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

[473geo]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

I know..........................I live in Phuket and I know the reactions of my family when I'm subject to discriminatory practice, for instance, they would rather walk out of a restaurant that has dual pricing separate menus than allow this unacceptable behaviour to go on. Its about what is right and what is wrong, thankfully my family have values.

I'm surprised they have not requested you move back to your home country, must be quite tiresome for them to continue to live in a place that causes such an affront and discomfort

[moe666]

9 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

The fact is when it was first announced, the charge was 300 baht for all arriving in Phuket, but then they realized this would kill all local tourism so changed it to free for Thai's and 500 for foreigners. 

 

So yes the PC brigade have every right to be up in arms over this.

At present who would want to go to the end of the world. My daughter was there about 3 weeks ago and she sent me a viedo. It was her and a friend walking on the soi, and only a couple of motorbikes went by during her recording. Phuket nah not because of 500 bhat but the fact it is dead

[bkk6060]

Well, now you know.

500 b. is a bargain.

[ThailandRyan]

23 minutes ago, alant said:

Yep and an ill thought out action I think.

This will potentially increase the possibility of the spread of the virus and or result in a reduction of foreign visitors.

May be better for business to give the test free to all.

100% agree, it would have been a better decision, instead of the us vs. them mentality so many have.

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, 473geo said:

I'm surprised they have not requested you move back to your home country, must be quite tiresome for them to continue to live in a place that causes such an affront and discomfort

Its their family home, they were born here, why would they want to see me move back without them because of this?

[Bkk Brian]

Why was the Rapid Test for foreigners entering Phuket increased from ฿300 to ฿500 after just one day? Was it to cover the cost of the decision to allow Thais to do the test for free? I’m told these test kits cost as little as ฿150-฿200 each

 

 

[473geo]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

Its their family home, they were born here, why would they want to see me move back without them because of this?

You would not wish to take them to land of the free and no double pricing?

It is 500 baht after all!!!!

[welshissan]

39 minutes ago, 473geo said:

Well the toolbox certainly sprung open today showing those who clearly have lost their love for Thailand!! Or are just miserable tight gits!!!

It is rumoured a farang has visited our area of issan from Pattaya who arrived with him not sure, but a whole village is now closed off

 

Double the charge for those who have forgotten they are guests of Thailand and care more about  500 baht, or the cost of an extended covid recovery in hospital, than spreading the disease

 

For me I have had 5 covid tests 3 in the UK 2 in Thailand, quarantine 15 days, 14 further days of daily temperature checks, and I would not bother about a further 500 baht expense

 

Happy to assist your efforts Thailand, and thank you my Thai family and friends for making me feel so welcome in these uncertain times

So your blaming the farang because the village is closed off, not the people that returned with him!!

[Bkk Brian]

14 minutes ago, PGSan said:

I have no idea!  Please tell us: too much with the rhetoric.

I'm not here as a dictionary source to explain to you what ethics are, seems you need a lesson in that.

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, 473geo said:

You would not wish to take them to land of the free and no double pricing?

It is 500 baht after all!!!!

No I do not wish to take them out of their home country where my daughter goes to a good international school that thankfully teaches right and wrong. Its not about the amount of money what is it you don't get about this?

[high plane drifter]

human kind learn very quick. but take a long time to understand

[473geo]

1 minute ago, welshissan said:

So your blaming the farang because the village is closed off, not the people that returned with him!!

You think?

[DUNROAMIN]

Just a matter of time before they change their minds and charge expats for the Vaccine. Then again I think I would prefer to choose my own and pay for a trusted vaccine and not risk with a dodgy CCP vaccine.

[473geo]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

No I do not wish to take them out of their home country where my daughter goes to a good international school that thankfully teaches right and wrong. Its not about the amount of money what is it you don't get about this?

That you are moaning about something that is really inconsequential is what I get out of this? I wonder how often you get your blood pressure checked do you pay?

[Dogmatix]

A friend in Hong Kong who is not a Hong Kong belonger (PR) has just had his second dose of Pfizer free of charge. 
 

A sharp contrast with Thailand’s muddled headed, racist, corrupt and utterly incompetent approach to the epidemic. Even under Chinese rule Hong Kong just quietly gets down to the Job without prejudice,

Edited April 22, 2021 by Dogmatix

[AhFarangJa]

Vote with your feet, boycott the place. Maybe then the message will get across, though I doubt it.

I am still an advocate of a system whereby when you enter a country you are subject to the same rules as foreigners in your native country. For example, if you enter U.K. the questions would be.............

1- can a foreigner own land and house in Thailand......No...........ok, neither can you here

2 - Can a Foreigner run a business 100% - No.......ok , neither can you...........

3 - You want a 1 year visa........sure.....please deposit 20,000 Pounds into a bank, with no interest, and no withdrawals........

And the list goes on.

I am still happy to live here with my family, I just wish we could have a more level playing field.

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, 473geo said:

That you are moaning about something that is really inconsequential is what I get out of this? I wonder how often you get your blood pressure checked do you pay?

Equality and discrimination are not inconsequential to me, my family or my friends. Its as simple as that, my blood pressure is fine thanks, its not a big deal for me or my family to avoid these situations but apparently pointing it out on this forum and staying on topic with the subject matter does cause problems with you.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Bkk Brian

[473geo]

1 minute ago, AhFarangJa said:

Vote with your feet, boycott the place. Maybe then the message will get across, though I doubt it.

I am still an advocate of a system whereby when you enter a country you are subject to the same rules as foreigners in your native country. For example, if you enter U.K. the questions would be.............

1- can a foreigner own land and house in Thailand......No...........ok, neither can you here

2 - Can a Foreigner run a business 100% - No.......ok , neither can you...........

3 - You want a 1 year visa........sure.....please deposit 20,000 Pounds into a bank, with no interest, and no withdrawals........

And the list goes on.

I am still happy to live here with my family, I just wish we could have a more level playing field.

You really cannot see the attraction of Thailand and why it is necessary to prevent foreigners from buying up the place?

[473geo]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Equality and discrimination are not inconsequential to me, my family or my friends. Its as simple as that, my blood pressure is fine thanks, its not a big deal for me or my family to avoid these situations but apparently pointing it out on this forum and staying on topic with the subject matter does cause problems with you.

Seek and you shall find

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, 473geo said:

Seek and you shall find

I see, now down to a throw away comment, congratulations 

[varun]

Same deal in China - locals get the vaccine for free, but foreigners pay approx 100 RMB = 500 baht.

[Naamblar2014]

10 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? 

 

It is my understanding that everyone in Australia can get a rapid test free.  They have drive thru testing.  Don't think they would refuse based on nationality when public health is at risk.

[brucegoniners]

So typical. If you haven't noticed, we are largely despised here.

 

Of course if we all went away these people would all be in extreme poverty.

[no deal]

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

You along with another poster are making a huge assumption on one of the most basic facts. Expats here are either retired or working. Those working locally such as my son pay local taxes. So why do they have to pay?

if you have insurance they pay for that,what the big deal!

[Aussie999]

6 minutes ago, Naamblar2014 said:

It is my understanding that everyone in Australia can get a rapid test free.  They have drive thru testing.  Don't think they would refuse based on nationality when public health is at risk.

The Aussie government has publicly stated that testing, and vaccines, are free to everyone.. I do not where know RobMuir got his info, or is he simply trying to divert the focus away from Thailand.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Aussie999

[A Los for words]

I got a free (rapid) covid test in Songkhla this week. Whether this is a Phuket decision to charge, or I got it free because of my Thai social security card (I wasn't asked for my number) I don't know.

Foreigners can afford to pay for this rapid test, so part of me thinks it's fair enough. Many comments in here are angry with the principle, but this is no surprise, so if you want it, pay for it.

[TKDfella]

I thought the best idea was not to travel to other provinces, at present that is, anyway. We all know that expats etc. are tolerated because of their money and I can't ever see that changing.

[Aussie999]

13 minutes ago, A Los for words said:

I got a free (rapid) covid test in Songkhla this week. Whether this is a Phuket decision to charge, or I got it free because of my Thai social security card (I wasn't asked for my number) I don't know.

Foreigners can afford to pay for this rapid test, so part of me thinks it's fair enough. Many comments in here are angry with the principle, but this is no surprise, so if you want it, pay for it.

Many people, both Thai, and non Thai, do not ask for free covid 19 infections.. but now thousands have it.. if a government is serious about stopping the spread, as is Australia, all testing, and vaccines, need to be free, otherwise they risk people not reporting their illness, or going for a paid for test.. simple logic... oh wait, there's that "logic" word, sorry.

Edited April 22, 2021 by Aussie999

[tandor]

11 hours ago, DavisH said:

Well, that's a surprise ????

...good to see corruption and extortion are surviving well through one of humanities most serious modern virus outbreaks..go Thailand.

[StevieAus]

Why all this outrage about non Thais having to pay for anything medical related, in the more than ten years I have lived here I have never had anything free.

There’s no welfare state for us it’s not the UK 

 it’s not Australia.

Yesterday I had the flu injection in Chiang Mai which I paid for as did my Thai wife she said it was easier and quicker than getting it free.

As for visiting Phuket far nicer places in my opinion and the last time we visited everything was about three times the price both for Thais and farangs.