Phuket to make foreigners pay for COVID test, Thais get it for free

[Fairynuff]

6 hours ago, Harveyboy said:

very true mate but a lot of OPs on here are still wearing their rose tinted glasses living in a Dreamworld..............thanks for the post  

There’s a sizeable number on here that think because they consider themselves “guests” that they have to take any rubbish that’s thrown at them without complaining. I don’t live in my home country but I’m aware that there are lots of things wrong with it and I have no issues calling those things out, so why should it be any different here? Every country has its good and bad points right?

I have a great life here, there are lots of things I love, but the things I don’t like, I should just shut up because someone tells me I’m a guest?

[Fairynuff]

4 minutes ago, pacovl46 said:

Yeah, because you didn’t grasp it the first time! ????

Oh I did, I just think it’s absolute nonsense

[jvs]

Lots of good reactions and lots of bs.

Always the same old stories, mostly one sided.

Bottom line would i pay 300 baht for a test?Maybe.

Would i pay 500 baht for a 300 baht test?No,not if i don't have to.

Would i take a free test?No,not if i don't have to.

You drive or fly to Phuket for a holiday with your loved ones and are tested,positive!!!

And then what?No thanks.

You all just wait until you find out what it will cost you to get vaccinated!

 

 

[Chriss77]

On 4/24/2021 at 1:26 PM, kingofthemountain said:

You have totally missed the point of this topic

however you will be probably happy to know that you are not the only one to have done this

....expats are whinging, as usual, that's the point.

Cheers 

[Chriss77]

Don't whinge, just pay the 4 Leo beers equivalent, if you haven't worked out by now that foreigners are seen and thought of in Thailand as wealthy in most cases, hence you will be exploited on varying levels. If you can't afford the 4-5 Leo beers outside of your usual pub drinking sessions, maybe you should use your last pennies and head back to your joint and hop on welfare. Thanks again 

[pacovl46]

12 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

Oh I did, I just think it’s absolute nonsense

Well...

[kingofthemountain]

4 hours ago, Chriss77 said:

....expats are whinging, as usual, that's the point.

Cheers 

Nope, it's not the point

also the 500 bahts isn't the problem

like i said, you have totally missed the point of this topic

if someone show you the moon, it's not his finger that you should look at

 

cheers too

[Fairynuff]

38 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

if someone show you the moon, it's not his finger that you should look at

If you thought this up you’re a genius!

[Fairynuff]

4 hours ago, Chriss77 said:

Don't whinge, just pay the 4 Leo beers equivalent, if you haven't worked out by now that foreigners are seen and thought of in Thailand as wealthy in most cases, hence you will be exploited on varying levels. If you can't afford the 4-5 Leo beers outside of your usual pub drinking sessions, maybe you should use your last pennies and head back to your joint and hop on welfare. Thanks again 

Oh right.... so it IS about the money.

[TKDfella]

5 hours ago, kingofthemountain said:

Nope, it's not the point

also the 500 bahts isn't the problem

like i said, you have totally missed the point of this topic

if someone show you the moon, it's not his finger that you should look at

 

cheers too

 

5 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

If you thought this up you’re a genius!

Bruce Lee, in Enter the Dragon talking to a student 'It's like a finger pointing to the Moon' [slap] 'Don't look at the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory' said (or something close to that) ????

[kiwikeith]

On 4/22/2021 at 2:26 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Somewhat outrageous...  

 

But... in fairness, the 500 baht charge is not quite the excessive rip off I was expecting when I read the headline. 

 

That said: Thailand could make inroads to cover up its xenophobic practices if it offered free tests to those who can show they have solid ties to Thailand.... i.e. Those with Work Permits, Driving Licences, Yellow House Books, Pink ID, those on Non-Immigrant Visas etc... 

 

And yet further contributing to both feet in the mouth..... Isn’t Thailand desperately ‘hurting’ for tourism to improve.... Yet, what does it do ????.... 

......... It announces to the World...  we support dual pricing !!!!  

 

It really is a shame and embarrassing on behalf of those Thai’s I know that Thailand so frequently and reliable trips up because it has both feet in its mouth. 

 

 

Ultimately, it is issues such as this which may just make me think... Nah, why should I bother going to Phuket.... 

I don't think this is the case in other parts of Thailand, relatives say no tests available or hard to get and private hospitals allegedly charging fees up to 9k Bhat. 

It seems Phuket is trying to be a test case for reopening so testing may be controlled for the grand opening. 

[Chriss77]

On 4/26/2021 at 1:27 PM, Fairynuff said:

Oh right.... so it IS about the money.

Absolutely.

If it was free, you types wouldn't be whinging !! Thanks again 

[Chriss77]

On 4/26/2021 at 12:47 PM, kingofthemountain said:

Nope, it's not the point

also the 500 bahts isn't the problem

like i said, you have totally missed the point of this topic

if someone show you the moon, it's not his finger that you should look at

 

cheers too

Yeah it is. If it was free, you'd all be finding something else to whinge about. If it cost nothing, but you were still charged extra for admission into some theme park or a donkey ride because your a tourist, you'd whinge about that. Thanks again. ????

[Fairynuff]

34 minutes ago, Chriss77 said:

Absolutely.

If it was free, you types wouldn't be whinging !! Thanks again 

Thanks for stating the obvious. You types are good at that

[kingofthemountain]

54 minutes ago, Chriss77 said:

Yeah it is. If it was free, you'd all be finding something else to whinge about. If it cost nothing, but you were still charged extra for admission into some theme park or a donkey ride because your a tourist, you'd whinge about that. Thanks again. ????

You are wrong again

if it wasn't free but the cost was the same for all, Thais and non Thais

it shouldn't be a problem. In fact it seems it was the case at the start

(300 bhats was the cost) and it was the Thais who weren't happy with that

 

You write ''if it cost nothing, but you were still charged extra for admission...''

i am again sorry to inform you that you are wrong again

if you are charged extra for something, that means it's not cost nothing

 

But i have no doubt you will continue to come again and again

with more nonsense, with the obvious goal to float your boat 

until maybe one day in the future you will discover the meaning of the word ''discrimination''

 

you are welcome

[Chriss77]

On 4/28/2021 at 8:23 PM, kingofthemountain said:

 

 

You write ''if it cost nothing, but you were still charged extra for admission...''

i am again sorry to inform you that you are wrong again

if you are charged extra for something, that means it's not cost nothing

 

But i have no doubt you will continue to come again and again

with more nonsense, with the obvious goal to float your boat 

until maybe one day in the future you will discover the meaning of the word ''discrimination''

 

Your comment "if you are charged extra for something, that means it's not cost nothing" makes no sense

Discrimination. Open your eyes and you will see many, many forms of discrimination in the land of smiles. For you types to whinge about vaccinations and you having to pay 5 Leo beers equivalent is a joke. 

If you types (Foreigners who whinge) want it, pay it. If not, don't get it simple. If that can't be done, i guess you'll have to pay.

Cheers, and enjoy your extra admissions that you are not prepared for ????

[BenBen23]

On 4/23/2021 at 11:08 PM, Bkk Brian said:

Have you moved to Vietnam yet?

 

Its just that you mentioned in a post a little while back:

 

"I think it's unwise for a country that depends on tourism for a fourth of their GPD to make expats feel unwelcome. A lot of people depend on the money we spend here. But I'll not stay somewhere I am not welcome."

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1143737-is-vietnam-the-winner-in-thailands-visa-game/?do=findComment&comment=14984392

 

Yes. And Thailand lost at least 60K USD by my absence right when they needed it most. When I wrote that post I could not have guessed at the economic ruin covid would cause to Thailand. I wish I had been wrong about that. 

[BenBen23]

On 4/24/2021 at 12:18 PM, 4MyEgo said:

 

What part of "WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE THAI ECONOMY" don't you get, which is more than most Thai's would be able to contribute to their economies due to low incomes earned, that said, I don't believe the cost of living in Thailand is much cheaper than where I came from, if you have a property paid off back home, it would be 6, 2, 1 half dozen the other, but most of us sell that asset to avoid heavy capital gains tax when we are forced to become non-residents, but that is the price we pay to be able to enjoy a better retirement here at an earlier age, but as I said, if you have a property paid off back home add the old age pension your no worse off, free Medicare, travel and an abundance of pension discounts, and although it is another story in short, I intend on returning in 7 years to claim the old age pension and purchase a property in a coastal town, as I said above, the only reason I am living here is to be able to retire 12 years earlier than I would normally of had to back in my home country, e.g. 55 vs 67.

 

Mandatory testing of people regardless of being a Thai Citizen or other should be a Thai Government cost, not a cost to others other than Thai's, this is clear discrimination and if you cannot see it for what it is, then I and others cannot help you realise your potential, the key word here is "mandatory", if it were up to me to get tested, then I would cover the cost, but "mandatory" is a use of force, free if your Thai, but not if you are a different race, two faced if you ask me. What next, Thai's can use a speed of 120km, farangs 100km an hour ?

 

Never been about the money, it's the principal which some people cannot see, or choose to see it another way, next you will be calling me a Thai basher.  

 

 

If you "CONTRIBUTE TO THE THAI ECONOMY" then stop complaining and contribute already. Why expect anything else? They allow you in the country because you contribute and for no other reason. Does your country allow Thais to come live there? 
 

[BenBen23]

On 4/23/2021 at 7:40 PM, 473geo said:

On this I have to agree

If true its a distinction without a difference. Thailand is still a poor country, even if it has a small elite of rich people in it. Most poor countries do. 

[BenBen23]

On 4/24/2021 at 3:04 AM, DrDave said:

No public education - are you sure about that?  Government schools are free until students reach the last 3 years of high school (M4-M6), and even then the fees are insignificant.

 

Like many countries, pensions are available to those who pay into the system during the course of their employment. For the most part, government employees and public school teachers. Or, are you referring to a socialist-style system in which everyone receives a pension regardless of whether they paid in or were ever gainfully employed?

Dr. Dave, I believe education is subsidized but not free. Though I am going off what Thai people have told me, which might just be complaints about having to pay for uniforms, books, and other fees they find difficult to afford. Yes I was speaking of a socialist-style pension system which applies to everyone. As far as I know, all Western countries have such pensions systems. Police and school teachers in the US also have employment based pensions, which they get in addition to Social Security. 

[BenBen23]

On 4/22/2021 at 3:28 PM, 473geo said:

I see way ahead of you guys, because you are so wrapped with knocking Thailand, the whole bloody world is laced with pretentious fake moralising hypocrites, discrimination is alive and well, despite attempts to make life appear otherwise by the 'conformists' so just give it a rest eh, because knocking Thailand is becoming boring, especially if one is such a hypocrite to do so and continue living here under the pretence that having the 'right attitude' will make a difference!!! One of the endearing things about Thailand is that it is different, vive la difference!!!

BRAVO! Virtue signaling male feminists should remain in the west if they like the authoritarian rule of all who complain. 

[BenBen23]

On 4/25/2021 at 6:19 PM, Fairynuff said:

There’s a sizeable number on here that think because they consider themselves “guests” that they have to take any rubbish that’s thrown at them without complaining. I don’t live in my home country but I’m aware that there are lots of things wrong with it and I have no issues calling those things out, so why should it be any different here? Every country has its good and bad points right?

I have a great life here, there are lots of things I love, but the things I don’t like, I should just shut up because someone tells me I’m a guest?

I for one am not telling you to shut up. I'm just saying you are wrong. By all means, complain away if you enjoy it. 

A poor country making a massive public expenditure during an economically crippling pandemic is well within both ethical and moral right to require rich foreigner tourists to pay 15$ for a covid test. If you are not a life-long tax paying citizen, the government owes you nothing. 

[DrDave]

3 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Dr. Dave, I believe education is subsidized but not free. Though I am going off what Thai people have told me, which might just be complaints about having to pay for uniforms, books, and other fees they find difficult to afford. Yes I was speaking of a socialist-style pension system which applies to everyone. As far as I know, all Western countries have such pensions systems. Police and school teachers in the US also have employment based pensions, which they get in addition to Social Security. 

Correct - students need only provide uniforms, and a very modest tuition for the last 3 years. I don't recall paying more than a few hundred baht per term when our daughter attended M4, and prior to that the only expense was her uniform.

 

As to pension systems, all Western countries do not have universal participation. The US for example does not have a system that applies to everyone. Social Security payments, for the most part, are available only to those who paid the corresponding tax to fund the system during their employment, as well as their surviving spouses. Currently, the employee the employee and employer pay an equal share of this 12.4% tax. Medical coverage (Medicare) however, is universal for all over age 65 regardless of whether they paid the corresponding employment tax.  Private pensions are generally a thing of the past, except for select groups such as government employees and school teachers. Most private employers began phasing out their pension plans in favor of primarily employee-funded 401(k) plans starting in the late 70s.

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, DrDave said:

Correct - students need only provide uniforms, and a very modest tuition for the last 3 years. I don't recall paying more than a few hundred baht per term when our daughter attended M4, and prior to that the only expense was her uniform.

The free government school my 9yo son attends charges 6,000bht/term for uniforms and extras.

If you want to attend that school, you have to pay, that works out at 1,000bht/month).

When they get to 15, around 70% of Thai school kids are removed from the free government school.

 

[BritManToo]

7 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

A poor country making a massive public expenditure during an economically crippling pandemic is well within both ethical and moral right to require rich foreigner tourists to pay 15$ for a covid test. If you are not a life-long tax paying citizen, the government owes you nothing. 

80% of Thai citizens have never paid any income tax (figures available from Thai income tax website).

We all pay VAT on everything we buy.

 

If any government wants to do something 'for the public good', then it should also pay for it.

Edited May 3, 2021 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

7 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Does your country allow Thais to come live there? 

They definitely allowed Thaksin and Yingluck to live there.

They even sold them a football club.

If they were still there, they'd get free vaccinations along with any other Thais in the country.

Edited May 3, 2021 by BritManToo

[Henryford]

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

80% of Thai citizens have never paid any income tax (figures available from Thai income tax website).

We all pay VAT on everything we buy.

Exactly, i probably pay more tax through VAT than most thais pay in income tax.

[Fairynuff]

7 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

I'm just saying you are wrong.

And I’m just saying I’m not, but you are. Thailand is no longer a poor country, there are however poor people, as with any country.

[Derek B]

On 4/22/2021 at 12:00 PM, Neeranam said:

No, not for selfish tourists wanting a beach holiday. They should pay for all their costs when travelling to another country.

Okay..........agreed tourists travelling to another country should have health care cover.

I would say visitors to Thai Islands wanting a beach holiday Thai or resident long stay expats married or otherwise should be treated equally as it is non essential travel.

The whole Phuket debate is a mess I reckon.

 

[Bkk Brian]

Phuket rapid test on arrival not free for Thais after May 15

PHUKET: The rapid antigen test will not be free for Thai nationals at the airport or at the Phuket Check Point onto the island by road from May 15, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-rapid-test-on-arrival-not-free-for-thais-after-may-15-79902.php