Govt Maintains RT-PCR Tests for Visitors

[goatfarmer]

22 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Oh...they're quite able to organize rapid tests and brief waiting areas. Yet, antigen tests are much more expensive in bulk and have somewhat of a reputation for not being terribly accurate - which is largely a myth. 

 

Most importantly, if they organize such reasoned procedures, it might defeat the whole idea of charging excessively for RT-PCR tests as well as the unnecessary, but profitable, 24-48 hr testing hotel stay.

 

If you listen carefully, you might hear the sucking sound.

Do you think that PCR tests or "profitable, 24-48 hr testing hotel stay" create a bigger industry than the tourism industry as a whole?

[goatfarmer]

21 hours ago, Karma80 said:

The stats from the international arrivals in the sandbox testing positive already prove it's a waste of time.

What's the point in a country that covid is endemic with official numbers on cases surpassing 2 million today, which makes it way more really.

I mean you wouldn't want to be spending that money elsewhere, like, uh I dunno, vaccines.

 

 

Do you mean that covid is endemic in Thailand, so small matter if a traveller brings it in? If so, I agree. The trivial number of arrivals that have tested positive in the last two or three weeks suggests that the danger imposed by infected travellers is negligible. Testing on arrival is probably a waste of time. 

[goatfarmer]

19 hours ago, RobinV said:

Just arrived from Australia. The free State PCR test 72 hours prior to flight was deemed unusable so had to fork out $150Aud for another test at Airport. Same result, but this time a passport No was included. I heard it was a money grab by Australian Immigration.

Then Thai immigration wouldn't let me in on expired Exit Visa for Resident. Had to hand over my passport and Residency book and report to Chonburi within a month to sort that out and hopefully they return both to me.

Another PCR test at hotel, and another NEG. Plus instructions to have another PCR test in 7 days, and hopefully that's it.

I don't recall anyone at airport checking my medical insurance or hotel booking.

The hotel did ask for copy of med Insurance before I arrived, and did accept the initial free PCR test.

So the Australian government is just as bad as the Thai govt imo.

Sounds like a headache. If you're travelling for lengthy periods - months - it might be worthwhile. But for a short visit it doesn't seem worth the hassle.  

[zzaa09]

12 minutes ago, goatfarmer said:

Do you think that PCR tests or "profitable, 24-48 hr testing hotel stay" create a bigger industry than the tourism industry as a whole?

Well of course not - it's just an added plus for them.......anything they can think of to add a little squeeze. 

 

[Ty Hareways]

Any kind of test (on arrival) is one test too many.

[ncc1701d]

On 11/13/2021 at 11:42 PM, NanLaew said:

One-way transport from airport to AQ is provided by the hotel and included in the 1-night Test & Go AQ package.

 

Thanks - but is this a government requirement to have to take that transport? I'm wanting to hire a car for the duration of my stay and just trying to manage that. Would be easier to pick up at airport on arrival and drive to 1st night hotel.

Edited November 15, 2021 by ncc1701d

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, ncc1701d said:

Thanks - but is this a government requirement to have to take that transport? I'm wanting to hire a car for the duration of my stay and just trying to manage that. Would be easier to pick up at airport on arrival and drive to 1st night hotel.

Yes it is part of the SHA+ and Test N Go program.  Sorry but your out of luck there.  You can have the Car renter bring it to your hotel your at after you checkout, that is after your PCR test results come back.  They would never be foolish enough to let you leave and drive away on your own......what happens when you decide to just go on your merry way and not stay at the SHA+ hotel you booked......

Edited November 15, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[thaiman]

On 11/14/2021 at 8:02 AM, goatfarmer said:

Do you mean that covid is endemic in Thailand, so small matter if a traveller brings it in? If so, I agree. The trivial number of arrivals that have tested positive in the last two or three weeks suggests that the danger imposed by infected travellers is negligible. Testing on arrival is probably a waste of time. 

Exactly!  It's an insult to vaccinated travelers with money to spend considering there are tens of thousands spreading the disease on a daily basis in the country. But, TIT.

[whatsupdoc]

On 11/12/2021 at 11:50 PM, Card said:

The PCR tests don't necessarily show that you are currently infective. It tests for viral DNA and that DNA may be historic and no longer infective. The lateral flow tests for whole viral particles which are much more likely to be infective.

The virus contains RNA, not DNA. For a PCR test this RNA first has to be copied into DNA (with an enzyme called Reverse Transcriptase) so to detect viral RNA you need an RT-PCR test.

I suppose that RNA outside of the virus particle would be broken down immediately (RNA is very unstable, DNA is not). So I think it would be unlikely that the (RT)PCR test would pick up 'historic', no longer infective, genetic material of the virus as opposed to genetic material from infective virus particles.