7 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

Why would a hotel be interested in the hassle of doing an ATK test only with no nights booking? And I have a condo, don't need a hotel and my taxi would be straight to Pattaya 

 

Why not set up ATK at the basically empty airport?

 

Can see the Swampy Novatel across the road becoming a very busy ATK test facility lol

 

I think the article was worded incorrectly. It means that tourists can just go to any hotels that they have booked (not for the ATK test) to sleep.

 

The ATK test should be done at the airport.

 

A lot of miscommunication when they don't translate it correctly.

 

 

 

 

 

it's open bar for Covid infections all over Europe now, and the new "Gama" variant is in play for 2022 ????

36 minutes ago, Mentors65 said:

Until now. This will change with 50% useless ATK tests.

Did you hear about the new variant from SA detected in Belgium today afternoon?

I think i can imagine what comes up here in Thailand.

Tourists will come and leave, Thais and Expats have to live here 

 

It will go on and on. It is best to buy supplies for 6 months and cover all window and door gaps with tape. Then wait 6 months in the sealed house and hope that there will be no new variant. Would be a viable solution for some. Others have to go out to earn the daily food for the family. That is the dilemma. Maybe the airports can be closed. But not the land borders when you think about the small border traffic with all neighboring countries. All the lockdown activities have so far failed. Maybe a little delay in the next wave. But we can't get rid of the virus, just like the runny nose.

2 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

It will go on and on. It is best to buy supplies for 6 months and cover all window and door gaps with tape. Then wait 6 months in the sealed house and hope that there will be no new variant. Would be a viable solution for some. Others have to go out to earn the daily food for the family. That is the dilemma. Maybe the airports can be closed. But not the land borders when you think about the small border traffic with all neighboring countries. All the lockdown activities have so far failed. Maybe a little delay in the next wave. But we can't get rid of the virus, just like the runny nose.

Yes, i know what you mean.

 

 

8 hours ago, mancub said:

If this is an attempt at streamlining the "PASS", it's possibly going to cause short-term mayhem, as it's only 5 days notice ! 

Already announced in the headline which starts this thread, the new Antigen test system applies from 16 December.

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

 

Upon entering the UK (everyone) has to submit a ATK test result within 2 days - Simple. 

 

Why does Thailand not do this ????  Answer: Because those tasked with enforcement of any regulation are so lazy no one bothers to follow the regulations, thus everyone is forced into being treated like an untrustworthy child. 

 

 

I’m sure hotels will find a way of charging through the nose for a trip from the airport and an Antigen Test, otherwise its just a lot of effort for them for very little reward. 

 

I can see how performing Antigen tests (with a 5-10 min wait) at the airport could create a bottle neck if not planned well enough. 

 

Ultimately - the best solution is for ‘vaccinated’ passengers to arrive, go through the screening process (i.e. Thailand Pass, which filters out non-vaxxed arrivals. 

- Non-Vaxxed go to their quarantine hotel - as normal.

- Vaccinated (entering on Thailand Pass) - are issued an antigen test kit which is registered to their name, they go to wherever they are going and submit the results within 24 hrs. 

 

Of course, this requires clear planning, clear information, clear instructions and clear penalties for those who do no comply. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, it requires some adults making the decisions. 

Some thai sources say that the ATK test instead of the PCR will be only for citizens of 63 countries (Test and Go).  But in this news i can read, that ATK will be for Sandbox too.  I wonder which is closer to the truth?

Just when things are beginning to improve, now we have a new variant the South African mutated virus which is predicted to be more infectious.

 

Will this affect Thailand's opening?

1 hour ago, tomacht8 said:

It will go on and on. It is best to buy supplies for 6 months and cover all window and door gaps with tape. Then wait 6 months in the sealed house and hope that there will be no new variant. 

this is clearly a delusional plan, maybe if you live in a village with 10 people that could work

3 minutes ago, GrandPapillon said:

this is clearly a delusional plan, maybe if you live in a village with 10 people that could work

You cut my post.

But this is some people think they can survive this virus. It's similar to how some people build a nuclear-safe bunker in their garden.

Ha ha ha, the whole world is locking down again from South Africa and the variant.  And these guys don't have a clue.  

Ha ha ha.  

9 hours ago, smedly said:

because these fools have no idea how to come up with a simple solution

I just watched the most pathetic thing I have ever experienced in Thailand (Pattaya)

 

the few people who have come here for holiday seeing flashing police lights at treetown and them running around like headless chickens to avoid being arrested - is that the really the sort of impression Thailand wants to put on display, if I had travelled thousands of miles to come here on holiday I would not expect to be treated like this 

 

My guess is - a lot of those few that travelled here are now regretting it - a good reputation takes a long time to build and it can be gone in a heartbeat

 

Government said Thailand is open ......................................it is far from it

 

welcome to police state Thailand 

 

fools  

Real great news.

2 hours ago, EricTh said:

Just when things are beginning to improve, now we have a new variant the South African mutated virus which is predicted to be more infectious.

 

Will this affect Thailand's opening?

Why should it ? You need to sow vaccines to get your pass, you need a pcr test before flight and you are tested again on arrival. Many of us already have 3 jabs, 99.92% of arrivals do not carry the virus (8 in 10,000 or so). The incoming are checked more than the Thai population and isolated on finding infection on arrival. Any SA variant would be caught very quickly.

 

The worry would be the illegal migrant workers bringing in the SA variant - not the tourists. So, if Thailand;s tourism and opening is affected it wont be from tourists -at that point thailand would need to make a decision on either migrant workers or tourists

 

 

Open up just as a new variant from South Africa (for which there may be no vaccine) is starting to spread. I'm no expert, but...

Get rid of the Thai Pass

16 hours ago, gearbox said:

I guess the difference is SHA+ hotels are no longer required, but why booking of transportation? Test the tourists at the airport and let them go if negative. Some may want to use public transport.

They are bad losers, and are compulsive scammers. They want our money, more than they are worth, at every turn.

My relationship with Thailand has been completely undermined by the behaviour of Prayut's regime, the most disrespectful in living memory.

13 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

The GM lady i was chatting with for over a week told me 300bt to airport--and as soon as I tested negative and was ready to get back to airport her staff told me 350bt..

An extra link in the chain needed to be paid....... 

17 hours ago, JustAnotherHun said:

It will not stay empty.

Agreed.

 

And it would create a big bottleneck doing the tests at the airport.

Yes people can test positive after the first test…but so far it has been 0.08……no need for the 2nd test…

 

let the people go from the airport - to a hotel, to home, to another city and most importantly in transit domestically….

 

Thai gov just can’t let go of their death grip 

 

 

17 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

Even bigger joke is that if I nominate Novatel at the airport, I won't get a Thailand Pass unless I show proof of a 600 metre taxi fare and a pre-paid ATK. What would that be, 1000 baht? What's the point....

How would one book a taxi in advance from outside of Thailand? It's not like taxis provide an invoice or copy of a reservation if booked ahead of arrival. Wouldn't an airport pick-up by the Novotel be okay?

1 hour ago, sanchmo said:

Open up just as a new variant from South Africa (for which there may be no vaccine) is starting to spread. I'm no expert, but...

When did they come up with a VACCINE for the original variants?

17 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

Can see the Swampy Novatel across the road becoming a very busy ATK test facility lol

Said those exact words to the missus yesterday... ????????????

17 hours ago, webfact said:

From December 16, 2021, people arriving in Thailand as part of the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes will only be required to take an ATK test on arrival and will no longer be required to take a RT-PCR test. 

And a dodgy ATK test could land you in a world of pain.

Double vaccination proof at point of departure with a PCR test result withing 72 hours.

Delete the rest of the rubbish.

17 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

Just a step a very small step, the world is waiting for the giant leap.

17 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Of course, this requires clear planning, clear information, clear instructions and clear penalties for those who do no comply. 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, breathe, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...!!! In Thailand...???

17 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

Why would a hotel be interested in the hassle of doing an ATK test only with no nights booking? And I have a condo, don't need a hotel and my taxi would be straight to Pattaya 

 

Why not set up ATK at the basically empty airport?

 

Can see the Swampy Novatel across the road becoming a very busy ATK test facility lol

 

Try this: A real tourist might book a hotel room as he does't have a condo ? So he can book a transport to any hotel instead of going to an quarantine hotel for a night.

17 hours ago, The Cipher said:

I booked and paid for the original Test & Go package already. I can still stay the night if I want to, right?

Visa in process. I just got my Test and Go package confirmation letter.

 

End of DEC. 100 percent refundable near airport,

 

I don't want to spend a night in BKK complete waste of time for me will be following closely.

Oh my word, unbelievable people. Substantial efforts are made to reduce the requirements and here they are again, commenting about how it is a hassle, an inconvenience, a royal pain, an invasion of their sacred orifices, an aggravation of the highest order la la la. Never ever satisfied. The planet's worst Karens and Kevins.

 

What is it exactly that you all want? Just shamelessly say it outright: "JUST LET US IN. NO MORE HEALTH CHECKS. WE ARE A SPECIAL SPECIES! NONE OF US CARE IF WE INFECT THAIS!" 

17 hours ago, aussiexpat said:

Why would a hotel be interested in the hassle of doing an ATK test only with no nights booking? And I have a condo, don't need a hotel and my taxi would be straight to Pattaya 

 

Why not set up ATK at the basically empty airport?

 

Can see the Swampy Novatel across the road becoming a very busy ATK test facility lol

 

SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANT … I can see caught with underwear down .. Big Time