Big victory for farangs who want fairness. Thais made to pay.

[RobMuir]

A big story last week was the outrage of foreigners being charged for the rapid covid test to enter Phuket, while the Thai citizens and taxpayers were to receive free tests. (Paid for by the Thai taxpayers)

 

Some claimed it stunk of racism! Most claimed it was a small service charge but it was the point" of it. Back in "my country" everyone was tested free. 

 

Thais don't get free visas to those countries to get the free tests but that is another issue.

 

"David" reported to Thaivisa that he was cancelling his Phuket holiday in protest.

Many other farangs who had no plans to ever travel to overpriced Phuket ever again anyway declared they would never return.

 

Well, the good news is they listened to our protests, we were heard and made a difference and the Phuket governor has declared that from the 15th of this month the Thai taxpayers will not be picking up the bill for Thais or foreigners to travel to Phuket. 

 

Rob Muir notes that if David takes his family to Phuket now he will be forking out over 2,000 baht as opposed to 500 baht before the rules changed. 

 

Maybe others will reconsider now and travel to Phuket because, while it will be more expensive now, we are being treated fairly.

And that is the point!

 

https://www.prachachat.net/local-economy/news-661794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[schlog]

Are you serious? But for sure funny you are......big victory lol.

[Brierley]

Cuts off nose to spite face, feels better afterwards because he did the right thing by not going on holiday to Phuket, what's wrong with that picture I ask myself!

[natway09]

A bleating article about nothing.

Ask the Thai travellers who went to your country about visa costs, medical insurance, blah blah.

When you leave your "Nanny" state to travel to most other countries in the world as a "foreigner " you pay & rightfully so in particular where the people of the country cannot afford to subsidize you

[chuang]

Kee nok

[digger70]

On 5/6/2021 at 7:09 PM, RobMuir said:

Rob Muir notes that if David takes his family to Phuket now he will be forking out over 2,000 baht as opposed to 500 baht before the rules changed. 

 

Now that's  a great victory going Backwards by 400%  ????

[rwill]

I doubt it has anthing to do with them listening to farangs.  Most likely just looking at their bank account.

[4MyEgo]

On 5/6/2021 at 10:09 PM, RobMuir said:

Well, the good news is they listened to our protests, we were heard and made a difference and the Phuket governor has declared that from the 15th of this month the Thai taxpayers will not be picking up the bill for Thais or foreigners to travel to Phuket. 

 

When you say they listened to "our" protests, I recall you laughing at the many expats in that post who (present company included) said it was ridiculous for them to charge us for "them" wanting "us" to take the tests, e.g. we are guests in your country, we should be treated like guests in your country, nowhere else in the world is anyone charged to take a test, unless they want to take it themselves, same should apply here, period.

 

On 5/6/2021 at 10:09 PM, RobMuir said:

Rob Muir notes that if David takes his family to Phuket now he will be forking out over 2,000 baht as opposed to 500 baht before the rules changed. 

 

Maybe others will reconsider now and travel to Phuket because, while it will be more expensive now, we are being treated fairly.

And that is the point!

 

Your post doesn't really make sense, are you suggesting that they have jacked the price up from 500 baht to 2,000 baht, if that's the case then it would make sense that some idiot has lost face, obviously not in business and is just applying trying to show that his ego is as small as his brain, therefore making anyone who has a business in Phuket want to take him out for his stupidity.

 

Alternatively it is as I said it would be, i.e. that the 500 baht cost for the test would be quashed because businesses would be up in arms, e.g. trying to attract tourists, as opposed to charging them for tests that the government wants to take of them, similar to the government wanting to vaccinate foreigners, should be free, which it is, different if I want to get the vaccination of my choice, then I would pay for that.

 

I somehow still don't think your going to see it from my point of view, again nothing to do with being a cheap Charlie, more so what is right and the norm around the world, not in a bubble of ones own mind who also has blinkers on.

 

In my last post you had a dig at me for stating that I would not return to Phuket and many others stated the same, suffice to say, we see what goes on, are not stupid and not blinded by what attracts you there to that hole, even if you are blindly or feely accepting of being ripped off, "up to you" as the Thai's say, but don't try to convince us otherwise.

[Harveyg]

I get no satisfaction from this result. It seems so familiar to me. Foreigners who never accept the Thai way and always want to impose their way of thinking on the Thai way continually seem to ignore the message. This rings true like so many times before. When you complain about the Thai way you don’t get anywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re right. You learn this the first year in Thailand if you care to open your eyes. It’s Mai Pen Rai 101.  Do not attempt to use western logic in this country. Period.  

You complain about being unfairly charged so what’s the solution? You now pay four times as much but it’s fair. That’s a win?
And how do the Thai administrators express their anger to foreigners? In this case they make the Thai people pay more. They never have to express any anger. The type people do it for them.        It really endears us to them doesn’t it?

The message is, if you complain then you walk away with less than you started with. It might be the desire for justice back home, but here it’s your arrogance.

Edited May 12, 2021 by Harveyg

[MrJ2U]

They just ran out of money.  Big spike in cases though.

[LukKrueng]

16 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

When you say they listened to "our" protests, I recall you laughing at the many expats in that post who (present company included) said it was ridiculous for them to charge us for "them" wanting "us" to take the tests, e.g. we are guests in your country, we should be treated like guests in your country, nowhere else in the world is anyone charged to take a test, unless they want to take it themselves, same should apply here, period.

 

 

Your post doesn't really make sense, are you suggesting that they have jacked the price up from 500 baht to 2,000 baht, if that's the case then it would make sense that some idiot has lost face, obviously not in business and is just applying trying to show that his ego is as small as his brain, therefore making anyone who has a business in Phuket want to take him out for his stupidity.

 

Alternatively it is as I said it would be, i.e. that the 500 baht cost for the test would be quashed because businesses would be up in arms, e.g. trying to attract tourists, as opposed to charging them for tests that the government wants to take of them, similar to the government wanting to vaccinate foreigners, should be free, which it is, different if I want to get the vaccination of my choice, then I would pay for that.

 

I somehow still don't think your going to see it from my point of view, again nothing to do with being a cheap Charlie, more so what is right and the norm around the world, not in a bubble of ones own mind who also has blinkers on.

 

In my last post you had a dig at me for stating that I would not return to Phuket and many others stated the same, suffice to say, we see what goes on, are not stupid and not blinded by what attracts you there to that hole, even if you are blindly or feely accepting of being ripped off, "up to you" as the Thai's say, but don't try to convince us otherwise.

Yes, you're absolutely right. Same as all countries and airlines that demand a negative covid test before you're allowed to board a plane (for which you already paid for a ticket) or travel to because they want you as a tourist, or even your home country that welcomes you back. Oh hang on. They don't pay for your test. You have to pay for it...

And Australians that want to go back home on the very limited quota for passengers - the government is subsidising the ticket. Oh, that's another no....

[4MyEgo]

22 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

Yes, you're absolutely right.

 

I know I am, to bad you don't see it my way.

 

22 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

Same as all countries and airlines that demand a negative covid test before you're allowed to board a plane (for which you already paid for a ticket) or travel to because they want you as a tourist, or even your home country that welcomes you back.

 

You are talking about international travel, not domestic travel for those already residing in Thailand, the word tourist here is used for both, Thai's and Farangs within Thailand who wish to travel to Phuket.

 

Thai tourists don't pay, farang tourists pay, ah the irony, too bad for businesses.

 

It is no different to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, if you want my business and you want me to pay you 500 baht for you to test me, then you get zero, simple as that, now I thought to attract tourists in this climate, you would want to make tourists as welcome as possible, not charge one and allow the other to be free, but then again, this clown and or those that didn't get a proper education in economics, don't understand the basics of the business model.

 

22 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

Oh hang on.

 

Blank ?

 

22 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

They don't pay for your test. You have to pay for it...

 

Again, you are using the service of an international carrier who has a policy in place which is in line with most carriers, not a tourist destination for domestic tourists that says if you want in, you have to pay 500 for a test, but if your Thai, you don't.

 

22 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

And Australians that want to go back home on the very limited quota for passengers - the government is subsidising the ticket. Oh, that's another no....

 

I don't believe the Australian government is subsidising the ticket to go back home as much as they would be paying for you to quarantine, you keep bring up examples of international travel, but nothing on the domestic side of things.

 

Show me one country that charges people residing in that country, who travel domestically to support their economy and businesses, to do tests before allowing them entry, to be more specific, not charging their own citizens/tourists, only those who are not citizens/tourists.

 

Bet you can't !

Edited May 12, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[BritManToo]

On 5/6/2021 at 7:09 PM, RobMuir said:

Maybe others will reconsider now and travel to Phuket because, while it will be more expensive now, we are being treated fairly.

And that is the point!

Any white person would be stupid to visit Phuket while they can be arrested and fined for having a family dinner around the pool. Phuket needs to be blacklisted by all white foreigners while the racist Thai police are running out of control IMHO.

[RocketDog]

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

I know I am, to bad you don't see it my way.

 

 

You are talking about international travel, not domestic travel for those already residing in Thailand, the word tourist here is used for both, Thai's and Farangs within Thailand who wish to travel to Phuket.

 

Thai tourists don't pay, farang tourists pay, ah the irony, too bad for businesses.

 

It is no different to Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, if you want my business and you want me to pay you 500 baht for you to test me, then you get zero, simple as that, now I thought to attract tourists in this climate, you would want to make tourists as welcome as possible, not charge one and allow the other to be free, but then again, this clown and or those that didn't get a proper education in economics, don't understand the basics of the business model.

 

 

Blank ?

 

 

Again, you are using the service of an international carrier who has a policy in place which is in line with most carriers, not a tourist destination for domestic tourists that says if you want in, you have to pay 500 for a test, but if your Thai, you don't.

 

 

I don't believe the Australian government is subsidising the ticket to go back home as much as they would be paying for you to quarantine, you keep bring up examples of international travel, but nothing on the domestic side of things.

 

Show me one country that charges people residing in that country, who travel domestically to support their economy and businesses, to do tests before allowing them entry, to be more specific, not charging their own citizens/tourists, only those who are not citizens/tourists.

 

Bet you can't !

You seem to put a lot of emphasis on the money you lavish on local economies when you travel. 

I don't think the Thai people do. You over-estimate your importance to them. 

But hey, celebrate your 'victory' and move on with life. 

[RobMuir]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

When you say they listened to "our" protests, I recall you laughing

Correct

 

 

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

I somehow still don't think your going to see it from my point of view, again nothing to do with being a cheap Charlie, more so what is right and the norm around the world, not in a bubble of ones own mind who also has blinkers on.

Correct, nobody is forcing anybody to go to Phuket although it holds a special place in your heart.

Would you pay a barfine for a woman that Thais get for free?

 

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

In my last post you had a dig at me for stating that I would not return to Phuket

 

Ok, up to you.

Nobody cares if you do or don't.

[RobMuir]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

if you want my business and you want me to pay you 500 baht for you to test me,

They cracked down on the zero baht tourists a while back

[Bkk Brian]

Actually they stated that they are making the same charge to everyone because their budget had finished, however thats old news..............

 

New rules here:-

 

No rapid tests for Phuket arrivals from May 15, quarantine instead

 

PHUKET: Rapid antigen tests will no longer be used to determine whether or not people may enter Phuket from May 15, Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong has confirmed.

 

https://www.thephuketnews.com/no-rapid-tests-for-phuket-arrivals-from-may-15-quarantine-instead-79938.php

[tomazbodner]

Bluntly, @RobMuir, what they charged for entry to Phuket was the least of the reason for me not wanting to go there.

 

It is a gorgeous place (especially just north of Phuket) and the memories of seeing it just before landing there on early morning flight from Hong Kong still make me adore how the place looks.

 

But there is the other side of Phuket. It was filled with scams from landing there to taking off again, and they were everywhere. The whole place was configured for cashing as much as possible off anyone, local or foreigner, without any care for reputation or anyone returning.

 

I understand that life on the island is expensive, probably it is the most expensive place to live in Thailand. But there should be at least some sort of long term thinking there on how to make people so happy they return every time they can take a break.

 

Like other places, once pandemic hit, I would be certain that at least in some places the behaviour and mentality have changed. Or at least I hope so.

 

In grand view of things, though - the 500 baht test at the airport barely made a dent to Phuket's reputation. There are so many friendlier places nearby that are as or nearly as convenient to travel to, where hosts treat visitors very differently. So why bother with Phuket?

 

And - I think if we step back a little, Thailand as a whole was counting on never-ending line of people wanting to come. This pandemic might have changed all this, and with a near 2 years' cessation of travel by the time this is over, that wooden duck herd standing in line to board flight to Thailand might slowly start going other places. As an article I read recently said, Thailand was one of the most profitable tourism destinations for decades. Maybe that has just come to an end.

 

And that might be for the good. As resources might now be spread more evenly to other things that could put Thailand on the map for other reasons, not only tourism and agriculture. I hope this economic disaster is seen as a turning point, an opportunity to re-calibrate, and emerge stronger, with eggs spread more evenly among several baskets.

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, RocketDog said:

You seem to put a lot of emphasis on the money you lavish on local economies when you travel. 

I don't think the Thai people do. You over-estimate your importance to them. 

But hey, celebrate your 'victory' and move on with life. 

In fact Thai people spend A LOT when traveling. When they go to Europe, they literally empty high end shops as it is their "obligation" to bring gifts from travel for everyone... family, friends, colleagues... They tend to eat out at local quite pricey places that are highly recommended, not McDonald's and street stalls like many foreigners coming to Thailand.

 

Obviously, someone traveling to France, UK, Japan.. doesn't expect that to be a cheap vacation and plans accordingly. But for incoming tourists, Thailand is considered "cheap" destination, and it attracts different kind of tourists, who tend to spend less than those going to say Malaysia or Singapore or...

 

It is now probably over a year ago, but @Yinn posted some research on average amounts tourists from different countries spent per day, and on what. I am not going to search for it now, but it did yield results that to me, were quite surprising.

[RobMuir]

5 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Bluntly, @RobMuir, what they charged for entry to Phuket was the least of the reason for me not wanting to go there.

 

It is a gorgeous place (especially just north of Phuket) and the memories of seeing it just before landing there on early morning flight from Hong Kong still make me adore how the place looks.

 

But there is the other side of Phuket. It was filled with scams from landing there to taking off again, and they were everywhere. The whole place was configured for cashing as much as possible off anyone, local or foreigner, without any care for reputation or anyone returning.

 

I understand that life on the island is expensive, probably it is the most expensive place to live in Thailand. But there should be at least some sort of long term thinking there on how to make people so happy they return every time they can take a break.

 

Like other places, once pandemic hit, I would be certain that at least in some places the behaviour and mentality have changed. Or at least I hope so.

 

In grand view of things, though - the 500 baht test at the airport barely made a dent to Phuket's reputation. There are so many friendlier places nearby that are as or nearly as convenient to travel to, where hosts treat visitors very differently. So why bother with Phuket?

 

And - I think if we step back a little, Thailand as a whole was counting on never-ending line of people wanting to come. This pandemic might have changed all this, and with a near 2 years' cessation of travel by the time this is over, that wooden duck herd standing in line to board flight to Thailand might slowly start going other places. As an article I read recently said, Thailand was one of the most profitable tourism destinations for decades. Maybe that has just come to an end.

 

And that might be for the good. As resources might now be spread more evenly to other things that could put Thailand on the map for other reasons, not only tourism and agriculture. I hope this economic disaster is seen as a turning point, an opportunity to re-calibrate, and emerge stronger, with eggs spread more evenly among several baskets.

Fair comment.

 

The higher prices partly reflect a higher standard that the more discerning tourists demand IMO.

 

Pattaya for example for a Tom Yum Goong 80 baht. Phuket 200 baht.

 

You could say Phuket is " a scam".

However the Pattaya version would be served in a plastic bowl that has seen better days, from a dirty menu with spelling errors and be seated on a plastic chair or concrete bench, made in a dirty old kitchen in a restaurant with dirty marks on the walls and especially around light switches etc with small farmed prawns.

 

The Phuket version would be served in a ceramic bowl, in a clean restaurant, comfortable chairs with armrests with ocean prawns and a slightly larger serve from a clean correctly spelled menu.

 

I am ok with either version, but am able to see why Phuket is more expensive. 

 

Phuket is not for the budget conscious.

[rumak]

Just now, RobMuir said:

The Phuket version would be served in a ceramic bowl

 

Jesus !   Now I'm gonna have to get Mrs R  to go look for those pretty ceramic bowls we packed away somewhere...........  for when you visit

[BenDeCosta]

In the UK, medical treatment is free for residents. But foreign visitors have to pay, although in reality, they usually just skip the country and never pay their bill. Is that racism? People who live in a country and contribute through taxes get something for free, whereas people who are visitors and have never contributed have to pay for their treatment. That isn't racism because in the UK both the residents and visitors will have a huge variety of ethnic backgrounds. It's just about charging people who have not contributed.

 

If you live in a country but don't work and don't pay taxes, it is quite reasonable that you should be charged a small amount. And in reality, if you can't afford it, then maybe you'd be better off in your home country where you will probably get it for free. It's not racism, it's economics.

 

Plus, Thailand is still a third-world country where anyone who looks different is considered to be an outsider and will often be charged more. I don't agree with that at all, charging people on the basis of their appearance is abhorrent, but charging people on their residency status seems quite reasonable. I'm sure that there are lots of ex-pats who contribute a huge amount to Thailand's economy, but, because they are not Thai, they have to pay more. I don't think that will change any time soon.

 

Edit: I used to work for the NHS, and was privy to the amounts owed by foreigners who had been treated. The amounts owed were simply scandalous, and there was no way to reclaim the money.

Edited May 12, 2021 by BenDeCosta

[RobMuir]

13 minutes ago, BenDeCosta said:

Intelligent people would always rather have a debate, and would never resort to personal attacks.

We have established that I am not intelligent already, which some might take as a personal attack, which I don't.

 

For the king I was merely returning serve.

For the ego I mentioned that only in the context of him expecting to have the red carpet rolled out for him because he chooses to live in Thailand. He didn't choose to live in Thailand to "help the economy"

Edited May 12, 2021 by RobMuir

[kingofthemountain]

12 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

 

 

Hold on big fella. 

 

It was you that called me " a real champion" sarcastically for wanting to financially help out a Thai friend in need.

 

 

But you are correct, I am a high school dropout. Not the sharpest. 

 

BTW I do admire both of you for your honesty. A lot of people like you two live in denial.

Respect for that.

There is a big difference calling sarcastically someone ''a real champion'' for wanting to take advantage of financial distress of someone in the hope of appropriating her 80 rai resort (Not really what i call ''help out a thai friend in need'' and you talk about us living in denial lol) and going on the personal side like you did  with me (Unfortunately for you i assume my sexual choices, so you hadn't the result expected) or you do here  with 4myego about his wife, his child, his nationality and whatever you could try to find to throw to him

 

As i said it shows a very bad side of yourself, maybe you should think about it or one day it could come back to bite your a....

Edited May 12, 2021 by kingofthemountain

[BenDeCosta]

44 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

We have established that I am not intelligent already, which some might take as a personal attack, which I don't.

 

For the king I was merely returning serve.

 

 

If someone personally attacks or insults you, then responding in kind only reduces you to their level. Either ignore it, or challenge the person to an intelligent discussion. If they refuse, than that tells you all you need to know about the person. You should never degrade yourself by resorting to petty insults because all that does is makes you look stupid.  

 

Rise above it, be the better person and don't insult anyone, because you don't know what other people have been through and you certainly don't know their IQ. Only stupid people resort to such pettiness.

 

Edited May 12, 2021 by BenDeCosta

[stevenl]

4 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Show me one country that charges people residing in that country, who travel domestically to support their economy and businesses, to do tests before allowing them entry, to be more specific, not charging their own citizens/tourists, only those who are not citizens/tourists.

 

Bet you can't !

Read the OP, neither does Thailand.

[aboctok]

At first I thought the headline for this story was a series of strange typos. Now I see it's simply saying som nam na.

[kingofthemountain]

35 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

This thread is about fairness. I fully expect my Thai friend to repay the loan when she sells her resort.

That's not what you writed in the topic

from the highest interest rate to the best way to becoming

the owner of the land and the resort, all your efforts were on ending being the owner of her 160 millions thb property for the modest price of your 2 millions loan

You have clearly stated this on your topic, maybe you have already forgotten it, i can only invite you to read again your own statements

 

Maybe it's being opportunist, maybe greedy, but there is nothing friendly in your move

35 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

If you think paying sex workers which is borderline illegal anyway should entitle you to free medical from the Thai taxpayer it is my personal opinion that that is expecting a bit much.

I don't even developp about your nonsense ''borderline illegal''

For the rest this is coming directly from your imagination

i have never writed i should be entitle to free medical because of my ''contributions''

i writed Phuket wants more the tourists than the tourists want Phuket

the tourists have multiple choices, and Phuket is far from being the best of the options

On the other hand, Phuket economy relies mostly on tourism, so the island doesn't have a lot of choice, except if the population wants to return to fish and to the coconut trees.

35 minutes ago, RobMuir said:

You previously posted you were taking advantage of the cheaper prices for sexual services because of the lack of tourist customers. To my mind that is taking advantage, not supporting. Many would find a older westerner taking advantage of vulnerable young Asian sex workers to be abhorrent.

It's a market, supplies and demand

i am not responsible for their choice to offer sex for money

i don't take advantage, i am just at the market price, and they are more than happy with my offer

you should be surprised to know that i am often forced to decline when few days after the first meeting they contact me again, because i like to change and i don't want a routine

do you really think they will contact me again, and they will insist to come back to my room if it was so abhorrent ?

 

Now do you really want to talk about the fake ''seduction'' process of the Thai girls working in a factory to have free sex with some young and naives girls hoping for a better future?

It was like ''fishing in a barrel'' if i remember correctly your expression

 

Edited May 12, 2021 by kingofthemountain

[4MyEgo]

13 hours ago, RocketDog said:

You seem to put a lot of emphasis on the money you lavish on local economies when you travel. 

I don't think the Thai people do. You over-estimate your importance to them. 

But hey, celebrate your 'victory' and move on with life. 

 

You don't get economics, I am not the one day in, day out, making noise about how bad tourism is doing and how I am going to do this and that, then someone from the side comes out from the shadows and says, everyone's going to get tested, Thai's are free, farangs 500 baht, <DELETED!> is that.

 

Move on you say, I move on quickly when I know people try to rip me off, if you think that I think 500 baht is extortion for them wanting to test farangs, you should meet my Thai wife when someone try's rips her off 100 baht, and when I say try's to rips her off 100 baht I mean "try's", e.g. restaurant bill arrives, 100 baht service fee, for what, for service, where is it shown in your menu, not have, but it is for farang, not only did she leave paying the bill minus 100 baht, she left them 100 baht short on the bill, but not before humiliating the them in a packed restaurant, and added, if you want to call the police for me charging you 100 baht for me to lecture you right from wrong, then go ahead, I will go to the media with this, they didn't say a word and of course never returned.

 

No doubt you and others would not have even questioned it, nothing to do with the money, it's about ripping farangs off, why a service charge for farangs and not Thai's ?

 

She would have gone to the media, but then again, would it be worth fighting with the defamation laws here, I believe she brought her point across, did they stop with the undisclosed service fee for farangs, probably not and they probably never even itemise the bill, just pay, ting tong farangs.    

Edited May 13, 2021 by metisdead
Profane acronym removed.

[4MyEgo]

9 hours ago, stevenl said:

Read the OP, neither does Thailand.

 

Care to elaborate ?