Tourism organisations bullish on return of "Test and Go"; THA predict 300,000 foreign tourists in February

[tomyami]

Looking around social media its entry rules have gone down like a lead baloon not seeing 1 positive comment, especially now everyone knows about 10 day forced hotel/hospital isolation if testing positive and if they deem you as imunocompromised/aged its hospital.

 

A clear "we dont want tourists message".

[Fairynuff]

To consider Hua Hin the Riviera you really need to have a vivid imagination!

[Metapod]

with mandatory masks, forced testing for street access, restaurants, and even islands, and nightlife completely banned?

 

good luck

[Fairynuff]

49 minutes ago, Metapod said:

with mandatory masks, forced testing for street access, restaurants, and even islands, and nightlife completely banned?

 

good luck

Masks are only an issue for westerners. Other Asians think nothing of wearing a mask. “Forced” testing is a worldwide thing and people are well used to it by now. Nightlife, yes you’re right, people on holiday want nightlife.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

To consider Hua Hin the Riviera you really need to have a vivid imagination!

And extremely relaxed standards! Hua Hin is a decent town. And it does have some nice resorts, good food and plenty of fun to be had. But, a Monte Carlo it is not. Very wishful thinking on the part of wannabe high rollers, who either don't have a clue about the world, or just make stuff up hoping people will buy their nonsense. Sorry guys. Some of us have actually seen the world! 

 

 

 

[stereolab]

9 hours ago, Pmbkk said:

 

What are you trying to say in English - non text speak please...

This is not text speak, it is simply poor English writing, however, he makes a good point, even without the use of apostrophes.

[bbbbooboo]

15 hours ago, ezzra said:

Indeed, the less hassles and cumbersome procedures one has to go trough just to come for a holiday, the more tourists will come, simple commonsense really...

Yes, i agree. But finding common sense in Thailand isnt very common ?

[it is what it is]

9 minutes ago, bbbbooboo said:

Yes, i agree. But finding common sense in Thailand isnt very common ?

tbh wherever you are in the world you can say that...

[Albert Zweistein]

"Thailand Riviera" ? ????????????????????

[Straight8]

14 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

I'd rather stay in a hotel room for 5 days and take 2 tests than risk going outside, mixing and running the gauntlet in he 2nd pcr test. 

I'd rather just stay well away for now.

[Pierre Hanot]

Got a new crystal ???? ball ?

[garyk]

Those insurance and hotels have a lot of pull in Thailand evidently. They are sucking the last dollar out of the people desperate to get into Thailand.

Hoping this mess will end soon, so I can get back to visit.

[Nigeone]

Well as far as I'm concerned theres not a chance I'm visiting any time soon due totally to the russian roulette set of entry requirements . Have been every year since 1998 apart for the last two , obvious reasons , and sometimes twice in a year with a couple of 6 month stays thrown in. I love Thailand , the food and where I stay , Lamphun area , the people . I have a really good  mate up there and along with loads of friends who I miss greatly but nope the risk is to great. Already , after hanging on for some sort of sense to be shown , travelled to Portugal for a couple of weeks and just booked to go to Budapest for another 2 weeks and all with no issues with quarantine/ tests etc. Two Thai's I know have just travelled back to see families and had to pay £1400 GBP between them for quarantine stay plus tests and the likes . Not sure of there full expenditure but why would you even consider it and normal tourists wont. I know the travel agent I've been using for these trips have openly said they wont recommend or encourage any bookings into Thailand unless they have family etc there. They can spout all they want regarding pie in the sky projected arrival figures but reality is its not happening. They will be lucky to get 50k a month in my opinion. All very sad but predictable with the Buffaloes in charge. That then , like many others I'm sure ,  will be me as far as any consideration to travel to Thailand goes till at least November/ December and only then if its guaranteed open without this nonsense and in some cases dishonest testing , taxi's , insurance and Quarantine. Those of you that do travel , good luck and your a lot braver than me or just incredibly stupid. 

[Canadian Snowbird]

I will look forward to seeing what the real numbers amount to after the end of February. Me thinks they are being a tad optimistic. Maybe they should look at all the hoops tourists have to jump through, all the added costs, and all of the extra hassle just to get there along with the risk of being sent to hospital/hospitel to be paid out of pocket if tested positive. If they did, maybe they would understand why we cancelled our plans and decided not to come again this winter. Probably not though.

[jacko45k]

14 hours ago, Shocked farang said:

Test and go is still too much hassle for many people, like me. The sweet spot for tourists to come back to Thailand is:

1) Only fully vaccinated people are allowed. 

2) You take a PCR at least 72 hours before arrival. 

3) You get your normal Visa and are free to go anywhere you want in Thailand. 

That's it! Just stop asking for things that will make people's lives miserable. 

Nobody wants to travel to destinations that gives them hassles. 

When Test and Go was first introduced, it looked attractive to many who had been sitting out in the wings, desperate to get back to Thailand... at that time, an expensive sandbox stay in Phuket was the alternative. There were also many Europeans who were used to spending the Xmas and New Year season in Thailand.... wanting to do it again. Now, a quick test, and off you go anywhere, a few hours later... looks good. Then reality sank in, see the big picture, people were arriving and testing positive.....do you really expect Thailand to let those people in to roam!

 

It is not up to you or I what requirements Thailand makes on people arriving from other countries, particularly from what appears to be highly infected ones. The requirements are laid down.....

Hopefully we enter the end-game now....

[Chongalulu]

To paraphrase Monty Python," It’s an ex high season" … and heading towards an "ex tourist industry".

[morrobay]

5 hours ago, it is what it is said:

tbh wherever you are in the world you can say that...

Sure you can say that. But for you and the : "it happens everywhere" crowd the point ya all are missing is the greater frequency, the mass quantaties here.

 

 

 

[Litlos]

i am working in Singapore at the moment and overdue for a paid trip back to Thailand as part of my contract. I will wait a bit longer thanks. Coming back to Singapore there is a PCR test before flying into Singapore and on arrival and multiple ATK (ART) tests of which 2 are supervised. Also covid insurance for USD30,000. So I can sort of see where the inspiration for the Thai scheme comes from, just have to gouge a couple of extra days of expensive approved hotel and overdo the insurance etc, the Thai way. Oh and the bars are open in Singapore, only to 10:30pm, but that is ok, almost back to normal, Thailand used to have bars that opened, from memory.

 

Cheers

[Road Warrior]

23 hours ago, John Drake said:

Get rid of the quarantines and the insurance and you might be on to something, Marisa.

i agree 100 % 

[Andycoops]

Here we go, the daily predictions of tourist numbers will now be issued by all and sundry for the rest of the year, zzzzzz

[tomacht8]

Less travel restrictions = less stress and costs = more tourists. The WHO makes clear statements on this.

 

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/world-health-organization-calls-for-lifting-of-international-travel-bans

[connda]

15 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

Masks are only an issue for westerners. Other Asians think nothing of wearing a mask.

The "Asian" I'm married to hates them.

[connda]

15 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

“Forced” testing is a worldwide thing and people are well used to it by now.

Testing is 'worldwide.'  Forced incarceration into a Covid Prison is not.  Most testing positive worldwide are required to isolate but are not forced by police to isolate in a high-priced Covid hospital or quarantine facilities.  That seems to be relatively unique to Thailand as it's a money maker for certain connected industries.
For whatever reason, this fact seems to go right over people's heads until they pop positive on a PCR and are escorted to their prison for 10 days and handed an inflated bill on the way out the door. 
"We didn't know!!!" 
Well, people should have done their due diligence before booking the vacation.

[Fairynuff]

1 hour ago, connda said:

The "Asian" I'm married to hates them.

I didn’t say they like wearing them. But they don’t  whinge about them and bang on about civil rights, they just wear them. Of course there’ll be exceptions, perhaps you’re married to one.

[thaiman]

2 hours ago, connda said:

For whatever reason, this fact seems to go right over people's heads until they pop positive on a PCR and are escorted to their prison for 10 days and handed an inflated bill on the way out the door. 
"We didn't know!!!" 
Well, people should have done their due diligence before booking the vacation.

Why isn't it written out clearly on the thailandpass website?  Wouldn't it help if tourists knew the potential risks before applying for entry?  Is there any kind of disclaimer on the TAT website?

 

[Albert Zweistein]

1 hour ago, Fairynuff said:

I didn’t say they like wearing them. But they don’t  whinge about them and bang on about civil rights, they just wear them. Of course there’ll be exceptions, perhaps you’re married to one.

They don't whinge about them because they are sheeple.

 

Albert Z, ( not Zorro )

[hotchilli]

On 1/22/2022 at 10:34 AM, webfact said:

While a meeting at the Economic Situation Management Center sang the praises of the "Thailand Riviera" - centered around Hua Hin and Cha-Am - as a world class area for health and wellness tourism.

????

[Crisu]

What sense does it make to keep the Sandbox program in Phuket ect?

 

Now that test and go started for all countries also with 2 PCT Tests in Thailand, same as the Sandbox, but only with 2 needed hotel bookings, why should someone want to book 7 days in the Phuket sandbox instead of only 2 days with Test and Go in Phuket?

[Deli]

Easiest thing to get tourists back: kick out the clowns wearing tinsel and pretending to be elected.

[EricTh]

On 1/22/2022 at 12:45 PM, skorp13 said:

I feel the 5th day test and back in the hotel will put a lot of people off, were better off leaving it as it was!

 

And the expensive covid insurance of 50k will also put people off.