Tourist faces huge bill, separation from family after testing positive on arrival in Thailand

[asiam110]

3 minutes ago, thaiman said:

Please provide the source

Barrow tweet, 3 inbound positive today, source of your row and row behind and front I dont have - sure its been said a dozen times here, correct me if wrong, I guess it could be higher if you're on 3-4-3 plane, full and your in a middle block in left-middle/right-middle seat? Unfortunately I wont be able to link to a .gov.th source as they want to keep all these rules out the media it seems or possibly on the whim of the imprisonment coordinator of the day

[RafPinto]

3 minutes ago, thaiman said:

Please provide the source

Soi 4, 2nd pub on the left.

[bang saen guy]

48 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

 Why does the guy have to stay in the hospital for 10 days can’t they test him the following day in the hospital maybe the test that was positive was a false reading it but I had no symptoms and was tested before he got on the plane it was negative then he gets off the plane takes the test and tighten it says he’s positive maybe that test is incorrect I think the hospital should give them another test maybe the guys even have it TIT

You know the answer. The PM can not control where the money goes if he is allowed out of Covid jail

[KhaoYai]

5 hours ago, Karma80 said:

nobody is covered for a quarantine hotel for being a close contact.

That is wrong.  My insurance states that I am covered if I am required to quarantine by the authorities. It has a fairly low limit though.

[thailand49]

If you know Thailand get away from the slogan " Land of Smile " it doesn't need to be announced just assume based on the other headliner thread " Quality " they assume you can afford it so based on their history and the court recent ruling you should pay and pay dearly because you are better off this country calls themselves a democracy but has a socialist mentality they will bleed you dry that is their goal so I say everyone "  STAY AWAY "  or as their leaders are calling  " Thailand Pass " that should be very clear to everyone. ???? 

 

While they are urge their own population buy yourself a cheap antigen test if positive have no signs stay home and quarantine we need the beds for the quality foreigners ????  what a concept of their leaders to treat guest? Welcome now bend over!

[Pinot]

4 hours ago, James105 said:

Hopefully this will serve as a warning to other tourists intending to come here and they can make arrangements to go on holiday to an alternative country.   Many people were asking the question of what happens if someone tests positive on arrival and of course there was no clear answer and many suspected it would be the absolute horror show that it is. 

 

This testing + quarantine on arrival + insurance + expensive imprisonment for positive test (or negative test when near to someone positive) will only stop when the tourists vote with their wallets as this will force them to come up with more sensible requirements to come here, such as simply showing proof of vaccination and nothing else other than passport.  

That's the bottom line. Sorted

[asiam110]

4 minutes ago, Pinot said:

such as simply showing proof of vaccination and nothing else other than passport.  

 

Like in all those fourth-world 27 EU countries or the USA you mean? (sarcasm aside, to be 100% fair think some you do need a lateral test or PCR before to be fair, but 100x less non-sense than this joke of a system)

[MarkyM3]

8 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Totally irresponsible, and why mandatory insurance for these people is a must.

So.....fully vaxxed, would have needed to take a C19 test within 72 hours of travel so presumably caught C19 within that period, asymptomatic and they get carted of to hospital or quarantine. Absolute madness but a predictable response from you. Nowhere else in the world has such stupid rules. 

 

I have to come back in February for 5 months. If I didn't need to, I wouldn't bother. The Thai government deserves to have zero tourism due to their ineptitude. 

[LukKrueng]

4 hours ago, HAPPYNUFF said:

Not to say that   certain persons  perhaps  own  certain  ASQ  hotel  that just happens to need /want     high paying guests.

I know that being paranoid doesn't mean no one is actually after you, but it also doesn't mean there is.....

[whaleboneman]

4 hours ago, Catoni said:

Equador, Costa Rica, or Belize is beginning to look good now.  Maybe Sri Lanka.  Checking into those places. 

I'm in Costa Rica now. PM me if you have any questions. I'm trying to stop posting here but I still am a follower.

[relax33]

3 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

350,000 baht hospital bill, nearly £8,000 for 10 day stay! Must be a good room at 35,000 baht a night!

"1 patient reported being hit with a bill of 937,979 baht for 16 days in a private hospital, which included 3 days in intensive care. Another reported a bill of 989,670 baht for 17 days in hospital, 13 of which were spent in ICU. "
Thai government says Covid treatment is free, but patients report hefty bills | Thaiger (thethaiger.com)

These were the bills some patients were charged ,think the record was the 1.4 mil baht one patient incurred  for covid treatment  at the BKK hospital in phuket last year  ..

Since there is no cure for covid, hospital treatment thus mostly  comprise of temperature checks , use of fever medicines like panadol n aspirin n provision of oxygen for those having breathing difficulties .....
Those without breathing difficulty can easily self treat at home without the need to incur any cost..
 

[LukKrueng]

5 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

So.....fully vaxxed, would have needed to take a C19 test within 72 hours of travel so presumably caught C19 within that period, asymptomatic and they get carted of to hospital or quarantine. Absolute madness but a predictable response from you. Nowhere else in the world has such stupid rules. 

 

I have to come back in February for 5 months. If I didn't need to, I wouldn't bother. The Thai government deserves to have zero tourism due to their ineptitude. 

you are right. The Thai measures are over and beyond, but in my opinion any measure any government / airline take is over and beyond. 

 

As for the test 72 hours before flight and on the day of arrival - that means absolutely NOTHING. There is no actual knowledge on how many days after exposure to the virus a person will show positive results. The most common estimation is about 3 days after the exposure, which would mean that 3 days BEFORE you took the test you were possibly clean. From that day till the flight you had about 6 days in which you could get infected.

The test on arrival is meaningless as well, for the same reasons.

 

As for quarantine for those who were "near infected people" - also big BS. No research was made (well, I couldn't find anything on the net) as for the virus load one have to be exposed to in order to become positive. Moreover - referring to all those testing positive as "confirmed sick" is also BS. For the same reason as mentioned above - actual virus load needed to infect not known, as well as what amount of viruses needed in one's body in order to be detected and show positive. 

 

So we are all captives in a panic created and stimulated by media and some governments around the world and there's nothing much we can do about it.

[Raphael Hythlodaeus]

5 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Anyone who visits Thailand at this present time is crazy

crazy, very foolish, or desperate to see family. I hope this news is spread everywhere on social media.

[JHacker]

6 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Not only if you test positive but as in the OP even if you test negative and were next to someone in the car or plane you still get carted off for 2 weeks. I doubt any International Insurance companies will pay out for this? Even if they do you also need to ensure they pay out there and then and not make you pay first.  Probably only Thai Insurance companies will cover this.

How about if someone who lives in Thailand, on a Non "O" or a Non "O-A" visa, tests positive? Would that person have to be hospitalized for 14 days also?

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, relax33 said:

"1 patient reported being hit with a bill of 937,979 baht for 16 days in a private hospital, which included 3 days in intensive care. Another reported a bill of 989,670 baht for 17 days in hospital, 13 of which were spent in ICU. "
Thai government says Covid treatment is free, but patients report hefty bills | Thaiger (thethaiger.com)

These were the bills some patients were charged ,think the record was the 1.4 mil baht one patient incurred  for covid treatment  at the BKK hospital in phuket last year  ..

Since there is no cure for covid, hospital treatment thus mostly  comprise of temperature checks , use of fever medicines like panadol n aspirin n provision of oxygen for those having breathing difficulties .....
All these technically can be self treated at home ...
 

In the cases where symptoms were present and treatment was necessary anyone who has arrived with CoE or Thailand Pass has insurance to cover the cost. 

 

It is the asymptomatic cases and negative proximity cases which are concerning - because treatment is not necessary and insurance could well dodge payment due to 'medically unnecessary’ clause.

 

 

[firemans35]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

To date, approximately 25,000 tourists have entered Thailand since the country reopened to tourists on Nov 1. 

 

Only 26 tourists have tested positive.

25,000 tourists, 26 tourists tested positive. That seems like a high ratio. I wonder if there isn't something being reported such as some were Thai's returning and were not vaccinated etc.

[ed strong]

You have got to question this whole situation.

 

In what dystopian world do we send someone to hospital for 10 days when they have no symptoms.

 

Especially when we are told the hospitals are potentially under pressure.

 

Hospitals are for treating the sick, not as a hotel for people that have nothing wrong with them.

 

 

[LukKrueng]

11 minutes ago, firemans35 said:

25,000 tourists, 26 tourists tested positive. That seems like a high ratio. I wonder if there isn't something being reported such as some were Thai's returning and were not vaccinated etc.

26 out of 25,000 is 0.1 %

[sezze]

Why such a high bill ?

Testing positive is always possible and most if not all countries demand quarantine for such people . This is logic , since they can infect others , inside or outside Thailand , doesn't matter .

Having follow up is also logic , since you did test positive , to make sure you do not need extra medical care ... all logic .

Then comes the bill in mind .

350.000 for 14 days , for nothing more then a positive test .... absolute rubbish . I do know Thailand so i guess the story is true , but that doesn't make it right . Quarantine , test again after 7d, 10d and so on until 2 negative results would come in is much more logic. Yes it will cost the price of the room and the tests , so potential bill would not be needed to exceed , price of room + the extra tests .

[Bkk Brian]

Richard Barrow has just sent out a new newsletter with updates on this after a meeting today with Mr. Chatchai Viriyavejakul, the Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs. Here's a snippet on the Insurance issue, also mentioned was the real possibility that the need for a PCR test before arrival will be done away with very soon:

 

INSURANCE POLICIES

For tourists coming to Thailand for a holiday, it is highly recommended anyway to take out medical insurance. Particularly if you choose to travel during a global pandemic. If by some slim chance you test positive on arrival, and the rate at the moment is 0.10% of arrivals, then you will need a good insurance. Also, one that covers you for a hospital stay even if you do not have any symptoms.

See my last newsletter, The Nightmare of Testing Positive on Arrival in Thailand, for what may face you. You could be quarantined even if you test negative but sit next to someone, either on the plane or in the hotel transfer car, who later tests positive. However, in the latter scenario, I don’t think you will find an insurance policy which will cover you for a forced hotel quarantine of 14 days.

I think expatriates are finding it harder than tourists to find appropriate insurance for the $50,000 coverage. Particularly as they are supposed to be covered for the remaining length of the time left on their visa. I had ten months left on mine and was quoted 30,000 baht for a one-year insurance policy! Foreigners with Permanent Residence or people with long-term Thailand Elite visas, would face a much bigger bill. On this matter, I think I have some good news and some clarification about the rules.

For a start, it doesn’t seem to be written down anywhere that you need to have special insurance to cover you for the time you will be in Thailand if you are on a long-term visa. It was just implied by some embassies. I asked the director general about this, and he said a 30-day policy would be plenty. After all, if you test positive, you will only need to do 10 days in a hospital and a possible 14 day quarantine afterwards. So, a 30-day policy would cover you.

 

https://www.getrevue.co/profile/richardbarrow/issues/latest-updates-about-the-thailand-pass-849676

 

 

[Abik]

Now that I've read all of this, I stat to regret I bought 2 tickets to come next month my wife and me.

[Mike KIWI]

I finished quarantine in Pattaya 3 weeks ago. I had assumed my insurance policy would have covered me if I tested positive. whats the point of having it if it didnt? If you are not showing symptoms then surely just a couple extra weeks in quarantine would be all thats required. they are pretty good at no contact with anyone while in lockdown. 10 days just about drove me nuts. whole thing is bonkers with the virus now endemic in the greater population. 

[JCP108]

5 hours ago, Boomer6969 said:

I isn't a matter of "rules", when you get infected with Covid, of having been close to someone infected you must isolate yourself. If you are in a foreign country such isolation becomes problematic hence costly.

 

So common sense would say have your holidays as close to home as possible, hence travelling to Thailand being just asking for trouble. Anyone getting caught can just blame himself.

So, the Thai people who have been close to that infected farang also have to quarantine in an expensive hotel? I don't think so. This is about money. Several Thai people in my neighborhood in Bangkok have tested positive during the pandemic and all of them have simply been told to go home and self-isolated. All of them. (And, not all were asymptomatic.) None of their family members were carted off to quarantine. Exactly none.

[freestyle]

Exactly as i predicted.

And no way there is only 26 who tested positive. There are too many people who know someone who has been send to quarantaine after arrival...

Right now, travelling is gambling, your money and your time.

[kennw]

5 hours ago, James105 said:

Hopefully this will serve as a warning to other tourists intending to come here and they can make arrangements to go on holiday to an alternative country.   Many people were asking the question of what happens if someone tests positive on arrival and of course there was no clear answer and many suspected it would be the absolute horror show that it is. 

 

This testing + quarantine on arrival + insurance + expensive imprisonment for positive test (or negative test when near to someone positive) will only stop when the tourists vote with their wallets as this will force them to come up with more sensible requirements to come here, such as simply showing proof of vaccination and nothing else other than passport.  

Of course a sensible approach would be to charge Baht 300 or 500 to every incomer add to a TOT fund that would cover any one in this situation. The current plan only enriches the insurance companies. Imagine the good publicity "a tourist arrives and tests positive, the TOT fund covered his expenses" come to Thailand relax and enjoy worry free.

Compare this with the message that is now being sent "tourist stuck with huge medical bill" No brainer!

[shady86]

I guess more test results will be manipulated soon so they can suck every single penny from the unfortunate ones. I wonder if the positive figures are actually real? 

[Neeranam]

1 hour ago, MarkyM3 said:

Nowhere else in the world has such stupid rules. 

 

I have to come back in February for 5 months. If I didn't need to, I wouldn't bother. The Thai government deserves to have zero tourism due to their ineptitude. 

I read that other countries have similar rules if Covid positive on arrival. 

The Thai government has done a lot better than my home country, Scotland's government. So you don't live in Thailand and don't want to come here - welcome to the forum ????

[Patrick Houston]

6 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Not only if you test positive but as in the OP even if you test negative and were next to someone in the car or plane you still get carted off for 2 weeks. I doubt any International Insurance companies will pay out for this? Even if they do you also need to ensure they pay out there and then and not make you pay first.  Probably only Thai Insurance companies will cover this.

No test in the world is 100% accurate, not just for Covid 19. 

[Bobydog]

5 hours ago, vandeventer said:

And yet they still keep coming, word of mouth will catch up soon. If tourism is wanted here they will have to do better than this. Getting tested positive is easy even with all the good vaccines out there.

Any person out there who failed to take on board the published information or lack of is either desperate or just plain stupid for visiting Thailand at this time. The best advice came from Thai banks who suggested that 2025 would possibly be a safer time to plan a holiday in Thailand. This is a land of underhand tactics and outright theft because that's what the government is best at.

[Molly Malone]

6 hours ago, Chris.B said:

350,000 baht hospital bill, nearly £8,000 for 10 day stay! Must be a good room at 35,000 baht a night!

35k for a single night! times 10? With no symptoms? Thats a GREAT advertisement to the rest of the WORLD! Come to Thailand, roll the dice, if by some adverse miracle you test negative at home before you board your flight, then upon arrival in the land of smiles, you test positive, you will be ROBBED BLIND! Instead of approximately 6k baht for 10 days, you will be FORCED to pay 350,000 baht. 

I wonder if that includes the 200 odd baht covid test, which they were hawking for 6,000 to 8,000 baht before? 

Who is responsible for this outrageous disgrace? Which can only hurt the Thai tourism economy. Not to mention, show me a single Thai national person who has paid 3,500 baht for a 10 day Hospital bed, let alone 350,000!!!??? I'm color blind, seems some who are in charge are NOT!