Foreigners eager to visit to Thailand, but few have actually booked flights: Poll

[AMFWolfie]

On 10/25/2021 at 7:58 AM, RafPinto said:

Better to make a survey:

 

How old are you:

Single or family:

Reason for coming?Boom boom or temple viewing?

Do you want to visit bars, drink and have fun?

 

That should clarify who wants to come and why.

Curious where they found the people to answer the questions in the first place!!

[hvan700]

Fully vacinated + PCR test (72 Hours) will bring back millions of tourists.

Fully vacinated + PCR test (72 Hours) + PCR (test on arrival) will bring back only a few tourists.

Imagine a "false positive", there you go, 2 weeks in a hostipal, bye bye holiday,

 

 

 

 

 

[FarangPumpui]

Thailand just dont want to see tourist coming in big numbers. That is the only reason why they have made the rules so difficult. I have been out from Thailand now 15 months but wont go back until all the unnecessary requirements have gone. I miss my dogs, cats and chickens in my isaan house but they just have to wait me another 6 months maybe.

[Mr Dome]

Booking flights on airlines that just returned most of their BKK flights for the next 6 months is not easy.

 

Anyway, just my opinion, the well prepared & vaccinated can come for a longer stay but it's not the time yet for a short Thailand vacation for most and I would advise everyone to wait and see until next year. We're not out if the woods yet.

[NanaSomchai]

4 hours ago, Percy P said:

You'll be back.certain

I doubt it.

 

Currently in Portugal enjoying the natural PM2.5 free morning breeze 17°C, with a 25°C planned this sunny afternoon, although I'll give you that; it'll drop as low as 14°C to 19°C next week, but then again next week we'll be in November, so keeping that in consideration, I think I'm good for the time being.

 

Also the 'rona has a +313 cases for today with a 7 days average of only 765 cases. We're doing better than most countries in the World.

 

I think I'm good. What about you?

[paulikens]

On 10/25/2021 at 7:41 AM, webfact said:

 

Interestingly, most of the respondents said that a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants would not put them off visiting Thailand

More boring people on this planet then I thought, or was it russians and indians that mostly took the survey, the tight gits.

[NanaSomchai]

2 hours ago, jonnyomonic2016 said:

Finally this seems to put side trips to Laos and Cambodia completely out of the question even though I understand they are not open yet, all in all, not an attractive option at the moment and zero reason to go there.

- Cambodia has resumed the issuance of tourists visas with a NEW visa called Type E since the 19th of this month, way easier to get than a Thai visa.

- Laos nothing yet but my reports on the field seem to indicate this is happening soon'ish. Stay tuned.

 

For Cambodia, check out, the official link https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

For Laos, be patient.

 

In fact getting a visa for these destinations is no longer much of an issue for most of us, the real hurdle is finding an affordable seat reservation on a plane to that region of the globe specially considering the regional hub is still Suvarnabhumi Airport (TH) unless you can route a flight through Tan Son Nhat Airport (VN).

[Tonypandy]

7 hours ago, Jaxxper said:

I don’t think it’s confusion that is stopping people booking, I think it’s lack of confidence that the holiday will be all people expect from a holiday, and fear that the rules will change mid stay.

And a good chance the rules will change at a minutes notice 

[David Martin]

As you say it is confusing

I have a flight booked 15 December to 9 March 2022

I have had 2 Pfizer injections and will get a booster in November

I have paid a deposit on my accommodation for 3 months

Currently l am in the process of purchasing Covic19 insurance plus US 100000 cover

My AQ hotel plus taxi from airport and test on entering Thailand is booked.

But I remain confused what kind of visa I can get for 90 days then another extension

Anyone suggest. 

Thanks

David

[Nabby]

Only those returning to see family, or those with very specific work-related purposes will be coming to Thailand for the foreseeable future. And a handful of desperados. Millionaires? In your dreams, Thailand. You will be fighting like a ravenous dog with Cambodia for the lowliest backpackers. 

[Nabby]

29 minutes ago, David Martin said:

As you say it is confusing

I have a flight booked 15 December to 9 March 2022

I have had 2 Pfizer injections and will get a booster in November

I have paid a deposit on my accommodation for 3 months

Currently l am in the process of purchasing Covic19 insurance plus US 100000 cover

My AQ hotel plus taxi from airport and test on entering Thailand is booked.

But I remain confused what kind of visa I can get for 90 days then another extension

Anyone suggest. 

Thanks

David

You must really want to go to Thailand. Keep in mind that you can test positive for Covid before your flight despite your vaccinations and then your plans are ruined. You could also very well catch Covid while in Thailand, fail your pre-flight PCR test, and then it's off to the Covid ward you go in some Bangkok hospital, at your expense. It's a total crapshoot. This is why I say you must really want to go to Thailand. 

[Nabby]

38 minutes ago, Tonypandy said:

And a good chance the rules will change at a minutes notice 

And word is also getting around that Thailand is becoming a dry Islamic no-booze state, so the holiday is looking more like a trip to Saudi. 

[Nabby]

58 minutes ago, NanaSomchai said:

- Cambodia has resumed the issuance of tourists visas with a NEW visa called Type E since the 19th of this month, way easier to get than a Thai visa.

- Laos nothing yet but my reports on the field seem to indicate this is happening soon'ish. Stay tuned.

 

For Cambodia, check out, the official link https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

For Laos, be patient.

 

In fact getting a visa for these destinations is no longer much of an issue for most of us, the real hurdle is finding an affordable seat reservation on a plane to that region of the globe specially considering the regional hub is still Suvarnabhumi Airport (TH) unless you can route a flight through Tan Son Nhat Airport (VN).

Cambodia is definitely a better choice than Thailand. Laos? Erase it from the map. It's a Chinese protectorate now and belongs to the People's Republic of China. 

[Nabby]

2 hours ago, FarangPumpui said:

Thailand just dont want to see tourist coming in big numbers. That is the only reason why they have made the rules so difficult. I have been out from Thailand now 15 months but wont go back until all the unnecessary requirements have gone. I miss my dogs, cats and chickens in my isaan house but they just have to wait me another 6 months maybe.

Maybe more like 26 months. 

[Nabby]

2 hours ago, hvan700 said:

Fully vacinated + PCR test (72 Hours) will bring back millions of tourists.

Fully vacinated + PCR test (72 Hours) + PCR (test on arrival) will bring back only a few tourists.

Imagine a "false positive", there you go, 2 weeks in a hostipal, bye bye holiday,

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly. This is not going to work, and those taking this crapshoot will need to have the luxury of factoring in 3 weeks or so banged up in a hospital jail. 

[EricTh]

What if you booked a flight to Thailand and find most of the places except eateries closed due to a surge in Covid cases? 

 

Then the tourist will be just wasting his time and money. Thailand is infamous for changing its rules often.

 

 

[ralphbenno]

The article does not mentioned the pseudo quarantine when the visitor comes in.

 

"no interaction with the locals until the result of the PCR test"

 

that mean you are quarantine for 2-5 days  at an ASQ hotel until the result becomes known.

 

let say that they have 20k visitor per day. There is no way that they can process the result of the test in 24hrs.

 

either they will have less visitors of they will require to buy 14 days at an ASQ hotel .

very shady wording to force the visitors back into quarantine

 

Opening the country with restriction is like not yet opening up.

 

and what kind of document required to show proof of vaccination?

[sirineou]

4 hours ago, gejohesch said:

That should clarify who wants to come and why:

 

"When asked how long they intended to stay for, most respondents (52%) said they planned to stay for more than one month. This perhaps indicates that most people looking to return to Thailand at present are expats or those with some other connection to Thailand, be it property ownership, marriage etc."

 

That's a good observation from Aseannow. With their continuing incompetence and delusion, the Thai "authorities" can kiss goodbye to the 10's of millions of tourists a year business.

Yes but does it really make any difference if the people that come have same sort of connection to Thailand or not?

They just want people who would not otherwise come ,  to come and spend money. 

 Whether or not they have any connection to Thailand or not is irrelevant IMO.  

[Nabby]

22 hours ago, cheapcanuck said:

Im waiting to travel to Thailand until the dust settles, next year. The rules and regulations have changed at least 5 times the last 6 months. How can you plan anything in an environment like that?

I would not count on any major improvements in 2022 and it could even get worse. 

[joecoolfrog]

10 hours ago, Flink said:

I think that most here would be happy to see the tourism industry retun to its past glory to help the Thai population, particularly those who were dependant on it such as restaurants, bars, small hotels and hostels. It's not that anyone wants the tourism industry to fail (well, appaently the government and TAT seem to). People are simply pointing out that if you want to rebuild the industry you have to do it logically and in such a way as to tempt people here. You don't rebuild an industry by scaring off the very people you need to survive.

Many places have managed to reopen and are seeing tourists arrive. I have family just back from a 2 week holiday in Greece with their 1 yar old. Short flight, good weather, no quarantine, no overpriced testing and no applying weeks in advance for a certificate that may or may not be granted after you've paid for everything.

If they really want the tourists and to help the Thai population they need to rethink all the bureaucracy. Focus on what tourists come on holiday for. Not everyone is going to want soapy massages and go go bars but they do expect to be able to travel about in a country and know they can have an alcoholic beverage with their evening meal wherever they are. They don't want to be told that if they want to visit a particular town they have to be in their hotel room by 11pm because that area still has a curfew. Theydo not expect to be told tht their family travel insurance plan they have forked out for is not sufficient and they need MORE insurance, or that, on arrival they will be tested at their expense and may find their holiday ends up being in an SHA+ because someone on their flight tested positive. (A point that the proclamations from the government have been noticably lacking in detail about.).

Completely agree with you , thats why im not even considering returning to Thailand until mid next year.

Im hoping by then the government will have seen sense , though I wouldn't bank on it .

I get the feeling that they still have a ' we are doing you a favour letting you visit ' mentality , its actually the other way around !

[Artisi]

On 10/25/2021 at 2:16 PM, samtam said:

Whilst adaptation to changing circumstances is admirable, when every pronouncement here is made, you can bet your bottom dollar it will change, because the plan is never ever completely thought through. No critical thinking. Announce, react, change. Guaranteed. 

No critical thinking, no evaluation, no smart's what so ever - can't even get the so-called leading ministers of the pretend government  to issue consistent statements, every man / woman to themselves. 

[ericthai]

On 10/25/2021 at 3:20 AM, Will B Good said:

Survey question 4 asks...... "if there is an alcohol plan".........????

 

 

the plan is to get drunk!!

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, ericthai said:

the plan is to get drunk!!

Sounds like a plan to me......cheers

 

[zzaa09]

6 hours ago, Salerno said:

The amount of hoops are irrelevant (as is the link) as it's to a failed app that basically everybody ignored and has nothing to do with the requirements from 1 November on.

Which shouldn't surprise anyone as to their continuing incompetence regarding simple organization of the works. 

[Exilerunner]

How about entering Thailand without a phone? Possible or not?

[MrJ2U]

Looking at some of the hotel prices in December it seems as though some hotel operators are expecting hordes of tourists again.

 

They'll be disappointed. 

 

The hotels who offer reasonable rates will get the bulk of any tourism.

 

Leaving the usual Thai owned hotels screaming for government help because no one stayed at there overpriced dumps.

[MrJ2U]

3 hours ago, EricTh said:

What if you booked a flight to Thailand and find most of the places except eateries closed due to a surge in Covid cases? 

 

Then the tourist will be just wasting his time and money. Thailand is infamous for changing its rules often.

 

 

Agree

 

 

And it's difficult and extremely expensive to just reopen a hotel or restaurant thats been closed for 12 months or more.

[balo]

Cheap flights from Europe now. Finnair offer return flights BKK - Helsinki from €400.  Just need to add all the extra expenses you could end up with in Thailand. 

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

On 10/25/2021 at 1:57 PM, DrPhibes said:

You can't make solid plans on quicksand.  The government has shown in the last 6+ mo that they will change things on a whim.  No one wants to try and make vacation plans until there is a period of time of consistent rules and regulations tourists can count on.  Thai gov and culture does not understand the value of what little time people from other countries have for vacation and how important it is to make sure they don't miss a day of it let alone have the entire vacation cancelled at the last minute for some crazy face saving last minute requirement.

Imagine how exciting it is to live here when you never know what they will throw at you next!

[Dexxter]

13 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Jetstar in Australia have just started selling their first tickets to Thailand for February. Big sales. I booked. Incredibly cheap so if it all goes pear shaped no big deal. 

Not sure how you got those tickets. I just looked at the Jetstar site and there is nothing available before late April from Melbourne to Bangkok. Perhaps they are all booked out but their site basically says no flights available. The return flights two months later in June are listed around AU$240 so a little bit cheaper compared to the $320 I used to pay with them pre-pandemic. But no point having a return flight if you cannot get to Bangkok in the first place.

Singapore Airlines do have tickets available for around $1000 return via a 9 hour stopover in Singapore. No thanks.

Searching a bit deeper I found a Qantas flight with a one hour stopover in Sydney (acceptable) for $1259 return. February 18th till April 12th next year. That is double what I used to pay for a direct flight pre-pandemic.

Things are still way too unpredictable for reliable travel.

 

I see in another news article that the Delta+ variant has arrived with one confirmed case. Here we go again.