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

[jimn]

12 hours ago, Thaiophil said:

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

Well I have gone back to the UK twice since this nonsense started. 2020 and 2021. Granted I had to do 14 days and then 7 days quarantine on my return bit its worth it to see my grandkids. I disagree about skyhigh airfares I dont know where you got that from. In 2020 a return with Quatar for 23,900 baht. In 2021 a return with Finnair for 21,400 baht and I have just booked my return this year with Qatar for 22,650 baht.

[unblocktheplanet]

Frankly, I'm pretty happy being trapped here in pair-o-dice. You really think there's anything better 'out there'? I've discovered I can pretty much find anything I'd want can be ordered online. No uncertainty, no airtix. Missing loved ones? Let them jump through the hoops and visit you for a change. Sounds cold, right? But that's the way it is.

[LarsBKK]

12 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

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

 

depends how you search for them..

I thought so too until I had to book a flight to Europe. Now almost all fares include carry-on luggage only. So you have to add between 4000 - 7000 baht per checked bag. Pre Covid the prices were a bit higher than now but the main airlines included at least one checked bag. So right now it is not really cheaper to fly (at least to Europe).

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, KanchanaburiGuy said:

Don't know if I'm wrongly informed or just confused. Saw two comments about not being able to travel because of being "too old" to get the necessary insurance. 

 

But I remembered seeing the following link on the Thai Consulate, Los Angeles, website, where they refer people to buy the appropriate travel-to-Thailand insurance.

 

https://covid19.tgia.org/

 

This site says eligibility is up to 99 years. Is this wrong? Is it old news? Or does it turn out there IS a place where "oldsters" can buy the insurance they need, if they wanted?

 

Glad to have helped, if it does. If not, my apologies for getting it wrong!

 

-- KG

No, you are not wrong.

 

They will insure up to age 99.  And rates don't seem to vary with age.

 

There are also travel insurance policies available for older people (cost more but cover more than just COVID).

 

To apply for a new O or O-A visa requires more extensive insuranec which can indeed be difficult or impossible to get at older ages. But coming back on a re-entry visa, or visa exempt or on a Tourist Visa, insurance on basis of age is not a barrier.

[internationalism]

28 minutes ago, LarsBKK said:

I thought so too until I had to book a flight to Europe. Now almost all fares include carry-on luggage only. So you have to add between 4000 - 7000 baht per checked bag. Pre Covid the prices were a bit higher than now but the main airlines included at least one checked bag. So right now it is not really cheaper to fly (at least to Europe).

all flights to europe do include minimum 23kg.

 

[Snig27]

Flew to Spain for a month in Sept. the flights were crazy cheap and entry into Spain was beyond simple. Returning to Thailand less so mostly because the arrival process here was disorganised chaos but the Sandbox in Samui is great. The only bad side was blatant and dishonest profiteering by Bangkok Airways on the flight to Bangkok, with unannounced reductions in check in luggage and hefty charges. Very rude staff in Samui too. 

[sambum]

4 hours ago, internationalism said:

read full post and conclusion is opposite to yours.

It does not cost more to travel now then before covid - I save some 10k on airfare each time.

Had to upgrade health insurance below 10k.

3pcr - some $60 plus 2x2200b in thailand

""Read full post ......................" etc etc etc

 

You have just confirmed exactly what I was saying!

 

I did not say anything about paying more now than before Covid! :-

What I was saying is  that with all the hassle involved and "jumping through hoops" it would not be worth it for ME!

 

"Had to upgrade health insurance below 10k." :-

At my age I can not even get health insurance!!!!

 

And:-  "3pcr - some $60 plus 2x2200b in thailand"

Gobbledegook! I have no idea what you are talking about, which in itself answers the question asked in the article:- "Is it all worth it?"

 

So, my answer to the question is still "NO"!!! 

 

 

[PoodThaiMaiDai]

I have been in and out of Thailand twice since all the restrictions.

 

All of this negativity makes me laugh.

 

It really is not that difficult.

 

I arrived Bangkok for the week long quarantine and then spent 3.5 months in Pattaya.

 

I left Thailand for 3 weeks and then returned to Phuket for the Sandbox, as it was being changed to 1 night and free to leave after 7 days.  

 

I was then in Bangkok and Pattaya for another 3.5 months.

 

Yes, it took about 60-90 minutes online to get everything sorted.

 

I had to take several (6?) PCR and/or Antigen Covid tests to get to and from.

 

I did spend a little more money than normal for travel but I saved a lot of money on drinking as it was not as available on occasion.

 

I ended up saving more money lodging as I ended up with a nice condo overlooking Pattaya Bay for a fraction of what I would pay in hotel fees.

 

I met over 90 girls during this time.

 

I was on 12 different airplanes.

 

I never contacted Covid or STD or even a common cold or flu.

 

Can it happen?

 

Yes, of course, however the odds are so low, why stop living.

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by PoodThaiMaiDai

[babyjesus]

any chance you could post insurance papers for us to alter and use to enter Thailand?

[sambum]

34 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

No, you are not wrong.

 

They will insure up to age 99.  And rates don't seem to vary with age.

 

There are also travel insurance policies available for older people (cost more but cover more than just COVID).

 

To apply for a new O or O-A visa requires more extensive insuranec which can indeed be difficult or impossible to get at older ages. But coming back on a re-entry visa, or visa exempt or on a Tourist Visa, insurance on basis of age is not a barrier.

How's about pre existing conditions? 

 

For example - high blood pressure and high cholesterol automatically excludes you from cover for anything heart related (stroke,heart attack etc) 

 

But they will take your money! 

[sambum]

9 minutes ago, PoodThaiMaiDai said:

I have been in and out of Thailand twice since all the restrictions.

 

All of this negativity makes me laugh.

 

It really is not that difficult.

 

I arrived Bangkok for the week long quarantine and then spent 3.5 months in Pattaya.

 

I left Thailand for 3 weeks and then returned to Phuket for the Sandbox, as it was being changed to 1 night and free to leave after 7 days.  

 

I was then in Bangkok and Pattaya for another 3.5 months.

 

Yes, it took about 60-90 minutes online to get everything sorted.

 

I had to take several (6?) PCR and/or Antigen Covid tests to get to and from.

 

I did spend a little more money than normal for travel but I saved a lot of money on drinking as it was not as available on occasion.

 

I ended up saving more money lodging as I ended up with a nice condo overlooking Pattaya Bay for a fraction of what I would pay for in hotel fees.

 

I met over 90 girls during this time.

 

I was on 12 different airplanes.

 

I never contacted Covid or STD or even a common cold or flu.

 

Can it happen?

 

Yes, of course, however the odds are so low, why stop living.

 

"I met over 90 girls during this time."

 

No comment necessary!

[cyril sneer]

1 hour ago, LarsBKK said:

I thought so too until I had to book a flight to Europe. Now almost all fares include carry-on luggage only. So you have to add between 4000 - 7000 baht per checked bag. Pre Covid the prices were a bit higher than now but the main airlines included at least one checked bag. So right now it is not really cheaper to fly (at least to Europe).

That sounds strange for the main airlines 

Emirates and Singapore include 25kg checked luggage from a recent search, I would assume the other main ones do too

 

[Sheryl]

5 minutes ago, sambum said:

How's about pre existing conditions? 

 

For example - high blood pressure and high cholesterol automatically excludes you from cover for anything heart related (stroke,heart attack etc) 

 

But they will take your money! 

There are no such exclusions for the COVID only policies listed on the tgia site. Which are accepted for entry to Thailand.

[Partenavia]

I have family in Thailand, but currently in the UK, have been now since the start of the pandemic. Would like to come and visit family, but will not until I can enter the country showing proof of my triple vaccination only. All the other nonsense is just plain stupid, but they've calculated its a money spinner. The testing regime is non existent. Too much risk involved in being locked up for days.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

now is the best time to travel, but not to\in thailand.

acctually the pandemic is over and most of the world (not asia) open

normally with millions of people in the streets.

[LarsBKK]

1 hour ago, internationalism said:

all flights to europe do include minimum 23kg.

 

I don't know where you book. But neither KLM, AF nor Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss nor Finnair from BKK to HAM include checked baggage in the price shown on Google.com/flights, their respective websites, momondo or sky scanner. Each of those offer you to add checked baggage in a second step while booking at additional cost as of 2 days ago. Extra fee for one checked bag was KLM, AF  3000 Baht for the round,  FinnAir 70EUR one way, LH Group between 4700 and 5600 Baht for the round. 

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by LarsBKK

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

To apply for a new O or O-A visa requires more extensive insuranec

to apply for non-O does NOT require any insurance

[wealthychef]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

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

I can say that this is exactly the question people are asking before entering Thailand.  Don't forget the risk of quarantine, which is the real fear.  I could actually deal with a bit more bureaucracy and expense if they would not imprison me for catching Omicron.  Another two weeks and I hope it will all blow over in LOS.  Anyone notice those cases in South Africa and UK declining?  

[internationalism]

1 hour ago, LarsBKK said:

I don't know where you book. But neither KLM, AF nor Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss nor Finnair from BKK to HAM include checked baggage in the price shown on Google.com/flights, their respective websites, momondo or sky scanner. Each of those offer you to add checked baggage in a second step while booking at additional cost as of 2 days ago. Extra fee for one checked bag was KLM, AF  3000 Baht for the round,  FinnAir 70EUR one way, LH Group between 4700 and 5600 Baht for the round. 

 

emirates and probably all other arab ones

[rickudon]

I did the trip back to the UK in July 2021, returning October/November. Probably bad timing as lots of changing rules taking place. My international airfare was pretty standard, about 28,000 baht. But the 'extras' due to Covid tests, quarantine, Covid insurance added an extra 40,000 baht to the round trip cost. But worse was the stress - 2 domestic flight cancelations when leaving, resulting in hobsons choice flight and it was the last flight for a week. 5 PCR tests for the round trip, and returning had to rebook international flight twice. My COE only arrived 3 days before flying. I was so ill by the time i got back it took me a month to recover.

 

I did it to see grandson who was born early 2021, and granddaughter who i had only seen once before. But never again while Covid restrictions last. Travel is less chaotic now and additional costs would be less, but you never know when you will get screwed by the next change!

[Stargeezr]

My cousin who lives in Thailand year round, came to Canada in the Summer 2021. He 

survived his quarantine time in a Vancouver hotel went to his specialist doctor and

spent a few weeks seeing relatives in Canada. He even said at that time, if he did

not have to see the doctor he would not travel the long flights. He also had to quarantine in Pattaya

on his return and that was 10 more days back then. I agree that if the trip is not for something

important, then travelling international is just to risky for any direction, in or out.

  Hopefully by the end of 2022 conditions will have improved for the next High tourist season 

of Thailand, if not 2023 is only  23 and a half months away. 555

[kiwikeith]

19 hours ago, Thaiophil said:

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

Wise decision,your probably going to get omicron in Thailand or pick it up traveling 

In a few months omicron will be over then hopefully traveling will become easier ,I’m waiting until June to return to Thailand by then it should be well over in most countries,it’s peaked in the UK and SA and the curve’s going down in the USA 

 

 

[kiwikeith]

3 hours ago, wealthychef said:

I can say that this is exactly the question people are asking before entering Thailand.  Don't forget the risk of quarantine, which is the real fear.  I could actually deal with a bit more bureaucracy and expense if they would not imprison me for catching Omicron.  Another two weeks and I hope it will all blow over in LOS.  Anyone notice those cases in South Africa and UK declining?  

SA it’s over hospital no’s and deaths way way down , UK the graph is going down similar to SA. So it’s peaked and totally displaced Delta USA the graph is starting downwards 

Omicron just about in every country has displaced Delta 

Watch Dr John Campbell latest updates on you tube he does updates daily 

[Sharron Merrilees]

21 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

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

Will they sure as hell don't have any down here in Australia so you are not alone. cant wait to get out of the place, just one stuff up after another.

[wealthychef]

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

SA it’s over hospital no’s and deaths way way down , UK the graph is going down similar to SA. So it’s peaked and totally displaced Delta USA the graph is starting downwards 

Omicron just about in every country has displaced Delta 

Watch Dr John Campbell latest updates on you tube he does updates daily 

I do watch that channel and per his information, this is not over yet.  We still have to deal with the comorbidities, lack of vaccines and social distancing etc that have arisen from horrible government policies for a couple weeks.  Omicron is mild but it still kills people and is doing so as I type, so I don't want to say it's actually over-over, just mostly.  But in 2 weeks I believe it will be obvious to all and Thailand will lessen restrictions in its typical haphazard and brainless way.   Cheers and congratulations if you catch a cold this week -- it's probably Omicron, not a cold.  You just got inoculated.  

[TorquayFan]

I'm already hoping / planning to go to the UK again in May, to stay for some months. Good reasons - 3 Sons and 4 Grandsons + other Family and Friends. Also important also to catch up on the real ales and my local Cricket Club.

 

Of course, getting back may be a hassle if the Pandemic bubbles . . . in which case, I'll bide my time and find a way. IMO as long as you have somewhere to stay, it's worth a try - I couldn't risk it financially if I was staying in Hotels etc.

 

My guess is that by then, it's going to be easier than some fear - I may regret that statement later!

[garyk]

20 minutes ago, TorquayFan said:

I'm already hoping / planning to go to the UK again in May, to stay for some months. Good reasons - 3 Sons and 4 Grandsons + other Family and Friends. Also important also to catch up on the real ales and my local Cricket Club.

 

Of course, getting back may be a hassle if the Pandemic bubbles . . . in which case, I'll bide my time and find a way. IMO as long as you have somewhere to stay, it's worth a try - I couldn't risk it financially if I was staying in Hotels etc.

 

My guess is that by then, it's going to be easier than some fear - I may regret that statement later!

Same here, I keep a cheap home in the US just so I won't get caught with my pants down.  It's come in handy a few times, getting sick and needing medical care, the pandemic. Many time I have though about selling but, it has served me well.

[TorquayFan]

4 minutes ago, garyk said:

Same here, I keep a cheap home in the US just so I won't get caught with my pants down.  It's come in handy a few times, getting sick and needing medical care, the pandemic. Many time I have though about selling but, it has served me well.

Garyk - THAT'S the way to do it ! I wish I'd done the same . . . . I wonder if Grecian and others contemplating a move to Thailand will see that post.

 

Luckily I have a Sister who is always happy to provide me with a base, even for a long visit. That's  helpful for 'medical' stuff too, as you say . . . .

 

 

[Canadian Snowbird]

If you're already there, its probably not worth the hassle to leave, just like its not worth the hassle (and added costs and other aggravations) to go to Thailand right now. You can't make plans for either situation because of all the flip flopping over the past 3 months. 

[Mingomania]

On 1/19/2022 at 6:27 AM, mokwit said:

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

I have a Multiple Turist Visa which allows me to stay for 60 days at a time during a period of 180 days. Before the Covid restrictions we used to drive to Cambodia, get my 60 days visa renewed the same day and then return back to Pattaya. Since border crossings now is out of the question, I'm forced to leave by air to some nearby country, a place from where it would be far less troublesome to get into the kingdom without too much hassle, any suggestions?