Warning against traveling to Thailand

[kimamey]

19 minutes ago, sandyf said:

People  want to make a mountain out of a molehill.

I went to the UK in August, to get in I had to do pre departure and then 3 other PCR tests with 6 days quarantine in the Holiday Inn at my own expense. Should have been 10 days but I did test to release.

On coming back I had to do pre-departure and if that tested positive I would have been stuck in the UK for another 10 days quarantine at my own expense.

To get back I had to pay upfront for 15 days quarantine in ASQ to for the COE, that got reduced to 7 days on arrival with 2 PCR tests, day 1 and day 6. I had to initiate a charge back to get a refund from Agoda which they contested initially but eventually conceded.

Had I tested positive on the day 6 test I would have faced more quarantine.

Things are very much easier now, but still the whinging.

Maybe better if they went back to the mandatory 15 days for everyone, with that there was hardly anyone on the flight so little chance of catching anything and failing a post arrival test.

As I've said in another post it's the uncertainty that's the problem. The plans as there are now are much better even though the test on day 5 makes little sense but they are fine by me. My problem is with the fact that you can end up in hospital after day 5 because you caught it from someone else who had less testing and then you have to pay the hospital bill because the insurance company won't cover it.

If they could change the quarantine to 'at home' or even in a hotel rather than an expensive hospital then I think that would be an improvement.

[cyril sneer]

so was the old way better? mandatory quarantine stay but you know how much you'll have to pay beforehand

[NanaSomchai]

2 hours ago, connda said:

Well my friend - TIT - This Is Thailand.
https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailands-score-drops-to-more-corrupt-on-organisations-corruption-perceptions-index

This is Thailand. Anything goes as long as they can make a quick profit out of it.

 

2 hours ago, thaimacky said:

In my home country, travel agencies have been warning against flying to Thailand since the new Test&Go regulation. Alternatives are offered to customers everywhere. I know of well over 10 people who actually wanted to travel to Thailand but have now changed their plans.

Common sense. Any $$$ spent on Test&Go, Thailand Pass, etc is actually doing a disservice to the greater cause.

 

2 hours ago, tomacht8 said:

You don't need proof it, when it's official practice that there are extra price lists for foreigners in the hospitals, with sometimes 200%-300% higher prices for one and the same activity or operation. Morally, the medical oath here is subject to greed for money.

Factual. Correct. Accurate statement. In Thailand everything is subject to greed for money, not only the medical oath.

 

2 hours ago, Birdseye said:

100% This should be published in the UK and elsewhere to Inform tourists of the potential implications as explained in the narrative. People with family or businesses here may well have to jump through hoops to return but tourists on a 2,3 or 4 week vacation most certainly do not as there are easier places to go on holiday

Even neighboring countries in the ASEAN region are easier to go to on a holiday. The goons at the head of Thailand have shot themselves in the foot.

 

I see this as the side results of rampant xenophobia and nationalism relents instilled as early as kindergartens: "Thailand is a heaven on Earth, everyone that isn't Thai is less holier and less worthy than we are, Thailand is the promised land, Thailand is only for the Thais, etc, etc", mass disinformation, deception and lies can only lead to a such mindset. I am sure that in their heads the Thais really see their Kingdom as "heavenly" while in fact it's quite a backward nation on many different levels.

 

There are easier and friendlier places to travel to. Do your own research and vote with your wallet.

 

2 hours ago, connda said:

None of my friends from the US are coming here until after they drop this scheme and return to a semblance of normalcy.

Common sense, really.

 

1 hour ago, thailand49 said:

Land of Scams continues!  Billions of programs, rules, the lights are on but no one is home!

Confusion no one knows the rules everyone does their own thing so typical anyone that has dealt with immigration living here is a prime example how the country is run and why all the critism as to why stay away.

Quoted the whole post, for truth.

 

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

I have heard on many occasions, it is the immigration police that do the ordering after the on-site medics, indicate a positive. 

Wouldn't surprise me, the boys in brown calling the shots. More shakedowns, more money to get.

 

41 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Sorry to inform, but the destruction is complete. Tourism will never return to Thailand. Not in a meaningful way. 150 high caliber rounds into the heart of the Golden Goose. Sorry, game over. 

I couldn't agree more. Game over for the time being.

 

GAME OVER

Edited February 4, 2022 by NanaSomchai

[tomyami]

Just now, cyril sneer said:

so was the old way better? mandatory quarantine stay but you know how much you'll have to pay beforehand

I have looked at the two options 7 day quarrantine in pattaya best option I have my own insurance that wont cover asystomic but is cover for covid treatment in hospital, the other is russian roulette X 2 and they probably have a + percentage target we will never know.

Probably cheaper unless you have a place

[calbts2]

Vietnam is targeting a full reopening by April 1, hopefully this will be the real turning point now as Thailand will be completely shunned by any sane tourist when travel to most of the surrounding countries do not require multiple pcr tests on arrival, forced hotel quarantines, and getting a special pass just to enter.

 

https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/02/03/vietnam-intends-to-reopen-for-international-tourists-in-march-or-april/

[michaelgoulden]

I have a Master Plan.

It starts 1st April (what a brilliant date)

Tell everyone you know,family,girlfriend,wife,business partners,mates everyone you know. All bookings to Thailand worldwide will stop 1st April. 

And will not resume until this sha/hospital/pcr/dodgy insurance/scam stops.

But this is not a April fools day joke.Do it for real.Tell everyone ,do not book anything regarding Thailand after March 31st.

If people stop booking NOW for visits after March 31st It will give the elite time to reflect. 

We need to stop complaining and activley do something to stop this madness, this disrespect.This scam.

Tell everyone to stop booking they are prolonging the problem.

And that means you too,the one reading this,Communicate with all your contacts around the world.As they say "vote with your feet" and use your influence to make a stand.

 

[KhaoYai]

This story can't be true. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) say that Thailand Pass is still closed so there's no problem.  Obviously the ministry responsible for tourism will have the most up to date information...............????

 

 

 

https://www.tourismthailand.org/home

(09.30 gmt 04 February 2022)

Edited February 4, 2022 by KhaoYai

[KhaoYai]

6 minutes ago, michaelgoulden said:

We need to stop complaining and activley do something to stop this madness, this disrespect.This scam.

Tell everyone to stop booking they are prolonging the problem.

I don't think that will happen and the nay-sayers here will claim that nobody will listen - without even trying.  I think a better policy would be for people to write in to the TAT and make their feelings known.  Its quick and easy to do if you have LINE on your phone - done mine already.

 

Tourist Authority of Thailand Contact Centre - LINE ID = @tatcontactcenter

 

Phone:1672 in Thailand

Phone: +66 2 250 5500 outside Thailand

E-mail: [email protected]

 

Thailand's government has a long reputation of ignoring what the general public says - especially foreigners.  However, what they hate more is bad publicity on the international stage.  If the TAT get flooded with complaints, I'm pretty sure they'll bring it to the attention of the government.

 

 

[Leadidge]

13 hours ago, steven100 said:

This would have to be first most honest & accurate news article/report I have read for a long time.

 

not the usual tribe that is as murky as muddy water ...

Tribe?  Do you men tripe? or diatribe? ????

[WingFat]

11 hours ago, smedly said:

I have been warning about this in several posts on here for weeks 

 

This is nothing but a money grabbing scam and before anyone sets foot in Thailand they need to be aware of what could happen to them 

 

Meanwhile Denmark has just declared all covid restrictions have ended ......................everything 

 

They  now rate covid 19 as they do a cold or a mild flu and this is while detection rates are soring in the country 

 

is it time ?

 

I don't think the public have the stomach for any more of this, you cannot stop omicron from spreading  

Covid (chinese virus) mania has taken on a life of its own; or rather a whole new culture. Kudos to Denmark. California in the USA in contrast, the New Covid Culture is sacrosanct to them; what the gov't and health cabals tell them to do is gospel. I state this as I am a former 3rd generation CA native and thoroughly disgusted by what CA has been turned into, above and beyond the Virus culture it has adopted.

[Bangkok Barry]

11 hours ago, Karma80 said:

I've declined business trips and will not leave Thailand. It's too much of a risk. Sure, I live here, but there's no guarantee what will happen if I test positive on return. I can do without the risk of more solitary confinements.

Same with me, Far too risky.

[Bangkok Barry]

This article could not say more clearly - without saying it outright - that the hotel/hospital tie-up is a scam. Brilliant, and thank you.

 

I've posted a link to the article on Facebook, to Public and not only to Friends, for a worldwide readership.

Edited February 4, 2022 by Bangkok Barry

[cyril sneer]

they relaxed it last April 1st...

 

• Starting 1st April 2021, Thailand will implement significant relaxation of Covid-19 measures for the entry into the Kingdom as follows: 
            For all travelers, Thais and non-Thais, fit to fly certificates are no longer required. 
                 - Travelers from countries without Covid-19 variants, with the certificate of Covid-19 vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand, or approved by WHO, or authorised by The Public Health Ministry will be quarantined upon arrival in Thailand for at least 7 days. 
  
   

• List of vaccines approved by the FDA, or approved by WHO, or authorised by The Public Health Ministry includes 
       (1) CoronaVac by Sinovac (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (2) AZD 1222 by AstraZenaca/Oxford (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (3) AZD 1222 by Siam Bioscience /AstraZeneca/Oxford (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (4) COV2.S by Johnson & Johnson (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (5) Tozinameran by Pfizer–BioNTech 
  
       (6) Covishield by Serum Institute of India 
  
       (7) mRNA-1273 by Moderna

• Travelers from countries without Covid-19 variants, without the vaccine certificate must be quarantined upon arrival in Thailand for at least 10 days. 

 

 

[garyk]

Thailand's new slogan has gone from "Land of Smiles"  to , "A Fool and His Money"  

[Bangkok Barry]

3 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

they relaxed it last April 1st...

 

• Starting 1st April 2021, Thailand will implement significant relaxation of Covid-19 measures for the entry into the Kingdom as follows: 
            For all travelers, Thais and non-Thais, fit to fly certificates are no longer required. 
                 - Travelers from countries without Covid-19 variants, with the certificate of Covid-19 vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Thailand, or approved by WHO, or authorised by The Public Health Ministry will be quarantined upon arrival in Thailand for at least 7 days. 
  
   

• List of vaccines approved by the FDA, or approved by WHO, or authorised by The Public Health Ministry includes 
       (1) CoronaVac by Sinovac (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (2) AZD 1222 by AstraZenaca/Oxford (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (3) AZD 1222 by Siam Bioscience /AstraZeneca/Oxford (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (4) COV2.S by Johnson & Johnson (approved by the FDA) 
  
       (5) Tozinameran by Pfizer–BioNTech 
  
       (6) Covishield by Serum Institute of India 
  
       (7) mRNA-1273 by Moderna

• Travelers from countries without Covid-19 variants, without the vaccine certificate must be quarantined upon arrival in Thailand for at least 10 days. 

 

 

Do you know how many times the rules have changed since April 2021?

[cyril sneer]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Do you know how many times the rules have changed since April 2021?

my point was that they might bring in similar measures April 2022

[Bangkok Barry]

6 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

7 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Do you know how many times the rules have changed since April 2021?

my point was that they might bring in similar measures April 2022

Bizarre. Truly bizarre.

[RubbaJohnny]

11 hours ago, ezzra said:

I'll be back as soon as the grow your own marijuana laws comes into effect, i have this nice piece of land i'd like to start using now...

Mind so jealous "dope" don't "grass" you up. IMHO leaf it out

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, NanaSomchai said:

This is Thailand. Anything goes as long as they can make a quick profit out of it.

 

Common sense. Any $$$ spent on Test&Go, Thailand Pass, etc is actually doing a disservice to the greater cause.

 

Factual. Correct. Accurate statement. In Thailand everything is subject to greed for money, not only the medical oath.

 

Even neighboring countries in the ASEAN region are easier to go to on a holiday. The goons at the head of Thailand have shot themselves in the foot.

 

I see this as the side results of rampant xenophobia and nationalism relents instilled as early as kindergartens: "Thailand is a heaven on Earth, everyone that isn't Thai is less holier and less worthy than we are, Thailand is the promised land, Thailand is only for the Thais, etc, etc", mass disinformation, deception and lies can only lead to a such mindset. I am sure that in their heads the Thais really see their Kingdom as "heavenly" while in fact it's quite a backward nation on many different levels.

 

There are easier and friendlier places to travel to. Do your own research and vote with your wallet.

 

Common sense, really.

 

Quoted the whole post, for truth.

 

Wouldn't surprise me, the boys in brown calling the shots. More shakedowns, more money to get.

 

I couldn't agree more. Game over for the time being.

 

GAME OVER

Agree with alot of your post. However, I disagree about "for the time being". People are just assuming when they finally stop the extreme cowardice, people will flock back here, after two, or three years of sabotage and closures. Not gonna happen.

 

Maybe they will get up to 5 million tourists a year, by 2028. Maybe. Likely no more than that in our lifetimes. 

[KhaoYai]

4 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Agree with alot of your post. However, I disagree about "for the time being". People are just assuming when they finally stop the extreme cowardice, people will flock back here, after two, or three years of sabotage and closures. Not gonna happen.

 

Maybe they will get up to 5 million tourists a year, by 2028. Maybe. Likely no more than that in our lifetimes. 

I agree, the amount of damage they have done by their crazy policies and flip flopping is yet to be seen.

[D M G]

A "news" article created for 1 purpose.  Emotional reaction!

[ThaiAl]

13 hours ago, kimamey said:

I'm planning on coming back soon but reading the full article is a bit worrying. If insurance covers it then ok but if not then it's a lot of money at risk.

A health insurance, the will not pay, if you have no symptoms. You need to have a specail travel-insurance and be sure the pay quarantine for covid. My insurance pay up to USD 3'000.

[ThaiAl]

As long as there is a risk end in hospital without any symptoms for a lot of money, tourists will not visit Thailand anymore. All my frienfs wantd to travel to Thailand, but with the actuel Test&Go-schema the go to Mexico, Costa Rica, ..... Some of them looking for alternatives also in Asia (i.e Philipines, Viernam), and here is the risk, if they like it, why should they come back to Thailand next year!

[NoshowJones]

10 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

What would happen if you test positive but refused to pay upfront for quarantine, take you to court for the bill or just deport you?

I have already asked that question and am still waiting for a proper answer, no one can get money from you if you don't give them it, or money that you haven't got with you in Thailand, and as for insurance, they won't pay out because someone with the Cvirus sat near you on the plane.

[cyril sneer]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Bizarre. Truly bizarre.

Songkran month, good for tourism 

 

not that bizarre

[RubbaJohnny]

2 hours ago, Leadidge said:

Tribe?  Do you men tripe? or diatribe? 

Mmm yes couldn't be BRIBE that could lead to DEAF an Asian.

I quite expect the grate Dane to be sued hounded and his organ curbed within LOS , like the restaurant reviews, they can dish it , but they cannot take it.Sadly many other nations will still be attracted in ignorance due to teh insatiable demand to be banged up in LOS

[NoshowJones]

10 hours ago, chickin said:

This is an advertisement for insurance, not an "article". Most people are not being sent to private hospitals, hardly any are. If they have mild symptoms, or are asymptomatic, they are moved to a quarantine hotel, the cost of which are quite reasonable. There are a few horror stories floating around, yes. But overall people are overwhelmingly just confined to a hotel where they are basically free to mingle around inside. 

 "they are moved to a quarantine hotel, the cost of which are quite reasonable".

Could you give us an example please?

[NoshowJones]

9 hours ago, huangnon said:

Hear ya. Similarly, I haven't been back for 3 years also. But I 'bit the bullet', and booked flights for this April when I heard Boris dropped all travel restrictions in the UK.

Hopefully, with the international press putting Thailand's dystopian travel procedures (scams) under the microscope, these dolts will rescind these very soon. Fingers crossed.

Boris has dropped all travel restrictions?? All?? So I can just book a flight, turn up at the airport and away I go?? Restrictions have eased, but there is still a bit of hassle, and as far as I know, you cannot be sure your flight won't be cancelled.

[michael888]

True.  Not to mention having to purchase bogus " insurance" to enter the country - many policies of which dont even compensate you if you do get covid.

 

The whole thing is just a huge money grab ( worldwide).  Congratulations med pharma corporations, insurance companies, etc.....  get fat off of the suffering, well done.

Edited February 4, 2022 by michael888

[garyk]

2 hours ago, ThaiAl said:

As long as there is a risk end in hospital without any symptoms for a lot of money, tourists will not visit Thailand anymore. All my frienfs wantd to travel to Thailand, but with the actuel Test&Go-schema the go to Mexico, Costa Rica, ..... Some of them looking for alternatives also in Asia (i.e Philipines, Viernam), and here is the risk, if they like it, why should they come back to Thailand next year!

Yeah, Thailand is ridiculous. I just returned from 6 months in South America. And a short hop to the Mexican Yucatan. Trouble free and all flights were full.  Before I left I was not sure about going, now I am not sure I want to come back to Thailand. hummm

If not for the many years of living there and friends that I want to see. I honestly don't think I would go back even if the rules were completely done away with. 

Actually I have the powers in charge of Thailand to thank for my other travels. 

 

I love the Yucatan, clean air and beautiful beaches and safe as Thailand IMO. Also love Colombia, Although more dangerous. But, reminds me of Thailand many years ago. Pristine forests and absolutely mind blowing scenery. 

 

Edited February 4, 2022 by garyk