Is it really worth the hassle to travel out of Thailand in the next few months?

[webfact]

With all the current issues related to Covid 19, including reams of paperwork and Covid tests required to fly to other neighboring Asian countries, it is still quite a hassle.

Even local trips to Northern Thailand or the islands in the South could leave you unable to return home if the Thai government decides to go into total lockdown.

Also, visiting family back home on a long-distance flight can also be very expensive as well.

And all the time at the back of your mind, you are thinking…. could we end up being stuck there???

What happens if some clever Travel Minister suddenly announces that if you wish to return to your home, you may now need to go into 14 days quarantine at an expensive ASQ hotel.

Or worst-case scenario, due to a sudden spike in cases they close the border, and you are then stuck on a resort in Asia or in a city overseas with huge bills mounting.

Naturally, for economic reasons governments everywhere, are still trying to encourage overseas travelers to visit, just to keep their battered hospitality industries afloat.

Some like Thailand and Vietnam have tried to create ‘Sandbox’ safe areas on islands like Phuket, Samui, or Phu Quoc.

But bear in mind that restrictions still exist, as many resorts such as Pattaya do not allow bars or nightlife to open, and drinking is also banned too.

So, is it really worth the hassle of getting a visa and all those medical tests and insurance, just for a few days away?

Let us know if you think it is worth it?

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-01-19

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

[mokwit]

I think the real question may still yet be: would not being allowed back in be a problem?

Edited January 18, 2022 by mokwit

[ukrules]

No, it's not worth travelling anywhere right now unless you really have to.

 

 

[bkk6060]

I bet there will be no more lockdowns and restrictions will be eased. There is discussion of returning test and go which which will probably come back in some form.

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

But bear in mind that restrictions still exist, as many resorts such as Pattaya do not allow bars or nightlife to open, and drinking is also banned

?? Drinking isn't banned many bars are packed booze flowing just need to close by 9 pm.

[Thaiwrath]

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

What happens if some clever Travel Minister

Thailand does not have any "clever" ministers, far from it, from the top to bottom ! ????

Edited January 18, 2022 by Thaiwrath

[Gandtee]

34 minutes ago, mokwit said:

I think the real question may still yet be: would not being allowed back in be a problem?

Correct. For people like me at 88 years of age, insurance which is required to return to Thailand is impossible to get. My days of visiting my family around the world are over. It sounds dramatic but we are trapped here unless we are prepared to leave our wives and loved ones for ever. I'm certainly not. 

[Orinoco]

No

[Thaiophil]

I have not left the LoS for 15 months and will not do so anytime soon.  Sky high airfares, tedious quarantines and a huge hassle if you test positive and can’t travel are major deterrents

[tonray]

I've instructed all family members and close friends not to die during the travel restrictions as it would be a great inconvenience to me to attend their funerals.

[djayz]

For me personally, no way! To many ifs, too much uncertainty, too many unknowns, too much paperwork and testing. I'm staying put. 

[Dmaxdan]

If you like endless red tape.

 

Have loads of excess cash to burn.

 

Have plenty of free time on your hands in case of lockdowns.

 

Are not interested in drinking in bars or restaurants.

 

And your favorite pastime is sticking cotton buds up your nose then it is probably worth it...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChrisY1]

I'll be travelling to Australia in March, situations at that time permitting of course.

I would hope in 2 months the covid situation will improve to make travel easier....but who knows....another strain could well emerge in the meantime

[bdenner]

I have not sat in a plane since Nov 2019 and written this year off as well.

 

It is hard having not yet seen one grandchild or watch the others grow up and maintain a bond but that is the nature of the beast. No trust in the Govt. here with the moving goal posts and confusion but not much better in Australia.

 

TTF for the quality of live connection we can use.

[sirineou]

If it was not for the fact that we are getting older and don't know how many ore trips we might have left, we would not go but...

In April we are having a bit of a family reunion with family members coming together for Easter from four different countries. We have not seen each other for over two years ,and enough is enough, non f us is getting any younger, My older brother is 75 , how many more summers together do we have left? 

We plan to stay in in Greece until August , by that time hopefully this covid restrictions in Thailand will be settled, While there we will look into changing our base to Greece, 

[Blumpie]

Not a chance!  

If you go to mexico you can get insurance easily that will cover any additional costs if you test positive and have to quarantine there.  

Unlike glory land where you go to a hospital on your dime.

No no and no!

[darksidedog]

Much as I would like to go home for a month or so to visit family and friends, there is no way I will be going anywhere while this pandemic is still controlling government actions. The hoops to jump through, the costs for tests and finding flights, all the while hoping you will be able to get back in again, but never really sure you actually can, combine to make it not viable.

[Lupusthai]

Last visit to Europe in spring 2019. Have not seen my grandchildren no. 4-7 yet.????
No chance to visit my 5 children & grandchildren in the foreseeable future because not insurable at 75 suffering from COPD and (recovered) cancer. ????

[HashBrownHarry]

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

No, it's not worth travelling anywhere right now unless you really have to.

 

 

It's getting easier and easier to travel by the weak, restrictions are now finally starting to be reduced throughout the world.

 

The end is in sight IMO.

[HashBrownHarry]

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

I bet there will be no more lockdowns and restrictions will be eased

Totally agree.

[HashBrownHarry]

28 minutes ago, bdenner said:

I have not sat in a plane since Nov 2019 and written this year off as well.

Why is this year written off?

[internationalism]

there is no way that 14 ASQ will be back.

At that time it's only 7 days  AQ or 7 days sandboxes in 4 provinces (and it will be growing to over 10 within months - so you can chose one next to your house).

I had to top up my yearly health insurance by 10k over my previous premium to meet $50k entry requirement. That is not any burden at all, covers all medical conditions in thailand and abroad.

Flights are cheaper than pre-covid. With the best airline, emirates, on a fully flexible ticket, it's 21k (pre-covid was over 30k). They throw in free covid insurance $200k for 30 days. Just on testing positive $100 per day for 14 days - so you have for hotel. Or pocket this money, if staying with family, friends.

Flying to europe doesn't require testing. Not even filling 2 minutes online locator form.

On way back pre-departure pcr e50 (results in 24h).

Landing pcr 2200b (included in T&G hotel booking).

Second test free, courtesy of thai government.

Doing T&G or sandbox is a 5 minutes work - attach insurance, hotel booking, vax. And wait a week or two - just a matter of proper planning and patience.

Testing positive on entering thailand can be nervous experience. Get an additional covid insurance for 1k per year. I have 2 - cover 300k. I expect to pay 100k for 10 days. Another 200k I will pocket for self-insurance for future travel.

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by internationalism

[cyril sneer]

I think people are overreacting 

[Pique Dard]

Is it really worth the hassle to travel out of Thailand in the next few months?

 

 

what is the alternative for those living in "cold countries"?

[cyril sneer]

1 hour ago, Thaiophil said:

Sky high airfares

flights are the cheapest i've ever seen at the moment

 

depends how you search for them..

[xenophon]

Thanks for starting this topic. Have been wrestling with this question also. Hopefully will learn something

[WEBBYB808]

"many resorts such as Pattaya do not allow bars or nightlife to open, and drinking is also banned too."  Since when?  Bars are opend everyday intil 9p.m. with thousands  of people from many countries having a great time with the more expensive  cost of alcohol  and plenty ladies!

[Henryford]

I have given up on the idea of travelling anywhere in, or especially out of, Thailand. Thailand changes the rules every 5 minutes so no it's not worth the risk. The world will still be there in 2023 onwards.

[shackleton]

If you have family or a business here then you will probably travel 

If its for tourist reasons best wait saying that people are travelling and putting up with the hassle of immigration and Covi paperwork 

All depends on how desperate you are for a holiday 

You decide ???? 

[1FinickyOne]

my family is here. I have no need or interest in going elsewhere, given the situation... 

[xenophon]

Re re-entry, how much can you put in place before leaving rather than dealing with it from overseas.

For example, if the Thailand Pass is reinstated, were you able to get that before leaving (assuming you knew your arrival date, etc.)?