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

[sambum]

4 hours ago, Neeranam said:

There is more discrimination against Thais in the UK. 

My daughter has to pay £13,000 a year as a foreign student, despite being a UK citizen!! 

 

The UK discriminates against its OWN citizens here in Thailand! For a start off, all Government Pensions are frozen from the time that you begin to live here, and even though all your income and pensions etc gets paid into a UK bank account, you can not get a Credit Card or Bank Loan because you are not a UK resident!

[sambum]

Just now, JWRC said:

I'm with you, who cares. 500 Baht is certainly not expensive, so I don't think that's a rip off.

Have you never heard of principles?

[Neeranam]

11 minutes ago, sambum said:

 

The UK discriminates against its OWN citizens here in Thailand! For a start off, all Government Pensions are frozen from the time that you begin to live here, and even though all your income and pensions etc gets paid into a UK bank account, you can not get a Credit Card or Bank Loan because you are not a UK resident!

Right but they shouldn't discriminate against UK citizens in the UK, just because they were not resident before going to UNi.

[Neeranam]

11 minutes ago, sambum said:

Have you never heard of principles?

Were you planning on going to Phuket?

[Billy A]

I took a Covid-19 test last week in Bangkok for $68 dollars, no big deal. In the US, I would have to pay for it the same and I am a citizen there.  

 

The reality is that it would take most of my Thai friend’s weeks to save this amount of money to get the test.  Best is to stop whining and at least do your part in trying to be part of the solution.  

 

Being grateful won't hurt either, Thailand is by far the best place to be during the last year and a half, far better than being stuck in Europe or the US.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Billy A

[Bkk Brian]

13 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Right but they shouldn't discriminate against UK citizens in the UK, just because they were not resident before going to UNi.

Its the same for so many, my daughter was born in the UK, we came here when she was a baby, now she's been in international school for the last few years, due to go back to the UK to UNI in 5 years time. She will pay International Student fee's. Her older sister works as a nurse in a UK university hospital, she finished UNI 5 years ago after paying International fees. Thats the way it is, much as me not being able to renew my UK driving license unless I live there.

 

The point is this is comparing apples and oranges to the situation here, the actual topic of discussion.

[vandeventer]

A Thai friend just told me today that a friend of hers went for a covid test and it was free. But the hospital call her back for a second test and that cost her 3000 baht, both were negative, and was she <deleted>.

[Bkk Brian]

14 minutes ago, Billy A said:

I took a Covid-19 test last week in Bangkok for $68 dollars, no big deal. In the US, I would have to pay for it the same and I am a citizen there.  

 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., including the uninsured. Additional testing sites may be available in your area. Contact your health care provider or your state or local public health department for more information.

 

https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

[Dominion]

So why do we pay taxes in this racist state?????

[connda]

Nothing says, "We despise you dirty foreigners, but we do ❤️ your money", like dual pricing.

[sambum]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

Were you planning on going to Phuket?

I've already explained why I have never been to Phuket and the reasons why. Whether I was planning to go or not, the point is whether foreigners should be charged for a Covid test or not.

 

This seems to fly in the face of the comments by the Health Minister, Anutin that everybody - Thai or foreigner -  should not have to pay for "jabs" (OK we're talking "tests"but the same principle applies)

However, Anutin seems to change his mind as often as I change my underpants, and that's at least every 2 or 3 days! ????

[4MyEgo]

23 hours ago, RobMuir said:

So exactly the same as in Australia, where only locals can get a Medicare card and discounts on medicine.

 

The headline and the way it is written will stir up all the PC brigade who like to endlessly claim they are victimised "It's not fair"

 

500 baht.

Who cares? 

 

Being an Ozzie, I can understand where your coming from, however, I think you missed the point, there are not a lot of long term visa holders in Australia, it's either you have PR, Citizenship or you don't, and I don't believe that the majority of us here on TVF appreciate the charge as we are long term residents, you see, the way I see it, and probably the way most farangs here see it is, we contribute to the Thai economy, e.g. I spend about a million baht per annum living here, add to that having built a house, purchased a car, furniture, etc, etc, that said, I would spend more here than a lot of Thai's would, so why should I have to pay the Thai government 500 baht for them wanting to check me for Covid as a potential tourist in Phuket, what next, will they want to charge me for spraying sanitizer on my hands when I walk into a shopping centre or for taking my temperature ?

 

This is a really bad business model, Phuket is suffering, now ask yourself this, do they need us to contribute to your economy or not, I think the answer is staring at you, e.g. hotels have discounted their rates to try and attract both Thai's and Farangs, and then some idiot who thinks he has a brainstorm idea, just killed it for those businesses suffering in Phuket.

 

My mindset works like this, treat me fairly and I will treat you fairly, rip me off or try to rip me off and you won't see the likes of me again.

 

I just cancelled a holiday with a full refund, that amount came to around 30,000 baht for the accommodation, the cancellation was obviously because of the Covid situation getting out of hand and the facilities at the hotel not being able to be used, so what is the point of going.

 

If I was to be charged a 500 baht fee to get tested beforehand, I would have cancelled my holiday based on that fee alone, now you work out who would lose, 30,000 baht plus back in my pocket and I am sure a lot of others would think like me, so x's that by xyz.

 

You say, 500 baht, who cares, well I do, even though I am a long term guest here, you don't come up with a stupid idea like this, I pay for full private cover and that costs me in excess of 100,000 baht for the privilege to have myself insured, but you want to me to be tested, then that's on you chump, not me, as far as I am concerned Phuket is toast and has been to me since 2019, there are other better places, you just have to find them, besides, they wouldn't as so stupid to come up with such a brainless idea, watch the backlash, and the change coming from the top in a few days, no charge for farangs, just a misunderstanding.

 

Too late for me, damage done. 

Edited April 22, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[kingofthemountain]

3 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

nope don't get it

Why i am not really surprised

the rest of your post being total nonsense

i prefer to give up with you, we really start from too far

have a nice day\good night

[4MyEgo]

6 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. If you don't pay income taxes in Thailand why would you expect free medical care?  How can you come from a rich country and expect a poor country to provide you with free services?  Pathetic!

 

I don't pay income taxes here or anywhere else, do I expect free medical care in Thailand no, I have full private cover, it costs me in excess of 100k baht per annum. I did come from a rich country, I don't expect a poor country, if you are referring to Thailand to provide me with free services, I am not asking for the test, they are, so it should be free as it is for Thai's, why else would they offer us free vaccinations, but then want to charge us for a test that they want us to take, doesn't make sense.

 

If I wanted to get tested, sure,  should pay for it, but it would be better business management to just leave things alone in times like this when businesses are suffering and have no charge for test conducted that are a requirement of the government or Phuket, I can see those in businesses in Phuket rolling their eyes back on this one as they know it's going to cost them in the long run.

 

Pathetic it is !

[sharksy]

Meanwhile, back in the UK, my Thai GF (who has barely worked / paid tax) gets her Covid jab tomorrow - for free.

[SiSePuede419]

If you can't afford 500B, you should probably go home and use your free healthcare system in your origin country. ????

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, SiSePuede419 said:

If you can't afford 500B, you should probably go home and use your free healthcare system in your origin country. ????

15 pages on this thread and not one person has said they can't afford it. Maybe you missed the whole point?

[SiSePuede419]

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

why else would they offer us free vaccinations, but then want to charge us for a test that they want us to take, doesn't make sense.

Vaccinations are a medical NEED, tests are a WANT (optional).

 

You also have to pay for EKG scans, etc. because they're OPTIONAL, depending on your medical condition.

 

Vaccinations are a medical necessity because it's the safest, fastest way to "herd immunity" and getting things back to normal.

 

Right. ????

[RobMuir]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

Being an Ozzie, I can understand where your coming from, however, I think you missed the point, there are not a lot of long term visa holders in Australia, it's either you have PR, Citizenship or you don't, and I don't believe that the majority of us here on TVF appreciate the charge as we are long term residents, you see, the way I see it, and probably the way most farangs here see it is, we contribute to the Thai economy, e.g. I spend about a million baht per annum living here, add to that having built a house, purchased a car, furniture, etc, etc, that said, I would spend more here than a lot of Thai's would, so why should I have to pay the Thai government 500 baht for them wanting to check me for Covid as a potential tourist in Phuket, what next, will they want to charge me for spraying sanitizer on my hands when I walk into a shopping centre or for taking my temperature ?

 

This is a really bad business model, Phuket is suffering, now ask yourself this, do they need us to contribute to your economy or not, I think the answer is staring at you, e.g. hotels have discounted their rates to try and attract both Thai's and Farangs, and then some idiot who thinks he has a brainstorm idea, just killed it for those businesses suffering in Phuket.

 

My mindset works like this, treat me fairly and I will treat you fairly, rip me off or try to rip me off and you won't see the likes of me again.

 

I just cancelled a holiday with a full refund, that amount came to around 30,000 baht for the accommodation, the cancellation was obviously because of the Covid situation getting out of hand and the facilities at the hotel not being able to be used, so what is the point of going.

 

If I was to be charged a 500 baht fee to get tested beforehand, I would have cancelled my holiday based on that fee alone, now you work out who would lose, 30,000 baht plus back in my pocket and I am sure a lot of others would think like me, so x's that by xyz.

 

You say, 500 baht, who cares, well I do, even though I am a long term guest here, you don't come up with a stupid idea like this, I pay for full private cover and that costs me in excess of 100,000 baht for the privilege to have myself insured, but you want to me to be tested, then that's on you chump, not me, as far as I am concerned Phuket is toast and has been to me since 2019, there are other better places, you just have to find them, besides, they wouldn't as so stupid to come up with such a brainless idea, watch the backlash, and the change coming from the top in a few days, no charge for farangs, just a misunderstanding.

 

Too late for me, damage done. 

The Thai government must pay for the test kit and staff.

Some people want everything for free paid for by the "government". 

 

500 is quite a reasonable fee for me to pay, i don't want to bludge off the Thais. Their taxes should be used on Thais, not farangs holidaying in Phuket.

 

If you are so well off as you claim, I am not sure why $20 for a test would worry you? It could save your life. Not worth cancelling a holiday over.

 

Phuket is quite a nice place, but it annoys the Cheap Charlies as it costs more. You were never going anyway so will never pay it.

 

plenty of really nice places for 30,000 per night in Phuket.

[bristolgeoff]

Many are waiting to return thais and Farang  are struck in many countries.they are getting the jabs free and test  and can not return until borders and allowed to travel and enter without quarantine.I don,t think the cost  are the reason but dual pricing exist and will continue.

[RobMuir]

1 hour ago, SiSePuede419 said:

If you can't afford 500B, you should probably go home and use your free healthcare system in your origin country. ????

I think that's where the attitude has developed. They expect the government to pay for their lives.

[RobMuir]

3 hours ago, connda said:

Nothing says, "We despise you dirty foreigners, but we do ❤️ your money", like dual pricing.

If you believe that then why do you stay?

 

Why not go? 

[RobMuir]

8 hours ago, meshborg said:

Stopped going Thailand 2 years ago.Its lost its appeal.I could write a long list but most people know  the score.

But still on a forum about Thailand. You must be missing it.

[BEngBKK]

Racisms remain intact...

[1FinickyOne]

10 hours ago, kingofthemountain said:

Why i am not really surprised

the rest of your post being total nonsense

i prefer to give up with you, we really start from too far

have a nice day\good night

then let me be direct..

 

My principle is that I will pay for and take responsibility for myself

 

Your principle is that you should be entitled to a Thai govt entitlement program for Thai people..

[rioD]

On 4/21/2021 at 10:47 AM, bendejo said:

 

No, the Thai taxpayer's money is for submarines and the off-shore bank accounts of corrupt officials, why waste money on trivial stuff like public health?

 

Falang hap to pay.  You pay now!

 

 

The fee is nothing BUT, they need the tourist much more the tourist need Phuket.  Foreign visitors SPEND much more than Thais so the revenue/profits associated with tourist far exceeds what Thai nationals will generate.

[Bkk Brian]

Quote from an expat: “I pay Thai taxes, I have for 16 years! am happy to bring my money elsewhere then!”

 

Quote from a Thai: “I feel so so ashamed of how my country (or its government) so desperately wants more money to continue their corruption. Any possible ways they can rip you off – they will do shamelessly.”

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/expats-condemn-phukets-xenophobic-rapid-test-payment-policy

[actonion]

The whole of Phuket is  just one big rip off ...taxis, hotel, restaurants. etc

[ThailandRyan]

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

then let me be direct..

 

My principle is that I will pay for and take responsibility for myself

 

Your principle is that you should be entitled to a Thai govt entitlement program for Thai people..

Explain please to us then How a covid test is an entitlement during a pandemic and spread of the disease can become a monetary money maker when the goal is to find the cases and stop it from spreading. 

Edited April 23, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[Henryford]

9 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

If you can't afford 500B, you should probably go home and use your free healthcare system in your origin country. ????

 

It's got nothing to do with whether i can afford 500 baht, obviously i can. I was planning to spend 25,000 + in Phuket on a holiday. But this is just another example of Phuket trying to scam every last satang out of foreigners. Controllong Covid, and improving Phuket's economy, should be a Government priority and they should be facilitating this, not putting obstacles in the way. So shortsighted. Phuket can get stuffed.