Can we trust the Thai government to keep its word on November 1st?

[OneMoreFarang]

The problem is that not anticipated things could happen.

Will they open on 1st November is nothing exiting happens? I guess so.

Will they also open if there is i.e. another dangerous virus version? Some things are unpredictable. 

[Sheryl]

There is no "word" to be kept as the government never made a definitive commitment to do this. It was announced only as a tentative plan, contingent on things like progress with vaccination, case count etc.

 

Also please note that the details were never announced and it was certainly never suggested (and probably never intended) that there would be no conditionalities and people could just fly into Bangkok and then go on to other parts of the country. indeed the discussion was specific to Bangkok and referred to the existing Sandboxes, so very likely that there will be as required pre-paid Bangkok hotel booking, COVID tests after arrival, etc etc.

 

 

[spidermike007]

Absolutely not! I would not trust them to walk my dog. They have done nothing but break promises for 7 long years now. 

 

All credibility is lost. 

[Peterphuket]

There is in the whole world not any government you can trust!

Not any.

They all cheat when it suits them.

Don't forget the government is there not for you, but only for themself. 

Edited October 8, 2021 by Peterphuket

[abrahamzvi]

5 hours ago, ezzra said:

You can trust them as far as you can throw them goes on the saying.. strangely enough, governments don't operate on a premise of trust, only what is perceived to be good for the government/people on the day...

I fully trust the government wishing to do what they say they intend doing. However, one doesn't and can't know what is going to happen between now and November 1. If the present tendency, which indicates a reduction of infections, continues, restrictions will probably be, at least, partially lifted. However, if infections rates increase, I am afraid this may not be the case. I also intend travelling to Europe, if possible, in November, but will not make definite arrangements till November 1.

[thurien]

world-wide phenomenon: TRUST and GOVERNMENT do never go together

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I don't want to book and face quarantine or sandbox on my return because due to unforeseen reasons the Thai government has pushed it back again

Has the Thai government stated that quarantine will not be needed to enter Thailand from Nov 1st?

[The Hammer2021]

Can we trust the virus to behave.

[The Hammer2021]

41 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Absolutely not! I would not trust them to walk my dog. They have done nothing but break promises for 7 long years now. 

 

All credibility is lost. 

7?

[ArcticFox]

Can we trust the Thai government to keep its word on November 1st?

No.  You've been warned.

[scorecard]

6 hours ago, madmen said:

There is an article by TAT today in another newspaper that suggests they have written this high season off so no chance of dropping COE or sandbox 

Not sure I buy this.

 

Seems to me they will keep trying, day by day, to float every idea/dream anybody can imagine to try to get tourists in, started already. 

[sirineou]

I guess it all depends on covid cases being reduces at the projected rate.

If November comes and the data is not where it needs to be, you would want the government not to make unsafe changes.  

[Mavideol]

7 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

However, can I put my trust in the Thai government to follow through with what they have stated

wouldn't... shouldn't.... couldn't...... better safe then sorry

[EVENKEEL]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Has the Thai government stated that quarantine will not be needed to enter Thailand from Nov 1st?

Quarantine may end but the 7 day Sandbox will surely remain. Most reports have been ambiguous leading many to speculate.

[Mr Dome]

OP, I think you know the answer to your own question, if you have followed the country's internal politics at least somewhat.

[spidermike007]

6 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I guess it all depends on covid cases being reduces at the projected rate.

If November comes and the data is not where it needs to be, you would want the government not to make unsafe changes.  

False. The Thais are the zombies now. The fully vaccinated tourists who arrive after multiple tests, are not. 

 

Phuket proved that. Out of 10,000 cases, 1% were from foreigners. Who is the real danger now? So, why the continued massive over reactions and continued restrictions? 

[sirineou]

Just now, spidermike007 said:

False. The Thais are the zombies now. The fully vaccinated tourists who arrive after multiple tests, are not. 

 

Phuket proved that. Out of 10,000 cases, 1% were from foreigners. Who is the real danger now? So, why the continued massive over reactions and continued restrictions? 

I agree, and if these trends continue, I  think the Thai government will also keep to it's time frame,  

[sirineou]

12 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I agree, and if these trends continue, I  think the Thai government will also keep to it's time frame,  

Let's hope. I had , as I am sure you all had , enough of these covid nonsense, I need to travel, and I want to travel, but after a couple of months away, when I comeback, I want to go to my house, Not to Phuket and not to some hotel 10 miles from my house so I can go home during the day , cause I am free to roam, but have to go to the hotel to sleep. How ridiculous is that? 

Edited October 8, 2021 by sirineou

[madmen]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

Not sure I buy this.

 

Seems to me they will keep trying, day by day, to float every idea/dream anybody can imagine to try to get tourists in, started already. 

This extract from TAT today, links not allowed 

 

"global travel restrictions caused by the novel coronavirus, resulting in only 100,000 inbound tourists expected this year, down from 6.7 million last year, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn." 

 

Would be a lot more if they dropped coe and sandbox on November 1st 

He would normally be talking it up for the rest of the year so he sounds pretty much defeated 

Edited October 8, 2021 by madmen

[MrJ2U]

What can you do?

 

If theres another wave of infections there won't be many willing to travel anyways.

 

Looks like Hua Him wont be opening up on November 1St along with some provinces down South.

 

I attribute this to the low vaccine rates and choice of vaccine.

[Carrbhoy]

8 hours ago, statman78 said:

Since the November 1 proposal is to open a few select provinces based on vaccination rates.  I think that the opening (if it occurs) will be similar to the Phuket sandbox.  This means a COE, a stay at a SHA hotel and multiple Covid tests.  As with all decisions here in Thailand it needs to go through a number of committees so that useless government officials can look like they are actually doing something.  As with decisions like this in the past, don’t expect a definite answer until the last days of October.

This is the best reply. From what I've read, the 1st November touted as no quarantine etc is simply districts within 9 provinces which you will be able to roam within. Referred to as 'Blue zones'. My take is a Phuket area but on the mainland. You will still have SHA+, testing, insurance & CoE.

 

Whether these go ahead as 'planned' will depend on many factors, least of which, is vaccine rollout to hit 70% which is unlikely but a lot can change in a few weeks within Thailand so best to watch this space.

 

I would make your travel plans based on a 'sandbox' either on Phuket or the mainland for 7 days and anything less than this would be a bonus. If you aren't prepared to accept this and want to hold off, I personally think that could be quite a long wait.....

 

 

[3NUMBAS]

with pax from every country in the world it could become a hub of variants very soon ,a mixing pot of variants

[thailand49]

"Trust"  I can just imagine the Thai leaders seeing this question and their reaction?????

[bangon04]

Starting point:   Have you read it in the Royal Gazette??

[joecoolfrog]

If I were in your shoes I would wait , I dont see that there will be any significant easing of restrictions this side of Xmas.

If your business needs and family reunion can wait 3 or 4 months then patience is your friend , if not then plan for a sandbox stay.

[madmen]

OP the COE is not the mountain of paperwork it's made out to be around these forums. You log on take some pics on your phone then upload and that took 2 hour for me. Pay for your flights and your 7 day SHA +Phuket hotel and they are all half price. Pay for 2 PCR tests and COVID insurance your done. 

If money is really tight then fair enough but apart from that have an enjoyable Phuket stay on your return 

[malthebluff]

I'm in the same boat and thinking the same things but if worst case happens its 7 days quarantine no big deal cant see them going back to 14 days and losing face

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

OP the COE is not the mountain of paperwork it's made out to be around these forums. You log on take some pics on your phone then upload and that took 2 hour for me. Pay for your flights and your 7 day SHA +Phuket hotel and they are all half price. Pay for 2 PCR tests and COVID insurance your done. 

If money is really tight then fair enough but apart from that have an enjoyable Phuket stay on your return 

Hi,

 

Nope, money not an issue, I just dislike Phuket. I would at a push prefer Samui but heard their sandbox was very disorganized. Better for me is Bangkok, if I can walk around that would be good but not confined to a room. I would be very happy with a Koh Chang sandbox!

 

According to what I read the government was proposing no quarantine after November 1st in their four point plan to reopen. I will hold off and see what they come up with.

 

What we do know is they need to speed up vaccinations and they are the key, not lock downs and not the Chinese vaccine either. That seems to now have got through to them. I can wait, one thing for sure, if they even attempt to over complicate matters people will not come here, not matter how they try to sweeten the pill.

 

Too many countries that don't have archaic rules and regulations and Thailand just isn't that good anymore, to jump through hoops!

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

Pay for your flights and your 7 day SHA +Phuket hotel and they are all half price. Pay for 2 PCR tests and COVID insurance your done. 

 

7 day SHA?

[Scouse123]

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

There is no "word" to be kept as the government never made a definitive commitment to do this. It was announced only as a tentative plan, contingent on things like progress with vaccination, case count etc.

 

Also please note that the details were never announced and it was certainly never suggested (and probably never intended) that there would be no conditionalities and people could just fly into Bangkok and then go on to other parts of the country. indeed the discussion was specific to Bangkok and referred to the existing Sandboxes, so very likely that there will be as required pre-paid Bangkok hotel booking, COVID tests after arrival, etc etc.

 

 

OK then,

 

They certainly announced a four point guide to reopening, tentative guide or not, and they definitely gave the impression that quarantine would cease on November 1st. So, they should set their stall out and be concise and clear!!

 

They should not use ambiguity when making statements which can easily be misconstrued. 

 

That's the problem with everybody in the government above the rank of toilet attendant making statements in the press and media. It leads to confusion and these errors are often reported and repeated in the foreign press.

 

I find it a bit difficult that they could run a sandbox in Bangkok, but never mind, up to them as they say.

 

I would be fine with a 7 day maximum sandbox in Bangkok, I certainly don't want to go to Phuket.

 

Nothing wrong with allowing travellers in that are double vaccinated and have taken a PCR test before flights and have Covid insurance in my book.

 

One thing for sure, it will not ruin my life either way, but they won't get the numbers through that airport if they place too many conditions, restrictions and additional expense on travellers. They seem to think when they announce they are open that there will be some stampede to come to Thailand.

 

A rude awakening awaits them and a big wake up call. I have no doubt there will be plenty of knee jerk reactions and chopping and changing when the numbers are not what they were expecting.