Expats getting a Covid-19 vaccine in Pattaya for dummies with emphasis on expats outside the Thai system

[WaveHunter]

2 minutes ago, VaccineHunter said:

by the way I would also highly recommend to install Googles Waze traffic App which usually shows checkpoint locations as police icons and traffic jams as well as make sure you have Google maps updated with real-time traffic information - that way you can proactively manage your trip and routing and avoid checkpoints to begin with...

Good idea and great app!  We can be like fighter pilots entering enemy territory, using it to avoid "bogies" ???? 

[VaccineHunter]

1 minute ago, WaveHunter said:

Glad you have a sense of humor, and didn't take my comment the wrong way ????

 

Actually your idea of an overnight stay sounds like a smart way to deal with possible travel delays getting into BKK.  I might do the same (sort of like a mini-vacation into Hell).

Exactly - there quite a few Hotels in walking distance to the Phya Thai 2 Hospital Area and you can actually show up earlier than your appointed date on Friday... And if you wear your N95 mask when  in public areas you are actually reasonably safe in my view. What I would really advise against is NOT getting vaccinated just because of the announcement of a few checkpoints - as it could still take weeks/months until vaccines are available in Chonburi while you would be about benefit from certain protection against death and hospitalisation in 2.5 weeks from now otherwise.

[VaccineHunter]

1 minute ago, WaveHunter said:

Good idea and great app!  We can be like fighter pilots entering enemy territory, using it to avoid "bogies" ???? 

All is fair in Love, War and during the Covid Pandemic in Thailand! ????

[WaveHunter]

35 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

All the time and effort you put in to get that booking and you consider to toss it so lightly????

I am not "tossing it" lightly at all.  I'm simply "on the fence" about it. 

 

If I feel comfortable I can get in and out of Bangkok with no issues, then I'll do it, but the last thing I want is to run into huge delays at checkpoint and end up missing the appointment, and wasting an entire day in the process.  Or in coming in super early to avoid that and then sitting in a hospital for hours around strangers, incresaing the liklihood of infection.

 

Worst case scenario, being pulled over, hassled by a cop who decides to be a jerk and being detained, vastly increasing my risks of getting infected in some police station (not likely I know but certainly possible in this present atmosphere of confusion over restrictions).

 

Besides, I have a backup appointment at MedPark next month when all of this confusion will be resolved (or the restrictions are eased).

 

And frankly, I just think of all the wasted hours and hours, and more hours we've all spent trying to get vaccinated, and I'm just at the end of my rope LOL!  It's kind of an appealing idea to know I have an appointment for next month, and in the meantime, I can just get to living a real life without all of this madness.  I mean, in the meantime, with proper precautions and my new N-95 masks, I feel almost invincible and can wait for the August appointment. 

 

And who knows, we might even get an opportunity to get some of the 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the US government and due here in the next 10 days or so. ????

 

Edited July 19, 2021 by WaveHunter

[Jingthing]

29 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

Glad you have a sense of humor, and didn't take my comment the wrong way ????

 

Actually your idea of an overnight stay sounds like a smart way to deal with possible travel delays getting into BKK.  I might do the same (sort of like a mini-vacation into Hell).

How would you get back?

[Jingthing]

51 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

I received an email reply from my driving service on 17 July (Saturday) and they said "No problem", but that was before the announcements I think so I sent them another email and waiting for their reply.

 

What date is your vax appointment?  Mine is this Friday 23 July.

 

28 July. 

I hit the lottery on the last day.

[WaveHunter]

Just now, Jingthing said:

How would you get back?

My driving service offers one way trips; a separate drop of and pick up is the same price as a round trip.

[Jingthing]

16 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

My driving service offers one way trips; a separate drop of and pick up is the same price as a round trip.

I was assuming Bangkok taxis would say no.

I think a round trip same day would be less problematic.

Edited July 19, 2021 by Jingthing

[WaveHunter]

Just now, Jingthing said:

28 July. 

I hit the lottery on the last day.

Well that actually make you luckier than me, since by the 28th, most of this confusion over restrictions should be resolved.  My only concern in making the trip too soon is that the authorities probably won't really know how to interpret them properly.

[Jingthing]

Just now, WaveHunter said:

Well that actually make you luckier than me, since by the 28th, most of this confusion over restrictions should be resolved.  My only concern in making the trip too soon is that the authorities probably won't really know how to interpret them properly.

I agree.

[WaveHunter]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I was assuming Bangkok taxis would say so.

I think a round trip same day would be less problematic.

I would not use a Bangkok service; only one here in Pattaya that I'm familiar with, but yes, a round trip would be less problematic by the time you're ready to travel.  This week though, I just think there will be a lot of confusion by authorities on how to interpret restrictions, and thus a lot of people on the roads having unexpected delays and potentially even unwarranted detainment.

[WaveHunter]

Here's the email I just received from my driving service regarding trip into Bangkok for vaccination:

 

 

BTW, I've used this driving service numerous times for trips to BKK, and they have always been reliable, their cars in great shape, and the drivers very friendly and very good drivers.  The operation is totally professional.

Edited July 19, 2021 by WaveHunter

[Guderian]

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

You guys really think they will be stopping all cars on major highways to and from Bangkok? I don't, the backup would be monstrous.......

Were you here in May 2019 when the mayor decided to isolate Pattaya from the rest of the world? The traffic jams that resulted were monstrous......

[WaveHunter]

2 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Were you here in May 2019 when the mayor decided to isolate Pattaya from the rest of the world? The traffic jams that resulted were monstrous......

That's what I'm talking about...local politicians grabbing their change to exercise power without having the wisdom to do it properly.  This current situation is just begging for that to happen.

[Skallywag]

21 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

Here's the email I just received from my driving service regarding trip into Bangkok for vaccination:

 

 

BTW, I've used this driving service numerous times for trips to BKK, and they have always been reliable, their cars in great shape, and the drivers very friendly and very good drivers.  The operation is totally professional.

I got a quote from Cherry Taxi for 2200 round trip.  Told them not sure how long inside the hospital but likely a couple hours.

Have only taken Cherry and Mr. T in the past when on holiday here back 5 years ago

[VaccineHunter]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

How would you get back?

Bolt..

[LongTimeLurker]

On 7/17/2021 at 6:40 PM, Leaver said:

 

Is that the same as taking a knee?  ????  

No, one is part of the US Constitution, the other soon will be.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

This may or may not soothe your jitters of travelling from Pattaya to Bangkok and back. Richard Barrow posted this item over an hour ago. You can register your intention to travel through dark red zones online. The problem is it's ONLY in Thai.

 

Quote

Still no outright ban on interprovincial travel but the government is now saying you should only travel through the dark red zones if your journey is really necessary. You are advised to register in advance to get a QR Code which you may have to show at checkpoints

 

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1417008395198992384?s=20

[Jingthing]

37 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

This may or may not soothe your jitters of travelling from Pattaya to Bangkok and back. Richard Barrow posted this item over an hour ago. You can register your intention to travel through dark red zones online. The problem is it's ONLY in Thai.

 

 

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/1417008395198992384?s=20

Thai or not how to get to that app?

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Thai or not how to get to that app?

In the original tweet, the link to the app is in Richard's self-tweeted Thai News post, though it's barely visible. Here you go: 

 

https://covid-19.in.th/move

Edited July 19, 2021 by Kaoboi Bebobp

[Guderian]

16 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

In the original tweet, the link to the app is in Richard's self-tweeted Thai News post, though it's barely visible. Here you go: 

 

https://covid-19.in.th/move

Thanks, but I'd hope our taxi drivers will sort this kind of thing out for us. if not, then the tip at the end of the trip is going to be minuscule, lol.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

6 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Thanks, but I'd hope our taxi drivers will sort this kind of thing out for us. if not, then the tip at the end of the trip is going to be minuscule, lol.

Good point re the taxi driver taking the trip registry in hand.

 

I'm looking to do a reverse trip after I get my first jab here on Wednesday at Phyathai. I am fortunate to stay in Bangkok for now but need to get a new retirement extension from Jomtien by early next month. Plan to move back to Pats soonish.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

49 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

In the original tweet, the link to the app is in Richard's self-tweeted Thai News post, though it's barely visible. Here you go: 

 

https://covid-19.in.th/move

@Jingthing A guy posted on Barrow's Twitter feed that he used the Google Translate extension on Chrome and it worked on the entire app, even the drop down menus. However, it seems you need a Thai ID. So yeah, get the taxi driver to fill it in.

 

Someone else rightly points out there's no date of travel. Oiee! TiT

 

More: Barrow says it's only good on the day of travel so can't do it in advance. 

Edited July 19, 2021 by Kaoboi Bebobp
Even more details

[WaveHunter]

1 hour ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

In the original tweet, the link to the app is in Richard's self-tweeted Thai News post, though it's barely visible. Here you go: 

 

https://covid-19.in.th/move

If you open the app up on your smart phone instead of the desktop, it will be translated to English ????

 

The bad news is that it requires a Thai ID number and will not aceept passport or Thai drivers license will not work.

 

And there's more bad news, drop down menus don't work either.  They will drop down but when you select an entry, it doesn't capture it

 

Just another example of Thai IT at its' finest.  What else is new !@#$% ????

 

Edited July 19, 2021 by WaveHunter

[The Hammer2021]

3 hours ago, WaveHunter said:

I am not "tossing it" lightly at all.  I'm simply "on the fence" about it. 

 

If I feel comfortable I can get in and out of Bangkok with no issues, then I'll do it, but the last thing I want is to run into huge delays at checkpoint and end up missing the appointment, and wasting an entire day in the process.  Or in coming in super early to avoid that and then sitting in a hospital for hours around strangers, incresaing the liklihood of infection.

 

Worst case scenario, being pulled over, hassled by a cop who decides to be a jerk and being detained, vastly increasing my risks of getting infected in some police station (not likely I know but certainly possible in this present atmosphere of confusion over restrictions).

 

Besides, I have a backup appointment at MedPark next month when all of this confusion will be resolved (or the restrictions are eased).

 

And frankly, I just think of all the wasted hours and hours, and more hours we've all spent trying to get vaccinated, and I'm just at the end of my rope LOL!  It's kind of an appealing idea to know I have an appointment for next month, and in the meantime, I can just get to living a real life without all of this madness.  I mean, in the meantime, with proper precautions and my new N-95 masks, I feel almost invincible and can wait for the August appointment. 

 

And who knows, we might even get an opportunity to get some of the 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccines donated by the US government and due here in the next 10 days or so. ????

 

Where and what is med Park?

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

2 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Where and what is med Park?

Alas, the registration form at MedPark is unavailable. It was open for days, sorry to say. But they might reopen. Here's the link:

 

https://www.medparkhospital.com/en/page/covid19-vaccine-expats

[WaveHunter]

6 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Where and what is med Park?

It is the third hospital where you were able to register listed on ThailandIntervac.com, but the registration page is currently offline, so I'm not sure if you can still register or not at this time.  Hospital is located in Bangkok.

 https://www.medparkhospital.com/en/page/covid19-vaccine-expats

Edited July 19, 2021 by WaveHunter

[WaveHunter]

So today 19 July is the first day that Phyathai is supposed to be administering the vax.  Was anybody scheduled for today?  Post feedback if you were there please..

[WaveHunter]

Has anybody seen the Daily update of COVID-19 situation by CCSA for today.  It's supposed to be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but I can'tt find it posted anywhere.  Anybody have a link?

Edited July 19, 2021 by WaveHunter

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

Has anybody seen the Daily update of COVID-19 situation by CCSA for today.  It's supposed to be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but I can'tt find it posted anywhere.  Anybody have a link?