SE Asia- Can you see regional travel working in any kind of tourist numbers?

[Scouse123]

We all know that with the test and go packages the majority of people visiting Thailand are returnees and those with significant ties to the country, they are not general tourists by the normal sense of the word.

 

Cambodia has announced it is now open with double vaccinated tourists only required to undertake an ATK test on arrival and then allowed the freedom of the country, Laos and Vietnam are tipped to follow, which on initial thoughts sounds great.

 

However, bearing in mind the vast majority arrive in Cambodia and Laos from Thailand and with the current rules that are in force, I cannot see it working for people.

 

Sure, the people requiring visas might go for it and save themselves a trip to Europe, but with Covid amnesties in Thailand I cannot see that happening either. I have older friends in their mid 70s and even 80s living in Thailand that now will not leave as they are afraid of not being able to meet the insurance requirements to get back into Thailand.

 

Then we have the PCR test 72 hours before flying back to Thailand and the one night test and go when arriving back in Thailand at a minimum of 4,500- 7,000 baht for one night, I can't see people accepting this for what is, a side trip, to be honest.

 

I am not certain if Cambodia also wants a PCR test 72 hours before arrival but if they do this will be adding a further 220 GBP ( 3 x PCR Tests ) to the cost of the trip before you even start with airfares and hotels. So, it's not a cheap long weekend getaway anymore.

 

I think 2022 is going to be a tough time tourist wise for Thailand's neighbors as well as Thailand.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2021 by Scouse123

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

I have older friends in their mid 70s and even 80s living in Thailand that now will not leave as they are afraid of not being able to meet the insurance requirements to get back into Thailand.

Well tell em don't leave then.

[StayinThailand2much]

Higher costs due to quarantine, tests, and insurance requirements are probably here to stay for a while. Personally, I have taken most SE Asian countries off my 'to visit again list' for the foreseeable future. To my holiday list for 2022, I added instead Indonesia and Mexico, as, currently, both countries seem 'easier' destinations than the ('rest') of SEA. - I'm planning to reenter Thailand in August 2023, cautiously optimistic that insurance and test requirements will have been waived by then...

Edited December 5, 2021 by StayinThailand2much

[Kwasaki]

9 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Higher costs due to quarantine, tests, and insurance requirements are probably here to stay for a while. Personally, I have taken most SE Asian countries off my 'to visit again list' for the foreseeable future. To my holiday list for 2022, I added instead Indonesia and Mexico, as, currently, both countries seem 'easier' destinations than the ('rest') of SEA. - I'm planning to reenter Thailand in August 2023, cautiously optimistic that insurance and test requirements will have been waived by then...

Quite a few tourists here already.

[Scouse123]

8 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Quite a few tourists here already.

Where?

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Quite a few tourists here already.

I really doubt that.

[Scouse123]

19 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Well tell em don't leave then.

To be fair, I can't TELL THEM anything.

 

I am merely highlighting some of the worries my older friends have in Thailand. I am still in my fifties but I can certainly feel sorry for their predicament.

[Kwasaki]

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I really doubt that.

I saw 10 in Old City today where I live.

[Kwasaki]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

To be fair, I can't TELL THEM anything.

 

I am merely highlighting some of the worries my older friends have in Thailand. I am still in my fifties but I can certainly feel sorry for their predicament.

If there in a predicament what are they doing here in the first place..

[Scouse123]

39 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

I saw 10 in Old City today where I live.

Well, that will really boost rhe economy!

[Scouse123]

39 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

If there in a predicament what are they doing here in the first place..

Maybe, rules and visa and extension requirements have changed and also health insurance whilst they have been living here, making life difficult?

 

I can see you really are sympathetic towards their plight in this, the season of goodwill to all..! ????

 

Edited December 6, 2021 by Scouse123

[Kwasaki]

12 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Maybe, rules and visa and extension requirements have changed and also health insurance whilst they have been living here, making life difficult?

 

I can see you really are sympathetic towards their plight in this, the season of goodwill to all..! ????

 

Another Maybe,  Bah humbug if your old you should know what the rules are already of staying here in Thailand, you just can't come and live on a shoestring it's those types of falangies coming here that have cause all the changes and making it hard for others. 

 

Edited December 7, 2021 by Kwasaki

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Another Maybe,  Bah humbug if your old you should know what the rules are already of staying here in Thailand, you just can't come and live on a shoestring it's those types of falangies coming here that have cause all the changes and making it hard for others. 

 

Aye,

 

Well don't forget you will be older and a lot quicker than what you think!

 

Hope people treat you with the same " kindness "

[Scouse123]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Another Maybe,  Bah humbug if your old you should know what the rules are already of staying here in Thailand, you just can't come and live on a shoestring it's those types of falangies coming here that have cause all the changes and making it hard for others. 

 

I presume you are not in the care giving field of employment? ????????

[Kwasaki]

15 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Aye,

 

Well don't forget you will be older and a lot quicker than what you think!

 

Hope people treat you with the same " kindness "

What you say and how you treat are different things.

Help a few getting into trouble but their problems were of their own making. 

Been here retired 20 years and have taken care of myself thanks cause no-one else in the family has the money to do it. 

[Kwasaki]

19 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

I presume you are not in the care giving field of employment? ????????

Retired from that years ago. 

Take of one-self in all types of care. 

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Another Maybe,  Bah humbug if your old you should know what the rules are already of staying here in Thailand, you just can't come and live on a shoestring it's those types of falangies coming here that have cause all the changes and making it hard for others. 

 

More likely the middle class white guys posting complaints about the Thai government of forums causing the changes IMHO.

[Kwasaki]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

More likely the middle class white guys posting complaints about the Thai government of forums causing the changes IMHO.

Yeah dunno how it got on to the stay topic, tourists usually go home. 

I saw 2 more Tourists in my pub restaurant yesterday. ????