3 or 4 days so you don't spend so much money just for quarantine !

[Call]

I will stay at Konrad Prison Hotel in Bangkok.  Government certified, they only charge you 10.000 Bath a night. Together with the flight, insurances tests etc, the first 2 weeks comes at approx. 250.000 Bath.  And during the coming 2 weeks you are one out of 1.200 tourists in the whole country, an amazing lifetime experience ????

[DrTuner]

19 minutes ago, Call said:

I will stay at Konrad Prison Hotel in Bangkok.  Government certified, they only charge you 10.000 Bath a night. Together with the flight, insurances tests etc, the first 2 weeks comes at approx. 250.000 Bath.  And during the coming 2 weeks you are one out of 1.200 tourists in the whole country, an amazing lifetime experience ????

Yeah, rip-off of a lifetime. You could possibly top it by buying a Pattaya beer bar and getting hitched with a bar girl (remember to buy a house and car for her), right after you're let out on parole. Something to remember the Amazing Thailand by, if you make out of it alive.

Edited September 22, 2020 by DrTuner

[impulse]

On 9/20/2020 at 8:33 PM, petedk said:

On 9/20/2020 at 6:43 PM, impulse said:

I think it's going to be a success, with chartered planeloads of Chinese investors coming down to buy up condos, sign contracts to import Thai produce, and get great deals on distressed businesses.

 

Genuine tourists?  Not the way it's structured.

I doubt if the Chinese will come. I think they usually book through Chinese agents.

 

I'd take that bet, and I'd give you odds.  Dollars to donuts, the Chinese agents are already chartering planes and negotiating kickbacks commissions on ASQ's.

 

If there's money to be made...

 

[garyk]

On 9/21/2020 at 12:05 AM, Nout said:

Very few Americans come here these days but you are correct about the small town Americans with parochial views whose idea of fun is visiting a mall and find WS den of inequity. They moan because Thailand is not like the USA. I dont know why you have problems with Germans.

I am from a small town in the US. I travel all the time. Not sure where you get your numbers from but stat's show over a million visited Thailand 2019? That would be 1/40 of the total number of tourists visiting Thailand in 2019.

The US is a huge country, Over 37 million US citizens traveled internationally in 2019. And that is not including Canada and Mexico. That means that 1 in every 37 people that traveled internationally visited Thailand.

So what can we take from this analysis? 

 

https://travel.trade.gov/view/m-2019-O-001/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailand

 

Also I have never heard anyone moan about Thailand from the US. Except for the obvious!  Pollution, double pricing etc.  The malls in Thailand put the US malls to shame. Malls in the US are dying. 

I would say Thailand is more like how the US used to be! Huge malls, the kids and families visiting them in droves. 

 

 

 

[Pottinger]

Good luck with the Chinese market:

 

"As COVID-19 cases continue to surge globally, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called for Chinese people to avoid unnecessary outbound travel during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays in newly-issued guidelines.
China is requiring all outbound travellers to undergo a 14-day isolation upon their arrival. Cross-border travelers may therefore be required to spend a total of 28 days in quarantine, if their destination also requires a 14-day isolation period, which will seriously impact their travel experience, the center said. 

 

https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1201719.shtml

[DaRoadrunner]

On 9/22/2020 at 1:00 AM, kjun12 said:

You're correct.  Is the Thai Govt. really this stupid.

Yes..... Question is, are any Farang stupid enough to go for it?

Edited September 25, 2020 by DaRoadrunner

[jomtienisgood]

On 9/22/2020 at 11:31 PM, garyk said:

I am from a small town in the US. I travel all the time. Not sure where you get your numbers from but stat's show over a million visited Thailand 2019? That would be 1/40 of the total number of tourists visiting Thailand in 2019.

The US is a huge country, Over 37 million US citizens traveled internationally in 2019. And that is not including Canada and Mexico. That means that 1 in every 37 people that traveled internationally visited Thailand.

So what can we take from this analysis? 

 

https://travel.trade.gov/view/m-2019-O-001/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Thailand

 

Also I have never heard anyone moan about Thailand from the US. Except for the obvious!  Pollution, double pricing etc.  The malls in Thailand put the US malls to shame. Malls in the US are dying. 

I would say Thailand is more like how the US used to be! Huge malls, the kids and families visiting them in droves. 

 

 

 

I expect most of the Americans traveling outside their country are GI's...... 55555555

[Eddy Ozark]

Next year is the time to travel. Maybe. Not now. 

[Xaos]

How this possible if they didn't even announce details and eligible countries but chinese already boarding up? 

 

Read comments under article

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/travel/1993651/thailand-to-slowly-restart-tourism-with-flight-from-china