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

[Fairynuff]

3 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Are you serious?  The average Thai person makes 350$ a month working 10 hours a day 6 days a week. There is no public education or social pension. The luxuries you are talking about are out of reach for 90% of citizens. Those luxuries are there for you. 

So the answer is no you haven’t. Perhaps I should introduce you to some Thai people I know who might change your blinkered view.

[Fairynuff]

3 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Still, you benefit tremendously from the low cost of living in Thailand. How much have you saved living there? They don't have to allow you to be there at all. They are dealing with a very tough situation. The least you can do is... well nothing I guess... or you could just pay 15$ and thank your lucky stars you are not in England, Australia or the United States. 

Not everyone (me) came to live in Thailand because it’s cheaper. If I wanted to do that there are a multitude of countries far cheaper than Thailand 

[Bkk Brian]

3 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Still, you benefit tremendously from the low cost of living in Thailand. How much have you saved living there? They don't have to allow you to be there at all. They are dealing with a very tough situation. The least you can do is... well nothing I guess... or you could just pay 15$ and thank your lucky stars you are not in England, Australia or the United States. 

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

 

[Richard Kuklinski]

4 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

The average Thai person makes 350$ a month working 10 hours a day 6 days a week. There is no public education or social pension. The luxuries you are talking about are out of reach for 90% of citizens.

 

In a country that does not offer citizenship to immigrants, why should I care? 

 

How many times do I hear, "It's their country.  Leave it to the Thai's."  They have an unequal society here, not unlike many other countries, particularly African nations. 

 

Thailand is under a pseudo dictatorship.  If the Thai's want a more equal society, they will have to protest or revolt for it.  

[Richard Kuklinski]

8 hours ago, RobMuir said:

I have paid millions of baht tax in Thailand and don't have a problem with it.

 

I would have a problem if i knew that tax was being used to subsidize your Phuket holiday though.

 

As for charity I have probably given away more than you have ever earned.

 

 

Yet, you have no more rights here than a Cheap Charlie expat living in 4000 baht a month room.  

 

Doesn't matter how nice your property is here, or how much money you have in the bank, you are a farang, just like the rest of us.  

[DrDave]

7 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

There is no public education or social pension.

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?

[Chriss77]

Farangs, maybe/maybe not current expats, have bought it on themselves. I'm sure a hell of a lot of individuals over time have used the health care system in Thailand without paying. Probably comes with the territory, you are not a natural citizen, then pay your way if you choose retirement in the land of smiles. In Oz, there are times where "local" status will get a cheaper rate than that of a tourist, in tourist areas, especially Cairns......To put it in to perspective, 500 baht = 4-5 Leo beers at Kangaroo bar.????????????

Edited April 24, 2021 by Chriss77

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies about medical care in Australia have been removed.

 

Inflammatory and insulting posts and replies have been removed.

 

Troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

[grain]

On 4/22/2021 at 1:56 PM, heybuz said:

yes after a qualifying time not sure of the length.

A few years ago I was in WA on holiday with my TGF who was on a tourist visa. She fell ill and I took her to Royal Perth Hospital where she was examined by a doctor and given some tests and some medication. It was totally free. So the notion that only Australian citizens can access free medical is false. Visitors can get free emergency medical attention. And seeking attention for anything covid related is encouraged by the gov.

[473geo]

16 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

He still thinks it is about saving the Thai people and their medical fund 500 thb. 

Yep, compassion, care, and consideration for those less fortunate than myself in country where they have always made me feel very welcome

 

 

[Fairynuff]

9 hours ago, 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

 

We’ll blow me, he’s not that keen here after all ????????????

[heybuz]

On 4/22/2021 at 4:23 PM, RobMuir said:

 

 

How much does an Australian Tourist Visa cost?

For a 3 month Australian tourist visa the total cost is 30,000 Thai baht and included in our fee are all costs incurred during the visa application. Embassy fee, translations etc., do not incur an increase in the quoted price.You only pay a 10,000 baht deposit to start the process.

 

As opposed to the lovely Thais giving me a free visa on arrival.

 

wrong, its 365 aus dollars and you can stay up to 12 months, the 30,000 bht you quote is for chinese nationals on business https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600

[kingofthemountain]

3 hours ago, Chriss77 said:

Farangs, maybe/maybe not current expats, have bought it on themselves. I'm sure a hell of a lot of individuals over time have used the health care system in Thailand without paying. Probably comes with the territory, you are not a natural citizen, then pay your way if you choose retirement in the land of smiles. In Oz, there are times where "local" status will get a cheaper rate than that of a tourist, in tourist areas, especially Cairns......To put it in to perspective, 500 baht = 4-5 Leo beers at Kangaroo bar.????????????

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

[anakot]

On 4/22/2021 at 1:08 AM, 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? 

 

Absolutely right.

 

Why should foreigners get it for free <deleted>!

 

And 500 baht, about the cost of a beer in some exorbitant establishments. LOL

 

 

[Pattaya Spotter]

7 hours ago, 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?

If you have ever owned a business in Thailand with Thai employees, you will definitely know that Thailand has a social pension system and the employer taxes to pay for it. I find it amazing that so many spout off on topics they know nothing about...I'd be embarrassed to be called out all the time.

[kingofthemountain]

1 hour ago, anakot said:

Absolutely right.

 

Why should foreigners get it for free <deleted>!

 

And 500 baht, about the cost of a beer in some exorbitant establishments. LOL

 

 

And one more ????

[4MyEgo]

16 hours ago, BenBen23 said:

Still, you benefit tremendously from the low cost of living in Thailand. How much have you saved living there? They don't have to allow you to be there at all. They are dealing with a very tough situation. The least you can do is... well nothing I guess... or you could just pay 15$ and thank your lucky stars you are not in England, Australia or the United States. 

 

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.  

 

 

[RobMuir]

4 hours ago, heybuz said:

wrong, its 365 aus dollars and you can stay up to 12 months, the 30,000 bht you quote is for chinese nationals on business https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600

 

So they have dual pricing? 

 

[heybuz]

5 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

 

So they have dual pricing? 

 

all business visas are handled differently ,also the chinese one is for 10 years.

[StevieAus]

On 4/22/2021 at 9:04 AM, Aussie999 said:

is ok, only if they charge everyone, irrespective of their residency status.. please understand what everyone is saying...

Yes I concede went off on a tangent on that one, must have been having Seniors Moment, or something,

Maybe I have been fortunate and have not experienced dual pricing in the medical field, the private hospital my family and I have dealt with in Chiang Mai for many years, are very open about their charges and very fair.

I do standby an earlier post where I stated that Phuket is overpriced both for Thais and non Thais alike, maybe it’s the culture down there.

[kingofthemountain]

1 hour ago, StevieAus said:

I do standby an earlier post where I stated that Phuket is overpriced both for Thais and non Thais alike, maybe it’s the culture down there.

I don't think it's something cultural

there is a constant rumor since ages that the entire island is ruled by a mafia

and their greed has no limit, impacting all the levels of the local economy

[pacovl46]

On 4/23/2021 at 9:43 AM, Fairynuff said:

So as far as you’re concerned the only relevant tax is income tax. No point in engaging any further then.

Didn’t say that! All I’m saying is don’t expect free stuff in Thailand just because you live there and paid tax once while you bought a condo.

[Fairynuff]

14 hours ago, pacovl46 said:

Didn’t say that! All I’m saying is don’t expect free stuff in Thailand just because you live there and paid tax once while you bought a condo.

Right, so you’re just repeating the same thing to try to make a point

[grain]

22 hours ago, anakot said:

Absolutely right.

 

Why should foreigners get it for free <deleted>!

 

And 500 baht, about the cost of a beer in some exorbitant establishments. LOL

 

 

I'll tell you why foreigners should get it for free. Because it's vitally important and in Thailand's best interests to test, isolate and treat anybody who has or may have covid. Regardless of race, nationality and visa status. 

[Harveyboy]

On 4/22/2021 at 1:51 PM, Fairynuff said:

Everyone pays tax in Thailand in the form of VAT whether working or not. Anyone who buys a home pays more tax in one hit than a low earning Thai person might pay in a lifetime. A massive percentage of Thai people never pay income tax. 

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  

[Ginner]

On 4/22/2021 at 10:26 AM, Bkk Brian said:

Good for you, so you have no need to worry about the ethics of it all.

TIT mate, didn't ya know?

 

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, Ginner said:

TIT mate, didn't ya know?

 

Yea been here for 15 years and you?

[Ginner]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Yea been here for 15 years and you?

21 years. Always made sure I was covered regards health and accident insurance.

 

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Ginner said:

21 years. Always made sure I was covered regards health and accident insurance.

 

Me to and pay my taxes, thanks

[pacovl46]

10 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

Right, so you’re just repeating the same thing to try to make a point

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